Daniel & Revelation

1. How does the fourth angel relate to the third angel?

Answer: The fourth angel of Revelation 18 joins with the third angel of revelation 14. The fourth angel restates and expounds on what the first angel is saying, and together these two spread the important message over all the world. The third angel gives a warning about what will happen to those in Babylon, and the forth angel presents the detailed consequences again, and offers a way of escape “Come out of her, my people.” (Rev. 18:4)

< Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to earth, and unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which went before and followed after this angel, penetrated every where, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is again given, with the addition of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time, and joins in the last great work of the third angel’s message, as it swells into a loud cry. {1SG 193.2} This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, and joined it, as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844. {1SG 194.1}

2. What are the two parts to the Loud Cry?

Answer: There are two parts to the Loud Cry: 1) the announcement of Babylon’s sins and her judgment, and 2) the call to come out of Babylon.

< Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with his message the call is heard: “Come out of her, My people.” {GC 604.1}…they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon, and calling upon God’s people to come out of her; that they might escape her fearful doom.{1SG 194.1} And in the loud cry of the third angel’s message a voice is heard from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people…” {Mar 189.1}

3. What are the two parts to the final warning?

 Answer: The final warning is basically composed of 1) the Loud cry (see question above), and 2) the third angel’s message.

< Hence the movement symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth with his glory and crying mightily with a strong voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. ” In connection with his message the call is heard: “Come out of her, My people. These announcements, uniting with the third angel’s message, constitute the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth. {GC 604.1}

 4. What is the difference between “Babylon is fallen” in the second angel’s message of Revelation 14, as given in the summer of 1844, and “Babylon is fallen” in the Loud Cry of Revelation 18? [Hint: what caused the fall of Babylon in 1844?]

Answer: The second angels’ message given in 1844 was essentially preached to an American audience. The Loud Cry will be given just previous to Christ’s second coming and will be a world-wide movement. When the first call was made, Babylon had just begun to fall. Between the when the second angel’s message and the Loud Cry are given, Babylon has been sinking lower and lower. When the Loud Cry is actually given, Babylon has completely fallen. She is now “the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird” and “her sins have reached unto Heaven” (Rev. 18:2, 5). This is directly referring to the time when it will be against the law to keep God’s commandments (especially the forth).

< Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord. {Ev 693.2} I saw that the third message would close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry {1SG 195.1} The light which went before and followed after this angel, penetrated every where, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is again given, with the addition of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844 {1SG 193.2} Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish its work. When those that “believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call: “Come out of her, My people” (Revelation 18:4).{GC 390.2} The second angel’s message of Revelation 14 was first preached in the summer of 1844, and it then had a more direct application to the churches of the United States, where the warning of the judgment had been most widely proclaimed and most generally rejected, and where the declension in the churches had been most rapid. But the message of the second angel did not reach its complete fulfillment in 1844. The churches then experienced a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal of the light of the advent message; but that fall was not complete. As they have continued to reject the special truths for this time they have fallen lower and lower. Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen …because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this.{GC 389.2} The wine of Babylon is the exalting of the false and spurious Sabbath above the Sabbath which the Lord Jehovah hath blessed and sanctified for the use of man, also [it is] the immortality of the soul. These kindred heresies, and the rejection of the truth, convert the church into Babylon. Kings, merchants, rulers, and religious teachers are all in corrupt harmony. {2SM 68.2} The Bible declares that before the coming of the Lord, Satan will work “with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness;” and they that “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,” will be left to receive “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. Not until this condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the fall of Babylon be complete. The change is a progressive one, and the perfect fulfillment of Revelation 14:8 is yet future. {GC 389.3} When do her sins reach unto heaven [Rev. 18:2-5]? When the law of God is finally made void by legislation {ST June 12, 1893. {LDE 198.5}

 5. Babylon is become: “the habitation of devils,” “the hold of every foul spirit,” “and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Explain each of these elements.

Answer: As the people in Babylon reject the truth, the door to Satan and his agencies keeps widening. Because there is little truth, Satan’s agencies will eventually feel at home in the churches of Babylon and -even scarier- in the members’ hearts. These evil angels will bring with them additional corruptions.

< As the teachings of spiritualism are accepted by the churches, the restraint imposed upon the carnal heart is removed, and the profession of religion will become a cloak to conceal the basest iniquity. A belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and thus the influence of evil angels will be felt in the churches.{GC 603.2} They had chosen a ruler who chained them to his car as captive… Satanic agencies were incorporated with men. The bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of God, had become the habitation of demons. {DA 36.3} “a cage of every unclean and hateful bird”– This phrase refers to the menagerie of corruptions and falsehoods that have crept into the churches of Babylon under the pretense of truth. The light which went before and followed after this angel, penetrated every where, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is again given, with the addition of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. {1SG 193.2} “As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.”-Jeremiah 5:27

6. List and explain the sins of Babylon, as stated in Revelation 18.

Answer: The listed sins of Babylon are 1) allowing “foul spirits” to make their home in her (Rev. 18:2), 2) fornication (Rev. 18:3), and 3) glorifying herself and living extravagantly (Rev. 18:7).

1). allowing “foul spirits” to make their residence in her – Babylon did not let God have control of her life, and God cannot live where He is not welcome. He will not force Himself upon anyone. Similarly, Satan cannot live where God is present. So when Babylon rejected God, Satan gained a foothold within her.

2. Fornicating – Though the verse seems to say that the ones who are sinning are the “kings of the earth” and the “nations”, it also makes it clear that Babylon is sinning as well. (“wine of the wrath of her fornication”) Babylon is just as guilty as the others. Even more so, because she is the one offering her “fornication” to the world. The word “fornication” means to commit adultery. Babylon causes many to “commit adultery” against God by enticing them with the wine of false doctrine.

<What is that wine?–her false doctrines. She has given to the world a false sabbath instead of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and has repeated the falsehood that Satan first told to Eve in Eden–the natural immortality of the soul. Many kindred errors she has spread far and wide, “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (7BC 985.4)

 

3) Glorifying herself and living extravagantly – True love “seeketh not her own” (1 Cor. 13:5) God is the embodiment of this love (1 John 4:16). However, instead of following in Christ’s footsteps, Babylon has lived selfishly.

7.When do Babylon’s sins reach unto Heaven?

Answer: Babylon’s sins reach unto Heaven when “all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication”, for then is her fall complete. When the wine which is false doctrine and false worship, is accepted throughout the world instead of God’s Law, Babylon’s sins reach unto Heaven. This will be accomplished through legislation

<The wine of Babylon is the exalting of the false and spurious sabbath above the Sabbath which the Lord Jehovah hath blessed and sanctified for the use of man, also [it is] the immortality of the soul. These kindred heresies, and the rejection of the truth, convert the church into Babylon. Kings, merchants, rulers, and religious teachers are all in corrupt harmony {2SM 68.2}. When do her sins reach unto heaven [Rev. 18:2-5]? When the law of God is finally made void by legislation ST June 12, 1893. {LDE 198.5}. God keeps a record with the nations. The figures are swelling against them in the books of heaven, and when it shall have become a law that the transgression of the first day of the week shall be met with punishment, then their cup will be full. {7BC 910 (1886)}

8. Why does Revelation 18 say that Babylon receives the plagues?

Answer: Take a look at the text (Rev. 18:7-8) “How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.–Rev. 18:7-8. Babylon receives the plagues because she has lived to exalt self. Instead of living to bless others, and copying Christ’s life of self-denial, the up most extravagance was employed to glorify herself.

< A thousand doors of usefulness are open before us. Often we lament the scanty resources available; but were Christians thoroughly in earnest, they could multiply the resources a thousand fold. It is selfishness, self-indulgence, that bars the way to our usefulness. {ST, December 15, 1909 par. 12} How much means is expended for things that are mere idols, things that engross time and thought and strength, that should be put to a higher use. How much money is wasted on expensive houses and furniture, on selfish pleasures, luxuries, and unwholesome food. How much is squandered on gifts that benefit no one. For things that are needless, often harmful, professed Christians today are spending more, many times more, than they spend in seeking to rescue souls from the tempter. {ST, December 15, 1909 par. 13} 

9. If you are honestly serving God, what difference does it make which church you belong to? [according to Revelation 18]

Answer: If you are honestly serving God, it doesn’t matter which church you belong to in name. However, those who are honestly serving God will serve and follow Him completely, not partially. The Loud Cry in Revelation 18 brings to our attention the churches who are not following all of God’s commandments (particularly the fourth). It rebukes these churches and calls for those who are following God to come out and join God’s commandment keeping church. Those who are truly following Christ will come out, those who are not stay and become part of Babylon. So in a round-about way, it does matter which church you belong to! “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”-John 14:15

 

10.Why are there only two distinct calls made to the churches?

Answer: The two calls – focusing on Babylon’s fall and an invitation to come out – coincide with two distinctive events. The first call (the second angel’s message) is given at the beginning of Babylon’s fall. The second call (the Loud Cry) is given just at its completion. (for more information see similar question on The Second Angel’s Message post)

11.When is the Loud Cry supposed to be given?

< The Loud Cry is to be given just before Jesus comes back and shortly after Sunday keeping becomes a worldwide law. Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 401. (1900) {Ev 693.2} Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord. When do her sins reach unto heaven [Rev. 18:2-5]? When the law of God is finally made void by legislation. ST June 12, 1893. {LDE 198.5}God keeps a record with the nations. The figures are swelling against them in the books of heaven, and when it shall have become a law that the transgression of the first day of the week shall be met with punishment, then their cup will be full. {7BC 910 (1886)}

12.What is it that gives power to the Loud voice [Cry]?

<The latter rain, which is a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, is what empowers the Loud Cry. {EW 86 (1854). At that time the “latter rain,” or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. {LDE 186.4}An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.” EW 271 (1858). {LDE 186.5}

 (The “refreshing from the presence of the Lord” is the Holy Spirit. We can see this in these two texts: )

  “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord”. Acts 3:19 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”. Acts 2:38

(Each verse has the same components: a call to repent, and a promise of blotting out sins. From this we can conclude that the final component of each verse is referring to the same thing.)

 When the Message Is Finished.–It [the coming of the Lord] will not tarry past the time that the message is borne to all nations, tongues, and peoples. Shall we who claim to be students of prophecy forget that God’s forbearance to the wicked is a part of the vast and merciful plan by which He is seeking to compass the salvation of souls? Review and Herald, June 18, 1901. {Ev 697.1}Not yet, however, can it be said that “Babylon is fallen, …because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” She has not yet made all nations do this.{GC 389.2}Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel.{GC 390.2}