The Message of the Second Angel – Revelation 14
The second angel of Revelation 14 solemnly states that “Babylon is fallen,” and the voice from heaven urges all of God’s people to come out of Babylon at once. “And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” (Revelation 14:8).
Babylon was founded by Nimrod (Genesis 10:10; 11:1–9). From the very beginning, the city was characterized of disbelief in the true God and defiance to His will (Genesis 11:4–9), and its tower a monument of apostasy and rebellion against Him. Babylon is a comprehensive term that John employs to describe all religious bodies and movements that have fallen away from the truth. This “fall” is progressive and cumulative.
The prophet Isaiah identifies Lucifer as the invisible king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:4, 12–14). Satan designed to make Babylon the center and agency of his plan to secure control of the human race, even as God purposed to work through Jerusalem.
This prophecy of the fall of Babylon finds its last-day fulfillment in the departure of Protestantism at large from the purity and simplicity of the gospel (Revelation 14:4). The fall of Babylon message was first preached by the advent movement known as Millerism, in the summer of 1844, and was applied to the churches that rejected the first angel’s message concerning the judgment (verse 7).
The message will have increasing relevance as the end draws near, and will meet its complete fulfillment with the union of the various religious elements under the leadership of the first and second beasts of Revelation (Revelation 13:12–14; 17:12–14).
Therefore the Lord calls His faithful children who are scattered throughout the various religious bodies comprising Babylon, to separate from them. “I saw another angel come down from heaven. … And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen. … And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people” (Revelation 18:1-4).
See Also:
The Message of the Third Angel:
See: What is the message of the third angel of Revelation 14?
The Message of the First Angel:
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