Section 3 Chapter 3 – Earth’s final warning
There is a very profound reason for the last warning message to humanity, just like it was during the time of Noah, world conditions are the same, entranced by evil. The scriptures highlight our current condition and the players involved. “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And 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. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities” (Rev.18:1-5).
These verses could have easily been written denoting the time of Noah’s as well, for we are in reality living them all over again. Let’s unpack a couple of interesting things from the verses above. This is Genesis 6 all over again, God takes special note of the sinful conditions on earth, He has remembered this is just like it was before. But this time God identifies the origin of the corruption, “Babylon the great” and they have fallen morally to a deplorable place, to the place where devils live, where an evil spirit prevails, where unrighteousness takes all captive. This evil environment has become globally contagious and especially with those in positions of authority and those that control major corporations.
Babylon means confusion, a take off of the scenario that developed when God confounded the language at the tower of Babel. There is no confusion in the secular world, the environment and thinking of those who are opposed to the God of the bible. Unbelievers are comfortable to live their lives in any way that seems right to them. The use of the word Babylon signifies a confusion in the Christian world (the churches). What is described is a terrible condition of the religious world. With every rejection of bible truth, the minds of the people will become darker, their hearts more stubborn, until they are entrenched in manmade traditions that are contrary to the scriptures.
As the teachings of spiritualism (counterfeit afterlife), 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. The Christian community has forgotten they are the prime target of the enemy (satan). Through compromise he inserts his falsehoods into the annals of Christian teachings, derailing the church to accomplish her mission; that of lifting up a crucified, risen, victorious savior.
Of Babylon, at the time brought to view in this prophecy, it is declared: “Her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:5. She has filled up the measure of her guilt, and destruction is about to fall upon her. But God still has a people in Babylon; and before the visitation of His judgments these faithful ones must be called out, that they partake not of her sins and “receive not of her plagues.” 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.
It is noteworthy to identify modern Babylon and indicate her sins, even though we cannot here go through all the history of her development.
- The idol of self-sufficiency
Revelation 18:7 – Ancient Babylon believed they were the greatest superpower of the world, as king Nebuchadnezzar assured. They had everything they needed. They did not rely on anyone or anything but worshipped their own greatness. The symbolic modern counterpart today in the religious world would be the Catholic Church. They are often called the mother church.
- The idol of comfort
Revelation 18:14-17 – Babylon was clothed in luxury and wealth and so too was the Catholic Church. Their ill gained riches facilitated the construction of numerous ornate cathedrals and for many a comfortable lifestyle. They had no need for God and His provisions. They amassed an abundance of wealth through forced tithing (really taxation), the selling of indulgences and offerings and the stealing of treasures (paintings, gold, historical relics etc.).
- The idol of obsession
Revelation 18:3 – Babylon, the mother of harlets had the worship of all the nations surrounding it. Everyone wanted what Babylon had and could not see the immorality and sin they were indulging in. The mother of harlets has daughters that follow much of her dogma.
- The idol of church persecution
Revelation 18:24 – Babylon of the Old Testament and New Testament persecuted the followers of God. The Catholic Church admits killing over 50 million during the “dark ages”, because they would not follow her dogma. She is the same today.
- The idol of deception
Revelation 18:23 – Modern Babylon (Catholic Church) is one of the 7 heads of the beast system in Revelation 13 that not only survived a mortal wound and was revived (1929-The Lateran treaty-by Mussolini), but receives its power from satan and demands worship, she is truly anti-christ (in place of). She will force her dominance and deceptions on the world through spiritualism and Sunday law legislation. She will enlist power from the state to ensure her success thus mirroring the same spirit of the Dark Ages.
Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God, will decree that “all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond” (Revelation 13:16), shall conform to the customs of the church (Catholic), by the observance of the false sabbath (Sunday). All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death (Rev. 13:15). On the other hand, the law of God enjoining the Creator’s rest day demands obedience and threatens wrath against all who transgress its precepts.
With the issue thus clearly brought before the world, whoever shall trample upon God’s law to obey a human enactment (Sunday law), receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of allegiance to the power which he chooses to obey instead of God. The warning from heaven is: “If any man worships the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation.” Revelation 14:9, 10.
The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to God’s law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God.
As the controversy extends into new fields and the minds of the people are called to God’s downtrodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command, they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and, in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes bolder and more decided, the law will be invoked against commandment keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. But their steadfast answer is: “Show us from the word of God our error”—the same plea that was made by Luther under similar circumstances. Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus, light will be brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths.
As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbath-keepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.
Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven. By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. Satan also works, with lying wonders, even bringing down fire from heaven in the sight of men. Revelation 13:13. Thus the inhabitants of the earth will be brought to take their stand.
The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side. The faithful, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, have brought the world to a point of decision. With all having made their choices for or against our creator, probations door can now close, the door of the Ark finds its counterpart in the faithful work of the remnant.