The Second Angels’ Message part 1
Who Comprises Babylon?
In this study, we will look at the second angel’s message and identity who comprises Babylon and why it is considered “fallen.”
Note: Read Revelation 14:8. It says that Babylon is fallen, is fallen. To understand who comprises Babylon, we must study Revelation 17, especially verses 1-6.
1. Read Revelation 17:1, 4, 5. What gender is given to Babylon?
2. What does a woman represent in Bible prophecy? Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23
3. We now know that Babylon represents a church entity. Upon what is the woman or the great whore sitting? Revelation 17:1; 15
Note: This means that this church arose out of a populated area. It also means that this power once controlled many peoples and nations. We will see this in our next point.
4. In Revelation 17:2, with whom does the great whore commit fornication?
Note: The church is called to be married to Christ, to be faithful to His claims, and not unite with another (see 2 Corinthians 11:2; Jeremiah 3:14; Isaiah 54:5, 6). However, this church entity described in Revelation 17 leaves Jesus and His truth to form a union of church and state with the kings of the earth or the leaders of the nations. This church also illicitly mingles with the leaders of nations by serving “wine” or false doctrines.
5. What scriptures show us that wine symbolizes doctrine? Proverbs 31:4-5; Isaiah 28:7; Luke 5:37, 38
Note: When wine is described as new wine, it is referring to true doctrine. Old wine is referring to false doctrine.
6. Upon what is the great whore sitting, and what does it represent in scripture? Revelation 17:3; Daniel 7:17, 23
Note: This woman in Revelation 17 is made up of a union of church and state. The woman riding the beast symbolizes a church that rules over a nation.
7. What names are on the beast? What does that term mean? Revelation 17:3; John 10:30-33; Mark 2:5-7
8. What colors are the woman wearing? Revelation 17:4
Note: The main colors of this church are red (scarlet) and purple. Verse 4 also says that the woman is decked with gold and other precious stones. This symbolizes that the church has great wealth. Verse 6 tells us that this church has also persecuted the saints of God and is guilty of the blood of many martyrs.
9. How is this church described in Revelation 17:5? What striking geographical markers are given in verse 9? Revelation 17:5, 9
Pope Francis: The Church, like Mary, is woman and mother
10. What Are The Seven Hills Of Rome?
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/what-are-the-seven-hills-of-rome/
Note: Based on all the previously mentioned characteristics of this woman, it is none other than Roman Catholicism whose headquarters preside in Rome, Italy. The Papacy arose out of a populated area (the Roman Empire in Europe, The Old World), commits fornication with the rulers of the world (they are the only church that rules a country and have a seat at the UN), has a man the claims to be God and men who claim to forgive sins, and claims to be the “Mother Church.” Bible prophecy couldn’t be any clearer.
11. What does “Babylon” mean? Genesis 11:9
12. Besides the Roman Catholic Church, “the Mother Church,” who else comprises Babylon? Revelation 17:5
13. What makes Babylon fallen and in a state of religious confusion? Revelation 2:4-5 See also this short list of Babylon’s false doctrines below.
a) Idol Worship – Exodus 20:4-5; Jeremiah 51:47
b) The Natural Immortality of the Soul – Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10; Psalm 115:17
c) Nature Worship/Sunday Worship – 2 Kings 23:5; Ezekiel 8:16
d) Music which leads into false worship – Daniel 3:1-6
e) Blasphemy – John 10:30-33; Mark 2:5-7
f) Human Tradition Above God’s Word – Daniel 4:30; Matthew 15:9
Note: Read Revelation 18:1, 2. This message going forth to the whole world, represented as an angel having great power, is a repetition of the second angel’s message in Revelation 14:8. When Babylon becomes wholly corrupted and her sins have reached unto heaven (Revelation 18:5), this message will be given with greater force to identify these fallen churches, with their teachings, and to join God’s true body of believers. The fact that this message is repeated shows certainty from God of her sinful condition and serves as an evidence to God’s messengers to keep these types of messages before the people.
14. When will Babylon become entirely corrupt and cause the cup of her iniquity to be full in God’s sight? Revelation 18:3; 17:14
15. What is God’s final, loving message of warning which we must live and teach to individuals who are a part of the fallen churches in Babylon? Revelation 18:4; 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18; Ezekiel 18:21-23
The Great Controversy 604: 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. {GC 604.1}
The Great Controversy 390: 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}