Today we continue with Revelation 14 which is one of the pictures of the return of Christ. We have studied through Revelation 14:7 so far. We find some interesting things taking place. The Lamb of God is poised to come back at the Second Coming. He is coming, not to die on a cross this time, but to bring judgment upon the world. The one hundred forty-four thousand are with Him. They are joining Him at this point to return with Him, along with the saints whom we find in Revelation 19 who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. Then we have seen a worship service where the angelic beings are singing a new song in Revelation 14:3. This is a song that only the one hundred forty-four thousand can comprehend. They may have joined in, or they may not have, but they do understand the song. Then we have an angel in Revelation 14:6 who has gone forth to proclaim an eternal gospel that includes the message, of repentance to every tribe, nation and people. An invitation for the world to worship the Lord Himself. Remember, prior to this, they have been worshiping the false prophet, the antichrist and Satan himself – the unholy trinity - in Revelation 12-13. They are now called upon to turn from that and worship the true God. That’s the message so far. It is a message of judgment. He says in Revelation 14:7, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come.” Judgment is coming as the Lamb returns to the earth.
The message goes on. There is more to the message, but this time another angel steps up. We see him in Revelation 14:8, “And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.” We find now that this message that is going forth is now going to be concerning Babylon the great who has fallen. It seems in Revelation 14:6-7 there is a final invitation, a final opportunity, a final call to the world to come and follow the Lord Jesus and worship the Father and the Son. But, for those that do not, here is what is coming. The judgment is coming. The Son in coming in judgment, and the judgment is going to come on what is called “Babylon the great” here. “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great.” The fallenness of Babylon is going to be found in Revelation 16, 17 & 18. So, we will look at that more closely later. It seems like Babylon here is probably a literal city. Probably is literally where Babylon has been historically, but it is also symbolic of a world turned against God, both politically and spiritually. So, Babylon is this apostate world system that has turned against the Lord in every conceivable way, and so far through the book of Revelation it appears that those that are part of that world system think they are doing very well. Financially things are humming. They are following a leader who seems to be leading them in the right direction, although it is a godless direction. Things seem to be going well for them, but now the Lord is saying judgment is coming and Babylon is going to fall. We quickly will turn to Revelation 18:2 and read just one verse of that, “And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.” This is a despicable, godless place and it is about to fall and that is the proclamation being made by this angel.
