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
The second angel’s message seems to be very cryptic when you first read it. What is Babylon? What is the wine of the wrath of her fornication?
Let us first consider Babylon. When we read through the Old Testament, we see that Babylon was famous for destroying God’s temple, or His system of true worship. Babylon was also responsible for taking God’s people into captivity. If we go back farther into time, we will find that Babylon was built upon Babel, where God confused the language of the builders who were trying to make a name for themselves by building a tower that reached into heaven. In this sense, we can say that Babylon represents confusion.
Let us now consider the wine of the wrath of her fornication. This phrase sounds very complicated at first, but we can break it down slowly. When you drink this wine, you commit fornication. It is the act of fornication that brings wrath.
Let's turn to Proverbs 20:1.
- According to this verse, what does the Bible say to those who are led astray by wine?
- Answer (highlight to read): They are not wise.
Let's turn to Proverbs 31:4-5.
- According to this verse, what happens when princes and kings drink wine?
- Answer: They forget the law and pervert the justice of all afflicted.
When we look at the second angel's message again, we will find that Babylon makes you drink wine that deceives you and makes you forget God's commandments.
Let's turn to 1 Chronicles 21:15.
- According to this verse, what act did King Jehoram cause the people of Jerusalem to commit?
- Answer: Harlotry
Let’s turn to Ezekiel 16:15.
- According to this verse, what act did God accuse Jerusalem of committing?
- Answer: Harlotry
When you read through 1 Chronicles 21 and Ezekiel 16, you will find that the act of harlotry committed by the people of Jerusalem was actually idolatrous false worship. The word “fornication” is used in both 1 Chronicles 21:15 and Ezekiel 16:15 in the King James Version of the Bible. The people of Jerusalem were worshiping the gods of the Egyptians, the gods of the Assyrians, and other gods instead of the one true God.
Let’s turn to Daniel 7:25.
- According to this verse, what does this entity intend to do?
- Answer: He shall intend to change times and law.
Let’s turn to Revelation 13:1-8.
- According to these verses, who gives power to the beast?
- Answer: The dragon
Let’s turn to Revelation 12:3-4, 9.
- According to these verses, who is the dragon?
- Answer: Satan
- According to these verses, who deceives the world?
- Answer: Satan
Let’s turn to Isaiah 9:15.
- According to this verse, who is the tail?
- Answer: The prophet who teaches lies.
There is an entity that wants to change God’s times and law to deceive the world into idolatrous false worship of God. Satan is the true power behind that entity. The second angel's message is a dire warning, but it is a warning given out of love and concern for God's people. God does not want you to be deceived! Let's turn to Revelation 18:1-5 and read these verses together:
After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
Let's turn to John 10:14-16 and read these verses together:
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Let's turn to Matthew 8:11 and read this verse together:
"And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven."
Let's turn to John 4:23 and read this verse together:
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."
The good news of the second angel's message is that Jesus wants us to be with Him! Jesus does not want us to drink the wine of the wrath of fornication meant for Babylon. He wants us to leave all false systems of worship and come to worship Him in spirit and truth!
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."