Lesson 02: No Sympathy for the Devil
Revelation 14:8 – 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.”
The second angel’s message seems very complicated at first. It definitely deals with a lot of symbols. In order to understand this Bible verse, let’s take a closer look at the following keywords:
- Babylon
- Fallen
- Wine
- Wrath
- Fornication
Let’s read together Genesis 9:7-17; Genesis 10:10; Genesis 11:1-4; Isaiah 14:13-14; and Daniel 1:2.
If we are to talk about Babylon, we need to also discuss Babel. Both kingdoms were founded in the land of Shinar. Babel can be considered the archetype for all the worldly kingdoms that followed it.
The story of the Tower of Babel is one of the most famous stories in the Bible. Have you ever considered the builders’ motivations for building the tower in the first place?
The builders did not trust God’s promise to never destroy the world again with a flood. They wanted to survive another flood on their own power.
The builders also did not want to follow God’s command to be fruitful and multiply across the earth. Rather, they wanted to build a tower whose “top is in the heavens” and make a name for themselves. The builders seem to be motivated by pride and perhaps to even take the worship of God for themselves.
Let’s read together Exodus 20:2-6; 1 Chronicles 9:1; Jeremiah 16:18; Jeremiah 50:38; and Daniel 3:1-7.
The story of Daniel’s three friends and the fiery furnace is another well-known Bible story. Have you considered what was Nebuchadnezzar’s motivation for setting up the golden image in the first place? He wanted everyone in his empire to acknowledge Babylon as supreme, even over any god his subjects might be worshiping. If anyone refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol, they were to be killed by being tossed into a fiery furnace.
Nebuchadnezzar had essentially set up a false religious system of worship enforced by civil authority. This system forced people to choose between dying for their religious faith or to compromise that faith in order to live.
Let’s read together 2 Samuel 1:27; Isaiah 21:9; Jeremiah 51:8-9, 47; Daniel 5:25-30; and Revelation 18:2.
“Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” God ultimately judged Babylon for its idolatry and persecution of God’s people. Babylon was conquered by the Medo-Persians in 539 BC.
Let’s read together Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:3-5; and Jeremiah 51:7.
Alcoholic wine in the Bible is always viewed in a negative light. Alcoholic wine clouds and even perverts judgment. Note that the Bible does talk about unfermented non-alcoholic wine more positively, but that is a Bible study for another time.
Let’s read Psalm 75:8; Jeremiah 23:15; and Hosea 4:11-12
Prophetically speaking, wine also represents God’s judgment against wickedness and idolatry. You definitely do not want to drink this wine!
Let’s read together Exodus 15:6-7; 32:9-12; Numbers 11:33; 16:46; Deuteronomy 9:7-8; 2 Kings 22:13-17; Ezra 5:12; Jeremiah 44:7-9; and Romans 1:18.
What is wrath? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary offers two definitions that are relevant to our Bible study today. Wrath can be defined as a “strong vengeful anger or indignation (anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean).” Wrath can also be defined as “retributory punishment for an offense or a crime; divine punishment.”
God’s wrath is His response to sin. In the Old Testament, God’s wrath consumed the Egyptian army chasing the children of Israel. God’s wrath was also aroused when the children of Israel committed sins or fell into idolatry. God’s wrath led to the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity.
Let’s read together Psalm 21:8-9; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7; Romans 2:5; Ephesians 5:6; and Colossians 3:6.
God’s wrath is also associated with judgment. God’s wrath will be poured in full on the unrighteous at Judgment Day.
Let’s read together Numbers 16:46; 2 Chronicles 12:6-9; 32:25-26; Psalms 78:32-39: 85:2-4; and 106:23.
Despite what many people believe, God does not want to pour His wrath on people. In the Old Testament, Aaron and Moses both interceded on behalf of the children of Israel to avert God’s wrath. God is willing to spare sinners from His wrath when they humble themselves before Him. Whether it was the people of Israel or a king like Hezekiah, God was willing to grant mercy to all who came to Him earnestly and asked forgiveness of their sins.
Let’s read together Isaiah 53:4-6, 10; John 3:16, 36; Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; and 1 John 4:10.
God has done everything He could to shield us from His wrath. God loves us so much that He gave His only son Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus is our ultimate intercessor. We only have to confess and repent of our sins and call upon Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Let’s read together Ezekiel 23:16-18; Hosea 4:11-12; Isaiah 23:17; and John 8:41.
What is fornication? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives the definition as “sexual intercourse between two persons who are not married to each other.”
The Bible likened God’s people (the church) to a woman (Jeremiah 6:2). Paul the Apostle described the church as the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33). Therefore, spiritual fornication would be the church embracing someone or something other than Christ. In the Old Testament times, the people of Israel strayed from God and worshiped various idols and other false gods.
Let’s read together Matthew 24:24; John 4:24; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-23; Revelation 17:1-6; and Revelation 18:3, 9.
The book of the Bible describes a harlot woman who represents a false worship of Christ. This church outwardly seems Christian, but in actuality, it does not follow Jesus in spirit and truth. Many people will be deceived and fall into Babylon.
Let’s read together Deuteronomy 31:19 and Revelation 18:1-8.
What does the second angel’s message mean?
All false systems of worship will be judged. Salvation by works, the idea you can make it to heaven on your own merits, cannot save you. Salvation in sin, the idea that once you are saved, you are always saved, will lead you to be lost. All these forms of worship will lead you to Babylon.
Even if you are worshiping at the “right” church the “right” way, you can have Babylon in your heart. If you harbor pride in your heart or you esteem anything in the world more than God, then you are in spiritual Babylon.
If you find yourself in Babylon, what are you to do? God wants you to leave Babylon right now! Jesus is calling you to worship Him in spirit and in truth. He does not want you to face God’s wrath. Repent and turn to Christ your Savior!
Friend, will you share the second angel’s message with others?