REVELATION 18 by S. N. H.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 9, 1901

By S. N. H.

S. N. H.

The first five verses of this chapter refer to the closing work of the gospel. The gospel began with great power and light, and it will close with far greater power. The earth was lightened with the glory of God. This light rests upon the waiting people of God, it penetrates everywhere. Those who have not rejected the light of the three messages, obey the call and leave the fallen churches. Many have come to years of accountability since these messages have been given, and as the light shines upon them, they have the privilege of choosing life or death.

At the time brought to view in this prophecy, the sins of Babylon have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. She is judged by the measure of her guilt, and destruction is about to fall upon her. But God still has a people in Babylon, and 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's coming down from heaven, lighting the earth with his glory, and crying mightily with a loud voice, announcing the sins of Babylon. In connection with this message the call is heard, “Come out of her, my people.”

This message which calls the people out is the same message which announces the fall of Babylon, with the addition that Babylon has now become the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Babylon has given them a false sabbath instead of the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment, and has repeated the falsehood that Satan told Eve in Eden, of the immortality of the soul. Many kindred errors Babylon has spread far and wide, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. This announcement, united with the Third Angel's Message, constitutes the final warning to be given to the inhabitants of the earth.

The people of God are called out from their associations with the world, to stand in the battle of the day of the Lord against the powers of darkness. The whole earth is to be lighted with the glory of God. There will be a work similar to that which was wrought when the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the power of a risen Saviour. The light of heaven will penetrate the darkened minds of those who have been deceived by the enemies of Christ. The Third Angel's Message will do its work, and all will be tested upon it, and the precious ones will be called out from the religious bodies. Mighty miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. God is in the work, and every saint, fearless of consequences, will follow the convictions of his own conscience, and unite with those who keep all the commandments of God, and with power they will sound aloud the Third Angel's Message. It will close with far greater power and glory than has ever been witnessed in the past. “God's people were strengthened by the excellent glory which rested upon them in rich abundance, and prepared them to endure the hour of temptation. I heard everywhere a multitude of voices saying, ‘Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’”—Spiritual Gifts, “Early Writings,” page 139.

Oh, that we as a people might realize the importance of the work of Christ, and be careful students! Oh, that all would carefully and prayerfully study the word of God, not to qualify themselves for debating some new points of doctrine, but that in their souls they might be filled, as those that drink at the fountain of life.

The day of retribution will finally come, and then the persecutors will receive according to their works. The cup they have filled will be filled to them double. Those who have triumphed over the believers of an unpopular truth, will drink the dregs of the cup of God's wrath. Babylon's plagues will come in one prophetic day (one year), and there will be death, mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burned with fire. These judgments of God will come upon Babylon and her daughters in full view of the world.

“When the voice of God turns the captivity of His people, there is a terrible awakening of those who have lost all in the great conflict of life. While probation continued, they were blinded by Satan's deceptions, and they justified their course of sin. The rich prided themselves upon their superiority to those who were less favored; but they had obtained their riches by violation of the law of God. They had neglected to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to deal justly, and to love mercy. They had sought to exalt themselves, and to obtain the homage of their fellow creatures. Now they are stripped of all that made them great, and are left destitute and defenseless. They look with terror upon the destruction of the idols which they preferred before their Maker. They have sold their souls for earthly riches and enjoyments, and have not sought to become rich toward God. The result is, their lives are a failure; their pleasures are now turned to gall, their treasures to corruption. The gain of a lifetime is swept away in a moment. The rich bemoan the destruction of their grand houses, the scattering of their gold and silver. But their lamentations are increased by the fear that they themselves are to perish with their idols.”—“Great Controversy,” page 653.

The final destruction of Babylon is compared to the final destruction of ancient Babylon. See Jer. 51: 1–28, 60–64.