September 13: BABYLON’S FALL

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

At first glance, this end-time prophecy seems to be “old news” since history buffs know that Babylon’s golden age of glory came to a sudden end in 539BC. Cyrus the Persian drained the River Euphrates, marched his soldiers in under the city wall, and toppled the empire’s great capital city. Without resistance (they were busy having a wild party). In a single night – never to be rebuilt again! (see Daniel 5:5; Isaiah 13:19-20; Jeremiah 50:38-40; 51:26,43)

The message of the second angel of Revelation 14 borrows the name of literal Babylon and applies it to a last-day coalition of worldly powers that unite in a final confrontation against God’s people and the truth in which they stand. Peter introduced this idea when writing from Rome in the heat of persecution against the early Christians. There was a believing church there who wisely assumed a low profile for safety’s sake. Peter penned their warm greetings to other believers scattered about the Roman Empire. Using the long-held symbol for the assembly of God’s people, a woman (whose “husband” is the Lord), Peter refers to the church as she and Rome as Babylon (1 Peter 5:13).

Daniel’s visions have taught us that the fourth earthly kingdom (Daniel 7:7,11,17,19,23) survives—in one form or another—until the Lord returns to claim His bride. This fourth kingdom, the iron kingdom of Rome, is prophesied to have a leading part in world affairs in the last days (the days in which we now live). God has shown us that Rome will fulfill its part in marshaling the worldwide coalition of powers. In observing the formation of political and religious movements currently afoot, it is impossible to exclude the religious power of Rome from the end-time scenario.

We will unpack today’s opening verse over the next several days. In the account of literal ancient Babylon—a universal power during its time—the symbolic parallels will become clear. The word fallen appears twice. In the eyes of God, spiritual (symbolic) Babylon is already fallen, but soon the reality of its fallen state will become evident in the eyes of man. When all nations coalesce to adopt her agenda, the second “fallen” of the second angel’s message will reach its grand fulfillment.

During the 1260 years historians call the Dark Ages, faithful Christians had to hide from the church of Rome to avoid deadly persecution. Daniel wrote thoughtfully and prophetically of these faithful ones:

The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help… And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them,* purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end… Daniel 11:32b-35a

*indicating ongoing humility and willingness to continue in learning of the Word of truth