The Three Angel’s Messages and Mystery of Babylon the Great
Bible Study Guide
From the three angel’s messages, John’s visions will continue as a panoramic preview of the remaining events of the Tribulation leading up to the Second Coming of Christ. Essentially, next is a preview of what’s going to be taking place in the last three and a half years of the Tribulation.
These will be historical years from a biblical perspective. These will be the last and the closing years of the current age before we enter an age of righteous justice with the reign of the coming King, Jesus Christ.
The angel’s message of the end in the visions given to John will be a continuation from the vision of the 144,000 Jewish evangelist. They were the first phase in a three phase evangelistic movement ordained by God to seek the lost and bring them to Christ during the seven year Tribulation. It’ll be God’s final attempt to bring the rest of creation to Him.
The second phase of this ordained evangelistic effort by God began with the two witness we studied in Revelation 11. These were the two that were sent specifically to witness to the Jews in Israel.
Now, John will see the third and final phase of God’s efforts to bring as many as possible to believe in Christ as their Messiah. Since this age is about to end, every person of maturity in the things of good and evil have to get the opportunity to hear the Word of God and make a choice. All must have a chance to choose life or death, good or evil, God or Satan.
The Three Angel’s Message of Hope and Wrath
(Verses 6-7) John sees the first of three angels flying through the air. This angel had the eternal gospel. The eternal gospel is in reference to God’s Word that existed before creation. It’s the same gospel that will continue to exist after this current earth and heaven are no longer in existence. God and His Word never change and they remain eternal.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
(Matthew 24:35)
“I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)
This first of three angels has been ordained to proclaim the eternal gospel to every nation, tribe, language and people. Notice, it’s every nation, not just some. This angel will cap off God’s evangelistic efforts to bring all people back to Him through Christ Jesus.
This must occur in order for the words of Jesus to be fulfilled which He spoke in His Olivet Discourse on the last days.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
God will afford every single person that remains on earth to hear the gospel and choose to believe or not believe. No one will be with an excuse that they didn’t know God.
The Second Angel’s Message of Babylon the Great
(Verse 8) John sees a second angel flying midair behind the first angel. This message spoken by the second angel is different from the first. The first angel’s message was about evangelizing to the remaining people on the earth. The second angel’s message is about the destruction of Satan’s evil earthly empire.
Remember, what John is witnessing from the three angel’s message is a trailer of the things to come during the remainder of God’s wrath in the second half of the Tribulation.
What Is the Mystery of Babylon the Great?
The second angel speaks about the fall of “”Babylon the Great” and all those who’ve participated and danced with it’s evil spirits. This isn’t a reference to a person or a place. More importantly, it relates to the evil pagan spirit that has opposed God since after the time of creation. It’s centered with Satan and has made it’s home on earth in humanity.
The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah foretold of the fall of Babylon the Great.
“Look, here comes a man in a chariot
with a team of horses.
And he gives back the answer:
‘Babylon has fallen, has fallen!
All the images of its gods
lie shattered on the ground!’” (Isaiah 21:9)
Babylon found it’s beginning in Genesis 10 & 11. It’s here where it found it’s roots in the city named Babel (Babylon) built by the rebel, Nimrod. He attempted to oppose God by gathering all people together to build a tour to heaven. This opposed God’s command to multiply and fill the earth.
Babylon became the first Gentile world power to persecute and disperse God’s people out of their land and abuse other nations. This came under the rule of Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. It’s this same evil spirit centered around and directed by Satan that continued through other world powers such as Persia/Medes, Greek and Roman Empires.
The Prayers Against Babylon the Great Answered
This same evil spirit of “Babylon the Great” continues to thrive today as Satan’s influence in the world grows among nations and peoples. Her demise is forthcoming in accordance with the second angel’s message. It will be the answer to the prayers of many of God’s people throughout history.
“How long, Lord, will the wicked,
how long will the wicked be jubilant?” (Psalm 94:3)
“Stop your anger! Turn off your wrath. Don’t fret and worry—it only leads to harm. 9 For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing. 10 Only a little while and the wicked shall disappear. You will look for them in vain.” (Psalm 37:8-10)
The ageless prayers of God’s people against the prospering of evil throughout history is about to come to its full demise. Babylon the Great will eventually culminate into a One World Global religion that is being propagated today by the Catholic church and many other so called Christian religions. Their end is ordained in the period of the Tribulation.
The Third Angel’s Message on the Mark of the Beast
(Verses 9-10) The message of the third angel is quite plain and clear. If you’re left behind after the rapture and find yourself in the midst of God’s wrath in the Tribulation, do not accept the mark of beast spoken of in Revelation 13.
This angel is very clear. Under no circumstances do you want to accept this mark of control by Satan and the Antichrist. They will convince you that this mark is the greatest thing to ever happen. They will attempt to sell the idea to you every way possible. But you must refuse.
If you choose to have the mark placed upon you, you’re destiny is clear. You’ll suffer the severest of wrath along with those who drink from the cup of Babylon the Great.
(Verse 11) No one has ever been able to choose the timing of the beginning of their existence upon their earth. Nor has anyone ever had the ability to choose their physical departure from this world. It’ll be the same for eternity. No one will have the ability to exempt themselves from being resurrected into eternal damnation for their sins against God.
Physical death is not the end of the story. It’s only the beginning of eternity. Will you spend eternity in the arms of God or the fire of hell?
The Three Angel’s Message of Patience and Endurance
(Verse 12) The message of patient endurance is one that echoes throughout scripture. We must always pray for patient endurance. It’ll help us endure the evils of this world while our eyes are fixed on Christ and those things of heaven.
We should exercise patient endurance every day or our lives.
“Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;” (Psalm 46:10)
The New Testament carries the message of patience and endurance. It’s taught by James (James 5:7–11), Peter (1 Peter 2:19–20), Paul (Romans 5:1–5), and the writer of Hebrews.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” (Hebrews 12:1)
Christ makes it even more poignantly clear. Having patient endurance while waiting on the return of Christ to gather up (rapture) the church of believers is important. This will occur before the start of God’s wrath in the Tribulation.
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
The patient endurance spoken of here by the third angel is one at a level that no one really wants to experience. The Antichrist will hunt down and kill those who have chosen Christ in the Tribulation.
The level of patient endurance required during this time will be very great. More than typical Christians who walk the earth today waiting for Christ.
Don’t Wait To Hear the Three Angel’s Messages
If you haven’t come to know and believe in Christ, don’t wait any longer. Don’t let yourself be one of those trying to survive God’s wrath and attempts by Satan to destroy you. It’s important to come to believe in and love Christ today. What makes you think it’ll be easier in the Tribulation? Then you’ll have the threat of persecution and death hanging over you if you were to choose Christ at that time?
<< Rev. 14:1-5 “Who Are the 144,000 Redeemed Evangelist?” | “The 7 Beatitudes of Revelation and the Gory Last Days” Rev. 14:13-20 >>