The Second Angels Message

The term "Babylon" is derived from "Babel" and signifies confusion. It is employed in Scripture to designate the various forms of false or apostate religion.

In Revelation 17:4-6, Babylon is represented as a harlot. In the Bible, a wicked woman is a figure of an apostate church Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:35. This harlot of Revelation 17 is

"arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness … And on her forehead a name was written: Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots". Verses 4 and 5.

Says the prophet:

Babylon is further declared to be

Mysterious Babylon

The power described here is none other than papal Rome, the city of seven hills. Purple and scarlet are the representative colors of the cardinals and bishops. Gold, precious stones and pearls vividly picture the immense wealth of the papacy. Of no other power could it have been adequately stated that she was "drunk with the blood of the saints" as of this church, which persecuted the followers of Christ in such a gruesome manner (see page 2). The great sin of which Babylon is guilty is that

The stunning cup which she offers to the world represents false teachings, such as the mass, the immortality of the soul, eternal hellfire, the adoration of the Virgin Mary and Sunday sacredness. These and other entirely unbiblical teachings she offers to the world and the churches, with their destructive influence.

The present warning, "Babylon is fallen", applies to all religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. It cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. Babylon is said to be

Her daughters symbolize churches that cling to her doctrines (for example, Sunday sacredness) and follow her example. Therefore, the term Babylon (which means confusion) may be appropriately applied to these churches. Despite the spiritual darkness and the separation from God, which exists in these churches, the majority of the true followers of Christ are still in their community. All children of God who are still found in Babylon will take to heart the call of the angel

and

and will finally leave the apostate churches.