Chapter 38—God's Final Message

“I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!’ ... And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues’” (Revelation 18:1, 2, 4).LF 244.1

The second angel's announcement in Revelation 14:8 is going to be repeated, but with the additional mention of the corruptions that have been entering Babylon since that message was first given.LF 244.2

This new message describes a terrible condition. Every time people reject truth, their minds become darker, their hearts more stubborn. They will continue to trample on one of the Ten Commandments until they persecute those who hold God's law as sacred. They reject Christ by the contempt they show for His Word and His followers.LF 244.3

People will claim to be religious, but their religion will become a cover for the worst evils. A belief in spiritualism opens the door to doctrines of devils, and in this way evil angels will influence the churches. Babylon has filled up the measure of her guilt, and destruction is about to fall.LF 244.4

But God still has people in Babylon, and He must call these faithful ones out so that they will not share in her sins and “receive of her plagues.” The angel comes down from heaven, lighting up the earth with his glory and announcing the sins of Babylon. The call goes out, “Come out of her, my people.” These announcements are the final warning that goes to the inhabitants of the earth.LF 244.5

The powers of earth will unite in warring against the commandments of God. They will decree that “all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave” (Revelation 13:16) must conform to the customs of the church by observing the false sabbath. All who refuse will finally be judged as deserving death. On the other hand, the law of God calls for people to honor the Creator's rest day, and it threatens God's punishment against all who break its requirements.LF 244.6

When circumstances like these bring the issue clearly before them, all who trample on God's law to obey a human law receive the mark of the beast, the sign of allegiance to the power they choose to obey instead of God. “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation” (Revelation 14:9, 10).LF 244.7

Not one experiences the wrath of God until the truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience and he has rejected it. Many have never had opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The God who reads every heart will allow none to be deceived about the issues of the controversy if they want to know the truth. Everyone will have enough light to make an intelligent decision.LF 245.1