While the book of Revelation is filled with apocalyptic imagery, it also tells us that God will make a concerted effort to reach humanity in that future period. Those efforts will include two dedicated witnesses, 144,000 others from the tribes of Israel, and an “…angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 14:6). So, while much of the world may seem bleak and hopeless, God will not abandon His efforts to reconcile the members of the human family to Himself during that time.
“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.’
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘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. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: “‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'” ‘Yes’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them'” (Revelation 14:8-13).
This portion of Scripture marks the first appearance of the word “Babylon” in the book of Revelation. We’ll delve deeper into Babylon’s significance later in chapters seventeen and eighteen. But for now, we can associate “Babylon” with a system of beliefs and practices that actively seek to defy God’s authority throughout the religious, political, and economic realms.
Revelation 14:8-11 then follows with a list of terrifying consequences for “Those who worship the beast and its image and receive the mark on their forehead or on their hand” (GNT)…
- They “…will drink the wine of God’s fury” (NIV).
- “poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.”
- “[They] will be tormented with fire and brimstone (flaming sulfur)” (AMP).
- “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever” (ESV).
- “they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name” (NLT).
So those who accept the mark of God’s adversary in light of these warnings will ultimately bear the consequences of their decision.
Image Attribution: Babylon Cinema, Montecruz Foto (CC BY-SA 2.0)