Chapter 21:
A Warning Rejected
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6
Introduction
When Christ doesn’t appear on October 22, 1844, those who are disillusioned reject Adventism, causing moral decay to enter the church. Jesus foretold that a power described in the book of Revelation would seek to destroy the truth of Christ's second coming by means of deception and coercion. God's people are bidden to come out of false churches, but especially the one that is called Babylon.
What are the elements of this chapter?
Concept: ADVENTISM
The Second Advent doctrine is to call people unto repentance in order to prepare them for the judgment.
The Adventists did not intend to start a new sect.
Concept: APOSTASY
Adventism is rejected.
A moral decline takes place in the churches as members conform to worldly practices showing more devotion to the world.
Nearly all churches in the United States see a sudden decline in membership around the year 1844 which was noticed by the press as well as the pulpit.
There is a diminishing of spiritual life and Bible study.
The Advent Warning Rejected
Many church goers who trusted only in their pastors instead of those who preached the advent message, rejected the advent message for fear of losing their church membership.
Similar to Israel
The apostasy of the Adventist rejecters is similar to that of the Jewish church during Christ's ministry. They were blind to the truth when they rejected the gospel message given by Christ.
Concept: FORM OF GODLINESS
Israel retained a form of religion but lacked true godliness. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
They continued to make sacrifices in the temple even though God’s presence was no longer manifested to them.
They uplifted their national exclusiveness higher than faith. They discouraged the study of Daniel's 70 Weeks Prophecy (Daniel 9:24) by declaring a curse on those who calculated the time of the Messiah’s coming.
Concept: JUDGMENT
The Three Angels Messages announce the judgment hour. (Revelation 14:6-10)
Fear God and worship Him (verse 7)
Babylon is fallen - beware of false doctrine (verse 8) Babylon is represented by a woman. A woman in prophecy represents a church. (Jeremiah 6:2) A fallen Babylon represents a fallen church. We are warned not to side with her.
Rejecting the first angel’s message is the same as rejecting salvation from Christ.
Concept: REFORMATION
Accepting the everlasting gospel brings unity of faith and a reformation of the church.
When there is reformation of the heart, denominational barriers and conflicting creeds are obliterated, sweeping away pride and worldliness with love, joy, and unity remaining.
Concept: PERSECUTION
The prejudice of religious leaders and ministers were aroused against Adventism.
They forbade their members to attend any preaching on the second advent message and the study of the prophecies.
They even forbade the subject to be brought up in their social gatherings.
Concept: REMNANT
Christ and the relationship with His remnant church are likened unto a marriage covenant. (Hosea 2:19, Jeremiah 3:14, Revelation 12:17, Revelation 18:4)
The Pure Church is Christ's Bride
They keep God’s commandments and have the faith of Jesus.
The remnant church is called to come out from among the apostate churches. (2 Corinthians 6:17)
During the Advent movement, 50,000 people withdraw from their denominations to join the Adventists
Concept: BABYLON
Babylon stands for confusion which is the spreading of false doctrine. (Revelation 17: 4-6, 18, Ezekiel 16:13-15, 32; Jeremiah 3:20; James 4:4)
Babylon is typified as an unfaithful woman (whore), corrupt or fallen. Babylon is an apostate religion.
She is described as dressed in scarlet and purple, decked with gold and precious stones, with the words “Mystery Babylon the Great” written on her forehead and holding a golden cup full of abominations, fornication with the kings of the earth which stands for having relationships with secular governments.
Mother of Harlots
Babylon is described as the Mother of Harlots with daughters. The daughters do what mother says and follow her example. They sacrifice truth for traditions and false doctrine.
Babylon persecuted the followers of Christ; (“drunken with the blood of the saints”) professing to have the truth while conforming to worldly standards.
Concept: WINE OF BABYLON
False doctrine
Wine causes drunkenness and drunkenness causes confusion. Babylon teaches corrupt doctrines that are opposed to Bible truth.
Babylon makes all nations drink this wine by having unlawful connection with the great ones of the earth and requiring acceptance of her doctrines. They outlaw the Bible and hold church policy over truth.
Concept: THE GREAT APOSTASY
A great apostasy occurred during the end of the second century, after the apostolic church began to conform to pagan practices. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
They created “new” ways of worship, while simplicity disappeared.
They lowered standards to gain more converts.
They sought the favor of secular rulers.
Concept: GOD’s NAME IN VAIN
Many church members were Christian in name only concealing a life of sin under a pretense of godliness. Many joined the church to gain respect and to advance their worldly interests. They flooded money into church to build extravagant churches and paid ministers to be entertaining and deliver smooth sermons.
Concept: CONFUSION
Babylon confuses those who don’t love truth.
False teachers infiltrate to oppose sound doctrine. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11)
They bring doctrinal confusion to people who don’t know what to believe as truth. People during the Advent movement ignored the second Angel’s Message and were given to “strong delusion that they should believe a lie.”
Protestant churches continue to conform to the world today.
Come Out of Her!
Babylon’s fall is still in progress. (Revelation 14:8)
Many of God's people are still in Babylon but they are being called to come out of her.(Revelation 18:4)
God’s people are not called to stay in corrupt churches.
(1 Corinthians 5:9-11)
What does this have to do with me today?
What causes moral declension in the church?
What should be done for a church and its leaders who openly defy God's precepts and accept the world's standards?
What hope is there for God’s remnant people who want to continue serving God in the church that is willfully practicing sin?
What does the Bible call us to do when church leaders apostatize?