April 20 2025, Sunday School Lesson

Babylon Is Fallen

Lesson Text: Revelation 14:6-13

Related Scriptures: Revelation 7:1-10; 13:1-18; 18:1-24

TIME: about A.D. 96

PLACE: from Patmos

Golden Text – “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12)

Introduction

This week’s lesson text revolves around three angels seen by the apostle John in his heavenly vision. The first angel had a message of judgment to preach to all the people on the earth. It is called “the everlasting gospel” (Rev. 14:6), but it is not the same as the gospel of grace being preached today, which emphasizes salvation.

The second angel had a somber message announcing the fall of the great city of Babylon, the name of the antichrist’s capital in the end times. Much more detail regarding this event may be found in Revelation 17 and 18.

The third angel had an ominous message warning the antichrist’s worshippers of their awful destiny. The description of torment by brimstone and fire is frightening.

At the end of the three angels’ messages, John had words of encouragement and comfort for all saints, or true believers. They were commended for their patience in enduring all the horrible events of the end times.

Added to this was another comment from heaven. A voice instructed John to write that those who died in the Lord from that point on would be blessed. The Holy Spirit explained that these faithful ones would rest from their labors.

LESSON OUTLINE

I. FIRST ANGEL – Rev. 14:6 - 7

II. SECOND ANGEL – Rev. 14:8

III. THIRD ANGEL – Rev. 14:9 – 11

IV. PATIENCE PRAISED – Rev. 14:12 – 13QUESTIONS

1. To whom was “the everlasting gospel” of Revelation 14:6 specifically directed?

2. Why did the first angel say God should be feared, given glory, and worshipped?

3. Which “Babylon” did the second angel say had fallen?

4. What was the reason for Babylon’s destruction?

5. Who is the beast mentioned in verse 9?

6. How does the false prophet get people to worship the image of the beast?

7. Who will have to drink of the cup of God’s wrath?

8. Where will fire and brimstone torment those who receive the mark of the antichrist?

9. What is meant by the “patience of the saints” (vs. 12)?

10. What blessings will those who die in the Lord enjoy?

ANSWERS

1. This might be an indication that “the everlasting gospel” was specially prepared for people on the earth just prior to the second coming of Christ and His judgment of the nations.

2. The message given by the angel in a loud voice was a warning to people that they should fear God and give glory to Him because the hour of judgment had come.

3. The Babylon of the future seems to refer to both an apostate religious system and an actual city, the political center of the ten-kingdom confederacy that will be associated with the coming antichrist.

4. The angel who announced the fall of Babylon also gave the reason for her demise: “she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

5. We take this to be the antichrist rising up out of humanity.

6. He will cause people to worship the antichrist through his use of deceit miracles.

7. These verses describe the horrendous torment that lies ahead for those who oppose God and Christ and who give their allegiance to Satan, the antichrist, and the false prophet.

8. The location of this outpouring is in “the lake of fire and brimstone” mentioned in Revelation 20:10

9. Their patience, or endurance, while suffering under the forces of evil is commended by the third angel. True believers are described as those who keep God’s commandments and maintain a faithful testimony for Jesus.

10. The first thing was that they will be able to rest from their labors. The fact that all of them work for the Lord seems to be taken for granted. Perhaps persecution has that effect on believers. The weak and unstable fall away under stress, and those who remain become stronger and more determined. The second thing was that their works follow them. It is a common saying that we brought nothing into this world and can take nothing out of it. However, there is an opportunity for believers to send something on ahead of their arrival in heaven. Jesus said “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20)