The book of Revelation describes two systems of religion. It describes two ways of worship, and it also presents us with two choices. It really does not leave us with any middle ground. In Revelation there is presented a strong appeal, made to men and women in the last days of earth’s history. It is an urgent call to make a commitment. You and I are called today to give the last appeal from a loving Father to His children on this planet. To have a better understanding of this subject, I entitled this article “The Loud Cry and the Angel of Revelation 18,” which is one of the fundamental principles of faith that we, as a church, believe and proclaim.

This appeal is found in Revelation 18:1–5, “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.  For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”

This is the last message to be given to this planet and it can be summarized in the symbolism of the two women in Revelation. The woman in white is described in Revelation 12:1. “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” Throughout the Book of Revelation, a pure woman symbolizes the bride of Jesus or the true remnant Church of Christ. The prophet Jeremiah says; “I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman” Jeremiah 6:2. The daughter of Zion is a term describing God’s people. Here, God compares His people to a beautiful pure woman. In Ephesians chapter 5:23–33 Jesus is likened to a faithful husband and His church as the bride. In the 12th chapter of the Book of Revelation as mentioned above, there is a striking symbol of a woman dressed in white. She is faithful to her true lover, Jesus. She is undefiled with the corruption of false doctrines. She is described as Christ’s bride or His Church on earth.

In Revelation 17 another woman arises. This woman rides upon a scarlet-coloured beast. The Bible calls her a harlot. A harlot is a woman who has left her true lover—a woman who has gone after many lovers.  She (the church here represented) has left her true lover, Jesus Christ. This is an apostate system of religion. Here is a picture, not of the true church, but of the fallen church that has walked away from her true lover, Jesus. This church dominates many people as we see here described. The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her. Therefore, this harlot in Revelation 17 represents a false system of religion, in opposition with the true system. It is our duty to warn people to come out of this false system with its errors that have slipped into the church from paganism. God is calling His people to the truths of His word, and not to be a part of the daughters of that mother church, the protestant daughters. God calls them out of the mystery of Babylon the great. The Bible talks about spiritual Babylon, a church, a powerful church system that drifted away from God’s word and God’s truth. In the days of Ezekiel, when error slipped in among the people of God, he cried out; “Her priests have violated My law, and have profaned Mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” Ezekiel 22:26. I believe that Ezekiel the prophet would cry out today, because many religious leaders have closed their eyes to the truths of God’s word.

A great crisis awaits the people of the world and the people of God. The final message of warning is to be given to the world. This message is embodied in the Three Angel’s Messages of Revelation 14. These messages are to do their work and are to be presented as a unit. However, in the final crisis, when the law of God is made void, the message is to swell to a loud cry. The crisis and the cry bring to a climax the great controversy which has been raging since the fall of Satan. What is the loud cry of the third angel? “Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service.” –The Great Controversy, p. 606

During the proclamation of the three angel’s messages, the prophecies in Revelation 18 will soon be fulfilled. Another angel is seen coming down from heaven, having great power and the earth is to be lightened with its glory. We believe that the loud cry of the third angel began in 1888 at the conference in Minneapolis with the message of “Christ our Righteousness;” and this was the beginning of the light of the angel of Revelation 18:1–4. “The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the earth.” –Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 362

The swelling is progressive and with more and more power gaining ground in all the world “The earth is to be lighted with the glory of the third angel,—not a little corner only, but the whole earth.” –The Review and Herald, May 10, 1887

“The third angel, flying in the midst of heaven and heralding the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus, represents our work. The message loses none of its force in the angel’s onward flight, for John sees it increasing in strength and power until the whole earth is lightened with its glory. The course of God’s commandment-keeping people is onward, ever onward. The message of truth that we bear must go to nations, tongues, and peoples. Soon it will go with a loud voice, and the earth will be lightened with its glory.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 383

This is a very special time and a clear and direct message must be given to the world. The message in Revelation 18 points toward a time when Babylon is falling just as the Second Angel’s Message in Revelation 14 also talks about Babylon falling. This message in Revelation 18 will bring persecution by the leaders, but God’s messengers will go forward with the light of the Scriptures and, being filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaim the message. “At that time the ‘latter rain,’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.”—Early Writings, p. 85

“I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.’ The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel’s message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel’s message. Angels were sent to aid the mighty angel from heaven, and I heard voices which seemed to sound everywhere, ‘Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.’ This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844.” – Early Writings p. 277

It is evident that the purpose of the Loud Cry is to call out of Babylon all who had not previously made the separation. This must be done before probation closes and the wrath of God is poured out upon the finally impenitent. How many of God’s true people will still be in Babylon when the loud cry calls them out? Here is the answer: “Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ’s true followers are still to be found in their communion. There are many of these who have never seen the special truths for this time. Not a few are dissatisfied with their present condition and are longing for clearer light. They look in vain for the image of Christ in the churches with which they are connected. As these bodies depart further and further from the truth, and ally themselves more closely with the world, the difference between the two classes will widen, and it will finally result in separation. The time will come when those who love God supremely can no longer remain in connection with such as are ‘lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.’” –The Great Controversy, p. 390

The woman in scarlet and purple, who is riding on the scarlet covered beast, has passed around her cup of wine and the world is drunk with false doctrines. Most churches have accepted her doctrines, but God is giving us a duty in Revelation 18 to make a call. Where are many of God’s people today? In churches that do not understand these truths. So what does God say to His people that are still in Babylon? Come out lest you share in her sins; lest you receive of her plagues. Who is going to call these people out of these religious systems to the light and truth of Jesus? Isaiah said, “here I am Lord, send me.” Paul said on the Damascus road when met Jesus, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Do you feel called by God in this special hour in earth’s history? If you believe in God’s word and love Jesus and the people around you, you will call upon the Name of the Lord and He will answer you, He will tell you what to do, because believe me Jesus is coming soon. Amen!

Nicholas Anca