1. After this I saw another angel with great authority coming down from heaven, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.
This high-ranking angel was reflecting God’s power on earth. His high position indicates being constantly in God’s presence. When Moses spoke to Yahweh and came down from the mountain, his face was illuminated by God’s light or glory because of his proximity to God.
Exodus 34:29
As Moses descended from Mount Sinai—with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands as he descended the mountain—he did not realize that the skin of his face shone as a result of his speaking with the Lord.
2 He cried in a mighty voice: It has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen! She has become a dwelling for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, and a haunt for every unclean and despicable beast.
The phrase “mighty voice” is a reference to great power.
The angel’s announcement of the fall of Babylon reveals that God will punish any persons, institutes, or organizations who purposely go out to deceive the masses.
After the destruction of Babylon, the demons that worked with the false church continued to occupy its ruins.
3 For all the nations have drunk the wine of her sexual immorality, which brings wrath. The kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from her excessive luxury.
The phrase “drunk the wine of her sexual immorality“ Spiritually speaking, always means in Scripture an abandonment of the true Living God for a false god. This is seen in Numbers 25:1-3 which says, While Israel was staying in the Acacia Grove, the people began to have sexual relations with the women of Moab. 2 The women invited them to the sacrifices for their gods, and the people ate and bowed in worship to their gods. 3 So Israel aligned itself with Baal of Peor, and the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
The phrase “brings wrath” means that every person who has abandoned the Truth for the lie will suffer judgment
One of the things that Satan uses to make someone leave the Lord is wealth. This same tactic was even used with Jesus in the wilderness.
Matthew 4:8-10
8 Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 And he said to Him, “I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.”
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven: Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues.
The phrase “Come out of her, My people” is either a reference to Christians living in that city to flee before its destruction or unknowingly participating in their teachings thinking that they are following God’s Word.
Insight: Deception
False teachers use the Bible to establish their teachings as from God. The tweak occurs in the person of Jesus Christ. This is a common tactic used by Satan and puts it in a subtle way. To create this deception, extra-biblical sources are used.
5 For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
The phrase “For her sins are piled up to heaven” refers to a limit that God would allow before His wrath is poured out.
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