WHAT IS BABYLON?

It is the opinion of many of the best students of prophecy that the great Babylon of the Apocalypse embraces the popular Protestant churches—that they are the legitimate daughters of the so-called “mother church.” If this view be found correct, we shall see in the fall of the churches the fulfillment of the second angel’s message, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen,” etc. Revelation 14:8; 18:2-4. The word, “Babylon,” from the word, “Babel,” signifies “mixture, confusion;” and most fitly represents the state of the great family of churches. The fall of Babylon cannot mean her destruction; because, after she falls. God’s people are called out of her, lest they should partake of her sins, etc. Her fall must therefore be a moral fall. SOC 2.2

The following testimonies will show that, themselves being judges, they are embraced in Babylon, and that they are in a fallen state. SOC 2.3

The Church of Rome claims the Church of England as her daughter: SOC 2.4

“If the Church of Rome were ever guilty of idolatry in relation to the saints, her daughter, the Church of England, stands guilty of the same, which has ten churches dedicated to Mary for one dedicated to Christ.”—Catholic Christian Instructed, p. 18. SOC 2.5

Mr. Wm. Kinkade, in his “Bible Doctrine,” p. 294, says: SOC 2.6

“I also think Christ has a true church on earth, but its members are scattered among the various denominations, and are all more or less under the influence of Mystery Babylon and her daughters.” SOC 2.7

Mr. Hopkins, in a treatise on the millennium, says: SOC 2.8

“There is no reason to consider the anti-Christian spirit and practices confined to that which is now called the Church of Rome. The Protestant churches have much of anti-Christ in them, and are far from being wholly reformed from the corruptions and wickedness.” SOC 2.9

Mr. Simpson, in his “Plea for Religion,” says: SOC 3.1

“For though the Pope and Church of Rome is at the head of the grand 1260 year’s delusion, yet all other churches, of whatever denomination, whether established or tolerated, which partake of the same spirit, or have instituted doctrines or ceremonies inimical to the pure and unadulterated gospel of Christ, shall sooner or later share in the fate of that immense fabric of human ordinances; and that Protestant churches should imitate the Church of Rome, in this worst part of its conduct, can never be sufficiently bewailed.” SOC 3.2

On this question of What is Babylon? Eld. J. N. Andrews remarks: SOC 3.3

“It can symbolize nothing less than the universal worldly church. War, slavery, conformity to the world, pride, intemperance, politics, and the like, identify, with sad and faithful accuracy, the great body of the Protestant churches as an important constituent part of this great Babylon.” SOC 3.4

Alexander Campbell says: SOC 3.5

“The worshiping establishments now in operation throughout christendom, increased and cemented by their respective voluminous confessions of faith, and their ecclesiastical constitutions, are not churches of Jesus Christ, but the legitimate daughters of that mother of harlots, the Church of Rome.” SOC 3.6

Lorenzo Dow says of the Romish Church: SOC 3.7

“If she be a mother, who are the daughters? It must be the corrupt, national, established churches that came out of her.” Dow’s Life, p. 542. SOC 3.8

In the Religious Encyclopedia (Art., Antichrist), we read: SOC 3.9

“The writer of the book of Revelation tells us he heard a voice from Heaven, saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, that ye partake not of her sins, and receive not of her plagues,’ If such persons are to be found in the ‘mother of harlots,’ with much less hesitation may it be inferred that they are connected with her unchaste daughters, those national churches which are founded upon what are called Protestant Principles.” SOC 3.10

Dr. Cumming of England, speaking of our duty in reference to great Babylon, says: SOC 4.1

“Then what is our duty? To call to all that at this moment. In the Church of Rome, whether sprinkled by her baptismal waters, or imitating within another church her forms her ceremonies, her pomp, and her grandeur, to come out of her, lest partaking of her sins they receive also of her plagues.”—The End, p. 241. SOC 4.2