Read & explore together
The Three Angels and Babylon’s Fall
In this vision, the speaker hears three angelic announcements and then a voice from heaven. The passage places a message for all peoples beside a warning about worship and a blessing for those who die in the Lord.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
Revelation 14:6–13 presents a sequence within a vision: one angel proclaims eternal Good News to the whole earth, a second announces Babylon’s fall, and a third warns about worshipping the beast and receiving its mark. The passage ends by highlighting the perseverance of the saints and the blessed rest of those who die in the Lord.
Revelation 14:6–13Main takeaway
This vision calls all people to worship God the Creator, warns of judgment connected with false worship, and encourages believers to endure faithfully.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01An eternal message for every peopleThe vision shows an angel flying in mid heaven with “an eternal Good News” for those who dwell on the earth.
Explanation
The vision shows an angel flying in mid heaven with “an eternal Good News” for those who dwell on the earth. The message is not limited to one place or group. It is proclaimed to “every nation, tribe, language, and people”, showing its worldwide reach.
02Fear God and worship the CreatorThe angel speaks with a loud voice: “Fear the Lord, and give him glory.” The reason given is that “the hour of his judgment has come”.
Explanation
The angel speaks with a loud voice: “Fear the Lord, and give him glory.” The reason given is that “the hour of his judgment has come”. The call to worship is directed to the one “who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters”, identifying God as Creator.
03Babylon’s fall is announcedA second angel declares, “Babylon the great has fallen.” In this vision, Babylon is linked with influencing “all the nations” through “the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality”.
Explanation
A second angel declares, “Babylon the great has fallen.” In this vision, Babylon is linked with influencing “all the nations” through “the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality”. The verse gives the announcement and its moral charge, without explaining further details here.
04A warning about worshipping the beastA third angel warns that anyone who worships the beast and his image and receives its mark will face God’s wrath.
Explanation
A third angel warns that anyone who worships the beast and his image and receives its mark will face God’s wrath. The language is severe: wrath, anger, torment, and no rest day or night. The warning stays focused on allegiance shown in worship and in receiving the mark.
05Perseverance and blessing for the Lord’s peopleAfter the warning, the passage points to “the perseverance of the saints”, described as those who keep God’s commandments and the faith of Jesus.
Explanation
After the warning, the passage points to “the perseverance of the saints”, described as those who keep God’s commandments and the faith of Jesus. Then a voice from heaven says to write that the dead who die in the Lord are blessed, because they rest from their labours and their works follow them.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What makes the first angel’s message universal in scope?
Look at the groups listed in the verse and notice that the Good News is proclaimed to all who dwell on the earth.
02Why does the angel say people should fear God, give him glory, and worship him?
The verse gives two reasons: judgment has come, and God is the Maker of heaven, earth, sea, and springs of waters.
03How does the passage encourage believers after its strong warning?
Notice the shift to perseverance in the saints and the blessing and rest spoken of for those who die in the Lord.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 14:6–13
6I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.
7He said with a loud voice, “Fear the Lord, and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!”
8Another, a second angel, followed, saying, “Babylon the great has fallen, which has made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality.”
9Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
10he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
11The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.
12Here is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
13I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their works follow with them.”