The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 391
and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness;” and they that “received
not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,” will be left to receive
“strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11.
Not until this condition shall be reached, and the union of the church with
the world shall be fully accomplished throughout Christendom, will the
fall of Babylon be complete. The change is a progressive one, and the
perfect fulfillment of Revelation 14:8 is yet future.
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.”
Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting
the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6-12, the church will have fully
reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people
of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her
communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world;
and it will accomplish its work. When those that “believed not the truth,
but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left
to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will
shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children
of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call: “Come out of her,
My people” (Revelation 18:4).
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