The Fourth Angel Of Revelation 18

The Fourth Angel Of Revelation 18

This morning, on the Sabbath (June 21, 2025), God gave me this article to write! And the initial idea came from an astonishing place! For our morning worship, I read from the book “Christ’s Object Lessons”, Chapter 5, “Like A Grain Of Mustard Seed.”

Another Resource: Christ’s Object Lessons

The Reason For This Article

Those of you who have read this chapter already and have listened to the Holy Spirit in response will know the implications! You will also see that you probably don’t dare to write this article! Well, I can assure you that within myself, there’s not much courage either! But in the summer of 1966, I met a girl who loved me almost as much as Christ loves me! And her love for me, as well as Christ’s love for me, are the necessary ingredients for the courage to write this article! (See also: A Message Of Love And Hope) You see, God plans ahead!

The Content Of This Article

This article will be a mixture of the content of Chapter 5 in Christ’s Object Lessons mixed with my thoughts about what is said in that chapter, as well as in Revelation 18!

Chapter 5—“Like a Grain of Mustard Seed”
This chapter is based on Matthew 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18, 19.

In the multitude that listened to Christ's teaching there were many Pharisees. These noted contemptuously how few of His hearers acknowledged Him as the Messiah. And they questioned with themselves how this unpretending teacher could exalt Israel to universal dominion. Without riches, power, or honor, how was He to establish the new kingdom? Christ read their thoughts and answered them: 

“Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?” In earthly governments there was nothing that could serve for a similitude. No civil society could afford Him a symbol. “It is like a grain of mustard seed,” He said, “which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth, yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof.” (R.V.). 

The germ in the seed grows by the unfolding of the life-principle which God has implanted. Its development depends upon no human power. So it is with the kingdom of Christ. It is a new creation. Its principles of development are the opposite of those that rule the kingdoms of this world. Earthly governments prevail by physical force; they maintain their dominion by war; but the founder of the new kingdom is the Prince of Peace. The Holy Spirit represents worldly kingdoms under the symbol of fierce beasts of prey; but Christ is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. In His plan of government there is no employment of brute force to compel the conscience. The Jews looked for the kingdom of God to be established in the same way as the kingdoms of the world. To promote righteousness they resorted to external measures. They devised methods and plans. But Christ implants a principle. By implanting truth and righteousness, He counterworks error and sin. 

As Jesus spoke this parable, the mustard plant could be seen far and near, lifting itself above the grass and grain, and waving its branches lightly in the air. Birds flitted from twig to twig, and sang amid the leafy foliage. Yet the seed from which sprang this giant plant was among the least of all seeds. At first it sent up a tender shoot, but it was of strong vitality, and grew and flourished until it reached its present great size. So the kingdom of Christ in its beginning seemed humble and insignificant. Compared with earthly kingdoms it appeared to be the least of all. By the rulers of this world Christ's claim to be a king was ridiculed. Yet in the mighty truths committed to His followers the kingdom of the gospel possessed a divine life. And how rapid was its growth, how widespread its influence! When Christ spoke this parable, there were only a few Galilean peasants to represent the new kingdom. Their poverty, the fewness of their numbers, were urged over and over again as a reason why men should not connect themselves with these simple-minded fishermen who followed Jesus. But the mustard seed was to grow and spread forth its branches throughout the world. When the earthly kingdoms whose glory then filled the hearts of men should perish, the kingdom of Christ would remain, a mighty and far-reaching power. 

So the work of grace in the heart is small in its beginning. A word is spoken, a ray of light is shed into the soul, an influence is exerted that is the beginning of the new life; and who can measure its results? 

I know this is true because this is how God has worked with me! And I know that He does not change! He will continue to work with me in the very same way that He has since the beginning of my life! And His love fills the hearts of ALL His angels! I know this because I’ve met “My Guardian Angel Michelle” and have experienced her love for me! Michelle’s love for me is also deep, intimate, and unchanging! And this is God’s plan for ALL of His children! He wants us to love each other deeply, intimately, and faithfully, even through the coming struggle!

And, if you are not an SDA member yet, fear not, God still loves and cares for you, too! There is still time to become part of the family of God, albeit a very short time! It is not the SDA organization that saves you, but Jesus Christ! However, the SDA denomination represents God’s chosen people during the closing scenes of Earth’s history! Some SDAs will be lost and some will be saved, depending on the quality and depth of their relationship with God! You can be a member of God’s family, whether or not you ever get the chance to be an officially baptized member of the Seventh-day Adventist church. God knows your heart! If you truly repent of your sins and accept Jesus’ sacrifice of dying to pay for your sins, then you have met all of the requirements for your salvation! All that remains is for you to be faithful (loyal and obedient) to Him until He returns!

Not only is the growth of Christ's kingdom illustrated by the parable of the mustard seed, but in every stage of its growth the experience represented in the parable is repeated. For His church in every generation God has a special truth and a special work. The truth that is hid from the worldly wise and prudent is revealed to the child-like and humble. It calls for self-sacrifice. It has battles to fight and victories to win. At the outset its advocates are few. By the great men of the world and by a world-conforming church, they are opposed and despised. See John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, standing alone to rebuke the pride and formalism of the Jewish nation. See the first bearers of the gospel into Europe. How obscure, how hopeless, seemed the mission of Paul and Silas, the two tentmakers, as they with their companions took ship at Troas for Philippi. See “Paul the aged,” in chains, preaching Christ in the stronghold of the Caesars. See the little communities of slaves and peasants in conflict with the heathenism of imperial Rome. See Martin Luther withstanding that mighty church which is the masterpiece of the world's wisdom. See him holding fast God's word against emperor and pope, declaring, “Here I take my stand; I can not do otherwise. God be my help.” See John Wesley preaching Christ and His righteousness in the midst of formalism, sensualism, and infidelity. See one burdened with the woes of the heathen world, pleading for the privilege of carrying to them Christ's message of love. Hear the response of ecclesiasticism: “Sit down, young man. When God wants to convert the heathen, He will do it without your help or mine.” 

The great leaders of religious thought in this generation sound the praises and build the monuments of those who planted the seed of truth centuries ago. Do not many turn from this work to trample down the growth springing from the same seed today? The old cry is repeated, “We know that God spake unto Moses; as for this fellow [Christ in the messenger He sends], we know not from whence he is.” John 9:29. As in earlier ages, the special truths for this time are found, not with the ecclesiastical authorities, but with men and women who are not too learned or too wise to believe the word of God. 

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28); “that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). 

And in this last generation the parable of the mustard seed is to reach a signal and triumphant fulfillment. The little seed will become a tree. The last message of warning and mercy is to go to “every nation and kindred and tongue” (Revelation 14:6-14), “to take out of them a people for His name” (Acts 15:14; Revelation 18:1). And the earth shall be lightened with His glory. 

What Does This Mean?

Do you recognize the implications of that last paragraph in bold? It means that God’s faithful people within the SDA denomination are to BE the fourth angel of Revelation 18! They are to present the 3 Angels’ Messages, including the fourth angel of Revelation 18, with conviction, extreme clarity, urgency, and with the power of the Holy Spirit! The people who present these messages and live by them are known as the 144,000! How do I know this? Because they are described both before and after the 3 Angels’ Messages in Revelation 14! They complete the work that many SDA pastors will not be willing to do! This group will also include many women.

What Is the Message Of the Fourth Angel?

1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

16 And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Revelation 18:1-24  KJV

The Meaning Of Revelation 18

There is absolutely NO DOUBT that Revelation 18 describes none other than the office of the papacy! It does not describe the current pope, but all of the popes who have ever held the office. It is a mistake to think that most of Revelation 18 refers to the members of the Catholic church, however! It does NOT!

4 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.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Revelation 18:4, 5  KJV

Here, God clearly states that the members of the Catholic church are “My people”, that He loves them dearly and wants desperately to save them from the destruction that is coming on the Catholic church leadership! These verses also apply to all of the members of other Sunday-keeping Christian denominations who are also “in Babylon” due to their confusion (Babylon means confusion) over the Sabbath Day.

And since SDAs love God, we are instructed to love everyone just as God loves us! This means that we owe the same love that God has shown us to those Catholics who join our ranks! There is no reason why a former Catholic cannot become one of the 144,000! It only requires repentance and a choice to obey God’s Word above the pope! Yes, it’s just that simple!

God’s love knows no boundaries! Abraham was a Chaldean, akin to a witch or warlock in today’s culture. Why did God choose Abraham? Abraham was not what we would call a “wise choice.” It was simply because God loved him! And Abraham decided to obey God’s instructions! And that led him into a closer relationship with God.

God does not ask us to do in our own strength the work before us. He has provided divine assistance for all the emergencies to which our human resources are unequal. He gives the Holy Spirit to help in every strait, to strengthen our hope and assurance, to illuminate our minds and purify our hearts.—The Southern Watchman, August 1, 1905 (Testimonies for the Church 8:19). 

After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were so filled with love for Him [Christ] and for those for whom He died, that hearts were melted by the words they spoke and the prayers they offered. They spoke in the power of the Spirit; and under the influence of that power, thousands were converted.—The Acts of the Apostles, 22. 

There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.—The Southern Watchman, August 1, 1905 (Testimonies for the Church 8:19). 

What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit upon the day of Pentecost?—The glad tidings of a risen Saviour were carried to the utmost bounds of the known world.... Under their labors there were added to the church chosen men, who, receiving the word of life, consecrated their lives to the work of giving to others the hope that had filled their hearts with peace and joy. Hundreds proclaimed the message, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” They could not be restrained or intimidated by threatenings. The Lord spoke through them; and wherever they went, the sick were healed, and the poor had the gospel preached unto them. So mightily can God work when men give themselves up to the control of His Spirit.—The Southern Watchman, August 1, 1905 (Testimonies for the Church 8:19, 20). 

So, whoever you are, whatever you may have done, my brother, my sister, you are invited to become a member of God’s family today! Just confess your sins directly to God the Father, praying in the name of Jesus Christ. And decide to obey what God has shown to you in His Word, the Bible, rather than obeying the pope or any other preacher.

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:15-21  KJV

Yes, I know that Revelation 18 is scary! But you don’t have to stay in Babylon! God loves you and wants to save you from the destruction that is coming on Babylon! So please, heed God’s call to you today! Come out of Babylon and join God’s family!

Your brother in Christ,

Arthur Baldwin

P.S.: Satan tried to keep me from writing this article! My computer started acting strangely, and at one point, I lost over half of the article! I went to have dinner with my wife, and we prayed about it. After dinner, the whole article was completely restored without me doing anything! Guess who is more powerful!

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