Harps are tuned to heavenly music;
Hear the pleasant melody.
Tree of life is blooming ever
On thy shore, O crystal sea;
'Neath its shade my walk shall ever,
Ever and forever be.
Revelation 18:1-5, 16, 17, 23.
“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 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. 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. 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, for her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”
“Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought.” “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.”
This holy messenger announces the fall of Babylon, and gives a description of it. All that is pure, holy and divine has been driven out of sect Babylon and leaves its subjects to be ravished by unclean, worldly [pg 484] spirits, devouring their souls, and leaving the whole an unclean cage. God has gone out of sectism. He works with them no more; his voice is heard no more in her, and his call to his people is to “come out of her.” “Flee out of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul.” God dwells in Zion, and there shines the beautiful light of the gospel. “Out of Zion the perfection of beauty God hath shined.” “Arise, shine: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isa. 60:1.