And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Angels of Warning, Rev 14:8-11
8. another angel ] The correct text is another angel a second.
Babylon that great city ] Read Babylon the great as in Rev 17:5. See also Rev 18:10; Rev 18:18; Rev 18:21 where we have “Babylon the great city,” “ the great city” (meaning Babylon), and “ the great city Babylon.” The omission of city here makes the presumption less that “the great city” of Rev 11:8, Rev 16:19 is the same.
is fallen, is fallen ] Isa 21:9.
because she made ] Read, which hath made.
the wine of the wrath of her fornication ] There is a blending of the two views: she makes them drink of the cup of her fornication, Rev 17:2, and she is made, and they are made with her, to drink of the cup of God’s wrath: Rev 14:10, Rev 16:19. In Rev 18:6, as in Jer 51:7, from which the image is taken, there is, as here, a combination of the two.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And there followed another angel – That is, in the vision. It is not necessary to suppose that this would, in the fulfillment, succeed the other in time. The chapter is made up of a number of representations, all designed to illustrate the same general thing, and to produce the same general effect on the mind – that the gospel would be finally triumphant, and that, therefore, the hearts of the troubled and the afflicted should be comforted. The representation in this verse, bearing on this point, is, that Babylon, the great enemy, would fall to rise no more.
Babylon – This is the first time that the word Babylon occurs in this book, though it is repeatedly mentioned afterward, Rev 16:19; Rev 17:5; Rev 18:2, Rev 18:10, Rev 18:21. In reference to the literal Babylon, the word is used, in the New Testament, in Mat 1:11-13; Act 7:43; 1Pe 5:13. See Intro. to 1 Peter, section 2. Babylon was a well-known city on the Euphrates (for a full description of which see the notes on Isaiah, analysis of chapters 13 and 14), and was, in the days of its pride and glory, the head of the pagan world. In reference to the meaning of the word in this place, it may be remarked:
(1) That the general characteristics of Babylon were, that it was proud, haughty, insolent, oppressive. It was chiefly known and remembered by the Hebrew people as a power that had invaded the Holy Land; that had reduced its capital and temple to ruins; that had destroyed the independence of their country, subjecting it to the condition of a province, and that had carried away the inhabitants into a long and painful captivity. It became, therefore, the emblem of all that was haughty and oppressive, and especially of all that persecuted the church of God.
(2) The word must be used here to denote some power that resembled the ancient and literal Babylon in these characteristics. The literal Babylon was no more; but the name might be properly used to denote a similar power. We are to seek, therefore, in the application of this, for some power that had the same general characteristics which the literal Babylon had.
(3) In inquiring, then, what is referred to here by the word Babylon, we may remark:
(a) that it could not be the literal Babylon on the Euphrates, for the whole representation here is of something future, and the literal Babylon had long since disappeared, never, according to the prophecies, to be rebuilt. See the notes on Isa 13:20-22.
(b) All the circumstances require us to understand this of Rome, at some period of its history: for Rome, like Babylon, was the seat of empire, and the head of the pagan world; Rome was characterized by many of the same attributes as Babylon, being arrogant, proud, oppressive; Rome, like Babylon, was distinguished for its conquests, and for the fact that it made all other nations subject to its control; Rome had been, like Babylon, a desolating power, having destroyed the capital of the Holy Land, and burnt its beautiful temple, and reduced the country to a province. Rome, like Babylon of old, was the most formidable power with which the church had to contend. Yet.
(c) it is not, I suppose, Rome considered as pagan that is here meant, but Rome considered as the prolongation of the ancient power in the papal form. Alike in this book and in Daniel, Rome, pagan and papal, is regarded as one power, standing in direct opposition to the gospel of Christ, resisting its progress in the world, and preventing its final prevalence. See the notes on Dan. 7. When that falls, the last enemy of the church will be destroyed, and the final triumph of the true religion will be speedy and complete. See Dan 7:26-27.
(d) So it was understood among the early Christians. Mr. Gibbon, speaking of the expectations of the early Christians about the end of the world, and the glory of the literal reign of the Messiah, says, While the happiness and glory of a temporal reign were promised to the disciples of Christ, the most dreadful calamities were denounced against an unbelieving world. The edification of the New Jerusalem was to advance by equal steps with the destruction of the mystic Babylon; and as long as the emperors who reigned before Constantine persisted in the profession of idolatry, the epithet of Babylon was applied to the city and to the empire of Rome, vol. i. p. 263.
Is fallen – That is, an event appeared in vision as if a mighty city fell to rise no more.
Is fallen – This is repeated to give emphasis to the declaration, and to express the joyousness of that event.
That great city – Babylon in its glory was the largest city of the world. Rome, in its turn, also became the largest; and the expression used here denotes that the power here referred to would be properly represented by cities of their magnitude.
Because she made all nations drink of the wine – This language is probably taken from Jer 51:7; Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lords hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunk of the wine, therefore the nations are mad. Babylon here, in accordance with the usual custom of the sacred writers when speaking of cities (see the notes on Isa 1:8), is represented as a female – here a female of abandoned character, holding in her hand a cup of wine to attract her lovers; that is, she allures and intoxicates them. This is a beautiful image to denote the influence of a great and corrupt city, and especially a city corrupt in its religion and devoted to idolatry and superstition, and may well be applied either to Babylon or Rome, literal or mystical.
Of the wrath – There seems an incongruity in the use of this word here, and Prof. Stuart proposes to render it the inflammatory wine of her fornication; that is, inebriating wine – wine that excited the passions and that led to uncleanness. He supposes that the word here used – thumos – means heat, inflammation, corresponding to the Hebrew chemaah There are no instances, however, in the New Testament in which the word is used in this sense. The common and proper meaning is mind, soul, then mind agitated with passion or under the influence of desire – a violent commotion of mind, as wrath, anger, indignation (Robinson, Lexicon). The ground of the representation here seems to be that Yahweh is often described as giving to the nations in his wrath an intoxicating cup so that they should reel and stagger to their destruction. Compare Jer 25:15; Jer 51:7. The meaning here is, that the nations had drunk of that cup which brought on the wrath of God on account of her fornication. Babylon is represented as a harlot, with a cup of wine in her hand, and the effect of drinking that cup was to expose them to the wrath of God, hence, called the wine of the wrath of her fornication – the alluring cup that was followed by wrath on account of her fornication.
Of her fornication – Due to her fornication. The word fornication here is used to denote spiritual uncleanness; that is, pagan and superstitious rites and observances. The term is often used in the Scriptures as applicable to idolatry and superstition. The general meaning here is, that Rome – papal Rome – would employ all forms of voluptuous allurements to bring the nations to the worship of the beast and his image, and that the wrath of God would be poured out on account of these abominations. The design of this verse also is to impart consolation by the assurance that this great enemy – this mighty, formidable, persecuting power – would be entirely overthrown. This is everywhere held up as the brightest hope of the church, for with this will fall its last great enemy, and the grand obstruction to the final triumph of the gospel on earth will be removed.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 8. Babylon is fallen, is fallen] This is generally understood to be a prediction concerning Rome; and it is certain that Rome, in the rabbinical writings, is termed Babylon.
That great city] Among the same writers this city is styled karta rabbetha, the great city; and Romi rabbetha, the great Rome. But which Rome is meant? Pagan or Papal Rome? Some parts of the description apply best to the former.
The wine of the wrath of her fornication.] There is an allusion here to a custom of impure women, who give philtres or love potions to those whom they wish to seduce and bind to their will; and these potions are generally of an intoxicating nature, greatly inflaming the blood, and disturbing the intellect.
Fornication and adultery are frequently used in Scripture as emblems of idolatry and false worship.
The wine of the wrath is another expression for the envenomed or poisoned cup given by such women.
No nation of the earth spread their idolatries so far as the ancient Romans; they were as extensive as their conquests. And papal Rome has been not less active in disseminating her superstitions. She has given her rituals, but not the everlasting Gospel, to most nations of the earth.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The apostle is shown, that other messengers of God should come forth, during the reign of antichrist, that should declare his ruin as certainly as if it were already effected.
Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city: these words are taken from Isa 21:9, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath brokers unto the ground. So Jer 51:8, Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed. There is no doubt but both the prophets spake of that Babylon into which the Jews were carried captive; but that Babylon was typical of another Babylon, called here the
great city, and great Babylon, Rev 16:19; 17:5; 18:10,21; and the mother of harlots, Rev 17:5. There neither is, nor ever was, any city in the world to whom these things could agree, but to Rome, rightly enough called the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth, Rev 17:5, both in respect of carnal filthiness there tolerated to make the bishop of Rome a revenue, and spiritual whoredom, which is idolatry: called also Sodom and Egypt, Rev 11:8, the former of which was famous for beastly lusts, the latter for idolatry, and oppression of Gods Israel. The ruin of old Babylon is denounced by the prophet, Isa 21:9, because of her idolatry in image worship, for which the new Babylon is every whit as famous.
Because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication: the word translated wrath, though it oft so signifies, yet should rather be here translated poison, as we translate it, Deu 32:33; Job 20:16. The LXX. in those texts use the same word that is here used, ; so the sense is, with the poisonous wine of her idolatry, intimating to us the venomous condition of Romish superstitions and idolatries, to entice ignorant people to be in love with them; as harlots use with their philters, or poisoned cups, to make men in love with them. If we better approve of our translation of the term wrath, the wine of the wrath of her fornication signifieth her fornication which brings wrath upon them that join with her in it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. anotherSo Vulgate.But A, B, Syriac, and ANDREASadd, “a second”; “another, a second angel.”
Babylonhere firstmentioned; identical with the harlot, the apostate Church;distinct from the beast, and judged separately.
is fallenanticipationof Re 18:2. A, Vulgate,Syriac, and ANDREASsupport the second “is fallen.” But B, C, and Copticomit it.
that great cityA, B,C, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic omit “city.”Then translate, “Babylon the great.” The ulterior andexhaustive fulfilment of Isa 21:9.
becauseSo ANDREAS.But A, C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, “which.”B and Coptic omit it. Even reading “which,” we mustunderstand it as giving the reason of her fall.
all nationsA, B and Cread, “all the nations.”
the wine of the wrath of herfornicationthe wine of the wrath of God, theconsequence of her fornication. As she made the nations drunkwith the wine of her fornication, so she herself shall be made drunkwith the wine of God’s wrath.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And there followed another angel,…. A “second”, as the Alexandrian copy, the Complutensian edition, and the Syriac version add; and the Arabic version reads, “and the second angel followed”; another set of Gospel ministers, who will immediately follow upon the former, proclaiming the fall of Babylon, which will be brought about through the preaching of the everlasting Gospel. Some think the Waldenses and Albigenses are here designed, who gave a great blow to Babylon, and laid a foundation for her ruin. Others have thought that Luther, and the reformers of his times, are intended, who gave a deadly blow to Babylon, and she has been falling ever since: but to me it appears, that a set of ministers in the spiritual reign of Christ are meant, who will not only signify the fall of Babylon to be certain, and near at hand, but will live to see and declare her actual fall, as follows:
saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city; which is to be understood not of the world in general, which will not now be come to an end, for all nations of the world are distinguished from this Babylon in the next clause, and is only represented as a city, though a great one; nor of Babylon in Chaldea, which was fallen many hundreds of years before this vision; nor is there any likelihood of its being restored, nor any reason to believe that it will ever more be the seat of empire over all the nations and kings of the earth, as the Babylon mentioned in this book is, Re 17:5 though undoubtedly the allusion is to that Babylon, and the very words are used which express the fall of it, and are taken from it; see Isa 21:9 but this is to be understood of Rome, which all along in this book is called the great city; see Re 11:8 and not of Rome Pagan, for that is fallen already; and the account of the fall of that is given before, at the opening of the sixth seal, and the casting the dragon out of heaven, upon the war there, between Michael and him, though Mr. Daubuz is of opinion that this is here meant; but of Rome Papal, called Babylon the great, Re 16:5 and so the Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac and Arabic versions, read here; and the Romish antichrist is so called, because that city was famous for its pride and haughtiness, for its tyranny and cruelty, and for its idolatry; and indeed its name, which signifies “confusion”, well agrees with the Papacy, which is a confused mixture of Judaism, Paganism, and Christianity: so Rome is called Babel in some ancient writings of the Jews o, where some copies read “Babel”, others read “Rome”; and Tertullian, who wrote long before the appearance of the Romish antichrist, says p, with our John, Babylon is a figure of the Roman city: and of this it is said, that it “is fallen, is fallen”; which words are repeated for the certain confirmation of it, as matter of fact; for the fall of antichrist will certainly be in the spiritual reign of Christ, in the Philadelphian church state; [See comments on Re 3:9] now will Babylon come in remembrance before God, and he will pour out the vials of his wrath upon her, and will give men an aversion to her; and through the preaching of the Gospel she will fall, just as the walls of Jericho fell at the sounding of the rams’ horns: the reason of which fall will be,
because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication: by her “fornication” is meant the idolatry of the church of Rome; so the idolatry of Israel and Judah is often expressed in the Old Testament by fornication and whoredoms; see Jer 3:6 and the wine of it designs the alluring methods used to draw into it; such as the riches and honours, and pleasures of this world, promised to men, and the great appearances of holiness and religion, the deceivableness of unrighteousness, the miracles, signs, and lying wonders done by them, by which men are made sottish and stupid, and induced to believe a lie; just as wine intoxicates, and inclines and excites to lust: and by “the wrath” of it is meant either the heat of lust unto it, or the wrath of God against them which is stirred up by it; and now the aggravation of her sin is, that she not only drinks of this wine herself, or commits idolatry, being instigated to it by the allurements of it, though she hereby incurs the displeasure and wrath of God, but she draws all nations into the same idolatrous practices.
o Zohar in Numb. fol. 103. 4. & Raya Mchimna, apud ib. in Exod. fol. 49. 3. p Adv. Judaeos, c. 9. & Adv. Marcion. l. 3. c. 13.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Another, a second angel ( ). This second angel “followed” (, first aorist active indicative of ) and interpreted in part the first one.
Fallen, fallen (, ). Prophetic aorist active indicative of , repeated as a solemn dirge announcing the certainty of the fall. The English participle “fallen, fallen” is more musical and rhythmical than the literal rendering “fell, fell.” The language is an echo of Isa 21:9, though B in the LXX has , (perfect).
Babylon the great ( ). The adjective occurs with each time in the Apocalypse (Rev 14:8; Rev 16:19; Rev 17:5; Rev 18:2; Rev 18:10; Rev 18:21) as a reminder of Nebuchadrezzar. There is no doubt that Rome is meant by Babylon, as is probably seen already in 1Pe 5:13. As a prisoner in Patmos John can speak his mind by this symbolism.
Hath made to drink (). Perfect active indicative of , old causative verb (from drinking, 1Pe 4:3), as in Mt 25:35. The remarkable phrase that follows seems based on Jer 51:8 (Jer 25:15). It is a combination also of Re 14:10 (the wine of God’s wrath, also in Rev 16:19; Rev 19:15) and 17:2. There is no doubt of the dissoluteness of the old Babylon of Jeremiah’s day as of the Rome of John’s time. Rome is pictured as the great courtesan who intoxicates and beguiles the nations to fornication (Rev 17:2; Rev 17:4; Rev 17:6), but the cup of God’s wrath for her and her paramours is full (Rev 14:10; Rev 16:19; Rev 18:2).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Another. Add deuterov a second.
Is fallen [] . Lit., fell. The prophetic aorist expressing the certainty of the fall. Compare Isa 21:9; Jer 51:7, 8.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And there followed another angel,” (kai allos angelos deuteros ekolouthesen) “and there followed a second angel,” after the one bearing announcement of the Everlasting Gospel, Good News, Rev 14:6.
2) “Saying Babylon is fallen, is fallen,” (legon epesen epesen Babulon he megale) “Saying repeatedly, again and again, over and over, Babylon fell, Babylon fell, the great Babylon has fallen.” This final view and hearing John heard from two angels, perhaps of Gabriel’s host informing heaven and earth of final victory and final doom on earth, to heaven, and hell’s habitants, Rev 18:2; Rev 18:21.
3) “That great city,” (he megale) “the great city, the one with former glory of hanging gardens, the paradise glory of the Empire of Babylon; some have supposed “this great city” to be Rome, some Jerusalem, and some the old city of Babylon itself, of which perhaps none can be certain.
4) “Because she made all nations drink,” (he pepotiken panta ta ethne) “The one which made (caused by decree) all nations (or races) to drink to continually or habitually imbibe (to partake of); The “She” appears to be the central antichrist Government (described in Rev 13:1-18) wherever she is located, as she is called that great city.
5) “Of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,” (ek tou oinou tou thurou tes porneias autes) “out of the wine -vinegar of the anger, or inflamed bitterness, and wrath of her fornication.” The term fornication is used here, as elsewhere in the scriptures, to refer to idolatry which is infidelity to and forsaking of the true God for false gods, perhaps even the idolatry of worship of the beast as in Rev 13:1-18; Rev 2:21; Rev 17:2; Rev 18:3; Rev 19:2; Jer 3:6-9; Jer 3:14.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Strauss Comments
SECTION 42
Text Rev. 14:8
And another, a second angel, followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that hath made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Initial Questions Rev. 14:8
1.
What was the message of this second angel Rev. 14:8?
2.
Compare his message with that of the flying angel in Rev. 14:6.
Rev. 14:8
Immediately following the first angel, a second angel followed saying fallen (epesen 2nd aor. ind. literally fell because of the immediate and singular act of collapse.) fallen is Babylon the great. The great rebellious, powerful, anti-Roman Christian empire is finished as sovereign over the minds and bodies of men. Right in the midst of her apparent victory over Christs Church, John is led to announce that from the vantage point of the throne room of heaven Babylons fall was final, sudden and complete in Gods plan of the victory of righteousness over unrighteousness. Mighty Rome might dominate the earth for a little while, but Gods judgment will come; and she will not be able to stand against the wrath of the Lamb. Oh! What a message of hope to those 1st century Christians who were withstanding daily persecution for the glory of their Lord. We must never forget that there are people in our own day who pay dearly for their public acknowledgement of Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions
See Rev. 14:14-20.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(8) And there followed . . .The gospel angel is followed by the angel that proclaims the downfall of Babylon. Better, And another, a second, angel followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has given all the nations to drink of, &c. The second angel follows on the first: the doom of the world-city, the metropolis of the empire of the world-power, follows the proclamation of the gospel. The principles of Christs gospel must undermine the world-power; the fall of some Babylon principle has almost always succeeded the age of spiritual revival. Pagan Rome goes down before the gospel. Civil freedom follows the wake of religious freedom, for Babylon belongs not to one age. Pagan Rome was Babylon to St. John; papal Rome was often Babylon to a later age. Dante, Savanarola, Tauler, Luther, felt her to be so in the days when their eyes were enlightened; but Babylon was not on the Euphrates alone: she has reared palaces on the Seine, and on the Thames, Tiber, and on the Bosphorus. She may yet erect her power in more imposing form; but faith in that gospel which is the power of God, will cast her down along with everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. The influence of Babylon is declared in this: that she has given all nations to drink of deadly winethe wine alike of her sin and of her doom, of her fornication and of the wrath which will overtake it. Babylon, then, is clearly an emblem of some principles which have been more or less accepted by all nations, and which will more or less involve all in the consequences of her fall. (Comp. Rev. 16:19; Rev. 16:17, where the features of this Babylon are more fully developed.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. Second angel defines the object of these war manifestoes Babylon, Rev 14:8.
8. Babylon fallen Or, with the elegant inversion of the Greek: Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great. It is the prophetic future-preterite. Here first occurs in the apocalypse the name of “great BABYLON.” It carries our thought back to the Babel built by the survivors of the flood on the plains of the Euphrates, where was first developed in history, under Nimrod, the type of mighty but godless nationality. It next appears in sacred history under one of the greatest princes of antiquity, Nebuchadnezzar, as the conqueror and leader into captivity of beloved Jerusalem. Then commenced the antithetical typology which is unfolded in the apocalypse. Babylon was then the great profane empire city, hostile to the city of God, in which a false religion dominates the world and persecutes the followers of Jehovah. But Babylon is now transferred westward and impersonated in Rome. And this new Babylon first is dragon or pagan, and then, semi-Christianized, is bestial or papal. It was first anti-God, and so anti-Christ; it is now specifically anti-Christ. And under the victorious career of Christ it must finally fall; fall embracing in itself all the profane traits of its typical national predecessors; fall followed by the destruction of all Babylonianism, secular and ecclesiastical.
Wine of the wrath of her fornication A very pregnant expression. Her fornication is at once a seductive wine and a destructive wrath; wine to the appetite, wrath upon the soul and body.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And another, a second angel, followed, saying “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great which has made all the nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication”.’
The idea and wording connects with Isa 21:9, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen’ where it relates to idolatry, and with Jer 51:7-8 from where he obtains the picture of her making the earth drunk with her ideas. The doom of this great city, with all it represents of pride and rebellion, which has drawn on itself God’s wrath because of its idolatry and sexual misbehaviour, and has led others to do the same, has at this stage already taken place (details are given later in chapters 17-18, which see). The time of final judgment now fast approaches. Let those called on consider that all ‘Babylon’ has done for them is to lead them into uncleanness and make them drink the wine of God’s wrath, and that now that Babylon has met its inevitable doom, they need to reconsider their ways.
John may well have thought of ‘Babylon’ here especially in terms of Rome, simply because in his day Rome epitomised all that Babylon stood for, but to the spiritual beings who spoke of it and proclaimed it, it represents that which first began when Cain first ‘built a city’, and then at the tower of Babel and continued in great Babylon and in all great cities that sought to conquer and to enforce idolatry, the occult and sexual perversion on others. It is only Rome to him because he sees in Rome a fulfilment of the idea that all who in their pride set themselves up against God and seek to live and build up riches without taking Him into account, as had Babylon before it, will fall (compare what is said to the Laodicean church (Rev 3:15-17)). They are doomed to destruction. Had he known what we know he would have known that it meant more than Rome.
It was not just Rome or Babylon, but the idea that Babylon and Rome epitomised that would be destroyed. Indeed all the prophets see the destruction of the great cities of the world which set themselves up against God as inevitable. They see them as all doomed to total destruction in the end. This is not second guessing what will be but the inevitable consequence of what they are. They know that Babylon, Rome and all other such cities, and what they represent, exist only to be destroyed. They are anti-Christ, seeking to replace Him in men’s minds, therefore they can have only one end. In every period there is another ‘Babylon’ also doomed to destruction. There will be one in the final days. For Babylon represents man over against God, laden with sin and indulgence.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Of this effect and result of the Reformation and of the fall of spiritual Babylon the next angels made announcement:
v. 8. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
v. 9. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand,
v. 10. the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb;
v. 11. and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
v. 12. Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The voice of the second angel is like a resonance or echo of that of the first: And a second angel followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is great Babylon, who of the wine of the wrath of her fornication made all nations drink. That was the effect of the Reformation: it brought about the exposure and the fall of spiritual Babylon, of Rome, the seat of Anti-Christ. And this judgment came upon the Roman Church because she had introduced such abominations of idolatry into the temple of God, the Pope cult and the saint cult and the cult of good works and other methods by which God’s honor was taken from Him. Wherever the missionaries of the Roman Church had come, they had spread this adulterous idolatry, by which men left the love of Jesus Christ as the only Savior and trusted in the intercession of various saints. In many cases the very idols of the heathen nations were Christianized by giving them the names of saints, while the old idolatry proceeded as before.
The third angel pronounced the sentence of God upon the kingdom of Anti-Christ: And the third angel followed them, saying with a powerful voice, If any one worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark upon his forehead or upon his hand, he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out unmixed into the cup of His anger, and he shall be tortured with fire and brimstone before the holy angels and before the Lamb. This is the curse and the punishment of God upon those that deliberately, willfully, maliciously, worship Anti-Christ and his hierarchical system, and willingly yield to having his impress or sign fastened upon them. He is not speaking of those that have been deluded by the outward pomp of the Roman Church and are members there, although in their hearts they cling to Jesus, their Savior. He is speaking of the willing servants of Anti-Christ. These shall feel the full wrath of God at the idolatry with which they have identified themselves; they shall be made to drink the cup of God’s anger, like strong, unmixed wine. And their end will be the torments of hell, to be tortured with fire and brimstone in the very presence of the holy angels and of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. That fact will increase their torture a thousand fold, that they will be able to see the bliss of heaven, but will not be able to share it, Luk 16:23.
The torture of hell will be an eternal torment: And the smoke of their torment will arise forever and ever, and they will not have relief day and night that have worshiped the beast and his image, and if anyone has received the mark of his name. This simple statement overthrows all the false dreams of sectarians that are trying to lull men to sleep by preaching a final dissolution. The torment of hell will be a physical torment; but, the bodies of the damned having been rendered immortal, their torture will never have an end; the horrible pain will never cease, the fire will burn forever, and yet will never consume. Such is the fate of those that have sold themselves to Anti-Christ as his servants and thus have become partakers of his sin and of his damnation. All the more impressive, then, is the word which is added: Here is the patience of the saints, that keep the precepts of God and the faith of Jesus. In this way the patient steadfastness of the saints is manifested, namely, that they, in spite of all the blandishments of Anti-Christ, adhere simply to the will of God, whose highest commandment is this, that we believe in His Son Jesus Christ and have salvation in Him.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Rev 14:8. There followed another angel, saying, Babylon, &c. By Babylon was meant Rome, as all authors of all ages agree; but it was not prudent to denounce the destruction of Rome in open and direct terms; it was for many wise reasons done covertlyunder the name of Babylon, which was the great idolatress of the earth, and enemy of the people of God in former, as Rome has been in later times. By the same figure of speech that the first angel cried, The hour of his judgment is come, Rev 14:7 this second angel proclaims, that Babylon is fallen: the sentence is as certain as if it was already executed. For greater certainty too it is repeated twice, as Joseph says that the dream was doubled, Gen 41:32. The reason is then added, of this sentence against Babylon, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath, or rather, the inflaming wine of her fornication. Hers was a kind of Circean cup with poisoned liquor, to intoxicate and inflame mankind to spiritual fornication. St. John, in these figures, follows the ancient prophets. In the same manner, and in the same words, did Isaiah foretel the fate of the ancient Babylon; (Isa 21:9.) and Jeremiah has assigned much the same reason for her destruction; Jer 51:7. As by the first angel calling upon men to worship God, we understand the opposers of the worship of images in the eighth and ninth centuries; so by this second angel proclaiming the fall of mystic Babylon, or Rome, we understand particularly Peter Valdo, or those who concurred with him,the Waldenses and Albigenses; who were the first heralds of this proclamation, as they first of all in the twelfth century pronounced the church of Rome to be the apostolic Babylon, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth, and, for this cause, not only departed from her communion themselves, but engaged great numbers also to follow their example, and laid the first foundation of the Reformation. Rome then began to fall; and as the ruin of Babylon was completed by degrees, so likewise will that of Rome; and those holy confessors and martyrs first paved the way to it.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Rev 14:8 . It is a characteristic of the dramatic vividness of the scene, that every new point, which is to be proclaimed, is committed to a special angel. [3487] The angel now coming forward is distinguished by the compound formula from the . mentioned in Rev 14:6 . [3488]
, . The cry, [3489] in a prophetical way, represents the sure and near impending judgment as already fulfilled. [3490] The name of the O. T. secular power is transferred to that of the N. T., [3491] i.e., to Rome, [3492] by not only indicating by means of this name its ungodly nature, [3493] but also by the adjective , especially emphasizing how extent and fulness of power [3494] are powerless for the protection of the vain foundation of self-assertion [3495] from complete overthrow. [3496]
, . . . As in the ancient prophets, alongside of the threatenings of punishment, the precise charges on which those threats rest are generally presented, so also here the guilt of great Babylon is established. The view portrayed in Rev 17:2 ; Rev 17:4 , Rev 18:3 , lies here already at the foundation. Babylon-Rome appears as a harlot who has seduced all the dwellers on earth to commit fornication with her: “ She made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication .” The expression in Rev 18:3 is incorrectly explained, if the be regarded otherwise than in the firmly established sense of “ wrath ,” Rev 14:10 . [3497] According to the linguistic usage of the Apoc., it is the glow and rage of wrath , [3498] and not any other passion, which is designated by . But it is impossible to seek this wrath in the harlot Babylon herself, and then to understand the of cunning arts, dissembling love, with which wrathful Babylon destroys the nations. [3499] With perfect correctness, De Wette says that the entire expression depends upon a combination of two ideas: the wine of fornication, [3500] wherewith Babylon has intoxicated the nations, is at the same time characterized as a (viz., of the Divine wrath), and it is, consequently, represented [3501] how the wine offered by the harlot Babylon to the nations, with which she has intoxicated them and led them to fornication with her, is also a wine which, because of the Divine wrath, has caused that drunkenness in the nations. It is analogous to what is instructively said in Rom 1:21 . The is the idolatry practised with great Babylon, the all-ruling secular power. [3502]
[3487] “Quot res nunciand, totidem nuncii” (Grot.).
[3488] Cf. examples in Wetst.
[3489] Rev 18:2 ; Isa 21:9 ; cf. Jer 50:2 ; Jer 51:8 .
[3490] Cf. Rev 11:18 .
[3491] Rev 13:1 sqq., Rev 18:10 .
[3492] So remarks on ch. Rev 13:17 .
[3493] Cf. Rev 11:8 .
[3494] Cf. Rev 13:2 ; Rev 13:4 .
[3495] Dan 4:27 .
[3496] Klief. understands “the metropolis of the last heathen secular power.”
[3497] Against Wetst., Grot., who make ., “poison;” cf. also Eichh.; and against Ewald, Zll.: “Burning wine, intoxicating wine.”
[3498] Rev 16:19 , Rev 19:15 . Cf. Rev 15:7 , Rev 16:1 ; also Rev 13:2 .
[3499] Hengstenb.
[3500] Cf. Rev 17:2 ; Rev 17:4 ; Jer 51:7 .
[3501] Cf. Jer 25:15 sqq., 27. sqq.
[3502] Rev 14:9 ; Rev 13:4 ; Rev 13:12 . Grot., Ew., De Wette, etc.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Here is the second Embassy, and reaching to a period still further remote, looking indeed into those times, when the heresy of the West, under the Pope, should begin to give way. I do not presume to ascertain the period; but I find some have, and fixed it to about the opening of the fifteenth century. The fall of mystical Babylon, meaning Rome, began much about this time. The Lord raised up certain characters from among her own communion, which began to call her authority in question..
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Ver. 8. And there followed another angel ] Martin Luther with his book De Captivitate Babylonia, which when Bugenhagius first read, he rashly censured for the most pestilent book that ever was written; but upon better deliberation he retracted his former sentence, and became a means to convert many others.
Of the wine of the wrath ] Of the intoxicating, enraging wine, that sets men a madding after her:
” Nam Venus in vinis, ignis in igne furit. “
There is a story of Walter Mapes, sometime Archdeacon of Oxford, who relating the pope’s gross simony, a concludes his narration thus, Sit tamen Domina materque nostra Roma baculus in aqua fractus: et absit credere quae vidimus. Rome had ravished this man out of his wits.
a The act or practice of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferments, benefices, or emoluments; traffic in sacred things. D
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rev 14:8
8And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.”
Rev 14:8 “‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great” The verb is not only repeated, but occurs first in the Greek sentence, emphasizing these aorist active indicatives. It is very difficult to interpret the book of the Revelation because concepts are expanded at different places (the beast is briefly mentioned in Rev 11:7 but not fully discussed until chapter 13). The full discussion of Babylon’s fall is found in Rev 16:19 and Rev 17:1 to Rev 18:24. It stands for Rome (cf. 1Pe 5:13; II Baruch 11:1; 67:7; Sibylline Oracles 5:143, 159, 424), but ultimately it stands for all human societies organized and functioning apart from God (see Special Topic at chapter 13, E). This human self-sufficiency is a direct result of the fall (cf. Genesis 3) and was first expressed in the Tower of Babel (cf. Genesis 10-11). The world empires are becoming more anti-God, which will issue in the ultimate world kingdom of the Antichrist at the end-time (cf. Dan 2:7-8). This may be an allusion to Isa 21:9; Jer 51:8.
“has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality” The allusion is to Jer 51:7-8 (cf. Rev 17:2; Rev 17:4; Rev 18:3). The term “passion” is the Greek term “thumos,” which relates to an outburst of emotion (see full note at Rev 7:14; cf. Rev 17:2-3; Rev 18:3). Those who drink Babylon’s wine will drink YHWH’s wine (cf. Rev 14:9)!
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
there, &c. Read “another (Rev 14:6), a second angel, followed”.
Babylon . . . city = Fallen, fallen (is) Babylon the great. Compare Rev 18:2 and Isa 21:9.
city. The texts omit.
because she. The texts read “which”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Rev 14:8. ) See on ch. Rev 18:2.- ) Thus all the MSS.; thus also Copt. Thus ch. Rev 16:19, Rev 17:5, Rev 18:2, and LXX., Dan 4:27. But [159] is inserted between by Erasmus, from ch. Rev 18:10; Rev 18:21. An epithet is often added to a proper name, without an appellative substantive. Babylon the great, put absolutely, has a somewhat grander sound, than Babylon the great city.-, of) Asyndeton.- ) This is the reading of a few, but ancient witnesses, of the Greek and Latins, to whom is added Cassiodorus. Because in those passages, where the wrath of God is treated of, is usually said; for that reason here, and in ch. Rev 18:3, where the fornication of Babylon is treated of, has also been inserted by the copyists.[160] But see App. Crit. Ed. ii. on this passage. Under the figure of a draught is often described the anger of God, and often the impurity of [spiritual] whoredom. It is in the former draught, and not the latter, that the word is used.-, hath made to drink) Luther says in the preface to Robert Barns Lives of the Pontiffs, I indeed at first, who am not greatly versed or skilled in histories, attacked the Papacy, a priori, as the saying is, that is, from the Sacred Scriptures. Now I wonderfully rejoice, that others do the same a posteriori, that is, from histories. And I seem to myself altogether to triumph, when, as the light appears, I understand that histories are in agreement with the Scriptures. And thus the history of the affairs of Rome, which is more and more brought forward into the light, serves to confirm the preaching of this second angel. But, laying aside party zeal, it is right that we should here especially weigh the things which were carried on in the East at the beginning of this century, by missions sent from Rome, rather than the Pontiff; and, on the other hand, the things which began to be carried on by evangelical missions. The impure draught given to the nations is followed by a purer draught.
[159] ABCh Vulg. reject , which Rec. Text has without good authority.-E.
[160] Lachm. and Tisch., with the oldest authorities, retain . Fuld. MS. of Vulg. omits it; but better MSS. retain it.-E.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
angel
(See Scofield “Heb 1:4”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Babylon: Rev 16:19, Rev 17:5, Rev 17:18, Rev 18:2, Rev 18:3, Rev 18:10, Rev 18:11, Rev 18:18-21, Isa 21:9, Jer 51:7, Jer 51:8, Jer 51:64
because: Rev 11:8, Rev 17:2-5, Rev 18:3, Rev 18:10, Rev 18:18, Rev 18:21, Rev 19:2, Jer 51:7, Eze 16:15-22, Nah 3:19
wrath: Rev 13:15-17, Rev 17:6
Reciprocal: Psa 97:7 – Confounded Psa 137:8 – who art Isa 14:23 – make Jer 25:16 – General Jer 27:7 – until Jer 29:11 – thoughts Jer 50:2 – Babylon Jer 51:45 – go Dan 7:22 – the Ancient Act 5:29 – We Rev 9:21 – nor of their fornication Rev 15:3 – and the song Rev 17:4 – golden Rev 17:8 – go
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rev 14:8. A result of the everlasting gospel which the preceding angel announced is then stated by another angel, namely, Babylon is fallen. The reader is reminded that the term Babylon in this part of the great drama means the institution that was formed by the union of church and state. It is here called that great city because its head was the city of Rome where both the emperor and pope resided. Wine of the wrath of her fornication is a figurative phrase combining the false teaching and idolatrous practices of Rome. As long as the people were kept in ignorance of the Bible, they could be made to drink of this wine. The announcement that Babylon is fallen means that the union of church and state was dissolved as a result of the information brought to the people through the Bible, translated in their native language so they could read it for themselves, and form conclusions independent of Rome.
Comments by Foy E. Wallace
Verse 8.
3. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication– Rev 14:8.
The second angel of this vision was the angel of doom-signifying the message of doom on Babylon-which here referred to apostate Jerusalem–and the eminent fall of the once holy city.
In Rev 11:8 apostate Jerusalem was designated spiritually as Egypt and Sodom to symbolize her state of apostasy. The reference to Jerusalem was made indisputable by the identifying phrase “where also our Lord was crucified.” The prophet Isaiah referred to apostate Jerusalem as “the faithful city become an harlot ! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.” (Isa 1:21) The Lord’s lament over the spiritual desolation of Jerusalem is recorded in Mat 23:34-37, climaxed with the impassioned appeal:
“0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not.”
The name Babylon had come to symbolize the ultimate in corruption, and the fallen Babylon of verse 8 is figurative of the spiritual degradation of Jerusalem–“the faithful city turned harlot,” and “which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Rome was never a “faithful city” to “turn harlot,” but these phrases are a fitting description of Jerusalem before and during the time of Christ.
The fornication of verse 8 compares with the use of the same term in reference to Israel’s unfaithfulness to God in their Old Testament history. The wine of the wrath of her fornication denoted the drunkenness of spiritual idolatry resulting from the wine of wrath, the evil deeds of which called down the condemnation of God which brought the end in the destruction of the city and its temple.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rev 14:8. And another, a second, angel followed. He is second to the angel in Rev 14:1.
Saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, which hath made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. The proclamation is simply anticipatory of what is to be more fully described hereafter. Till we come, therefore, to that description (chap. 18) it may be well to defer inquiry into the meaning of the word Babylon. In her ungodly influence Babylon is spoken of as making all the nations to drink, etc. (comp. Jer 51:7). A third angel follows.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Here we have the second angel’s proclamation, denouncing the fall of Babylon, whose fall is in the prophecy threatened, and in the threatening ingeminated, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; to show the certainty of her downfall.
And it is observable how this comes in immediately after the restoring of the gospel, mentioned in the foregoing verses, I saw an angel fly, having the everlasting gospel to preach, Rev 14:6. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, Rev 14:8.
Whence learn, That it is the zealous and faithful preaching of the gospel which is the ruin of antichrist, and the means of his downfall and destruction: this is the breath of the Lord’s mouth, by which he is consumed: Babylon is fallen, is fallen.
Quest. What is here meant by Babylon?
Ans. All agree that literal Babylon is not here meant, which was the chief city of Chaldea, but spoken figuratively, and it is generally agreed that by Babylon is Rome here intended: some will have it Rome Pagan, under the heathen emperors, others Rome Papal, under the antichristian tyranny, and that she is paralleled with Babylon for her idolatry and cruelty, yea, far exceeding her in both, for in her is found the blood of the prophets, of the saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth, Rev 18:24.
Observe next, Her ruin declared in the present tense, is fallen; as if already accompolished; and ingeminated, is fallen, is fallen; which repetition denotes both the certainty of her fall, and the joy which the church should express upon that occasion: though Babylon be never so great, yet she shall fall, she shall assuredly fall; and it is the church’s duty to pray, that as it is in the prophecy, so it may be in the history, that Babylon is fallen, and to express the highest joy upon that great occasion.
Observe lastly, the cause of Babylon’s ruin is here assigned, she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Where note, 1. That by fornication her errors, idolatries, and false worship, are understood.
Note, 2. That these are compared to wine upon several accounts. Is wine pleasant to the palate? so is idolatry to corrupt nature, which is hugely pleased with a pompous worship and a sensual religion. is wine inflaming: so is idolatry; inflaming themselves with idols, Isa 57:5 Does the wine deceive, and insensibly steal upon the drinker, and intoxicate him ere he is aware of it: so doth error and idolatry grow upon persons by insensible degrees; and accordingly, Rev 13:14 the beast is said to deceive them that dwell on the earth: in a word, as persons drunk with wine are altogether incapable of counsel and advice from their best friends, in like manner such as are drunk with error and idolatry, with the wine of the whore’s fornication, are besotted, benumbed, will not acknowledge their error, nor receive instruction.
Note, 3. That this wine, as sweet as it is, is called the wine of wrath, partly because it inflames them that are drunk therewith with rage and cruel fury against sincere worshippers, and partly because it brings the wrath of God upon them that drink it: little do idolaters think of this, because it is a worship of their own invention, it pleases them because it feasts their outward senses, it is grateful as wine unto them; but they forget that it is wine mixed with wrath, even with the wrath of God, the dregs of which shall be wrung out, and all idolaters shall drink them up.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
God is so sure of victory that he announces it before the battle has begun. Babylon the great city must be Rome and all her pagan vices. The rest of the world had joined her in idolatrous worship, especially of Caesar, and would come to realize the cup of their rebellion would also become the cup of God’s wrath.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Rev 14:8. And there followed another angel As the admonitions of the first angel had not the proper effect upon the kingdom of the beast, a second angel is commissioned to proclaim the fall of the capital city, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city By Babylon is meant Rome, including the antichristian kingdom, the papal hierarchy seated there. Rome, considered in this light, is called Babylon, upon many accounts. Babylon was magnificent, strong, proud, powerful. So was Rome also. Babylon was first, Rome afterward, the residence of the emperors of a great part of the world. What Babylon was to Israel of old, Rome hath been both to the literal and spiritual Israel of God. Hence the liberty of the ancient Jews was connected with the overthrow of the Babylonish empire. And when Rome is finally overthrown, then the people of God will be at liberty. Whenever Babylon is mentioned in this book, the great is added, to teach us that Rome then commenced Babylon when it commenced the great city; when it swallowed up the Grecian monarchy and its fragments, Syria in particular; and, in consequence of this, obtained dominion over Jerusalem, about sixty years before the birth of Christ. Then it began, but it will not cease to be Babylon, till it is finally destroyed. Its spiritual greatness began in the fifth century, and increased from age to age. It seems it will come to its utmost height just before its final overthrow. Her fornication is her idolatry, invocation of saints and angels, worship of images, human traditions, with all that outward pomp, yea, and that fierce and bloody zeal, wherewith she pretends to serve God. But with spiritual fornication, as elsewhere, so in Rome, fleshly fornication is joined abundantly. Witness the stews there, licensed by the pope, which are no inconsiderable branch of his revenue. This is fitly compared to wine, because of its intoxicating nature. Of this wine she hath, indeed, made all nations drink More especially by her later missions. We may observe, this making them drink is not ascribed to the beast, but to Babylon. For Rome itself, the Roman inquisitions, congregations, and Jesuits, continually propagate their idolatrous doctrines and practices, with or without the consent of this or that pope, who himself is not secure from their censure. But, as Bishop Newton observes, though Rome, with the antichristian power above described, was evidently here intended, it would not have been prudent to predict and denounce its destruction in open and direct terms; it was for many wise reasons done thus covertly under the name of Babylon, the great idolatress of the earth, and enemy of the people of God in former times. By the same figure of speech that the first angel cried, that the hour of his judgment is come, this second angel proclaims that Babylon is fallen; the sentence is as certain as if it was already executed. For greater certainty too it is repeated twice, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; as Joseph said, Gen 41:32, that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice, because the thing was established by God. The reason then is added of this sentence against Babylon; because she made all nations drink of the wine of her wrath, or rather, of the inflaming wine, of her fornication Hers was a kind of Circean cup with poisoned liquor, to intoxicate and inflame mankind to spiritual fornication. St. John, in these figures, copies the ancient prophets. In the same manner, and in the same words, did Isaiah foretel the fate of ancient Babylon, (Isa 21:9,) Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and Jeremiah hath assigned much the same reason for her destruction, (Jer 51:7,) Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lords hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. As by the first angel calling upon men to worship God, we understand the opposers of the worship of images in the eighth and ninth centuries, so by this second angel proclaiming the fall of mystic Babylon or Rome we understand particularly Peter Valdo, and those who concurred with him among the Waldenses and Albigenses; who were the first heralds, as I may say, of this proclamation, as they first of all, in the twelfth century, pronounced the Church of Rome to be the apocalyptic Babylon, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth; and for this cause not only departed from her communion themselves, but engaged great numbers also to follow their example, and laid the first foundation of the Reformation. Rome then began to fall; and as the ruin of Babylon was completed by degrees, so likewise will that of Rome; and these holy confessors and martyrs first paved the way to it.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the {a} wrath of her fornication.
(a) Of her fornication, by which God was provoked to wrath.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The fall of Babylon 14:8
The fact that separate and succeeding angels make these announcements stresses their importance and their sequential relationship. A second angel followed the first with the message that Babylon had fallen. This is another proleptic message, in this case given before Babylon falls. It anticipates that event (ch. 18; cf. Rev 11:7 and Rev 13:1-8). [Note: Newell, p. 235.] The repetition of "fallen" is for emphasis, and the aorist tense of this verb stresses the imminence of Babylon’s fall.
One popular view concerning the identity of "Babylon" is that it is a code word (atbash) for Rome, which the Christians used to disguise references to Rome, especially when Rome was persecuting Christians. That use occurs elsewhere in the New Testament (cf. 1Pe 5:13). The other view is that "Babylon" is literal Babylon on the Euphrates River. The second option is better in Revelation because in this book place names describe literal locations (cf. Rev 1:9; Rev 2:1; Rev 2:8; Rev 2:12; Rev 2:18; Rev 3:1; Rev 3:7; Rev 3:14) unless specifically identified as figurative (e.g., Rev 11:8). Furthermore "the great," Nebuchadnezzar’s description of Babylon (cf. Dan 4:30), always modifies the literal Babylon elsewhere in Revelation. Viewing this place as literal Babylon does not exclude further implications of the religious and political systems that have arisen from the city, which become the focus of the revelation later (chs. 17, 18). [Note: Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 207; Walvoord, The Revelation . . ., p. 218.] "Babylon" will epitomize ungodliness in the world during the Tribulation, as it has throughout human history since the tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9). Like "Hollywood" the name represents the world system as well as being the name of a particular city.
The angel personified Babylon as a temptress who gives wine to a man to seduce him to commit fornication (cf. Rev 17:2; Rev 17:4). The man would not choose to drink this wine without her influence. [Note: Robert Wall, Revelation, p. 185.] However what this man drinks comes ultimately from the cup of God’s wrath that He gives, through Babylon, to those whom He will punish (cf. Rev 14:10; Psa 60:3; Psa 75:8; Isa 51:17; Isa 51:22). This wine not only leads all who drink it to commit sexual licentiousness but every kind of excess that expresses unfaithfulness to God (cf. Rev 17:1-2; Rev 17:5; Rev 17:15-16; Rev 18:3; Rev 18:9; Rev 19:2). [Note: Hughes, p. 162.]