Revelation 14:8
The End Times

In my last post, we examined a Revelation 14:6-7 to consider The Everlasting Gospel. In this post, we move on the Revelation 14:8 to explore Babylon Is Fallen.

“Another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “She has fallen! She has fallen! Bavel [Babylon] the Great!  She made all the nations drink the wine of God’s fury caused by her whoring!” ~ Revelation 14:8 (CJB)

The second angel announces the fall of Bavel (Babylon). This is the first mention of Bavel in the book of Revelation. Bavel’s fall is mentioned again in 16:19. The fall of Bavel is thus mentioned twice before there is any further statement about Bavel, which is fully described in chapters 17-18.

Bavel was so horrible that the writer wanted to assure his readers, before telling them about it in more detail, that it would have only a temporary existence. Bavel was the name given to the working alliance of the revived political beast and the false prophet of chapter 13. The satanic trinity can make the nations drink the wine of God’s fury caused by her whoring! This seems to allude to the formation of a one-world religion and a single, worldwide political system. This is hardly a stretch of our imagination as we see the news of our world unfold in current events. Perhaps this angel’s warning is relevant to us – be warned of a movement to create an ecumenical religion based more on the premise of “brotherly love and tolerance” than on one’s relationship with Yeshua.

There is a law of interpretation used in the Bible called “the law of first mention.” When a word is first used in the Bible, that same definition will remain all through the Bible. The word Bavel is found six times in the Book of Revelation. It is found in Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2; 18:10 and 18:22. However, the first mention of Bavel is found in Genesis chapters ten and eleven. It was a city founded by a rebel named Nimrod and became identified as a city of proud and idolatrous people. It was Bavel that took the Jewish people captive under Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. Bavel has always been an enemy of God and Israel. Bavel mentioned here in the book of Revelation symbolizes the ungodly world-system of the Antichrist. When the word Bavel is mentioned in Revelation it can mean one of two things: in chapter seventeen it speaks of her religious system, and in chapter eighteen her political system falls.

Oliver Greene writes: [1]

In verse 8 we learn that following the angel with the everlasting Gospel, there is another angel who is making an announcement. The angel with the everlasting Gospel is preaching judgment: the second angel announces what would, in our language be an “Amen.” The angel cries, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen! That great city because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Babylon symbolizes the ungodly world-systems under Antichrist.

Special Comparative Note on Chapter 14:8 ^[2]

Historicist Approach:

As has been their custom, Historicists equate Bavel with papal Rome.

Preterist Approach:

Preterists are divided in equating Bavel with either Jerusalem or Rome.

[In the case of Historicists and Preterists, we will get a better feel for their positions when we get to Chapter 17.]

Futurist Approach:

Futurists are mixed on the identity of Bavel.  Some view it an actual city such as Rome or a rebuilt Bavel on its ancient site.  Some see it as a religious system similar to Daniel’s era.

Idealist Approach:

Idealists seem to be equally equivocal in agreeing with some or all of the above.

In my next post, we will explore a Revelation 14:9-12 to examine Fire and Brimstone for the Beast’s Worshipers.

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[1] A Layman’s Commentary on Revelation by Don Jones.

[2] Material in this post is taken from “Revelation: Four Views, Revised & Updated” by Steve Gregg. Notations in brackets, if any, are my comments.