Revelation 14:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} there followed {G190} another {G243} angel {G32}, saying {G3004}, Babylon {G897} is fallen {G4098}, is fallen {G4098}, that great {G3173} city {G4172}, because {G3754} she made {G4222} all {G3956} nations {G1484} drink {G4222} of {G1537} the wine {G3631} of the wrath {G2372} of her {G846} fornication {G4202}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Another angel, a second one, followed, saying,

“She has fallen! She has fallen!
Bavel the Great!
She made all the nations drink the wine
of God’s fury caused by her whoring!”

Berean Standard Bible

Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 14:8 presents the solemn declaration of a second angel, announcing the definitive collapse of "Babylon, that great city." This pronouncement underscores the certainty of divine judgment against a powerful, symbolic entity that represents a global system of spiritual apostasy, economic exploitation, and moral corruption. The angel's message explicitly states the reason for Babylon's downfall: its pervasive influence in intoxicating and leading all nations into its spiritual fornication and rebellion against God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This angelic proclamation is strategically positioned within a series of urgent, end-time messages delivered by three angels in [Revelation 14](/revelation/14 "Revelation 14 - The Lamb and the Three Angels"). It immediately follows the first angel's universal call to worship the Creator God and to fear Him, for the hour of His judgment has come ([Revelation 14:6-7](/revelation/14-6-7 "Revelation 14:6-7 - The First Angel's Message")). The announcement of Babylon's fall thus serves as the initial fulfillment of that judgment, setting the stage for the subsequent warning against worshipping the beast and receiving its mark ([Revelation 14:9-11](/revelation/14-9-11 "Revelation 14:9-11 - The Third Angel's Warning")). This sequence highlights the progression of divine judgment against the forces opposing God, culminating in the harvest of the earth ([Revelation 14:14-20](/revelation/14-14-20 "Revelation 14:14-20 - The Harvest of the Earth")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "Babylon" draws heavily from the historical city of Babylon, notorious in the Old Testament for its idolatry, pride, and its role as the oppressor of God's people, Israel (e.g., [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon")). In the first century, when Revelation was written, Rome was the dominant imperial power, known for its pagan worship, persecution of Christians, and immense wealth derived from global trade. While not directly named, "Babylon" in Revelation functions as a symbolic archetype for any and all oppressive, idolatrous, and anti-God systems—whether political, economic, or religious—that stand in rebellion against Christ and persecute His followers. The concept of nations "drinking" from a city's influence evokes ancient practices of alliances and cultural assimilation, often involving participation in pagan rituals or economic dependencies.
* **Key Themes:** The declaration in [Revelation 14:8](/revelation/14-8 "Revelation 14:8 - The Fall of Babylon") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Revelation. Foremost among these is **Divine Judgment and Justice**, emphasizing God's unwavering sovereignty and His righteous response to human wickedness and rebellion. The fall of Babylon signifies the ultimate **Collapse of Worldly Systems** that oppose God, demonstrating that no earthly power, however great or influential, can ultimately withstand His decree. Furthermore, the explicit reason for Babylon's fall—"the wine of the wrath of her fornication"—highlights the theme of **Spiritual Fornication and Corruption**. This refers to idolatry, spiritual unfaithfulness, and the seductive allurements of worldly power and pleasure that draw humanity away from true worship and loyalty to God, echoing prophetic condemnations found in books like [Hosea](/hosea/1 "Hosea 1 - The Prophet's Family") and [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - Jerusalem's Adultery").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel (Greek, _ángelos'_):** From G32, meaning "a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor." In this context, the angel is a divine messenger, conveying God's authoritative decree. The presence of an angel underscores the divine origin and certainty of the pronouncement, not merely a human prediction but a heavenly declaration of what is already determined in God's eternal plan.
* **Fallen (Greek, _píptō'_):** From G4098, meaning "to fall (literally or figuratively)." The repetition "is fallen, is fallen" is a prophetic perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing results. It signifies the absolute certainty and finality of Babylon's destruction, as if it has already occurred in God's sight, even before its physical manifestation. This double declaration emphasizes the irreversible nature of its doom.
* **Fornication (Greek, _porneía'_):** From G4202, meaning "harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry." While encompassing physical immorality, in a prophetic context, _porneía_ primarily denotes spiritual unfaithfulness to God, which is essentially idolatry. Babylon's "fornication" refers to its leading nations into false worship, allegiance to worldly powers over God, and participation in its corrupt systems, thereby committing spiritual adultery against the one true God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there followed another angel, saying":** This introduces the second of three angelic messengers in [Revelation 14](/revelation/14 "Revelation 14 - The Lamb and the Three Angels"). The sequence of angels emphasizes a progression in God's final judgments and warnings to humanity. This angel's message is distinct yet complementary to the first, focusing on the fate of God's ultimate adversary.
* **"Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city":** This is the core proclamation. "Babylon" is a symbolic name, representing not just a historical city but a global system of opposition to God, characterized by its power, wealth, and spiritual corruption. The repetition "is fallen, is fallen" is a powerful rhetorical device, conveying the absolute certainty, finality, and completeness of its destruction. It is a declaration of accomplished fact from God's perspective, despite its future physical manifestation. "That great city" highlights its immense influence and perceived invincibility, making its fall even more dramatic.
* **"because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication":** This clause provides the divine justification for Babylon's judgment. "She made all nations drink" implies a seductive, intoxicating, and pervasive influence. The "wine of the wrath of her fornication" refers to the spiritual and moral corruption that Babylon propagated globally. This "fornication" is primarily spiritual harlotry—idolatry, false worship, and unfaithfulness to God—which leads to a state of spiritual drunkenness, blinding nations to truth and leading them into rebellion, thereby incurring God's righteous wrath.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 14:8 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically in the phrase "Babylon is fallen, is fallen." This doubling intensifies the declaration, emphasizing the absolute certainty and finality of Babylon's destruction, creating a sense of irreversible doom. **Symbolism** is central, with "Babylon" serving as a multifaceted symbol for all anti-God systems of power, wealth, and spiritual corruption throughout history, culminating in the ultimate global system of rebellion against God in the end times. The "wine of the wrath of her fornication" is a powerful **Metaphor**, portraying Babylon's seductive influence as an intoxicating drink that leads nations into spiritual harlotry and ultimately brings upon them God's judgment. This metaphor also implies **Personification**, as Babylon is depicted as a harlot who "made all nations drink," giving an abstract system human-like actions and moral culpability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The declaration of Babylon's fall in [Revelation 14:8](/revelation/14-8 "Revelation 14:8 - The Fall of Babylon") is a profound theological statement on divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. It reveals that God is not indifferent to the pervasive evil and spiritual corruption that worldly systems inflict upon humanity. Babylon, as the epitome of human rebellion and idolatry, represents all that stands against God's righteous rule. Its downfall signifies that all attempts to build a kingdom apart from God, founded on pride, materialism, and spiritual unfaithfulness, are ultimately destined for destruction. This truth offers immense encouragement to believers facing persecution or living in a world seemingly dominated by ungodly influences, assuring them that God's judgment is certain and His sovereignty absolute.

* [Isaiah 21:9](/isaiah/21-9 "Isaiah 21:9 - The Fall of Babylon")
* [Jeremiah 51:7-8](/jeremiah/51-7-8 "Jeremiah 51:7-8 - Babylon's Golden Cup and Sudden Fall")
* [Revelation 18:2-3](/revelation/18-2-3 "Revelation 18:2-3 - The Lament over Babylon's Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 14:8 calls believers to a profound spiritual discernment and a steadfast commitment to Christ. In a world saturated with competing loyalties and seductive influences, we are urged to recognize the "Babylonian" systems that seek to draw us away from God. These systems can manifest as materialism, consumerism, secular ideologies, or even corrupt religious practices that prioritize human power or pleasure over divine truth. The call to come out of Babylon ([Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Her, My People")) is an ongoing imperative for Christians to separate themselves from the spiritual compromises and moral depravity of the world. This verse offers both a warning against entanglement and a powerful assurance of God's ultimate victory. It reminds us that while evil may seem to triumph for a time, its end is certain and divinely ordained. Our hope is not in reforming worldly systems, but in faithfully enduring and proclaiming the truth of God's coming kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Babylonian" influences or systems in my life or culture might be subtly drawing me away from complete devotion to Christ?**
* **How can I actively resist the intoxicating "wine of fornication" that the world offers, and instead, align myself with God's truth and righteousness?**
* **In what ways does the certainty of Babylon's fall strengthen my faith and hope in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty?**

### FAQ

**What does "Babylon" symbolize in Revelation?**

Answer: In Revelation, "Babylon" is a highly symbolic entity, drawing its name from the ancient city of Babylon, which was a historical oppressor of God's people, Israel. In the New Testament context, it symbolizes a comprehensive, global system of opposition to God. This includes religious apostasy (spiritual idolatry and false worship), economic exploitation (luxury, greed, and oppression of the poor), and political power (persecution of God's people and rebellion against divine authority). It represents the epitome of human pride and rebellion against God, seeking to establish a kingdom apart from Him, and ultimately encompasses all that is contrary to the kingdom of Christ. Chapters like [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Harlot and the Beast") and [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon") further elaborate on its characteristics and ultimate destruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The declaration of Babylon's fall in [Revelation 14:8](/revelation/14-8 "Revelation 14:8 - The Fall of Babylon") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of the Lamb of God over all forces of evil and rebellion. While Babylon represents the culmination of human sin and opposition to God, its fall is not merely an act of divine retribution but a necessary step in the establishment of Christ's eternal kingdom. Jesus, as the victorious King and Lamb who was slain, has already defeated sin and death through His cross and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). The prophetic announcement of Babylon's fall in Revelation anticipates the final outworking of Christ's victory, where every earthly system that exalts itself against God will be utterly dismantled. It foreshadows the day when Christ will fully exercise His righteous judgment, bringing to an end all spiritual fornication and global corruption, and ultimately ushering in the new heavens and new earth where He reigns supreme ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, Babylon's fall is a testament to the Lamb's ultimate sovereignty and the certainty of His glorious reign.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 21:9

And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, [with] a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

Jeremiah 51:7

Babylon [hath been] a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.

Jeremiah 51:8

Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

Revelation 18:2

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.

Revelation 18:3

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.

Revelation 16:19

And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Revelation 11:8

And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.