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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Revelation 14:8 - 14:8
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Another, a second angel (allos deuteros aggelos). This second angel “followed” (ēkolouthēsen, first aorist active indicative of akoloutheō) and interpreted in part the first one.
Fallen, fallen (epesen, epesen). Prophetic aorist active indicative of piptō, 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 peptōken, peptōken (perfect).
Babylon the great (Babulōn hē magalē). The adjective megalē occurs with Babulōn 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 (pepotiken). Perfect active indicative of potizō, old causative verb (from potos drinking, 1Pe 4:3), as in Mat 25:35. The remarkable phrase that follows seems based on Jer 51:8 (Jer 25:15). It is a combination also of Rev 14:10 (the wine of God’s wrath, also in Rev 16:19; Rev 19:15) and Rev 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).