Rev 14:8-12 | JFB | STEP | 8. another —So Vulgate. But A, B, Syriac, and ANDREAS add, "a second"; "another, a second angel." Babylon —here first mentioned; identical with the harlot, the apostate Church; distinct from the beast, and judged separately. is fallen —anticipation of . A, Vulgate, Syriac, and ANDREAS support the second "is fallen." But B, C, and Coptic omit it. that great city —A, B, C, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic omit "city." Then translate, "Babylon the great." The ulterior and exhaustive fulfilment of . because —So ANDREAS . But A, C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "which." B and Coptic omit it. Even reading "which," we must understand it as giving the reason of her fall. all nations —A, B and C read, "all the nations." the wine of the wrath of her fornication — the wine of the wrath of God, the consequence of her fornication. As she made the nations drunk with the wine of her fornication, so she herself shall be made drunk with the wine of God's wrath.

Revelation of John 14:8-12

8. another—So Vulgate. But A, B, Syriac, and ANDREAS add, "a second"; "another, a second angel."

Babylon—here first mentioned; identical with the harlot, the apostate Church; distinct from the beast, and judged separately.

is fallen—anticipation of Re 18:2. A, Vulgate, Syriac, and ANDREAS support the second "is fallen." But B, C, and Coptic omit it.

that great city—A, B, C, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic omit "city." Then translate, "Babylon the great." The ulterior and exhaustive fulfilment of Isa 21:9.

because—So ANDREAS. But A, C, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "which." B and Coptic omit it. Even reading "which," we must understand it as giving the reason of her fall.

all nations—A, B and C read, "all the nations."

the wine of the wrath of her fornication—the wine of the wrath of God, the consequence of her fornication. As she made the nations drunk with the wine of her fornication, so she herself shall be made drunk with the wine of God's wrath.

9. A, B, C, and ANDREAS read, "another, a third angel." Compare with this verse Re 13:15, 16.

10. The same—Greek, "he also," as the just and inevitable retribution.

wine of . . . wrath of God— (Ps 75:8).

without mixture—whereas wine was so commonly mixed with water that to mix wine is used in Greek for to pour out wine; this wine of God's wrath is undiluted; there is no drop of water to cool its heat. Naught of grace or hope is blended with it. This terrible threat may well raise us above the fear of man's threats. This unmixed cup is already mingled and prepared for Satan and the beast's followers.

indignation—Greek, "orges," "abiding wrath," But the Greek for "wrath" above (Greek, "thumou") is boiling indignation, from (Greek, "thuo") a root meaning "to boil"; this is temporary ebullition of anger; that is lasting [AMMONIUS], and accompanied with a purpose of vengeance [ORIGEN on Psalm 2:5].

tormented . . . in the presence of . . . angels— (Ps 49:14; 58:10; 139:21; Isa 66:24). God's enemies are regarded by the saints as their enemies, and when the day of probation is past, their mind shall be so entirely one with God's, that they shall rejoice in witnessing visibly the judicial vindication of God's righteousness in sinners' punishment.

11. for ever and ever—Greek, "unto ages of ages."

no rest day nor night—Contrast the very different sense in which the same is said of the four living creatures in heaven, "They rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy"; yet they do "rest" in another sense; they rest from sin and sorrow, weariness and weakness, trial and temptation (Re 14:13); the lost have no rest from sin and Satan, terror, torment, and remorse.

12. Here, &c.—resumed from Re 13:10; see on Re 13:10. In the fiery ordeal of persecution which awaits all who will not worship the beast, the faith and patience of the followers of God and Jesus shall be put to the test, and proved.

patience—Greek, "hupomene," "patient, persevering endurance." The second "here" is omitted in A, B, C, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and PRIMASIUS. Translate, "Here is the endurance of the saints, who keep," &c.

the faith of Jesus—the faith which has Jesus for its object.