14:8 Babylon. This is the first mention of the city of Babylon by name in Revelation, but its revived existence as the capital of the beast has been intimated (Revelation 13:3). For further discussion on this important question, see the notes on Revelation 16:19–18:24. Although her fall will be 3½ years still in the future, this second angel (following the first, who is proclaiming the gospel) appropriately proclaims the certain destruction of the great enemy of the gospel.

14:8 fornication. See Isaiah 14:4-9 and Jeremiah 51:7.