An editorial in the Review and Herald, in 1880, sums up, in similar manner, the two aspects of the subject that seem to create an apparent Contradiction: (1) the general definition and application of Babylon, and (2) the specific application in relation to Revelation 14:8. The editorial ends thus: EGWC 331.2
“The message of Revelation 14, while using the term Babylon without limitation, did not declare that the pagan and papal divisions which had been corrupt during their whole history, then fell, but, the last division having fallen; the announcement could be made respecting the whole, that it ‘is fallen.’ EGWC 331.3
“By this view we are not obliged to plead for any embarrassing limitation of the term Babylon, and the delay of the announcement of the fall to the present generation is easily accounted for.”—June 10, p. 376. EGWC 331.4