Why should my people leave her?

Background and Scriptural Context

In Scripture, the plea “Why should My people leave her?” finds its closest parallel in the call given in Revelation 18:4: “Then I heard another voice from heaven say: ‘Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues.’” This text echoes a prophetic refrain found in the Old Testament, such as Jeremiah 51:6: “Flee from Babylon; each of you save his life! Do not perish because of her guilt. For this is the time of the LORD’s vengeance; He will pay her what she deserves.” Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, “Babylon” or “her” symbolizes spiritual corruption, idolatry, and rebellion against God’s righteousness. The command to “leave her” points to a decisive break from entanglements with sin and false religion, urging God’s people to seek purity and fidelity to Him.

Old Testament Roots

Babylon was not only a literal empire but also a representation of pride, self-exaltation, and rebellion. The tower of Babel (Genesis 11) lays the groundwork for understanding Babylon as a center of human ambition set against God’s authority. Centuries later, Babylon rose to prominence under kings like Nebuchadnezzar II, who subdued Jerusalem and took many Israelites into exile (2 Kings 24–25).

In Jeremiah 29–51, the prophets foretold both the rise and inevitable judgment of Babylon. Echoing those prophecies, Isaiah 48:20 declares: “Leave Babylon; flee from the Chaldeans!” The physical exodus from a fallen empire intertwined with the spiritual rejection of practices that dishonor Yahweh. Thus, “Why should My people leave her?” is answered by the firm call to abandon idolatry and escape God’s impending judgment on sin.

New Testament Development

The New Testament presents a broader, sometimes symbolic image of “Babylon” as any worldly system characterized by arrogance and rebellion. In Revelation, Babylon embodies materialistic seduction and spiritual compromise. The command to leave her is a command to forsake all allegiances that rival or undermine one’s devotion to God. Revelation 18:2 comments on Babylon’s final doom: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!” Immediately following is the direct imperative (Revelation 18:4) urging God’s people to separate so they will not “share in her sins” or “contract any of her plagues.” This indicates both spiritual and practical separation—turning away from destructive influences, embracing holiness, and not participating in idolatrous values.

The Nature of ‘Her’ and Idolatry

The scriptural references to “Babylon” or “her” consistently include elements of:

• Pride (Genesis 11; Daniel 4)

• Idolatry (Daniel 3; Jeremiah 50–51)

• Moral and spiritual corruption (Revelation 18)

To remain in “her” is to consent to these distortions, risking guilt by association and exposure to God’s righteous judgment. Hence, when the Bible asks, “Why should My people leave her?” the answer is rooted in God’s holiness and His commitment to preserve a people for Himself who reject the destructive patterns of sin.

Call to Holiness and Consecration

Throughout Scripture, believers are repeatedly instructed to separate themselves from sinfulness. Second Corinthians 6:17 says: “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” Holiness is not merely physical removal but an inward consecration—abandoning worldly mindsets, vices, or idolatries that lead one away from God’s truth. This principle spans all eras and covenants. From the exiles leaving the literal Babylon of old, to the church leaving modern-day “Babylons” of sin, God’s people must disentangle themselves from defiling influences.

Judgment and Mercy

Judgment on Babylon (Jeremiah 50–51; Revelation 18) stands as a warning that God’s justice accounts for communal and individual rebellion. Simultaneously, the call to leave “her” is an act of divine mercy: God invites all who will heed His voice to escape condemnation. Much like Noah’s family entering the ark before the flood (Genesis 7) or Lot departing Sodom (Genesis 19), leaving “her” safeguards from judgment. God’s instruction is rooted in compassion, offering salvation and protection.

Historical and Archaeological Corroboration

Archaeological excavations by Robert Koldewey in the early 20th century confirmed features of ancient Babylon, including its colossal walls, ziggurats, and the renowned Ishtar Gate. Textual evidence in Babylonian chronicles and cuneiform inscriptions corroborates the biblical narrative of Babylon’s prominence, Nebuchadnezzar’s building projects, and the empire’s eventual fall. These findings provide historical grounding for biblical accounts involving Babylon’s power and subsequent judgment, reinforcing that Scripture’s portrayal of the city reflects authentic historical contexts.

Practical Implications for Believers

1. Spiritual Discernment: Identifying modern “Babylon” requires discernment of where sin, false doctrine, or social pressures contradict God’s Word.

2. Moral Purity: Leaving “her” involves renouncing practices or beliefs that compromise loyalty to God.

3. Active Faith: Obedience to God’s command ensures spiritual growth, aligning with Romans 12:1-2’s directive to be transformed by the renewing of the mind.

4. Hope in Divine Rescue: Trust in God’s promise to deliver the faithful from judgment fosters perseverance (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Fulfillment in Christ

The ultimate reason to leave “her” rests in the salvation and new life provided by Christ. His resurrection, central to the biblical message (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), assures believers that attachment to worldly corruption is futile. By Christ’s atoning work, God’s people can stand justified and unshaken when final judgment comes. As 1 Peter 2:9 declares: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…”—this identity calls believers away from sinful systems into the marvelous light of Christ.

Concluding Summary

“Why should My people leave her?” Because God commands separation from every influence standing against His holiness, for the sake of preserving spiritual devotion and escaping the devastation of sin’s consequences. Historically, Babylon exemplified pride and idolatry, and the New Testament broadens that image to include any corrupt world system opposed to God. Scripture, both confirmed by archaeological finds and by consistent prophetic warning, urges believers to flee immediately and decisively. In doing so, they participate in the redemptive plan accomplished through Jesus, who provides deliverance and a path to honor God in every generation.