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.
Then I heard another voice from heaven say
This phrase introduces a divine command, emphasizing the authority and origin of the message. The "voice from heaven" signifies a direct communication from God, underscoring the importance and urgency of the message. In the biblical context, heavenly voices often convey divine will or judgment, as seen throughout Revelation. The Greek word for "voice" (φωνή, phōnē) can also imply a sound or tone, suggesting the clarity and power of God's communication.

‘Come out of her, my people,’
The call to "Come out of her" is a command for separation from Babylon, symbolizing a corrupt and sinful system. The Greek word for "come out" (ἐξέρχομαι, exerchomai) implies a decisive action of leaving or departing. This echoes the call to holiness and separation found throughout Scripture, such as in 2 Corinthians 6:17, where believers are urged to be distinct from the world. "My people" indicates God's ownership and covenant relationship with His followers, reminiscent of Old Testament language where God calls Israel His people.

so that you will not share in her sins
The phrase "so that you will not share in her sins" warns of the consequences of remaining within Babylon. The Greek word for "share" (συγκοινωνέω, synkoinōneō) means to participate or have fellowship with. This highlights the biblical principle that association with sin leads to complicity. The call is for believers to avoid the moral and spiritual contamination that comes from aligning with ungodly systems, reflecting the biblical theme of purity and holiness.

or contract any of her plagues
The warning "or contract any of her plagues" serves as a caution against the judgment that will befall Babylon. The Greek word for "contract" (λαμβάνω, lambanō) means to receive or take hold of, indicating the inevitability of judgment for those who remain. "Plagues" (πληγή, plēgē) refers to divine punishments, reminiscent of the plagues in Egypt, symbolizing God's righteous judgment against sin. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the protection offered to those who heed God's call.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Voice from Heaven
This is a divine command, likely from God or an angel, urging God's people to separate themselves from Babylon.

2. Babylon
Symbolic of a corrupt and sinful system or city, often interpreted as representing worldly powers or influences that oppose God.

3. My People
Refers to the followers of God, those who are called to live according to His will and separate themselves from sin.

4. Sins and Plagues
Represents the moral and spiritual corruption of Babylon and the divine judgment that will befall it.
Teaching Points
Call to Holiness
Believers are called to live distinct lives, separate from the corrupt systems of the world.

Urgency of Obedience
The command to "come out" is immediate, emphasizing the need for prompt action in aligning with God's will.

Avoiding Complicity in Sin
Engaging with or tolerating sinful systems can lead to sharing in their judgment. Believers must be vigilant in their associations.

Divine Protection
Separation from sin is not just about avoiding judgment but also about receiving God's protection and blessing.

Community of Believers
The call is to "My people," indicating that this is a collective action. The church must support one another in living out this command.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the command to "come out of her" mean for us today in practical terms?

2. How can we identify modern "Babylons" in our lives that we need to separate from?

3. In what ways does the call to separate from sin align with other biblical teachings on holiness?

4. How can the church support its members in living out the call to be separate from worldly influences?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to "come out" of a situation or environment that was not honoring to God. What did you learn from that experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 19:12-17
The call to "come out" parallels the angels' warning to Lot to leave Sodom, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of separating from sin to avoid judgment.

2 Corinthians 6:17
Paul echoes the call to "come out" and be separate from unbelievers, reinforcing the theme of holiness and separation from sin.

Jeremiah 51:6
A direct call to flee from Babylon, highlighting the Old Testament roots of this command and the consistent message of avoiding complicity in sin.
The Fall of BabylonS. Conway Revelation 18:4
BabylonR. Green.Revelation 18:1-8
National RuinT. De Witt Talmage.Revelation 18:1-8
The Degenerate ChurchW. Milligan, D D.Revelation 18:1-8
The Fall of Corrupt SocietyD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 18:1-8
The Fall of Corrupt SocietyD. Thomas Revelation 18:1-8
The Habitation of DemonsWm. M'Kay.Revelation 18:1-8
The Influence of the Apostate BabylonG. S. Rowe.Revelation 18:1-8
The Overthrow of WickednessS. Conway, B. A.Revelation 18:1-8
The Rule of RetributionHomilistRevelation 18:1-8
The Overthrow of WickednessS. Conway Revelation 18:1-24
People
John
Places
Babylon
Topics
Ears, Fellowship, Forth, Heaven, Lest, Partake, Partakers, Participate, Participation, Plagues, Punishments, Receive, Saying, Share, Sins, Voice
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 18:4

     4113   angels, agents of judgment
     6213   participation, in sin

Revelation 18:1-5

     5004   human race, and sin

Revelation 18:1-8

     5305   empires

Revelation 18:1-10

     4125   Satan, agents of

Revelation 18:1-24

     4215   Babylon

Revelation 18:2-24

     5407   merchants

Revelation 18:4-5

     8332   reputation

Revelation 18:4-8

     4843   plague

Library
Death Swallowed up in victory
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory! D eath, simply considered, is no more than the cessation of life --that which was once living, lives no longer. But it has been the general, perhaps the universal custom of mankind, to personify it. Imagination gives death a formidable appearance, arms it with a dart, sting or scythe, and represents it as an active, inexorable and invincible reality. In this view death is a great devourer; with his iron tongue
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Northern Iron and the Steel
That being the literal meaning, we shall draw from our text a general principle. It is a proverbial expression, no doubt, and applicable to many other matters besides that of the prophet and the Jews; it is clearly meant to show, that in order to achieve a purpose, there must be a sufficient force. The weaker cannot overcome the stronger. In a general clash the firmest will win. There must be sufficient firmness in the instrument or the work cannot be done. You cannot cut granite with a pen-knife,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

War! War! War!
At the present crisis, the minds of men are exceedingly agitated with direful prospects of a terrible struggle. We know not whereunto this matter may grow. The signs of the times are dark and direful. We fear that the vials of God's wrath are about to be poured out, and that the earth will be deluged with blood. As long as there remains a hope, let us pray for peace, nay, even in the time of war let us still beseech the throne of God, crying, that he would "send us peace in our days." The war will
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

"If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chron. vi. 18. It was the wonder of one of the wisest of men, and indeed, considering his infinite highness above the height of heavens, his immense and incomprehensible greatness, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and then the baseness, emptiness, and worthlessness of man, it may be a wonder to the
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Seventh (And Last) vision "On Earth"
We must get a complete view of these in order to embrace them all and view them as a whole. The Structure shows their true sequence: E^7., xix. 17-- 15. The Seventh (and Last) Vision "on Earth." E^7 A^1 xix. 17-21. MEN. The Judgment of the Beast and the False Prophet. B^1 xx. 1-3. SATAN. The Judgment of Satan (Before the Millennium). A^2 xx. 4-6. MEN. The Judgment of the overcomers. The "rest of the dead" left for Judgment. B^2 xx. 7-10.
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed.
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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