What it Takes to Come Out of Babylon!

Study based on Revelation 18:4-8

By Nab B. April 23, 2023

Spiritual Understanding of Scriptures

“The flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

“We speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual...the things of the Spirit of God...are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor 2:13-14)

Verse By Verse Series©

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Revelation 18:4

“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” (NKJV)

The voice heard is the voice of the Spirit or Christ's revelations. Seven times Jesus urges us to “Hear what the Spirit says”.

The call “to come out of Babylon” is not a mere warning! If they choose not to “come out”, they will "share in her sins and will receive her plagues".

To show what it means to “come out of Babylon”, Paul quotes Isaiah 52:11 and urges, "To have nothing in common with Unbelievers, lawlessness or sin, spiritual darkness, Belial, and idols.” (See 2 Cor 6:14-18)

Revelation 18:5

“For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” (NKJV)

Again this was said of ancient Babylon (see Jer 51:9). Babylon’s sins are beyond redemption for there is no repentance found in her. It’s a warning call to every Christian to not be seduced by the spirit of the false church system and all her comfort and luxuries.

Revelation 18:6

“Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.” (NKJV)

This was also said of ancient Babylon as well. (Jer 50:15, 29) “Repay her double” was God’s rule in the law for thieves (Ex 22:4). It may suggest that one of Babylon’s crimes is stealing. She seduces through deception the souls of God's people.

Revelation 18:7

“In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’” (NKJV)

A similar fate was given to Tyre (Eze 28:2-8) and to Babylon (Isa 47:7-15).

Note Babylon's spiritual sins or sicknesses which are exhibited in her lovers or those deceived in the church.

⓵ Self Glorification.

⓶ Extreme luxury and comfort.

⓷ Pride (see Isa 47:7).

⓸ Avoid suffering.

Revelation 18:8

“Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.’” (NKJV)

“Her plagues will come in one day”

I don’t think this refers to a specific calendar day! First, it points to her swift fall from grace in God's eyes as ancient Babylon fell in one day without a fight. It also points to the fact that her judgment comes solely from God and not from natural causes, as the ancient Babylonians thought!

“Death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire”

As a result of persisting to live in sin, God will repay her with plagues that fit her sins. The false Church will experience what it has avoided all along. Her spiritual crimes are met with spiritual punishment:

⓵ Death (for claiming to be alive)

⓶ Mourning (for avoiding suffering)

⓷ Famine (for starving others)

⓸ Burning (for removing her impurities)

Some of these plagues resemble the first four seals of the four horses in Rev 6:2-8:

⓵ Defeat

⓶ Lack of peace

⓷ Spiritual famine

⓸ Partial spiritual death

This kind of judgment was given to the church in Thyatira. Babylon the Great was found inside the church. Because of their persistence in spiritual sins, Christ warned them severely that he will kill whatever caused their sickness. He did not mean to destroy them physically, but rather to restore them to spiritual health:

Christ points out their problems:

"I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel [Babylon's false teachings], which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Christ's warnings:

"And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not.

Christ's action against this deception:

"Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

"And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works." (Rev 2:18-23)

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