And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
And {G2532} I heard {G191} another {G243} voice {G5456} from {G1537} heaven {G3772}, saying {G3004}, Come {G1831} out of {G1537} her {G846}, my {G3450} people {G2992}, that {G3363} ye be {G4790} not {G3363} partakers {G4790} of her {G846} sins {G266}, and {G2532} that {G3363} ye receive {G2983} not {G3363} of {G1537} her {G846} plagues {G4127}.
Then I heard another voice out of heaven say:
“My people, come out of her!
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not be infected by her plagues,
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.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues:
-
2 Corinthians 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, -
Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this [is] the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence. -
Jeremiah 51:45
My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD. -
Isaiah 52:11
Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean [thing]; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. -
Jeremiah 50:8
Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks. -
Isaiah 48:20
Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it [even] to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob. -
1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
Revelation 18:4 presents a crucial divine warning and call to action amidst the prophetic narrative of judgment. A powerful voice from heaven commands God's people to separate themselves from "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity representing worldly corruption and opposition to God.
Context
This verse immediately follows a vivid description of the fall of Babylon the Great, depicted as a harlot (Revelation 17) and a great city (Revelation 18). Historically and symbolically, Babylon represents any system—be it economic, political, or religious—that is characterized by idolatry, materialism, pride, and persecution of God's people. The voice from heaven serves as a divine intervention, urging those loyal to God to disassociate themselves from this condemned system before its final destruction.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "Come out of her" translates the Greek imperative exelthete (ἐξέλθετε), which is a strong, direct command, indicating urgency and a definitive break. The word "partakers" comes from sugkoinōnoi (συγκοινωνοί), meaning "fellow-partakers" or "associates," highlighting the danger of shared culpability through association or involvement. The "plagues" (Greek: plēgōn, πληγῶν) refer to the devastating divine judgments described in Revelation, often associated with the bowls of God's wrath.
Related Scriptures
This command to separate resonates with earlier biblical calls for spiritual distinction and purity. For instance, the Old Testament often warned Israel against adopting the practices of surrounding pagan nations (e.g., Leviticus 18:3). In the New Testament, Paul similarly urges believers, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing." The principle that participation in sin leads to sharing its consequences is a foundational biblical truth, as highlighted in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death."
Practical Application
For believers today, "Babylon" can represent any pervasive worldly system or ideology that opposes God's truth and seeks to draw people away from Him. This might include materialism, consumerism, secular humanism, or any cultural trend that promotes immorality or idolatry. The call to "come out" is a timeless principle of discernment and non-conformity. It encourages Christians to:
Ultimately, Revelation 18:4 is a powerful reminder of God's protective love for His people and His unwavering call to live a life set apart for Him, free from the entanglements and judgments of a fallen world.