What it Takes to Come Out of Babylon!

Study of Revelation 18:4-8

By Nab B. 

April 23, 2023

Updated March 2026

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 Spirit of God through Christ. Seven times, Jesus urges believers to “Hear what the Spirit says”. The call to “Come out of her (Babylon)” is a serious warning! If they do not "Come out of her," they will "share in her sins and receive or her plagues."

Paul quotes Isaiah 52:11 to explain what it means to "Come out of Babylon." He wrote, "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)

Heaven declares that the sins of the whore woman, Babylon, are beyond redemption. It is a warning to Christians who (knowingly or not) are seduced by the spirit of the false church, and who enjoy her comforts 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)

The above was also said of ancient Babylon. (Jer 50:15, 29) “Repay...double” was required under the law for thieves (Ex 22:4). It may suggest that one of Babylon’s crimes is spiritual theft. Through deception, she seduces and steals 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)

The cities of ancient Babylon and Tyre met a similar fate (Isa 47:7-15; Eze 28:2-8). One of Babylon the Great's greatest sins is extreme pride. (Isaiah 47:7)

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.” 

This does not refer to a specific calendar day! Rather, it points to her swift fall in God's eyes, as ancient Babylon also 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 due to the passage of time!

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

As a result of living in sin, God repays her with plagues that fit her sins. The false Church will experience what she thought would never happen to her. Her spiritual crimes match her spiritual punishment:

1. 1. 1. 1. Death (for claiming to be alive), 

         2. Mourning (for avoiding suffering), 

         3. Famine (for starving others), 

         4. Burning (to remove her impurities)

These plagues resemble the first four seals of in Revelation 6:8 that tormented the false churches through "defeat," "lack of peace," "spiritual famine," and "partial spiritual death" spanning many centuries, "And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."

A look at Christ's judgment against the church in Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-23 reveals how the spirit of Babylon the Great can invade many churches, as it did in Thyatira. Pay attention how Jesus Christ dealt with them and for this matter, with other churches; past, present, and future.

First Jesus reveals their problem, "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. " 

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

Third, Jesus acts boldly saying that if they do not repent, he would 'spiritually' kill the cause of their sickness in order to restore some to spiritual health, "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)

Thyatira's situation resembles so many churches that have fallen, on the brink of falling, or will fall. These churches existed particularly from after the death of his apostles to this day.

Jesus's voice and warnings can be heard just as loud and clear today as it did before for he is not far from all his churches. He is stationed right "In the midst of the lampstands (all churches)." (Rev 1:13) But what has Jesus been doing since he unveiled the Book of Revelation to John and all believers? For the past 2,000 years, Jesus has been "present" (Gk., parousia) to all, in the spirit, doing this: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." (Rev 3:19) 

If you became aware that you're in Babylon the Great, the false church system, and you heard the genuine voice of Jesus to "Come out of her," it maybe your call to finally be "chosen." (Matt 22:14) If so, go to him at once without delay! 

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." 

(John 10:27) 

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