11. Babylon: “Come Out of Her, My People”

Babylon Study • Connected to God’s Image and the Ten Commandments

After examining corruption, commerce, and the withdrawal of Glory, we return to the instruction addressed to God’s people within Babylon:

“Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues”

— Revelation 18:4, LSB, excerpt

Each part matters: who is called, what they must leave, and why they must respond.

They Are Called “My People”

The people addressed are distinguishable from Babylon. Their presence within her does not erase the relationship expressed by those words.

Yet belonging to God is accompanied by an instruction. They are called to leave so that they do not share in her wrongdoing and its consequences. The next verse identifies her accumulated sins and God’s remembrance of her iniquities. Read Revelation 18:4–5.

The call therefore reaches beyond recognizing that Babylon is corrupt. It requires a response concerning participation.

The Earlier Call to Leave Babylon

Jeremiah gives a closely related instruction: flee Babylon and preserve life rather than being swept away in her punishment.

Later, YHWH (יהוה) addresses His people directly, telling them to leave her midst. The chapter also calls those who escaped the sword to remember Jehovah and bring Jerusalem to mind. Read Jeremiah 51:6, 45, 50.

Notice the direction of attention: leaving Babylon is joined with remembering God and Jerusalem.

Departure and Cleanness

Isaiah connects departure with refusing uncleanness and being clean, addressing those who carry Jehovah’s vessels. God goes before His people and guards them from behind. Read Isaiah 52:11–12.

Paul draws on that departure language:

“COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE”

— 2 Corinthians 6:17, LSB, excerpt; compare Isaiah 52:11

The surrounding discussion contrasts righteousness with lawlessness, light with darkness, and God’s sanctuary with idols. Paul identifies the people he addresses as the sanctuary of the living God. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14–18.

These passages connect separation with allegiance, holiness, and God’s dwelling.

What Must Be Left Behind?

Within our Babylon study, we have followed exploitation, deception, self-exaltation, unfaithfulness, and the mistreatment of God’s witnesses. The call to leave requires us to examine our relationship with those deeds. Read Revelation 18:3–7, 23–24.

That examination must include ourselves:

Questions for Honest Examination

• When Scripture challenges what I follow, do I examine the passage—or immediately defend the teaching?

• Have I confused loyalty to God with loyalty to a leader, congregation, tradition, or familiar understanding?

• Can I question what I am taught without being pressured to place someone’s authority above examination of Scripture?

• Am I overlooking deception, exploitation, or mistreatment because the people involved speak in God’s name?

• Do I judge a teaching by its appearance, popularity, and success—or by whether it agrees with God’s instruction?

• Am I holding others accountable while excusing the same conduct in myself or those I support?

• If following God required losing approval, relationships, status, or income, would I still respond?

• Have I changed where I worship while retaining the same pride, partiality, or desire for control?

• When I read “Come out of her, my people,” do I examine whether the call concerns me—or assume it only concerns someone else?

What am I willing to surrender if Scripture exposes that my allegiance has been misplaced?

God’s people are called out of participation in Babylon’s sins. The instruction preserves both belonging and responsibility.

Threads to Follow

• Two cities: Follow Babylon’s claims alongside Jerusalem’s relationship with God.

• A queen who denies loss: Examine Revelation 18:7 beside Isaiah 47.

• Remembering the Name: Keep Jeremiah 51:50 alongside the allegiance expressed in God’s holy city.

The books were opened…

🌿 By Maria Emilia