William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Revelation 18:4

Observe here, An admonition given, and. double reason assigned for that admonition.

1. The admonition itself; Come out of her my people, that is, come out of mystical Babylon, have no communion with that idolatrous church; abstain from all communicating with her in her sins, as ever you would approve yourselves to be my faithful people.

Here note, it is not so much. local departure, as. moral separation, that is here intended; not so much from Babylon's local bounds, as from her abominable errors, superstitions, and idolatries.

Learn hence, 1. That God has, and ever had,. people, even in Babylon.

Learn, 2. That it is. special duty which God requires of his people, to depart from mystical Babylon, especially when her downfall is approaching.

3. That such. departure from Babylon is no schismatical separation; it is not. departure from the true church, but the true church's separation from an idolatrous communion; and that by the express and positive command of God himself, Come out of her my people an allusion to the charge given with respect to Babylon of old, We would have healed Babylon, but she would not be healed; forsake her. Jeremiah 51:6; Jeremiah 51:9.

Observe, 2.. double reason assigned for this admonition.

1. Because we are in danger of being partakers of her sins, namely, by incurring the guilt of her sins, and by contracting the spot and filth of her sins.

2. There is. danger also of being made partakers of her plagues: there is no safety in being near those who are under the curse of God; participation in sin will certainly cause. participation in judgment.

How dreadful is this text to such as continue in, or apostatize unto, Babylon's idolatry and communion!

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Revelation 18:4

Old Testament

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