Come Out Now! Understanding the Urgent Call in Revelation 18

“After these things, I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. He cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird. For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.’ 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. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’”

The Unambiguous Command

This scripture contains an unequivocal command: “Come out.” There is nothing ambiguous about these words, is there? God is not suggesting that we think long and hard about our relationship with Babylon. He is not gently recommending that we consider whether this relationship is healthy. No, this is serious business. It’s a warning with an implied consequence, much like a police officer shouting, “Stop! Get your hands up! Freeze, or I’ll shoot!” In such a situation, it would be unwise to assume the officer is bluffing. Well, God is not bluffing either.

Historical Lessons of Divine Warnings

The Bible is full of examples where God issues a clear warning before enacting judgment. The antediluvians were warned for 120 years about the coming flood and were advised to save themselves by entering the ark. They saw evidence that the day was near, yet they refused the offered salvation. Later in the Old Testament, Lot’s family was warned of Sodom's impending destruction with the command, “Get out of the city!” Yet only four listened and escaped the inferno.

The Consequences of Rebellion

Another story with compelling parallels to the Revelation 18 message: the rebellion of Korah, found in the book of Numbers.

The Israelites had reached the borders of the Promised Land and sent 12 spies to scout it. They returned with reports of a fertile land but also tales of fortified cities and giant warriors. Caleb confidently urged, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are able to overcome it.” However, the other spies disagreed, saying, “We are not able to go up against this people, for they are stronger than we.”

The Israelites responded by threatening to stone Joshua and Caleb until the glory of the Lord appeared. Moses was called into the tabernacle to speak with God, where the sentence was pronounced: the Israelites would wander for 40 years, and that generation would be buried in the wilderness. The ten unfaithful spies were struck by a plague and died before the eyes of the mutinous multitude.

Chapter 14 begins with the congregation lifting their voices and crying, complaining against Moses and Aaron. They said, “If only we had died in Egypt or in this wilderness! Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” This was mutiny, not against Moses, but against God.

Ellen White, in “Patriarchs and Prophets,” describes how the judgments on the Israelites temporarily restrained their murmuring, but the spirit of rebellion remained. Korah, a Levite and cousin of Moses, was dissatisfied with his position and aspired to the priesthood. He secretly opposed Moses and Aaron and eventually sought to overthrow their authority, gaining the support of 250 leaders. They said to Moses, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”

Korah and his co-conspirators were men of renown, and their rebellion was reminiscent of Lucifer’s original mutiny in heaven, fueled by pride, jealousy, and ambition. They appealed to the people by promising a peaceful journey to the Promised Land if they were in charge.

Moses appealed to God, and the next day, Korah and his followers presented themselves at the tabernacle with their censers. God instructed Moses to tell the congregation, “Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.” Moses warned the people to depart (Come Out) from the tents of these wicked men, lest they be consumed in their sins. The earth opened and swallowed them, their households, and all their goods.

Modern-Day Apostasy: A Call to Action

This story is not just a historical account; it has relevance for us today. Apostasy was found within the ranks of God’s chosen people then, and it is found within the ranks of His people today. The Seventh-day Adventist Church, like Israel, has veered off course since its inception. This apostasy has been spearheaded by influential men who have shunned God’s leadership.

Apostasy grows until judgment is necessary. God always provides a warning, a saving command: “Get on the ark,” “Take my hand and leave Sodom,” “Depart from those tents,” “Come out of her, my people.” Revelation 18:4-5 warns of another deadly apostasy and communicates an unambiguous warning: “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins and receive of her plagues.”

The Loud Cry: An Urgent Appeal

Ellen White, in “The Great Controversy,” states that before God’s judgments fall, His faithful ones must be called out of Babylon or false worship. This movement is symbolized by an angel coming down from heaven, announcing the sins of Babylon and calling people to come out. As these warnings join the third angel’s message, it swells to a loud cry.

Heeding the Call

“Come out of her, my people” is not a gentle suggestion; it’s a soul-saving command. Judgment is coming, and this is an ironclad warning to separate from apostasy. God loves us and wants to save us from this doomed world. He wants us to come out of her so we can go home with Him and help save others. Isn’t that what we all want?