Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; Revelation 18:4
God was getting ready to destroy Babylon for the sins that the city had done. Babylon is a representation of the evil in this world and that God would destroy in the end. As He is getting ready to destroy the city, there is a voice that calls for the people to leave. The purpose of leaving was to keep from sharing in their sins or the destruction that was coming.
The world is full of places that are like Babylon. There is sin found every where a person goes. There is not a place a person can go that does not have some sin. And in many of these places sin is not only done, but is also promoted and honored.
When a person is among all of the sin of this world, it is easy to get caught up in it and begin to practice the sin. It can be seen among many ‘believers’ and churches, the mindset of the sinful world in them. Acceptance of sin is becoming more common.
Believers are to get out of those places to keep from sharing in their sin. They must separate themselves from the sin of this world.
Jesus has removed the sin in the life of one who has begun to follow Him. Since this is done, one must not go back to those sins. Living in this world will cause a person to be around sin, but they must keep from taking up those sins. They are to live a holy life, separate from all sin. They are to be a shining light of Jesus to this dark and sinful world.
As a believer you must get out of the sinful ways of this world. Come out of the old ways of living and step into the new life Christ has given you. In doing this, you will not share in their sins or the punishment that will come upon them. You will also be a witness to them of who Jesus is and what He is like.
Do not allow the sins of this world to overcome you. Be a part of God’s family, holy and separate as you wait for the return of Jesus.
I pray today that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will step out of sin to follow God; that you will not get caught up in the ways of this world; and that you will be a witness of Jesus to this world.
Methinks there is a more subtle trap for the saint than the “sinful ways of the world” and that is the sinful ways of religion. And it is this religious system of man that Mystery Babylon epitomizes. And it was religion with it’s forms, rituals, traditions, programs, creeds that was the greatest opposition to Jesus Christ during the days of His flesh. And so it is today.
Ironic that in the midst of Babylon are found “the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and…the light of a candle… the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride” (Rev. 18:22, 23).
This can be true when we allow traditions and rituals take over being led by God’s Holy Spirit. I don’t think organization is wrong, but it does become wrong when God is not being allowed to lead it and people forget the purpose of what they are doing and why they are doing it. This is the blind deception that has crept into many churches, going all the way back to the times of Paul.
May we not be found guilty of this.
Thank you for reading and the comment.