What It Means to Come Out of Babylon the Great! - by Nathan Lawrence

[Bawb]

What It Means to Come Out of Babylon the Great!

“Come out of her my people!” This is the cry of YHVH Elohim to his end times saints in Revelation 18:4.

Come out of what?  Out of Babylon the Great.

What is Babylon the Great and what does it mean to come out of her?

What Is Babylon the Great?

A quick definition of end times Babylon the Great is this: It is a global religious, economic and political Antichrist system that is a confused mixture of both good and evil, which enslaves the minds and lives of humans. It is this system that YeHoVah-Yeshua will be destroying at his second coming. Babylon the Great involves all the religions of the world including mainstream global Christianity and Judaism. These last two religious systems are part of Babylon the Great because they have, to one degree or another, mixed biblical truth with ancient, pagan Babylonian religious doctrines and traditions. This is called syncretism and is something that YeHoVah Elohim hates according to numerous passages in the Scriptures. Another word for syncretism is ecumenism. The biblical term for it is apostasy — a  term which means “forsaking (something), falling away or defecting (from something).” Falling away from what? The fundamental truth of the Scriptures (2 Thess 2:3 cp. 11, 12, 13) and believing the lies of the serpent or devil (v. 11), which involves coming under the influences of mystery of lawlessness or Torahlessness (v. 7).

What does it mean to come out of Babylon?

What does it mean to come out of Babylon? In the context of mainstream Christianity, we could give some very simplistic answers to this question by beating up on all the usual suspects. These would include all the non-biblical Christian paganesque holidays (Christmas, Easter, et al), steeples on churches, pagan-derived words in Christian nomenclature, whole denominations like the Roman Catholic Church, mainstream Christian doctrines that are derived totally or in part from pagan sources (e.g., immortality of soul, the traditional concepts of heaven and hell, the trinity, anti-Semitic theologies, etc.). Some people even view coming out of Babylon as leaving one country that they view as Babylon the Great (e.g., America). These are all issues that need to be addressed, but these are not the first issues one must deal with when discussing exiting Babylon.

Coming out of Babylon is more than just leaving non-biblical religious traditions, or leaving a religious system denomination, a country. It involves matters of the heart. When issues of the human are addressed and dealt with, the rest will take care of itself.

Being in the world, not of the world

When YeHoVah urges his people to come out of Babylon in Revelation 18:4, who are his people? Buddhists? Moslems? Hindus? Witches and satanists? Secular humanists and atheists? Maybe yes in a very broad and generic sense, but in a biblical context, he’s talking about the believers in the YeHoVah of the Bible. Specifically, who are YeHoVah’s people? Many Bible believers don’t know the answer to this question. They view themselves more in terms of the religious labels they wear instead of the truth of the Bible with regard to who YeHoVah’s people are to be in relation to the world. Coming out of Babylon first involves dealing with an identity crises among the people of YeHoVah. Once they learn who they are supposed to be in biblical terms and embrace this vision in their hearts and minds, they will automatically begin coming out of Babylon by first putting the leaven Babylon out of themselves!

This is who the Scriptures say that the redeemed believers, disciples or followers of Yeshua are to be:

Though disciples of Yeshua are in the world, they’re not to be of this world (John 17:11, 14).

Followers of Yeshua are “the called out ones” (Gr. ecclesia). Called out from what? From being controlled by the world, the flesh and the devil.

Redeemed believers are to be holy or set-apart (Heb. kadosh) as YeHoVahis kadosh (Lev 11:44, 45; 20:7, 26; 1 Pet 1:5, 16; 2:9). Set-apart from what? The controlling influences of the world, flesh and the devil.

Believers are foreigners, strangers and pilgrims in this world. They’re part of another kingdom and are sojourners passing through en route to YeHoVah’s eternal and spiritual kingdom (Heb 11:13: 1 Pet 2:11).

The saints are to be salt and light in this dark and rotten world (Matt 5:13–14). This means that what they do, say and think is antithetical to, in contrast with and different form this world.

Followers of Yeshua are to come out of the world and to be separate from the heathens (2 Cor 6:14–17).

A follower of the YeHoVah cannot be the friend of this world and a friend of YeHoVah at the same time (Jas 4:4).

What Then Shall We Do?

This is a call to action. What should be the response of YeHoVah’s people to pagan belief systems, thought patterns and traditions that are a part of their lives and that are contrary to the Bible? These belief systems are found within traditional Christianity as well as the world in general.

Repent of sin, which is the violation of YeHoVah’s Torah-instructions (1 John 3:4), and get back to the Torah-instructions in righteous living (2 Chron 7:14, 17, 19). Return to the ancient and good paths of the Torah (Jer 6:16; 18:15).

Read and study the Bible (from Genesis to Revelation) anew asking the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. Be resolved ahead of time to do what ever YeHoVah tells you to do to bring your life into conformity with his Word no matter the cost. View the instructions of the Bible through a different spiritual lens.  Don’t view it from a minimalist point of view but from a maximalist point of view. That is, what can and must I do as opposed to what don’t I have to do (i.e., what can I get away with and still be a disciple of Yeshua).

Once you start discovering the truth of the Bible from a fresh perspective, start conforming your life to the truth of it. Start living a holy or set-apart life (Lev 20:4; Heb 12:14). YeHoVah’s people are to be holy or set-apart unto him, not a people who have been made profane by worldly, polluted or defiled pagan customs and traditions of this world (Ezek 22:26; 44:23).

Let go of religious or other non-biblical traditions of men that violate or have superseded the Word of Elohim (Matt 15:7–9; Mark 7:7, 9). Don’t make excuses. Just do it! Just obey YeHoVah and His Word.

If you following these points, you will be heeding YeHoVah’s call to come out of spiritual Babylon by first getting the leaven of Babylon out of your heart and mind (Rev 18:4). Once this is done, all the other Babylonian practices you have been engaged in will begin to fall out of your life like chaff blowing in the wind or dross bubbling up out of the gold to be skimmed off.

These things are the first and most important steps to coming out of Babylon the Great.

[Who me]

And the practical application of this for those who have to work, trade, live inside this system?

 

Without work how does one pay the rent, fuel bills, food to eat and neccessary clothing etc etc etc.

 

If a message does not deal with reality there is no point posting, preaching it.

[Desopixi Seilynam]

There will be a time to literally depart from certain countries. There will be rumors first.

"My people, go ye out of the midst of her (Babylon) deliver ye every man his life from the fierce anger of the Lord.
And lest your heart be faint, and ye fear for the rumor that shall be heard in the land;
a rumor shall both come one year, and after that in another year..."  Jeremiah 51:44-46

 

 

 

[Heleadethme]

Keeping in mind that God's word is to the Jew first, then the Gentile.  And the Lord has been putting out the call to come out of Babylon throughout the bible, beginning in the old testament.  Speaking to Israel at the time of Christ and early church, when Revelation was written, it was a call for the Jews to come out of the unfortunately corrupted and paganized version of Judaism that existed in that era, by receiving the gospel and being translated into the kingdom of light.  Because Jerusalem (Babylon) was about to receive of her plagues of judgment.  Speaking to believers it means not being unequally yoked with corrupted and paganized churches and their doctrines, for they will receive of their judgment.  As well as not loving the world and being friends with it, for that is enmity with God.  For we have not received the spirit of the world. 

I consider that it really means to follow Jesus, to walk after Him and in His Spirit....not walking in the ways of the world, but following the truth and commands of Jesus in scripture, as well as obeying His individual leading in our lives.  It doesn't mean we have to sell up and quit our jobs and go live on a mountaintop (unless the Lord specifically leads one to do that).  Because we are in the world, but not of it.  Remember Israel taken captive in Babylon was told by the Lord to plant and build houses etc....because they were going to be there quite a long time..... for 70 years.....about a lifetime in other words.

Isa 52:10-12

The LORD has bared His holy arm

In the sight of all the nations,

[fn]So that all the ends of the earth may see

The salvation of our God.

 

Depart, depart, go out from there,

Do not touch what is unclean;

Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves,

You who carry the vessels of the LORD.

 

But you will not go out in a hurry,

Nor will you go [fn]as fugitives;

For the LORD will go before you,

And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

 

2Co 6:14-18

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 

Heb 13:12

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Edited December 28, 2021 by Heleadethme

[Dennis1209]

Studying the Bible and history, we see the Babylonian system passed down through the centuries and kingdoms. The quest for a utopian One World Order with pagan customs and practices in the days of Nimrod. From Babylon to the Medo-Persian empire; to the Grecian empire; to the Roman empire; to the church-state holy Roman empire under Constitine; down through the RCC to this day.

The Catholic (universal) church, the only one true church. Like the OP surmises, it is a system of pagan practices and global unity, under one "head." This passed down system is now manifesting itself at break neck speed in these last days, and now in our face. I could write a book on it, but these few examples are in our face, and I'll be brief.

"Build back better"; the Great Reset; United Nations Agenda's 2021 & 2030; the Georgia Guide Stones; this Covid pandemic hoax (never waste a good crisis); climate change; etc. What do they have in common, and what is the ultimate goal and objective? 

Ecumenicalism: Pope Francis looks like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon. He is a socialist communist to the core; he has stated many things that make me shutter. He has gathered together the world's major religions and denominations (protesters), back under the umbrella of the one true universal church, and signed agreements of understanding with Muslim sects. Look it up for yourself, he has stated, and to paraphrase, "All the world's religions pray to, and worship the same god, called by different names in different cultures."

Francis is a political Pope, spending his time and energy before our U.S. Congress, President's, and global leaders for his political agendas. He has called for "one man" to run the world. He is a powerful force behind making everyone equal, equally poor. He spouts and supports drastic global climate change laws; he worships the creation rather than the creator. When has this Pope ever proclaimed the Gospel, and spoken of the only way to Salvation? I could go on about his statements about baptizing extraterrestrials if they had a sin nature, and many other heresies. 

My point of the preceding is: Mystery Babylon is two parts; spiritual Babylon, and commercial Babylon from ancient times. Both have manifested themselves today, from ancient times. We have a New World Order (One World), political and religious system at our door step about to be initiated. Just like ancient times, one people, with one consent, with one global leader. 

[Bawb]

7 hours ago, Who me said:

And the practical application of this for those who have to work, trade, live inside this system?

Without work how does one pay the rent, fuel bills, food to eat and neccessary clothing etc etc etc.

If a message does not deal with reality there is no point posting, preaching it.

You make your choice who you serve. Do you serve God or mammon?

Do you have faith God will take care of you? Do you see crows begging at our door?

You have to be IN the world, but you don't have to be OF the world...

You step out in faith...

When all of this mandatory covid vax started to bud, I quit my job making $80,000 a year(as of 1 Jan 2021).

Abba-Yah has taken care of me, I have a roof over my head and food on the table.

I am given enough abundance that I am able to share with others.

He will fight your battles for you if you let Him.

Do you truly want to talk about practical applications? You can PM me...

 

 

Edited December 28, 2021 by Bawb

[Starise]

I was reading the book of Jude this morning and surprisingly for a book this small it says a lot about the apostacy. 

There is a reference to Sodom and Gomorra. Specifically sexual sin is brought up or the acceptance of unnatural behaviors at the society level. The term 'shepherd' is specifically used to refer to those satanic plants. These are leaders. Generally when the word shepherd is used, it refers to spiritual leaders such as pastors. In the RCC context they would be all of that leadership, bishops, cardinals etc. It isn't just the pope and it isn't only the RCC. This is happening in many if not most mainline denominations. The great apostacy. The move to a more socially acceptable platform instead of what the bible really says i.e. homosexuality is ok. ANY so called spiritual leader who says all religions worship the same God is anti-christ. This will include the pope. I am even concerned about my denomination. There are constant threats to the leadership in many denominations. If you get these scoundrels in top leadership, you either follow their garbage or they stop paying you ( if a pastor). 

This is where it gets more personal. It's up to each person to decide. We have many here who are not attending a church. This is not the answer. Find a good church.

I find the OP too inclusive, almost as if we say all so called mainline Christian denominations are garbage. This is NOT all inclusive. There are still good assemblies with good teaching, one simply needs to look for them.

[Mama Etna]

I will add that the concept that people are born as a certain type a sinner - aka 'gay' is a lie out of the pit of hell.  A behavior is not something you are born with.  It is acquired.  This is a lie that has crept into many denominations.  If your church is teaching this lie, then I would say go look for a different church.

[Selah7]

14 hours ago, Bawb said:

What It Means to Come Out of Babylon the Great!

“Come out of her my people!” This is the cry of YHVH Elohim to his end times saints in Revelation 18:4.

Come out of what?  Out of Babylon the Great.

What is Babylon the Great and what does it mean to come out of her?

What Is Babylon the Great?

A quick definition of end times Babylon the Great is this: It is a global religious, economic and political Antichrist system that is a confused mixture of both good and evil, which enslaves the minds and lives of humans. It is this system that YeHoVah-Yeshua will be destroying at his second coming. Babylon the Great involves all the religions of the world including mainstream global Christianity and Judaism. These last two religious systems are part of Babylon the Great because they have, to one degree or another, mixed biblical truth with ancient, pagan Babylonian religious doctrines and traditions. This is called syncretism and is something that YeHoVah Elohim hates according to numerous passages in the Scriptures. Another word for syncretism is ecumenism. The biblical term for it is apostasy — a  term which means “forsaking (something), falling away or defecting (from something).” Falling away from what? The fundamental truth of the Scriptures (2 Thess 2:3 cp. 11, 12, 13) and believing the lies of the serpent or devil (v. 11), which involves coming under the influences of mystery of lawlessness or Torahlessness (v. 7).

What does it mean to come out of Babylon?

What does it mean to come out of Babylon? In the context of mainstream Christianity, we could give some very simplistic answers to this question by beating up on all the usual suspects. These would include all the non-biblical Christian paganesque holidays (Christmas, Easter, et al), steeples on churches, pagan-derived words in Christian nomenclature, whole denominations like the Roman Catholic Church, mainstream Christian doctrines that are derived totally or in part from pagan sources (e.g., immortality of soul, the traditional concepts of heaven and hell, the trinity, anti-Semitic theologies, etc.). Some people even view coming out of Babylon as leaving one country that they view as Babylon the Great (e.g., America). These are all issues that need to be addressed, but these are not the first issues one must deal with when discussing exiting Babylon.

Coming out of Babylon is more than just leaving non-biblical religious traditions, or leaving a religious system denomination, a country. It involves matters of the heart. When issues of the human are addressed and dealt with, the rest will take care of itself.

Being in the world, not of the world

When YeHoVah urges his people to come out of Babylon in Revelation 18:4, who are his people? Buddhists? Moslems? Hindus? Witches and satanists? Secular humanists and atheists? Maybe yes in a very broad and generic sense, but in a biblical context, he’s talking about the believers in the YeHoVah of the Bible. Specifically, who are YeHoVah’s people? Many Bible believers don’t know the answer to this question. They view themselves more in terms of the religious labels they wear instead of the truth of the Bible with regard to who YeHoVah’s people are to be in relation to the world. Coming out of Babylon first involves dealing with an identity crises among the people of YeHoVah. Once they learn who they are supposed to be in biblical terms and embrace this vision in their hearts and minds, they will automatically begin coming out of Babylon by first putting the leaven Babylon out of themselves!

This is who the Scriptures say that the redeemed believers, disciples or followers of Yeshua are to be:

Though disciples of Yeshua are in the world, they’re not to be of this world (John 17:11, 14).

Followers of Yeshua are “the called out ones” (Gr. ecclesia). Called out from what? From being controlled by the world, the flesh and the devil.

Redeemed believers are to be holy or set-apart (Heb. kadosh) as YeHoVahis kadosh (Lev 11:44, 45; 20:7, 26; 1 Pet 1:5, 16; 2:9). Set-apart from what? The controlling influences of the world, flesh and the devil.

Believers are foreigners, strangers and pilgrims in this world. They’re part of another kingdom and are sojourners passing through en route to YeHoVah’s eternal and spiritual kingdom (Heb 11:13: 1 Pet 2:11).

The saints are to be salt and light in this dark and rotten world (Matt 5:13–14). This means that what they do, say and think is antithetical to, in contrast with and different form this world.

Followers of Yeshua are to come out of the world and to be separate from the heathens (2 Cor 6:14–17).

A follower of the YeHoVah cannot be the friend of this world and a friend of YeHoVah at the same time (Jas 4:4).

What Then Shall We Do?

This is a call to action. What should be the response of YeHoVah’s people to pagan belief systems, thought patterns and traditions that are a part of their lives and that are contrary to the Bible? These belief systems are found within traditional Christianity as well as the world in general.

Repent of sin, which is the violation of YeHoVah’s Torah-instructions (1 John 3:4), and get back to the Torah-instructions in righteous living (2 Chron 7:14, 17, 19). Return to the ancient and good paths of the Torah (Jer 6:16; 18:15).

Read and study the Bible (from Genesis to Revelation) anew asking the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. Be resolved ahead of time to do what ever YeHoVah tells you to do to bring your life into conformity with his Word no matter the cost. View the instructions of the Bible through a different spiritual lens.  Don’t view it from a minimalist point of view but from a maximalist point of view. That is, what can and must I do as opposed to what don’t I have to do (i.e., what can I get away with and still be a disciple of Yeshua).

Once you start discovering the truth of the Bible from a fresh perspective, start conforming your life to the truth of it. Start living a holy or set-apart life (Lev 20:4; Heb 12:14). YeHoVah’s people are to be holy or set-apart unto him, not a people who have been made profane by worldly, polluted or defiled pagan customs and traditions of this world (Ezek 22:26; 44:23).

Let go of religious or other non-biblical traditions of men that violate or have superseded the Word of Elohim (Matt 15:7–9; Mark 7:7, 9). Don’t make excuses. Just do it! Just obey YeHoVah and His Word.

If you following these points, you will be heeding YeHoVah’s call to come out of spiritual Babylon by first getting the leaven of Babylon out of your heart and mind (Rev 18:4). Once this is done, all the other Babylonian practices you have been engaged in will begin to fall out of your life like chaff blowing in the wind or dross bubbling up out of the gold to be skimmed off.

These things are the first and most important steps to coming out of Babylon the Great.

After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. And 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.

- Revelation 18:1-5 (NKJV)

I think to come out of Babylon means to come out of deception and confusion.  It’s those who have not absorbed the truth of God’s Word who will be confused.  ….and one day soon, they will worship the false messiah when he appears at the 6th trump because they’ve listened to false teachers and not studied for themselves.  God even calls her a whore.  They will perish for lack of knowledge if they’re not careful.  

What is the great APOSTASY?  It’s my opinion that it is not yet happening; nope, not yet.  But it will happen when Satan (the antichrist) appears and, instead of waiting for the true Christ, they (Christian people), will fall down and worship this imposter, the vial one, the abomination of desolation himself.  This is the Apostasy of the end times.  So we’re being warned to come out of her!  Come out of this unsealed state of Babylon and confusion.  There’s still time.

babel

băb′əl, bā′bəl

noun

A confusion of sounds or voices.

A scene or situation of confusion.

The Semitic name of the city (Babylon) where, according to Gen. xi., the construction of a tower that would reach to heaven was attempted, and where the confusion of tongues took place. See Babylonian. Hence A lofty structure.

S.

Edited December 28, 2021 by Selah7

[Bawb]

Starise stated - This is where it gets more personal. It's up to each person to decide. We have many here who are not attending a church. This is not the answer. Personally, I've been in church along with my Wife. And when the Word was not being preached and a lot of unbiblical things were, My Wife and I stood up against them. We were not well liked and were constantly being come against, in spite of being In the Word. Too many churches teach people "the law was nailed to the cross, we can't keep those 10 commandments", "the old testament is no longer valid", "once saved; always saved", "we're all going to be taken up in the rapture before all of the bad stuff is going to happen", "the church replaced Israel in the covenant" the "new covenant did away with all the old laws". One can only listen to greasy grace and sloppy agape for so long. All the while being called a "legalist" by people who don't have the first clue even what it means.

Starise stated - Find a good church. A lot of "churches" fall under the 501(c)(3) which could possibly, if not already put them in a position to compromise God's Word. And we were privy to pastors remarking this. Besides, Yeshua did not say go out and make churches, He said, "Go out and make disciples". On the other hand we are not to forsake gathering. It is purely my opinion, but COVID shutting down the churches was as a result of judgement. It also signaled us to meet in small home groups just like the early assemblies.

Yeshua spoke of Himself in Matthew 26:31 - Then Jesus said to them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But, Yeshua was also a prophet, so His words could repeat over and over to be true.

Many of the Shepherds have turned into hirelings, feeding off the flock, so it was taken away from them.

As stated in Ezekiel 34:10 - Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I am against the shepherds — They have made me their enemy by their negligence and abuse of their power, and I will appear and act as such. They have been enemies to my sheep, though pretending to be their shepherds; I will be an open enemy to them; and will require my flock at their hands — I will require a severe account from their kings and princes, their priests and prophets, of the damage my people have sustained through their ill management; and I will deprive them of the honor, pre-eminence, and advantage of which they have made such an ill use.

My Wife and I are still looking for a "Good Church" and like minded believers.

Starise stated - I find the OP too inclusive, almost as if we say all so called mainline Christian denominations are garbage. This is NOT all inclusive. There are still good assemblies with good teaching, one simply needs to look for them. Any organization is only as good as the people in it. I agree, not all are "garbage". But few are standing up for what is right. If more people actually read their Bibles instead of listening to someone tell them what is in it, I think this would be a different "church".

And to quote the original post: Coming out of Babylon is more than just leaving non-biblical religious traditions, or leaving a religious system denomination, a country. It involves matters of the heart. When issues of the human are addressed and dealt with, the rest will take care of itself.

The Old Testament is no longer valid? https://www.bible.ca/manuscripts/List-of-300-Old-Testament-passage-quotes-in-New-Testament-Septuagint-Codex-Vaticanus-LXX-Masoretic-MT-Jewish-Tanakh-Bible.htm