Spiritual Meaning of REVELATION 18:4
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AR 760. Verse 4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye become not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues, signifies exhortation from the Lord to all, as well those who are in that religious persuasion as those who are not in it, to guard themselves from conjunction with it by acknowledgment and affection, lest as to their souls they should be conjoined with its abominations, and should perish. By "another voice from heaven saying," is signified exhortation from the Lord to all, as well those who are in that religious persuasion as those who are not in it; because it follows, "Come out of her, my people," that is, all who approach the Lord. This exhortation is from the Lord, because the voice was "from heaven." By "that ye become not partakers of her sins," is signified that they should beware lest as to their souls they should be conjoined with its abominations: and as conjunction is effected by acknowledgment and affection, this also is signified. Their sins are abominations, because they are so called in the preceding chapter (Apoc. 17:4). By "that ye receive not of her plagues," is signified lest they perish; for by "plagues" evils and falsities are signified, and at the same time destruction by them. These are signified by "the plagues" above (n. 657, 673, 676). Similar things are said of Babel in the Word in these passages:--

Go ye out of the midst of Babel, O my people, deliver everyone his soul from the wrath of the anger of Jehovah, lest your heart become soft, and ye fear for the report (Jer. 51:45, 46).

Flee from the midst of Babel, and deliver everyone his soul, lest ye be cut off for her iniquity (Jer. 51:6).

Forsake Babel, and let us go everyone into his own land, for her judgment hath reached to the heavens, and hath lifted itself up even to the clouds (Jer. 51:9).

Go ye out of Babel, flee from the Chaldeans with the voice of singing; declare this and male it to be heard; utter it even to the extremity of the earth; say ye, Jehovah redeems (Isa. 48:20, 21; Jer. 50:8).

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Author:  E. Swedenborg (1688-1772). Design:  I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002. www.BibleMeanings.info