Who Are God's People in Revelation 18:4?

Revelation 18:4

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.

God’s people in Revelation 18:4 are the sincere and faithful believers currently residing within the fallen religious organizations of Babylon who have not yet received the light of present truthEVRR652+2.

The Identity of God's People in Babylon

God recognizes a remnant of true followers who are scattered throughout various religious bodies, including the Protestant sects and the Catholic ChurchLDE 211.1+1. These individuals have often found Christ and become children of God while still within these organizations, but they lack the specific light that reveals the true status and errors of those systemsEVRR652+1. Because they possess integrity and sincerity, God accepts their worship until the light of truth reaches themST November 19, 1894, par. 5. This group is likened to "other sheep" that Jesus must bring out so there may be one fold and one shepherd John 10:16EVRR652.

The Purpose of the Call

The call to "come out" is a merciful warning designed to prevent these faithful ones from sharing in the sins and the resulting plagues of Babylon Revelation 18:4EVRR652+1.

• To avoid sharing in sin: Those who become aware of the apostasy but remain in the organization become partakers and responsible for its sinsEVRR652.

• To bear witness: By withdrawing, they publicly reject the goals and methods of Babylon and bear witness to the truth of GodEVRR652.

• To join the final remnant: When they depart, they unite with the commandment-keeping people of God to form a single, complete group before the close of probationEVRR652+2.

Biblical Parallels of Deliverance

The experience of God's people being hurried out of Babylon mirrors historical deliverances where believers had to separate from a doomed environmentLDE 211.1+1.

• Noah: Just as God called Noah into the ark to escape the flood, He calls His people out of Babylon to escape the plagues Genesis 7:1RH November 5, 1889, par. 11.

• Lot and Sodom: The most striking parallel is the deliverance of Lot, who was hurried out of Sodom by angels before its fiery destruction Genesis 19:12-17EVRR652+2.

• The Early Church: Believers who heeded Christ’s warning fled Jerusalem before its ruin, just as the final remnant must flee spiritual BabylonRH November 5, 1889, par. 11.

The Role of the Loud Cry

The message of Revelation 18:4 is known as the "Loud Cry," which adds power and force to the third angel’s messageEW 277.2+2. This call is characterized by:

• Surpassing Glory: An angel descends from heaven, lightening the entire earth with his glory so that the truth reaches every city and town Revelation 18:1LDE 208.4+2.

• Mighty Miracles: As the message is proclaimed, the sick are healed and signs and wonders follow the believers, similar to the day of Pentecost1SG 193.2+2.

• Final Decision: This is the last note of mercy, forcing every inhabitant of the earth to take a stand under either the banner of Christ or the banner of the powers of darknessLDE 213.1+3.