Jeremiah 51:27-46
Many of the expressions found in these chapters are used again in Revelation about the future Babylon. There it is no longer a city, but a huge religious system, a Satanic counterfeit of the Church of Christ which will reach the height of its power after the latter has been taken up. As her evil doings are revealed, the divine call is heard many times: "My people, go ye out of the midst of her" (v. 45; Jeremiah 50:8; Jeremiah 51:6; Zechariah 2:7; Revelation 18:4). In effect, to remain in Babylon after God has condemned her, amounts on the one hand to sharing in her sins and on the other hand to risk sharing in her judgment. A similar order is given today by the Lord to all His own who are still scattered amongst the different factions of professing Christianity: "Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19). However, whilst being aware of this iniquity round about them, some believers reckon that, despite everything, they should remain in an environment which they know to be bad; they hope to use their good influence to improve the situation. This is just cherishing an illusion and at the same time considering themselves to be wiser than the One who urges them to leave it (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).