18:4 Another voice from heaven instructed God's people to separate themselves from the system that the city symbolizes so they would avoid getting caught in her judgment. The being speaking is evidently an angel who speaks for God (vv. 4, 5; cf. 11:3; 22:7-8). He called God's people to leave a city (cf. Jer. 50:8; 51:6-9, 45), but beyond that to forsake the enticements of the idolatry, self-sufficiency, love of luxury, and violence that the city symbolizes. The people addressed are faithful believers living in the Tribulation. Unless they separate from her sins, they will be hurt by the judgment coming on her, but if they do separate, they will enjoy protection (cf. 12:14; Matt. 24:16). They should not have the attitude of Lot's wife who hankered after another worldly city that God destroyed (cf. Gen. 19:26; Luke 17:32).
18:5 Another reason for abandoning Babylon and Babylonianism is that God is about to judge her. Her sins, like the bricks used to build the tower of Babel (Gen. 11:3-4), have accumulated so they finally reach heaven. She has exhausted God's patience (cf. Jer. 51:9).598God has noticed and remembered her sins, and because He is righteous, He must judge them.
18:6 The angel further called on God's enemies whom He will use to pay Babylon back fully for its wicked deeds, pride, and self-indulgent conduct (cf. 17:16-17; Jer. 50:29). This is a call for God's application of the lex talionis, the law of retaliation (cf. Matt. 7:2; Gal. 6:7-8). To pay back double is a way of saying to pay back fully (cf. v. 7; Exod. 22:4, 7, 9; Isa. 40:2; 61:7; Jer. 16:18; 17:18; Zech. 9:12).599Babylon had persecuted and murdered the saints (v. 24; 19:2). The cup she used to seduce others will become the instrument of her own punishment (cf. v. 3; 14:10).
"This is not a prayer for personal vengeance by the persecuted saints, but a heavenly interpretation of the divine response to cruelty committed by wicked persons who have passed the point of no return in their moral choices. The last hour has now struck, and it is too late for repentance. This is a judicial pronouncement against a sinful civilization that has reached the ultimate limit of evil."600
18:7 Luxurious living provides another reason for Babylon's judgment. Her claims of superiority and self-sufficiency echo those of ancient Babylon (cf. Isa. 47:7-9; Ezek. 27:3; 28:2; Zeph. 2:15). They also recall the words of the Laodicean church (3:17).
18:8 The "one day"may very well be literal (cf. Dan. 5:1, 3-5, 3). It also expresses suddenness, as does the "one hour"in verses 10, 16, and 19. Likewise we could interpret the burning literally. Rebuilt Babylon and the cities that are the centers for this worldwide network of political, commercial activity will evidently burn up in the great earthquake (16:18-19). She will collapse suddenly, not decline gradually. The strength of the Lord God will accomplish this destruction, but He will use means (17:16-17).
