Separation

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people. that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)

While this verse was written for the end times, it still has Divine principles in it which are applicable to all times. The principle in this verse concerns separation from evil by God’s people. In this verse is the statute for separation, the sanctity in separation, and the safety in separation.

Statute for separation. “Come out of her.” Separation is commanded by God. And when He commands, it is for our own good. Do not complain about the command but conform to it. This command was mentioned earlier in the New Testament in one of Paul’s epistles. He said, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17). Separation is not popular. If you separate from evil, you will be criticized by the world and by carnal, compromising Christians. But such criticism is only the parroting of the devil; for he opposes separation, too. But God commands it; therefore separate from evil practices, people, places, and philosophies.

Sanctity in separation. “That ye be not partakers of her sins.” Failure to separate from evil will corrupt you. As others have said, “You cannot lie down with dogs without rising up with fleas.” Lot failed to separate regarding Sodom. The ruin of he and his family morally warns emphatically of the defilement that comes from lack of separation.

Safety in separation. “That ye receive not of her plagues.” If you do not separate from evil, you risk experiencing the judgment that will come upon evil. This is not talking about losing your salvation but about experiencing some serious adverse problems. The prophet Balaam, back in Moses’ day, did not separate from the evil Midianites; and so when God sent judgment upon the Midianites in form of the Israeli army, Balaam was killed. God brings judgment upon the wicked. If you hang out with the enemies of heaven, you risk getting wounded by the forces of heaven when they attack evil. Separation, however, will spare you this experience.