Revelation 18:4-8 (NKJV) And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.
V4 “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” This is the principle of separation from evil (2 Corinthians 6:17, 1 Peter 2:9, and Hebrews 7:26 (Jesus is separate, so should we). They might be contaminated by sin (Lot in Genesis 19:1-8). By remaining in a city dedicated to destruction, they will experience the destruction, too. Lot hesitated in Sodom, so the angels grabbed his arm and took him out of the city. It is sad that some Christ followers are living in this city. My people might also be referring to Jews.
V5 “For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” They had a lot of sins, practiced sin, and loved sin. Compare Romans 1:32, Genesis 18:20-21, and Jonah 1:2. God forgets the sin of those who believe and are Christ followers; God remembers the sin of those who refuse to believe.
V6 “Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.” This is God’s principle of an eye for an eye. See Exodus 21:24 and Matthew 5:38-39. Pay double because there is the punishment for her evil on a one-to-one basis. Also, the extra payment is to cause hurt and for what might have been accomplished if she had not committed any sins.
V7 “In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.” This principle is for every dollar you spend on sin, I’ll spend on your punishment. 100% sin = 100% punishment. There is mercy, but it is for those who ask for mercy ( Luke 18:13) and show mercy (Matthew 18:21-35). Note her arrogance. She expects to be above the law.
V8 “Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.” The plagues (judgments) are death, mourning, and famine. All will happen in one 24-hour time period. After this, the city is burned until nothing is left but ashes. God is strong enough to accomplish it. The Greek word for mourning, sorrow, is (G3997) πένθος pénthos, which means the emotion of sorrow especially mourning for death, etc. It comes from the Greek word (G3806) signifying suffering.
We learn:
- Sin has consequences.
- Sin has punishment.
- Sin’s punishment will happen.