Revelation of John 18:4-8
Verse 4 Come out of her, my people - These words appear to be taken from Isa 48:20; Jer 1:8; Jer 51:6, Jer 51:45. The poet Mantuanus expresses this thought well: - Vivere qui sancte cupitis, discelite; Romae Omnia quum liceant, non licet esse bonum. "Ye who desire to live a godly life, depart; for, although all things are lawful at Rome, yet to be godly is unlawful. Verse 5 Her sins have reached unto heaven - They are become so great and enormous that the long-suffering of God must give place to his justice. Verse 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you - These words are a prophetic declaration of what shall take place: God will deal with her as she dealt with others. Verse 7 How much she hath glorified herself - By every act of transgression and sinful pampering of the body she has been preparing for herself a suitable and proportionate punishment. Verse 8 Therefore shall her plagues come - Death, by the sword of her adversaries; mourning on account of the slaughter; and famine, the fruits of the field being destroyed by the hostile bands. Utterly burned with fire - Of what city is this spoken? Rome pagan has never been thus treated; Alaric and Totilas burnt only some parts with fire. Rome papal has not been thus treated; but this is true of Jerusalem, and yet Jerusalem is not generally thought to be intended.
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