To come out of Babylon cannot mean a physical emigration from the midst of the nations of Christendom. Not only Christendom, but all the earth, is to be devoured with the fire [the fiery trouble] of the Lord’s anger, though the fiercest of his wrath will be against the enlightened nations of Christendom, who knew, or at least had abundant opportunity to know, the Lord’s will.

The idea of the command is a separation from all the binding yokes of Christendom — to have no part nor lot in her civil, social or religious organizations. This is both from principle and from a wise and divinely directed policy.

On principle, as soon as the increased light of harvest truth illuminates our minds and makes manifest the deformities of error, we must be loyal to the former and discard the latter by withdrawing all our influence and support from it. This implies the withdrawal from the various religious organizations, whose doctrines misrepresent and make void the Word of God. It places us in the attitude of aliens toward all existing civil powers; not opposing aliens, however, but peaceable and law-abiding aliens, who render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s — aliens whose citizenship is in heaven, and not upon earth; whose influence is always favorable to righteousness, justice, mercy and peace.

Principle in some cases, and policy in others, would separate us from the various social arrangements among men. On principle, it would set free any who are entangled with the oaths and obligations of the various secret societies. Ye who were in darkness are now light in the Lord, should walk as children of light, having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reproving them. Eph. 5:6-17

But as we come closer and closer to the great crisis of this "evil day" it will doubtless be manifest to those who view the situation from the standpoint of "the sure word of prophecy," that, even if there be cases where principle is not involved, it will be the part of wisdom to withdraw from the various social and financial bondages which must inevitably succumb to the ravages of world-wide revolution and anarchy.

In that time (and, bear in mind, it will probably be within the next few years) financial institutions, including insurance companies and beneficial societies, will go down. "Treasures" in them will prove utterly worthless. These caves and rocks of the mountains will not furnish the desired protection from the wrath of this "evil day," when the great waves of popular discontent are lashing and foaming against the mountains (kingdoms — Rev. 6:15-17; Psa. 46:3).

The time will come when men "shall cast their silver into the streets, and their gold shall be as though it were unclean [margin]: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. They shall not [with their wealth] be able to satisfy their souls, neither [to] fill their bowels: because it was the stumbling block of their iniquity." (Ezek. 7:19; Compare also verses 12-18,21,25-27.) Thus will the Lord make a man’s life more precious than fine gold, even the golden wedge of Ophir. Isa. 13:12

Those who have made the Most High their refuge need not fear the approach of such times. He shall cover them with his feathers, and under his wings shall they trust; yea, he will show them his salvation. As the wildest confusion approaches they may comfort their hearts with the blessed assurance that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

"Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed [though the present social order be entirely overthrown]; and though the mountains [kingdoms] be carried into the midst of the sea [overwhelmed in anarchy]; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled; though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof."