Revelation 18:4

Another voice from heaven instructed God’s people to separate 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 (Revelation 18:4-5; cf. Revelation 11:3; Revelation 22:7-8). He called God’s people to leave a city (cf. Genesis 12:1; Genesis 19:12; Exodus 8:1; Numbers 16:26; Isaiah 48:20; Isaiah 52:11; Jeremiah 50:8; Jeremiah 51:6-9; Jeremiah 51:45), 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. Revelation 12:14; Matthew 24:16). They should not have the attitude of Lot’s wife who hankered after another worldly city that God destroyed (cf. Genesis 19:26; Luke 17:32).