Revelation 16:1

"And. heard. great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth."--16:1.

Out of the temple wrapped in the thick garment of eternal power and glory,. mighty voice is heard to command the seven angels to begin their work. Before we observe them as they obey the divine decree,. wish to make an observation upon the plagues.

In the time of the bondage of Israel in Egypt. series of plagues had been sent upon the oppressors. These had cursed Egypt, but proved. blessing to the people of God. Another series of plagues is now to be sent. They fall upon the oppressor of the true Israel, upon the great city which is "spiritually Sodom and Egypt," and their design is to compass the deliverance of the saints by effecting its destruction. These plagues all refer in some way to Rome. They may be fierce and terrible curses to her, but they help the world onward and are disguised blessings. The storm that sweeps down upon. plague-stricken city is terrible, but the play of elements purifies the atmosphere and brings health to the suffering.