“And men were scorched with great heat, and _blasphemed the name of God_, which hath power over these plagues: and _they repented not to give Him glory_.” Verse 9. 11. What will be the fifth plague? “And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon _the seat of the beast_; and _his kingdom was full of darkness_; and they gnawed their tongues for pain.” Verse 10. NOTE.—This plague strikes at the very seat of the great apostasy of the latter days, the Papacy. It will doubtless be similar in effect to the like plague in Egypt, which was a darkness that could “be felt.” Ex. 10:21-23. By this plague that iniquitous, haughty, and apostate spiritual despotism which has set itself up as possessing all truth, and as being the light of the world, is enshrouded in midnight darkness. 12. What takes place under the sixth plague? “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river _Euphrates_; and _the water thereof was dried up_, that the way of the kings of the East might be prepared.” Verse 12. NOTE.—This, we understand, refers to the drying up of the Turkish Empire by the great world powers preparatory to the battle of Armageddon. See preceding reading. 13. What gathers the nations to the battle of Armageddon? “And I saw _three unclean spirits_ like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are _the spirits of devils_, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.... And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Verses 13-16. NOTE.—This scripture shows that it is the spirit of Satan which incites men to war, and explains why the great nations of the world are now making such preparations for war. The dragon represents paganism; the beast, the Papacy; and the false prophet, apostate Protestantism,—the three great religious apostasies since the flood. The plain Esdraelon, in southwestern Galilee, is the Armageddon here referred to. See note on page 99. 14. At this time what event is imminent? “_Behold, I come as a thief._ Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Verse 15. 15. What takes place under the seventh plague? “And the seventh angel poured out his vial into _the air_.... And there were _voices_, and _thunders_, and _lightnings_; and _there was a great earthquake_, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, _and the cities of the nations fell_.” Verses 17-19. 16. What accompanies the earthquake?