“And there fell upon men _a great hail out of heaven_, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” Verse 21. See Job 38:22, 23; Ps. 7:11-13. 17. What will the Lord be to His people at this time? “The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: _but the Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel_.” Joel 3:16. See Jer. 25:30, 31; Haggai 2:21; Heb.12:26; Ps. 91:5-10. NOTE.—To prepare His people and the world for these terrible judgments, the Lord, as in the days of Noah, sends a warning message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. See Rev. 14:6-10. 18. Just before the pouring out of the plagues, what call does God send to His people still in Babylon? “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, _Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues_. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Rev. 18:4, 5. See Gen. 19:12-17; Jer. 51:6; and page 254. NOTE.—As before the flood, many of God’s people will doubtless be laid away to rest shortly before the time of trouble. See Isa. 57:1; Rev. 14:13. Referring to the time before the flood, an ancient book says: “And all men who walked in the ways of the Lord, died in those days, before the Lord brought the evil upon man which He had declared, for this was from the Lord, that they should not see the evil which the Lord spoke of concerning the sons of men.”—_Book of Jasher 4:20._ See also chapter 5:21 of the same book. 19. How suddenly will the plagues come upon modern Babylon? “Therefore shall her plagues come _in one day_, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.... For in _one hour_ is thy judgment come.” Rev. 18:8-10. 20. What famine will come at this time upon those who have rejected God’s messages of mercy? “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that _I will send a famine in the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord_: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” Amos 8:11, 12. See Luke 13:25; Prov. 1:24-26; Heb. 12:15-17. 21. What announcement is made under the seventh plague? “And there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, _It is done_.” Rev. 16:17.