ials, must be
anterior to the second advent; for in the analogous instances of God's
judgments, he visits his enemies with plagues previous to the deliverance
of his children. Thus were the ancient Egyptians visited, before the
Israelites escaped from their power, Ex. 5-11.

The deliverance of the vials to the angels by one of the four "living
creatures," indicates that the intelligences in the divine presence, which
are thus symbolized, are cognizant of God's design, and acquiesce in his
purpose to visit the subjects of his wrath with these plagues.

By these being called "the vials of God's wrath," we learn that their
infliction is not corrective, but judicial;--that they are not agents of
mercy, but of vengeance.

The filling of the temple with the smoke of God's glory, to the exclusion
of all persons during the pouring out of the vials, shows that during that
period, there will be no intercession with God for him to refrain from the
execution of the purposes thus symbolized. They are inevitable; and there
will be no supplication for their suspension. When Moses had finished the
type of the "Holiest of all," a "cloud covered the tent of the
congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses
was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud
abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle," Ex.
40:34, 35. It was only when Moses could enter the tabernacle, that he
could there commune with God face to face, Ex. 33:9, 11.

The voice from the temple to the seven angels, shows that the acts
commanded are the subjects of divine appointment,--the angels simply
designating the commencement of the several judgments.

The First Vial.

"And the first went away, and poured out his bowl on the earth;
and there came an evil and sore ulcer on the men who had the mark
of the beast, and on those worshipping his image." Rev. 16:2.

The "earth," in the Apocalypse, symbolizes a quiet and settled government
(13:11), in distinction from one politically agitated, which is symbolized
by waters, 13:1; 17:15.

Those who receive the contents of the first vial, being the worshippers of
the "beast" and its "image" (13:15), it is certain that the governments on
which it is poured, are subservient to the church of Rome and within the
boundaries of the ten kingdoms.

The effect of the vial is "a noisome and grievous sore;" and the only
things analogous, are