n
other words, a distinct reformation is predicted.

This sublime scene is not a description of heaven, for the context
shows its direct contact with the forms of apostate Christianity with
which it is placed in contrast on earth. Certain leading figures in
the scene, as Christ the Lamb and a number of angels, are heavenly
beings; but their presence simply shows the divine character of the
work in contrast with those other religious powers, one of which came
up out of the sea and the other out of the earth. Besides, we have
already shown that whenever angels figure in the symbolic scene _on
earth_, they represent distinguished agencies among men, and the
message of good angels, being obviously from heaven, is therefore the
message of God. When different angels, bearing different messages,
appear in the same general symbolic scene, they represent not isolated
or independent movements, but different phases of the same work.

The Revelator introduces another phase of the religious movement under
consideration with these words: "And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them
that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue,
and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to
him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made
heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" (verses
6, 7).

In the message of the angel there are set forth a number of distinct
truths. Prominence is given to the call to worship the one true God.
This stands in contrast with the apostasy preceding; for under the
papacy its adherents "worshiped the dragon" and "they worshiped the
beast," while the second beast caused people to "worship the first
beast" and to "worship the image of the beast." The message of this
angel is universal and indicates a world-wide missionary effort in
which the true God and his holy worship alone will be exalted, and
that before the end of time, for the judgment is set forth as an
impending event for which men must speedily prepare.

But the description does not end here. An awful revelation, falling
like hail-stones or coals of fire upon the heads of the devotees of
modern churchianity, is proclaimed by divine authority: "And there
followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that
great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the
wrath of her fornication. And the t