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After this John heard "the altar" saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and
righteous are Thy judgments". We are not told whether the angel of the altar, or the souls
that waited beneath the altar, is intended in this intensely figurative expression. Most
probably it indicates the concurrence of the martyrs, which is repeat in 19: 1, 2.
Many translators render the words axioi eisi "they deserve it", and while this is
certainly the meaning, yet we feel that the contrast with the words axios ei of Rev. 5: 9,
"Thou art worthy", is important. Further axios is derived from a word meaning "the
beam of a balance" and amplifies the thought in the words that precede the exclamation,
namely, "Because they shed the blood of saints and prophets, Thou hast given them blood
to drink"--the judgment corresponds with the crime; eye to eye, tooth for tooth, the beam
of the balance indicating the equivalent judgment.
THE 4TH VIAL.--The effect of this vial is the intensification of the heat of the sun:--
"And men were scorched with the vehement heat, and they blasphemed the name of
God, Who hath authority over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory"
(16: 9).
It is evident by the preceding words that these final judgments are so arranged
(humanly speaking) to give the last opportunities to the worshippers of the beast to
repent. Instead of repenting they blaspheme, both here, under the fifth, and under the
seventh vial.
THE 5TH VIAL.--A direct attack is made upon the throne of the beast. The throne of
Satan will be at Pergamos (2: 13), and Satan will give the beast his throne and great
authority. Whether the seat of Government will continue at Pergamos we cannot say.
Rev. 2: 13 seems to indicate that at least during one part of the time it will be there.
The day of the Lord is connected with "darkness and gloominess, clouds and thick
darkness" (Joel 2:). The sun will turn to darkness before the day of the Lord
(Mark 13: 24, 25). It is the beginning of the end.
THE 6TH VIAL.--The Euphrates is dried up with a purpose--"that the way of the
Kings of the East might be prepared". In Isa. 11: 15, 16 we read that "the river" is to be
smitten in the seven streams, so that men may go over dry shod:--
"And there shall be an highway for the remnant of His People which shall be left,
from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt."
The passage through the Red Sea was real and the account of it literal, so will be the
drying up of the river Euphrates. Both the remnant of Israel from Assyria, and the Kings
of the East will pass over this way. Zech. 10: 10, 11 has words much to the same effect as
Isa. 11: 15, 16. The Kings of the East evidently lead their armies across the Euphrates,
and the verses following shew that their objective is Armageddon.