1031. (v. 1) And there came one of the seven angels having the seven vials, and talked with me. That this signifies the state of the church with the Papists, made manifest, is evident from the signification of the angel having the vial, as denoting manifestation of the state of the church from the Lord, as above (n. 869, 878, 883). The reason why it denotes manifestation concerning the state of the church with the Papists is, that in this and the following chapters Babylon is treated of, by which is meant the religious persuasion of the Papists. The reason why one of the seven angels came is, that by the seven angels having the seven vials, in the preceding chapter, is meant the manifestation of the state of the church with the Reformed, and now here with the Papists. Therefore also when the seventh angel poured out his vial, it said:
"And great Babylon came into remembrance before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the wrath of his anger" (xvi. 19).
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