VERSES 1, 2. And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying unto the seven angels, Go, and pour out the vials of the anger of God into the earth. And the first angel went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there came a great and noxious sore on the men who had the mark of the beast, and who worshipped his image.

"And I heard a voice out of the temple saying unto the seven angels," signifies, manifestation by means of Divine truth from the Word of the evils and falsities that have devastated the church: "go, and pour out the vials of the anger of God into the earth," signifies, the state of the devastated church.

"And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth," signifies, manifestation of the state of the church in general: "and there came a great and noxious sore," signifies, evil works therein, and the consequent falsifications of the Word: "on the men who had the mark of the beast, and who worshipped his image," signifies, those who acknowledge faith alone, and the doctrine thereof, and live according to it.