the world to sleep, it is given to the
Christian as an indication of the near coming of Christ, whose advent
synchronizes with the outpouring of the seventh vial. The blessing
pronounced on those who watch, is an intimation that the people of God
will be expecting Christ's advent, while others will be taken by surprise:
"unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin
unto salvation," Heb. 9:28. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and
worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this
present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ," Titus 2:11-13.

Those who keep their garments, are those who have not "defiled" them with
sin, (3:4); they will walk with Christ in white, being worthy; "for the
fine linen" in which they are to be arrayed "is the righteousness of
saints," 19:8. To be destitute of this, is to be unclothed; and hence the
Saviour says: "I counsel thee to buy of me ... white raiment, that thou
mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear,"
3:18. The intimation is clear, that to be deceived by the unclean spirits,
is to lose those robes of righteousness, and to be found naked at Christ's
appearing.

The Success of the Spirits.

"And they gathered them into a place called in Hebrew Armageddon."
Rev. 16:16.

Before the coming of the Lord, and as a preparation for that event, the
nations are to be thus gathered. Armageddon is the name of a valley at the
foot of Mount Megiddo, famous for its bloody slaughters. It fitly
symbolizes the final gathering of the nations. The enemies of God will
marshal for the final conflict. The powers of darkness will fancy
themselves on the verge of victory; and then will be poured out:

The Seventh Vial.

"And the seventh poured out his bowl on the air; and there came a
loud voice from the temple [of heaven], from the throne, saying,
It is done! And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders;
and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were
on the earth, so mighty and so great an earthquake. And the great
city became three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and
great Babylon was remembered before God, to give to her the cup of
the wine of his furious wrath. And every island fled,