The dissolution of the earth itself upon which we live is not here described, although according to the teaching of other scriptures it occurs at this time; but the symbols, being drawn from the department of the operations both of humanity and of nature, show the complete and final overthrow of all the great powers civil and ecclesiastical.  The dominancy of these great powers has been the chief burden of Apocalyptic vision, and here their utter destruction at last is set forth under various symbols.  The weight of the Jewish talent is said to have been one hundred and fourteen pounds.  Such a mass of ice descending from heaven would beat down everything in its resistless, desolating fury.  There is no intimation, however, of men being killed under this or the accompanying symbols; therefore as individuals they survive, while the storm of wrath falls upon the civil and ecclesiastical institutions of society, resulting in their utter annihilation.  This is the “great day of his wrath” described under the sixth seal, to the symbols of which this description bears a striking resemblance, as any one can see at a glance.  Well may the oppressors of earth say to the mountains and hills, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:  for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Chap. 6:16, 17.

CHAPTER XVII.

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 

    2.  With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication,
    and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the
    wine of her fornication.

    3.  So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness:  and
    I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of
    blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4.  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 

    5.  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON
    THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

    6.  And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and
    with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:  and when I saw her, I
    wondered with great admiration.