In fact, this “angel” is identical with the “two witnesses,” whose special work is to oppose the great apostacy; and this they do in a pre-eminent manner by proclaiming the everlasting gospel.  For 500 years those who are known in history by the name of Waldenses, kept the doctrines and order of the apostles, in a state of separation from the Church of Rome.  In the latter part of the twelfth century their numbers and influence attracted the notice and brought upon them the wrath of the “man of sin.”  In the following ages multitudes of them were subjected to all the penalties of confiscation, banishment and death.  Like the seed of Abraham in Egypt, however, “the more they were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew.”  They revived true religion in the kingdoms of southern Europe, and it is most probable that the good seed sown by them reached even to the island of Britain.  John Huss and Jerome, who, by decree of the council of Constance, were committed to the flames for heresy; and Wishart, in England, whose end was similar, together with such as co-operated with them and succeeded them in the same holy warfare, are to be viewed as answering to the mystic angel.  These faithful and dauntless men denounced divine judgments against all who worshipped graven images, however enjoined by civil and ecclesiastical authority.  For their fidelity to Christ and the souls of men, they were subjected to the heaviest censures of the heathenized church, and the severest penalties of a tyrannical state,—­the beast of the earth and the beast of the sea always in unholy alliance and acting in concert.  The ministry of this angel is a testimony against papal corruptions, such as the worshipping images of the Creator and creatures, but especially the Pope,—­the image of the Roman emperor.  It is a mere fancy to suppose this angel symbolizes modern missions.  The series of the prophecy forbids such an interpretation.  Besides, the idolatry of Rome Christian, is not less real or gross than the idolatry of pagans, and calls for a more earnest testimony; and God has never left himself without witnesses against defection and apostacy.  This angel prepares the way for his successor, who prosecutes the same work with increasing clearness and confidence.

8.  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

V. 8.—­“There followed another angel.”  Some expositors[8] interpret this angel of Luther, some of Calvin; but no individual is sufficiently prominent in history to justify the application to him of so striking a symbol in so concise a prophecy.  Such restriction of a symbol to an individual results from prelatic habits of thought.  In the mind of a prelate the idea of a gospel ministry includes that of a metropolitan.  This angel is, in fact, as usual, simply the emblem of the ministry, not excluding the social body of which they are the official guides.