16:6. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets.—Literally and figuratively.—Matt. 23:34, 35; Rev. 13:15; 18:24.
And thou hast given them blood to drink; [for] THAT WHEREOF they are worthy.—See Rev. 14:20; Isa. 49:26.
16:7. And I heard [another out of] the altar.—The “Altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt” (Isa. 19:19) at the time these plagues are being poured out upon the antitypical Egyptians, is the Great Pyramid, discussed in a separate section of Volume III.
[Say] Saying Even so, Lord God Almighty.—The Lord Jesus.—Rev. 1:8; John 5:22; Matt. 28:18.
True and righteous are Thy judgments.—The teaching of the Great Pyramid is in full accord with the rest of the book. See Rev. 14:15. “It is by no means an addition to the written revelation: that revelation is complete and perfect, and needs no addition. But it is a strong corroborative witness to God's Plan. Isaiah testifies of an altar and pillar in the land of Egypt, which ‘shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt.’ And the context shows that it shall be a witness in the day when the great Savior and Deliverer shall come to set at liberty Sin's captives.”—C. 315.
16:8. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun.—Volume IV of Scripture Studies, as soon as published, was sent free to all clergy whose names could be obtained. They are taught, and teach others, that they are important luminaries in the heavens, suns, rivalling in brilliancy and wisdom the Lord Himself, whose place they take in the minds of the people, by setting forth their own views on every subject, rather than the Lord's Word. Volume IV, then, sent to this class, and calling attention to Babylon's fall, seemed to them as the height of all presumption in wickedness.
And power was given unto him to scorch men.—Greek “The Men,” i. e., the worshipers of the beast and his image.
With fire.—Perhaps some of the clergy became a trifle warm as they read Volume IV, as their later conduct seems to suggest. Why they should have disliked Pastor Russell when he told the truth, and proved it, is remarkable.
And men.—Greek “The Men;” the clergy. In Rev. 8:9 the clergy are not so honored.
Were scorched with great heat.—Became warm, indignant at the Pastor's kindly explanation of the whore and the harlots, and the plainly evident application to the Papacy and the Protestant sects.