“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air.... And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell.” Verses 17-19.
16. What accompanies the earthquake?
“And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” Verse 21. See Job 38:22, 23; Ps. 7:11-13.
17. What will the Lord be to His people at this time?
“The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” Joel 3:16. See Jer. 25:30, 31; Haggai 2:21; Heb.12:26; Ps. 91:5-10.
Note.—To prepare His people and the world for these terrible judgments, the Lord, as in the days of Noah, sends a warning message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. See Rev. 14:6-10.
18. Just before the pouring out of the plagues, what call does God send to His people still in Babylon?
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Rev. 18:4, 5. See Gen. 19:12-17; Jer. 51:6; and page 254.
Note.—As before the flood, many of God's people will doubtless be laid away to rest shortly before the time of trouble. See Isa. 57:1; Rev. 14:13. Referring to the time before the flood, an ancient book says: “And all men who walked in the ways of the Lord, died in those days, before the Lord brought the evil upon man which He had declared, for this was from the Lord, that they should not see the evil which the Lord spoke of concerning the sons of men.”—Book of Jasher 4:20. See also chapter 5:21 of the same book.
19. How suddenly will the plagues come upon modern Babylon?