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 not all virgins. Moreover if St. John had wished to identify them he would have used the definite article here; the hundred forty-four thousand.

2. The music of this great throng of singers with their harps breaks upon the ears of the Apostles like the roll of thunder or the beating of waves on the shores of Patmos. It is a prayer of praise and thanksgiving offered to God in the name of the whole Church for victory over Antichrist and his kingdom. This prayer, made official by the approval of the Church, is offered in the presence of the ancients and the living creatures, the priesthood of the Church. In the voice of thunder and the roar of the waves we may see the anathemas of the Church against Antichrist and his prophet as in x, 3.

"6. And I saw another angel flying through, the midst of heaven, having the eternal gospel, to preach unto them that sit upon the earth, and over every nation, and tribe, and tongue and people:

7. Saying with a loud voice: Fear the Lord, and give him honor, because the hour of his judgment is come; and adore ye him, that made heaven and earth, the sea, and the fountains of waters.

8. And another angel followed, saying: That great Babylon is fallen, is fallen; which made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."