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 preaching of His Gospel. Others will harden their hearts and refuse to obey. These shall be chastised by fire from heaven to destroy their harvests. The fire is mingled with blood, a symbol of war and revolutions. Here is fulfilled the prophecy of the aged Simeon: "Be hold, this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted. "

According to St. Irenaeus, plagues similar to those of Egypt in the days of Moses shall afflict all unfaithful nations in the days of Antichrist.

"8. And the second angel sounded the trumpet; and as it were a great mountain, burning with fire, was cast into the sea, and the third part of the sea became blood:

9. And the third part of those creatures died, which had life in the sea, and the third part of the ships was destroyed.

10. And the third angel sounded the trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, burning, as it were, a torch, and it fell on the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters:

11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood. And the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter."