"And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them" (Revelation 9:13-16).
"And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared" (Revelation 16:12).
These two striking passages we believe cast some light upon the problem of Indian self-government that is perplexing British statesmen at this time. The four angels bound at the Euphrates seem to represent four great nations that have hitherto remained east of that river, which has so prominent a place in the Scripture. We think that our readers will not disagree with that interpretation of the passage. Coinciding with the loosing of these angels, that river is to be dried up "that the way of the kings of the East may be prepared," and an army of 200,000,000 horsemen will then pour into Palestine, probably with the intention of invading and conquering Europe. We question whether the number given of this amazing army is merely symbolical, for John says, "and I heard the number of them."
There are four nations on the east of the Euphrates which in spite of their vast numbers have never moved westward — they "are bound at the great river Euphrates" — that could muster such an army if they became allied, and India is one of these. But in order to become allied, say, with China, Japan and Tibet, and to join with them in this great invasion, it would be necessary for India to be independent of British domination and to be able to raise its own army. It would appear as though events were moving in this direction, however much all patriotic British people may deplore it. In the ways of God with the nations, and it may be that the gospel of His grace might be preached in that land, it has come under British rule, and as long as this exists the dominant power is responsible to God for the right government of it, but we judge from these Scriptures in the Revelation that this rule must cease eventually. These vast armies from the East will be gathered at Armageddon (Rev. 16:16), there to be confronted by the armies of Europe under the Beast and the False Prophet, for the armies of the whole world are to be gathered there, but instead of fighting each other they will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings. That will be the battle of that great day of God Almighty, when He will assert His authority over all that rule and pour out His judgment upon all who oppose His Christ (Rev. 17:14).