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be an instrument of God's judgments upon the world. The other interpretation sees in the eagle a symbol of new preachers of the Gospel. God raises up new saints or religious orders to arouse the faithful to renewed faith and zeal in His service. Nevertheless, three great evils shall afflict the Church before her final victory over the world and the devil.

Whatever interpretation be adopted, there can be no doubt that this verse heralds the beginning of a new and important epoch in the history of the Church.