Such is a brief sketch of the loosing of the first, or Seljukian, angel- power, that it might be no more “bound by the great river Euphrates.” The commencement of this loosing enterprise was the attempted separation of the Asiatic provinces of the Roman empire by Togrul, and perfected by Alp Arslan, A.D. 1071, by the capture of the emperor Romanus. Hence, the loosing covered a period of several years. The period of the symbolic time allotted to “the killing of the third of the men,” that is, of “the hour and day and month and year,” is no more to be calculated from the loosing of the first angel, than from that of the last three. The calculation must be made from the perfected preparation of the first angel-power — “having been prepared” for the work of killing. The tense of the participle passive proves this, indicating, not partial, but complete preparation before loosing.
We know the day and month and year in which the work of killing, with political death, “the third of the men” was accomplished. About this there can be no mistake. The Imperial Eastern Roman Third was “killed” with the slaying of its last emperor and the capture of the capital. This event came to pass, May 29,1453. This was the last day of the 391 years and 30 days, which long period must consequently have commenced April 29, 1062, before the death of Togrul, and after, or at, his adoption by marriage into the domestic circle of the Caliph-Angel of the Abyss.