The Apocalypse Of Saint John

Chapter 4

4:1 After these things I looked, and behold a door was opened in heaven, and the first voice which I heard, as it were, of a trumpet speaking with me, said: Come up hither, and I will shew thee the things which must be done hereafter. After these things: One should know that these visions are not separated by the time in which they were experienced, because John saw the whole vision in one day. This is clear in what he says in chapter 1: I was in the spirit on the Lord’s day, They are distinguished by the times in which they were partly fulfilled and partly unfulfilled, as will be seen better below. The balance of this book is divided into 2 parts, because first the method of the vision is introduced; and second the course of the fulfillment beginning at chapter 6. and behold a door was opened in heaven: St. John sees a door in Heaven, for it is promised that the heavenly mysteries are to be opened to him, and because Christ is the door as He Himself said, “I am the door (John 10:9).” He, who believes that Christ was born, and suffered, rises up to Heaven, that is, the light of the Church, and so he is made spiritual, and beholds the things that shall be. The door of heaven, considered in itself, is ever open, but it is said to be closed to some, on account of some obstacle against entering within, which is determined in ones free will. Christ’s Passion removed the obstacle that the entire human nature inherited from the sin of the first man; and so, after the Passion, John saw an opened door in Heaven. Yet that door still remains closed to this or that man, on account of the original sin which he has contracted, or the actual sin which he has committed: and so we need the sacraments and the keys of the Church. heaven: St. Gregory says, “The Church of the present time is called the kingdom of Heaven, Sermon 12 (PL 76:1476 ).” Heaven symbolizes the Church because it is the habitation of God where the heavenly realities are affected. This is why we pray that the will of God be done on earth even as it is in Heaven. Sometimes, both Heaven and earth symbolize the Church, since the earth comes into agreement with Heaven, either when the unfaithful are won by the righteous proclamation of the faithful, or when the Spirit subdues the flesh, or when the things of the earth are submissive and united to the things of Heaven. and the first voice which I heard, as it were, of a trumpet speaking with me: In this he indicates the authority of the angel speaking, as it has been said in chapter 1, that is, it was like the former voice which had said, "What thou seest, write in a book (1:11)." Come up here: This indicates that the mind of St. John is to turn away completely from the things of the earth and be turned toward Heaven to see the course of the Church. Also, when a new convert in the Church is taught that Christ suffered, was raised and has ascended to the Father, and then beyond these things is taught and instructed spiritually to reflect on Him in the Father according to the form of God, he is rightly said to ascend, since he will see the secrets of the mysteries in which he has believed. Therefore, the Lord said, “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father (Jn. 20:17),” wishing this touching to be understood as belief. And I will show you what must take place quickly: John will see under various figures the whole period of the Church's history, according to God’s ordaining, which cannot be changed.

4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and behold there was a throne set in heaven, and upon the throne one sitting. And immediately I was in the spirit: For the “way up” was neither bodily nor perceptible. (See Volume 1 1:10) there was a throne set in heaven: Through this, the authority and power of God ruling the Church is understood, because the Lord dwells within the Church, which is fixed in a heavenly abode.

and upon the throne one sitting: Namely, the Trinity. He is spoken of as sitting, metaphorically speaking, on account of His unchangeableness and authority. John saw this with the eyes of the spirit, not with bodily eyes. Jerome, commenting on Is. 6:1, "I saw the Lord sitting," says: "The Godhead not only of the Father, but also of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is visible, not to carnal eyes, but only to the eyes of the mind, of which it is said: Blessed are the pure in heart." Further, St. Jerome says again "An incorporeal thing is invisible to a corporeal eye." God is supremely incorporeal.


4:3 And he that sat, was to the sight like the jasper and the sardine stone; and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And he that sat, was to the sight like the jasper: The color of the jasper signifies water, because it signifies for us God’s ability to give life and to provide for our needs, since every nourishment of human beings and four-footed animals and birds has its source. and the sardine stone: By sardine stone he describes the fearfulness of God, “For our God is a consuming fire (Dt. 4:24). But the sardine stone is not the first thing mentioned in this passage about God; jasper is the first. The reason is, is because God’s nature is goodness, kindness, and gentleness, and He wishes to be our Father rather than our oppressor.

and there was a rainbow round about the throne: Since the rainbow was given as a sign of safety after the flood; it is now rightfully used as a sign of the Church being restored to God. The rays of the sun shining upon the clouds cause a rainbow. In comparison to this, when the souls of the saints are illuminated by the Sun of Righteousness, which is Christ, His deity approves to be prepared to accept their prayers. in sight like unto an emerald: An emerald is green in color, and this is one of the colors of the rainbow. Thus this rainbow was of a single color, for it was a deep green. This signifies God’s future comfort to the elect, especially in the tribulations of the Church, because the color green symbolizes life and prosperity. Jeremiah 17:8 says. And he shall be as a tree that is planted by the waters, that spreads out its roots towards moisture: and it shall not fear when the heat cometh. And the leaf thereof shall be green, and in the time of drought it shall not be concerned, neither shall it cease at any time to bring forth fruit. And Hosea 14:9 I will hear him, and I will make him flourish like a green fir tree: from me is thy fruit found.


4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats; and upon the seats, four and twenty ancients sitting, clothed in white garments, and on their heads were crowns of gold.

And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: The 24 seats, or thrones that St. John beholds, are thrones for the representatives of both Testaments, of whom the Old Testament Patriarchs and the New Testament Apostles are seated on, and are seated because of their judicial rank in Christ, and they are serving in presence of the Eternal Throne. And the 24 thrones, considered by way of a mystery number, is one throne, where the Church comes from. These 24 seats that St. John saw seem to me to be the thrones that Daniel saw in Dan. 7:9. and upon the seats, four and twenty ancients sitting: The 24 ancients are the servants of the Old and New Covenants, that is, the Old Testament Patriarchs and the New Testament Apostles, who are taking part in the service of the praise of God and the fulfillment of God’s plan. They are the ones whom the foundations of the household of God are built upon, as the Apostle says, “you are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief corner stone (Eph. 2:20).” That is, by whose authority the heavenly place is chosen, that by obeying them we may be built together with them. clothed in white garments: The white garments are a sign of their purity in their lifetime; that is, they are clothed in works of righteousness and in spotlessness. and on their heads were crowns of gold: They carry upon their heads golden crowns, for they have been made victors in present struggles, since that evil enemy, the Devil, has been thrown down, and they have received their crowns from the Lord. Concerning this crown, the vessel of election says, “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on the day, and not only to me but also to those who love His appearing (2 Tim. 4:7-8).”


4:5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there were seven lamps burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, and voices, and thunders: These three characteristics were in the early Church, and are still proceeding from God’s throne today. In the voices and thunders the proclamation of the Gospel is indicated, while the lightning signifies the miraculous signs, as we read in the Gospel, “They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs which `followed (Mark 16:20).” And again: “The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind, and your lightning illumined the whole world (Ps. 77:18).”

lightnings: The lightnings which enlightened are also the divine teachings shining with the light of truth, which with their wholesome illumination put to flight men’s darkness throughout the whole world. and thunders: The voice of thundering came forth when those who proclaimed Christ filled the whole world with words of thunder. St. John and St. James were called “sons of thunder (Mark 3:17)” because they passed on the mighty voice of God who thunders and cries aloud from Heaven great things to those who have ears and are wise.

and there were seven lamps burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God: He means the one sevenfold Spirit, for "there is one Spirit (Eph. 4:4)," and to be sevenfold implies perfection and fullness. The 7 spirits are the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, before the throne, and are prepared to be given to those who are to receive them; these 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed by Isaiah, “And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord (11:2-3).” seven lamps burning: For we know that at Pentecost the Holy Spirit had illuminated the apostles in the form of fiery tongues, as it were of fire (Acts 2:3), and as the Gospel says, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire (Matt. 3:11).”

before the throne: This is not the same as the 7 spirits before God’s throne that is mentioned in Rev. 1:4, those were the 7 archangels mentioned in Tobit 12:15. But as said above, “before the throne” indicates here that the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit are before the throne ready to be given out to those who are to receive them. which are the seven spirits of God: “Of God” is the indication that the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Father and God the Son.


4:6 And in the sight of the throne was, as it were, a sea of glass like to crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind.

a sea of glass like to crystal: The vision of the sea is the multitude around the throne; and the glass and the crystal signify the purity and the freedom from every defilement of the saints and angels around God, who are as the sea in number; “for a thousand thousand stood before Him,” says Daniel(7:10), and “10 thousand times 10 thousand waited upon him”; and although there are so many, all of the saints are pure by baptism, resembling glass and crystal. and round about the throne, were four living creatures: That is, the heavenly powers/angels, and all creation, the dominations and principalities and all the earth that worships God. This is to say that these are some of the holy living creatures whom Ezekiel the prophet was deemed worthy to see. Each of those had both 4 faces and 8 wings, and they creped along on wheels called Gelgel. And they were the Cherubim, so called by Ezekiel (10:20). And these are also the Seraphim, who were shown to the blessed Isaiah, “Upon it stood the seraphims: the one had six wings, and the other had six wings: with two they covered his face, and with two they covered his feet, and with two they flew (Isa. 6:2).” full of eyes before and behind: Their being many-eyed signifies the all-surveying oversight of God over them. before and behind: All the parts of the throne of God, that is, of the Church, are filled by the light of the gospel, with the knowledge of the past and of the future.


4:7 And the first living creature was like a lion: and the second living creature like a calf: and the third living creature, having the face, as it were, of a man: and the fourth living creature was like an eagle flying.

The characteristics of the living creatures are interpreted in various ways. Many of the early Fathers understood the lion, calf, face of a man, and an eagle flying to represent the four gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This can be applied because there are some great analogies made, and in Scripture there are often more than one sense to a passage, just as St. Gregory says: "Holy Writ by the manner of its speech transcends every science, because in one and the same sentence, while it describes a fact, it reveals a mystery (Moralium xx,1)." But I believe the primary interpretation is to understand these 4 characteristics as applied to the Church. These characteristics describe the one body of Christ, the Church, that is, in Heaven and on earth.

And the first living creature was like a lion: The Church, therefore, lives and works on the strength and beauty of the royal majesty, because the Lion of the tribe of Judah conquers. “For Judah is a lion’s cub (Gen. 49:9),” from whose tribe kings are accustomed to be set over the people.

and the second living creature like a calf: For the same reason, the virtue of the Church is indicated in the calf, namely, the first victim, for whenever anyone of the faithful is slain for Christ, he conquers at that moment. “Present Your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable worship (Romans 12:1),” so that what the Head has accomplished on behalf of the body, the body may be worthy to fulfill for the Head. For this reason, the Gospel of Luke began with Zechariah the priest. The third animal had a face like a man: In my opinion, the humility of the Church is here commended. For although She has received “the Spirit of the adoption of son (Rom. 8:15)” and possesses “this treasure in clay vessels (2Cor. 4:7),” She nevertheless freely prefers to glory humbly in Her weaknesses than to be praised in the strengths that She has acquired. In this way She devoutly follows in the footsteps of the Master who was “made obedient even unto death (Phil. 2:8)” and who said, “Learn from me I am gentle and humble of heart (Matt. 11:29).”

The fourth animal was like a flying eagle: The Heavenly Church is being described as flying on the spiritual thoughts of Her members. For She is free from the heaviness of earthly desires and is drawn into the heights at the direction of the 2 Testaments.


4:8 And the four living creatures had each of them six wings; and round about and within they are full of eyes. And they rested not day and night, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings: In the four living creatures the 24 ancients are indicated, the ancients are the 24 wings; for 6 wings in the 4 living creatures amount to 24 wings, and moreover he saw the four living creatures around the throne, which is where he said that he had seen the 24 ancients. And in this we recognize the 24 ancients who are the representatives of the Old and New Testaments, which represent the Church, in which he likens to an eagle, upon which it is borne above. They are the foundations and the gates of the household of God, as the apostle says, “you are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief corner stone (Eph. 2:20),” and the Psalmist, “His foundations are in the holy mountains. The Lord loves the gates of Sion, more than all the tabernacles of Jacob (Psalm 87: 1-2).” Why are the Apostles and Patriarchs foundations? Because their authority is the support of our weakness. Why are they gates? Because through them we enter the kingdom of God: for they proclaim it to us: and while we enter by their means, we enter also through Christ Himself. and round about and within they are full of eyes: Their being many-eyed represents the all-surveying oversight of God over them. and they rested not day and night: He says this not because they continually spend a painful and burdensome existence, so that they are unable to have any relief from labor or from demanding obligation, but because all heavenly angels and God’s people never cease from giving praises to God, and from enjoyment in their songs to Him. saying: Holy, holy, holy: The three “Holies” designate the persons of the Trinity. The repetition of the same word indicates that in the hymn you may understand the distinction of Persons in the Trinity, and the oneness of the Godhead, and while they say this they proclaim God. Lord God Almighty: This is said to signify the unity of essence; three persons are one God, and God all-powerful. God is called Almighty because He possesses rule and dominion over all things. who was, and who is, and who is to come: He who is was the name given to the Father by Moses. For he says to him, “I am the one who is (Ex. 3:14).” He was is said about the Son by the evangelist himself, saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Jn. 1:1).” By he who is coming he means the Holy Spirit, for he always visits the souls who are worthy to receive Him.



4:9 And when those living creatures gave glory, and honour, and benediction to him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever; 4:10 The four and twenty ancients fell down before him that sitteth on the throne, and adored him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

And when those living creatures gave glory…: They give glory by serving and praising God in many kinds of ceremonies and by administering the sacraments, and praising together in unceasing chorus, whom the dominations and principalities adore, whom all the earth worships. The four and twenty ancients fell down before him that sitteth on the throne, and adored him that liveth for ever and ever: That is, the representatives of Church immediately fall on their faces and adore Him who lives forever and ever. and cast their crowns before the throne: Their casting their crowns before God indicates this: the crown is a symbol of victory and kingship. So when they cast them before the throne of God, they credit God the ruler of all people, His real and true kingship and universal victory, saying, “To you, Lord, glory is due in the sight of all people because you brought all things from non-being into being, and by your will you gave substance to things which had no previous existence.”


4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory, and honour, and power: because thou hast created all things; and for thy will they were, and have been created. Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory: This does not mean that God receives something new or that something new adds to God, as a result of human works and praises, but that humans who have received benefits from God rise to praise and glorify the excellence of the eternal majesty. and for thy will they were, and have been created: That is, produced in time and out of God’s will, not out of necessity. Indeed, all things existed in the artful wisdom of God before they were formed in the act of creation, for He created all things out of nothing.





The Apocalypse Of Saint John


Chapter 5

5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, a book written within and without, sealed with seven seals. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne: The working power of God is called symbolically His right hand. That one sitting is God three and one, that is, the Trinity. a book written within and without: The book written on the inside and outside is both Testaments, the Old Testament on the outside because it was visible, and the New Testament on the inside because it lay hidden within the Old. The “book” also is understood to be the prophecy that Christ Himself said to be fulfilled in the Gospel (Lk. 4:21), but the rest of the prophecy will be fulfilled in the last days. sealed with seven seals: “Sealed,” it says, “with seven seals.” This means that the book was hidden by the plentitude of all mysteries, since until the passion and resurrection of Christ it had remained sealed. For in no way is anything called a “testament,” unless those who are about to die make it, and it is sealed until the death of the testator, and after His death, it is opened. And so, after the death of Christ mysteries were revealed.

5:2 And I saw a strong angel, proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

And I saw a strong angel: This seems to have been Gabriel who is interpreted as “God’s might”, “God’s-EL; might- GABRI”. Who is worthy to open the book: That is, to reveal the mystery of God. and to loose the seals thereof?: One would say to Gabriel, “No one, most divine angel, only the incarnate God, who took away sin and who canceled “the bond which stood against us (Col. 2:14)” and with his won “obedience” healed our “disobedience (Rom. 5:19).”


5:3 And no man was able, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to look on it. No man was able, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, to open the book: The words "in heaven" refer to the angels, "on earth" to men living in the body, and "under the earth" to souls in Hades. under the earth: I see no reason why we should not believe that Hades is under the earth. Christ Himself said, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly: so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matt. 12:40).” Further, a gloss on Jonas 2:4, "Thou hast cast me forth . . . into the heart of the sea," says, "i.e. into Hades," and in the Gospel (Matthew 12:40) the words "in the heart of the earth" have the same sense, for as the heart is in the middle of an animal, so is Hades supposed to be in the middle of the earth. Further, it is written (1 Peter 3:19) that "Christ coming in spirit preached to those spirits that were in prison, which had some time been unbelieving": and this is understood of Christ's descent into Hades, as St. Athanasius says (Ep. ad Epict.). nor to look on it: Neither an angel, nor any one of the just, although delivered from the bond of the flesh, was able to reveal, nor to search into the mysteries of the divine law, nor to look into the book, that is to contemplate the brightness of the grace of the New Testament, even as the children of Israel could not look upon the face of the lawgiver of the Old Testament, which contains the New.


5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open the book, nor to see it. And I wept much: In this weeping John desires for the mysteries of God to be revealed, and he was also grieved, as recognizing the common unhappiness of the human race, for the human race is weighed down with the burden of sins and beseeches its own redemption, which was shown to exist in the opening of this book.


5:5 And one of the ancients said to me: Weep not; behold the lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And one of the ancients said to me: That would be one of the Old Testament Patriarchs or one of the 12 Apostles other than John himself, since St. John was the only one of the 12 Apostles left alive on earth. Weep not: He is forbidden to weep, because even then had been fulfilled in the Passion of Christ the mystery, which long lay hidden, when, as He yielded up His spirit, the veil of the temple was rent. behold the lion of the tribe of Juda: It is He that is called the lion, He that is called a lamb. He is called a lion for courage, lamb for innocence. A lion because unconquered, a lamb because gentle. And when this lamb was slain, he conquered by his death the lion “who prowls around seeking whom he must devour.” The Devil, you see, is called a lion for his fierceness, not for any good quality. Thus the apostle Peter says we must be on the watch against temptations, “because your adversary the Devil is prowling around seeking whom he may devour”; but he did say how he prowls around: Like a roaring lion he is prowling around, seeking whom he may devour (1Pet. 5:8).” Who could avoid encountering the teeth of this lion, if the Lion from the tribe of Judah had not conquered him? Against the lion fights a lion, against the world a lamb. The Devil was happy when Christ died, and by that very death of Christ was the Devil conquered. It’s as though he took the bait in a mousetrap. He was delighted at the death, as being the commander of death. What he delighted in, that’s where the trap was set for him. The mousetrap for the Devil was the cross of the Lord. The bait he would be caught by, the death of the Lord. And our Lord Jesus rose again.




THE HEAVENLY LITURGY AND THE EUCHARIStiC CELEBRATION

5:6 And I saw: and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the ancients, a Lamb standing as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes: which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. And I saw: and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the ancients, a Lamb: That is, Christ in the middle of the Church established in His name in Heaven and on earth, as He Himself says in Mt. 28:20, “Lo I am with you always to the end of the age.” in the midst of the throne: Through this, the authority and power of God ruling the Church is understood, because the Lord dwells within the Church, which is fixed in a heavenly abode. and of the four living creatures: That is, the heavenly powers/angels, and all creation, the dominations and principalities and all the earth that worships God. and in the midst of the ancients: By this he indicates in the midst of the Old Testament Patriarchs and the Apostles.


a Lamb: He is called the Lamb by virtue of His sacrifice; standing: because He was raised to eternal life, Rom. 6:9: “Christ being raised from the dead will never die again.” as it were slain: He is sacrificed daily in the Church, not dying according to the flesh, because He was raised to eternal life, as has been said, but according to the re-presentation. In the offering of the Eucharist, the effect of His passion is communicated to us. The same is also because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior (CCC 1330), Christ gives us the very body which he gave up for us on the cross, the very blood which he “poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (CCC 1365) Mt. 26:28).” The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: "The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different." "And since in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner. . . this sacrifice is truly propitiatory (CCC 1367)." having seven horns and seven eyes: which are the seven Spirits of God: having seven horns: The 7 horns bear witness to his great strength, as the number 7, being the perfect number, often indicates, as has also been said earlier. The horns are the symbol of power, according to the prophet who said, “And all the horns of the wicked I will break off, but the horn of the just shall be exalted (Ps. 74:11).” And also Habakkuk has, “there are horns in his hands (3:4).”

and seven eyes, sent forth into all the earth: The 7 eyes which are the 7 spirits of God sent out into all the earth, Isaiah interprets for us, saying, “And there shall rest upon him a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and might, a spirit of knowledge and reverence; a spirit of fear of God will fill him (11:2-3).” These spirits, that is, spiritual gifts of grace, have been sent to everyone from God, but no one ever received them in the same way as they rested upon Christ in their work among all people. And he grew stronger in word and understanding (Luke 2:40). For the spirits that he himself as God sent from above, these received below as a human being. For He was both a human being and God. sent forth into all the earth: “The Spirit of him who raised Christ from the dead will also vivify our mortal bodies on account of His Spirit who dwells in you (Rom. 8:11).” Since “their sound has gone out into the whole world (Ps. 19:4),” he speaks of the Spirit as “those sent,” calling to mind gifts of the Holy Spirit that have been abundantly spread throughout the entire earth.


5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne. And he came and took the book: The Son of Man is said to have taken the book that is both Testaments, in order to reveal the mysteries of God. out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne: The Son of Man is said to have taken the book from the right hand of God, namely, the economy of the Incarnation, appointed by the Father and by Himself, in that He is God; because both dwell with the Holy Spirit upon the throne. For Christ, Who in His humanity is a Lamb, is also in His deity the right hand of the Father.


5:8 And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures, and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints: And when he had opened the book: That is, the Lord had revealed that both Testaments were fulfilled in Himself. the four living creatures, and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb: That is, the whole Church worships Him in Heaven and on earth.

having every one of them harps: The harps indicate the harmonious divine religious services, hymns, prayer, and a formula of worship in praise of God. and golden vials full of odours: The incense symbolizes the offering of all the nations, for Malachi, speaking in the person of God, says to disobedient Israel, "from the rising of the sun even to the setting my name has been glorified among the Gentiles, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure sacrifice;(Mal. 1:11) predicting by these words the faith of the nations and their bringing of gifts. which are the prayers of saints: These prayers come from the saints in Heaven as well as those on earth. They not only pray with us but also for us. Not only the high priest Christ prays for those who pray sincerely, but also the angels as well as the souls of the saints who have already fallen asleep. The Christian prays in the society of angels, as being already of angelic rank, and he is never out of their holy keeping; and though he pray alone, he has the choir of the saints standing with him in prayer.



5:9 And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; because thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation. The prophets and the saints, all those who were slain on earth for their witness to Jesus, the vast multitude of those who, having come through the great tribulation, have gone before us into the Kingdom, all sing the praise and glory of him who sits on the throne, and of the Lamb. (Rev 18:24; 19:1-8) In communion with them, the Church on earth also sings these songs with faith in the midst of trial. By means of petition and intercession, faith hopes against all hope and gives thanks to the "Father of lights," from whom "every perfect gift" comes down. (Jas 1:17) Thus faith is pure praise. [CCC 2642]

And they sung a new canticle: The prophet says, And he put a new song into my mouth (Ps. 40:3): That is, the most holy proclamation of the New Testament. New is a good description, for no earlier age looked on the Lord’s incarnation with bodily eyes. But for God nothing is new, since before the foundation of the world He knew all the content of divine ordering or management of affairs and events in the world. Thou art worthy, O Lord: That is, to effect the salvation for human beings. to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: That is, to reveal that both Testaments were fulfilled in Himself. because thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood: The Paschal mystery of Christ's cross and Resurrection stands at the center of the Good News that the apostles, and the Church following them, are to proclaim to the world. God's saving plan was accomplished "once for all" by the redemptive death of his Son Jesus Christ (CCC 571). For Christ removed ‘the bond which stood against us with its legal demands, and He nailed it to the wood of His cross,(Col. 2:14)’ paying for our sins by His own death, and with His own blood setting us free from our transgressions. He did this by ‘becoming subject unto death, even the death on the cross (Phil. 2:8),’ and so healing our disobedience. out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation: For he did not acquire redemption for everyone (for many died in unbelief), but only those who were worthy of salvation. This refers to the Church that is gathered from all nations.

5:10 And hast made us to our God a kingdom and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. And hast made us to our God a kingdom and priests: Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of the Church "a kingdom, priests for his God and Father." (Rev 1:6; cf. Rev 5:9-10; 1 Pet 2:5,9) The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly. The faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each according to his own vocation, in Christ's mission as priest, prophet, and king. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation the faithful are "consecrated to be . . . a holy priesthood." (CCC 1546)
and we shall reign on the earth: This is reference to the Church that reigns with Christ on earth 1000 years (figuratively speaking) (Rev. 20) "One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day," (2 Peter 3:8). The saints have reigned with Christ on earth ever since His first coming, and they will until He comes again. The Church could not be called the Kingdom of Heaven right now unless His saints were even now reigning with Him, as can be seen in Matthew, The Son of man shall send His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all offenses (Matt. 13:41). Can He mean out of that kingdom in which are no offenses? Then it must be out of His present kingdom, the Church that reigns, that they are gathered.






5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the ancients; and the number of them was thousands of thousands,


This was not intended to be a specific number for the servants of God, but only indicates a multitude too great for human calculation. These are the thousands and tens of thousands of which we read in the Psalms: "The chariot of God is attended by ten thousands; thousands of them that rejoice. The Lord is among them" (Ps. 67:18).


5:12 Saying with a loud voice: The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and benediction. He receives this authority according to His humanity, not according to His divinity. All things he held or more before the passion as I say, on account of the glory of the body and of that which followed. Therefore, this reception is accepted here for the appearance of those things to the praise and the honor of the name of Christ. The Church also receives these things in Christ, as the Scriptures say, “He has given us all things with Him (Rom. 8:32).”



5:13 And every creature, which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them: I heard all saying: To him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, benediction, and honour, and glory, and power, for ever and ever.

And every creature, which is in heaven: The mention of Heaven means all the angels and saints that are in Heaven.

and on the earth: The mention of earth means all earthly things.

and under the earth: This means the souls in Hades. The souls in Hades still bow to Christ (Phil. 2:10), but not for salvation, it is too late. Christ even went down to Hades and preached to the spirits in there (1Peter 3:19), but as St. John of Damascus says (De Fide Orth. iii): "As He evangelized them who are upon the earth, so also He did to those who were in hell"; not in order to convert unbelievers unto belief, but to put them to shame for their unbelief, since preaching cannot be understood otherwise than as the open manifesting of His Godhead, which was laid bare before them in the lower regions by His descending in power into hell.”

and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them: The mention of the sea refers to all things that swim. I heard all saying: To him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, benediction, and honour, and glory, and power, for ever and ever: From all beings, whether intelligent or sensible, whether living or simply existing in some way, God, as the Creator of all things, is glorified by words proper to their natures. These four qualities are now proclaimed as adoration and thanksgiving in the liturgy of Heaven. I heard all saying: To him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb: In the Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death and the Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the Church can offer the sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in humanity. (CCC1359) benediction: The Greek is eulogia which means “praise.” The Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification. Eucharist means first of all "thanksgiving." The Eucharist is also the sacrifice of praise by which the Church sings the glory of God in the name of all creation. This sacrifice of praise is possible only through Christ: he unites the faithful to his person, to his praise, and to his intercession, so that the sacrifice of praise to the Father is offered through Christ and with him, to be accepted in him. (CCC1360-1361) honour: He is honorable because all things are subject to Him, and He it is who exercises power over all things. And concerning the Eucharist, Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar; he is to be honored with the worship of adoration. "To visit the Blessed Sacrament is . . . a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ our Lord" (Paul VI, MF 66; CCC 1418).

glory: The glorification of His name. Having passed from this world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with him (CCC 1419).

and power: That is, the power of His saving will. Also, because of the power of the Eucharist, Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ increases the communicant's union with the Lord, forgives his venial sins, and preserves him from grave sins. Since receiving this sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity between the communicant and Christ, it also reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ (CCC 1416).


5:14 And the four living creatures said: Amen. And the four and twenty ancients fell down on their faces, and adored him that liveth for ever and ever. The four living creatures and the 24 ancients together signify the fact that through Christ God, Who has joined together that which was separate, and destroyed the middle wall of division (Ephesians 2.14), a single flesh and a single Church has been formed from angels and men. And, together with the four living creatures that make up all heavenly powers and earthly creation, the 24 ancients also, who are the 12 Patriarchs and 12 Apostles, are worthy of the song and the worship of God.





The Apocalypse of St. John Chapter 6

6:1 And I saw that the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures, as it were the voice of thunder, saying: Come, and see. And I saw that the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals: This begins the revealing of the mysteries of the Old Testament that is revealed in the New, and the prophecy that Christ Himself said to be fulfilled in the Gospel (Lk. 4:21). Each seal that is opened reveals a mystery from the Old Testament. The first seal is the mystery of the Church that is made white by grace, and the Lord Jesus as the conqueror over death by His death, and the preaching of the Word that went out and conquered unbelief. Come and see: If anyone thirsts, let him come and drink (Jn. 3:37).” Approach him and you will be illuminated (Ps. 34:5).” “Arise, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will illuminate you (Eph. 5:14).”



6:2 And I saw: and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and there was a crown given him, and he went forth conquering that he might conquer. This horse of the Lord with the bow made ready for war was promised beforehand by Zechariah. “The Lord God will visit his flock, the house of Israel, and he will arrange him as a formidable horse in war, and from him he looked, and from him he arranged the battle order, and from him came the bow in anger, and from him will come out every oppressor (Zec. 10:3-4).”

And I saw: and behold a white horse: The white horse is the Church. Since the Lord presides over the Church, She is made whiter than snow by grace.

and he that sat on him: The rider is Christ.

had a bow: That is, the preached word. Through preachers, the word of the Spirit, as though they were arrows, went out to the hearts of people and conquered their unbelief; for when the hearts of people are pierced, they are able to bear the fruit of faith. And so we read, “Your sharp arrows are very powerful; people fall before you (Ps. 45:5).” and there was a crown given him: The crown was given to Him because by dying He overthrew the reign of death. The crown symbolizes might and victory. and he went forth conquering that he might conquer: Christ was the conqueror, so that He might make a complete defeat over the Devil and death, as the apostle says, “that, through death, he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is to say, the Devil(Heb. 2:14).”



6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature, saying: Come, and see. And when he had opened the second seal: The second seal reveals the mystery of the Church under persecution. For Jesus brought about a kingdom that endured bloodshed and hostility, which was a mystery for many Jews who were following a misguided messianic hope that the Messiah was going to overthrow Israel’s enemies such as the Roman Empire and then establish an earthly kingdom.



6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and to him that sat thereon, it was given that he should take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another, and a great sword was given to him.

And there went out another horse that was red: The “red horse” is symbolic of the shedding of blood of those who suffer for Christ.

and to him that sat thereon: For its rider is the Devil.

it was given that he should take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: This means that with the Devil’s participation and influence, evil people join together and do not cease to provoke among themselves strife and conflict, even unto death. For the Lord said, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom (Matt. 24:7).” For Christ's coming did bring peace to divers nations, but every time evil abounds, the love of many grows old, and many desert the Church and She is persecuted; then wars develop when actions which bring about wars are not hindered by holiness; and when the hostile powers are not restrained by the Saints, and it goes unchecked in the hearts of men, it stirs up nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. and a great sword was given to him: As was spoken by the Lord, “I have not come to bring peace on earth, but a sword (Mt. 10:34).” And by this sword the sacrifices of the martyrs are offered on the Heavenly alter. For in the matter of belief in Christ, the Church was alienated from the world; and therefore was this holy war sent, that an unholy peace might be broken through. Yet it was not Christ who made this division with the sword, but the evil nature of Satan and those who persecute the Church.


6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying: Come, and see. And behold a black horse, and he that sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand. And when he had opened the third seal: The third seal is concerning the binding of the Devil, as mentioned in Rev. 20:3, where he has been prevented from the exercise of his whole power to seduce the nations, whereas before Christ came, Satan exercised his full power to deceive the nations. Where God’s people were limited to one nation, now God’s people are spread abroad, because Satan has been bound, and a “seal was set upon him (Rev. 20:3)”. The third seal also reveals the woe of the Devil after his defeat because of the righteous judgment of the Lord. But even while Satan has been bound, he still has limited power to bring about persecution to the Church and suppresses the light of the Word of God, but the opened seal reveals that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church and the graces of God will not cease through the sacraments.

And behold a black horse: The black horse represents judgment (Job 3:5), sorrow and grief (Jeremiah 8:21 KJV), now that the destruction of the Devil had been achieved by the divine instructions. On this account the Devil is grieving for his release, which has been postponed for so many ages. and he that sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand: The scales are the symbol of justice and righteousness. The scales are the symbol of the righteous judgment of the Lord on our behalf.



6:6 And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying: Two pounds of wheat for a penny, and thrice two pounds of barley for a penny, and see thou hurt not the wine and the oil. Two pounds of wheat for a penny, and thrice two pounds of barley for a penny: The gospel and the teaching is described allegorically by Holy Scripture as “seed,” for it is written in Matthew, “The sower went out to sow (Matt. 13:1),” and again the better-disposed of the slaves said to their lord, “Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds (13:27)?” Some of the seed is wheat, signifying the proclamation of the gospel as being the proper food for mature people, whom “have senses trained to discriminate between good and evil (Heb. 5:14).” What is the barley? It is the teaching according to the Law of Moses, as being ripe feed, more appropriate than wheat for nourishing the infant Israel. Therefore, the speaker, God, in the midst of the four living creatures, saying: Two pounds of wheat for a penny, and thrice two pounds of barley for a penny,” These words symbolize that there was a famine and scarcity among people of that time of teaching both of the gospel of the Lord and of the Law as Scripture says, “I will give them not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the word of the Lord.(Am. 8:11)” Since then even in the churches, that is, in that congregation of peoples and nations, where the Christian name has widely spread, there was, is, and shall be so great abundance of sinners, in great measure, that famine of the Word here is predicted, who by their sins, are strangling from themselves the light of truth. and see thou hurt not the wine and the oil: The wine is to be interpreted as the blood of Christ, and the oil as the anointing of chrism. This is assurance that even though the Church is in the midst of Her enemies, they will never prevail and deprive Her of the sacraments, whereas it is said, “I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18).” The gates of hell are the torments and promises of the persecutors. Also, the evil works of the unbelievers, and vain conversation, are gates of hell, because they show the path of destruction.



6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature, saying: Come, and see. And when he had opened the fourth seal: The fourth seal concerns the spread of heresy, which is a spiritual disease, and leads many to spiritual death. The Devil is the author of death and the pains of Hell. The Devil has used heretics to bring disunity to the Church and lead many people astray, and heretics have used not only confusion of doctrine but also material force to do so. An Old Testament sign or type would be found in 2 Kings, where we have the Kingdom divided, the Northern Kingdom (Israel, with Samaria the capital), and the Southern Kingdom (Judah, with Jerusalem the capital). The Northern Kingdom was established by a rebellion of Jeroboam and ten tribes against the rightful descendent of David, Rehoboam. Consequently, the Northern Kingdom is a rebel, a heretic (heretic means rebel)... it does not belong to the People of God, to the Church of the Old Testament. Of course, they are Hebrews, but they do not belong to the People of God... rather they are rebels against the true and only one People of God, the only one Church of God in the Old Testament. This is the reason why in the Books of Chronicles the Northern Kingdom is not even mentioned, only the Southern Kingdom, the only one People of God. Because the Chronicles are like the Books of Kings but relating to the religious aspect of the People of God. In the whole Bible the Northern Kingdom actually disappears, they are known as "the lost ten tribes".



6:8 And behold a pale horse, and he that sat upon him, his name was Death, and hell followed him. And power was given to him over the four parts of the earth, to kill with sword, with famine, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. And behold a pale horse: The pale horse represents disease (Leviticus 13:49; 14:37), and heresy is a spiritual disease that spreads and infects many. and he that sat upon him, his name was Death, and hell followed him: Death and Hell designates the Devil and the whole company of his angels, for he is the author of death and the pains of Hell. The Devil starts the heresies, and many, who are called heretics, follow the Devil’s schemes that lead people down the road to Hell, because eternal punishment follows those who here are spiritually dead.

And power was given to him over the four parts of the earth: The Latin reads “four parts” and one example would be the heretic Arius, which arose from Alexandria, and reached as far as the Gallic ocean, and pursued the godly, not only with a famine of the word of God, but also as wild beasts, with a material sword. As for 4 parts, St. Augustine says, “For the united Church which cries from the ends of the earth when its heart is in anguish cries from those four regions of the earth which even the Scriptures often mention, that is, from the East and West, from the North and the South. [Sermon 210.6]” to kill with sword, with famine, and with death: This speech is to be understood literal and figurative. For a visible sword is commonly used against the body, while a spiritual sword is used against the soul. Similarly concerning famine, it can mean here either a famine of the Word of God or a famine that affects the body. And likewise concerning death, it can here mean either eternal death that affects souls or that earthly death that concerns bodies.

and with the beasts of the earth: “Beasts” represent the heretics according to Scripture, “I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock . . . Therefore watch, . . (Acts, xx. 28, 29, :31).” “Beware of dogs (Phil. 3:2).” They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent Ps. 140:11



6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. And when he had opened the fifth seal: Here he speaks of the glory of the souls of the saints after the punishment of the body. The slaying of those who hold fast to the Word of God has happened not only in the New Testament but even so in the Old Testament. St. Stephen said, “Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute, who showed before of the coming of the Righteous one? (Acts 7:52)" The Old Testament prophets suffered persecution, according to historical fact, by the people, when the people did not believe their prophecy. Jeremiah suffered, and Isaiah is reported to have been sawn apart by the people (Ascrnsio Isaice. Cf. Orig. Ep. ad Afric. C. 9). Zechariah was slain "between the sanctuary and the altar." The book of Hebrews 11:37 tells us, “They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword.” The souls of all the Old Testament and New Testament saints wait now in Heaven for the full number of all the saints till the end of the age, and looking forward to the resurrection in order to receive a glorified body, and for Divine justice to be served against the dominion of sin.

I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: At present the souls of the saints are under the altar, that is, less exalted than they will be. Therefore their happiness will be greater after the resurrection than after their death. Under the altar is in the secret place of eternal praise.



6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying: How long, O Lord (holy and true) dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? As St. Augustine states (De Serm. Dom. in Monte i, 22), "the martyrs' revenge is the defeat of the kingdom of sin, because they suffered so much while it reigned": or as he says again (QQ. Vet. et Nov. Test. lxviii), "their prayer for revenge is expressed not in words but in their minds, even as the blood of Abel cried from the earth." They rejoice in revenge not for its own sake, but for the sake of Divine justice.



6:11 And white robes were given to every one of them one; and it was said to them, that they should rest for a little time, till their fellow servants, and their brethren, who are to be slain, even as they, should be filled up.

And white robes were given to every one of them one: That is, the glory of the soul was given to each. But those who receive each a single robe are going to receive a double robe on the Day of Judgment. Just as they will rejoice now only in the glory of their soul, they will then rejoice in the double glory of body and soul. and it was said to them, that they should rest for a little time, till their fellow servants, and their brethren, who are to be slain, even as they, should be filled up: The desire of resurrection is not denied, but postponed, that the brethren may be gathered in and multiplied. For the joy of souls itself may also be represented by white robes, when they learn by the revelation of the Lord, that the ungodly are to be condemned at the last, and that even unto the end of the age many are to be joined to their number by martyrdom. Therefore, filled with inner charity, and satisfied with this comfort, they have been willing rather that their own joys should be delayed for the completion of the number of the faithful.



6:12 And I saw, when he had opened the sixth seal, and behold there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair: and the whole moon became as blood: And I saw, when he had opened the sixth seal: This passage offers detailed explanation of the miracles that took place at the cross, and the final tribulation of the world. Scripture, which is inspired by God, can be multivalent (having more than one value) and full of overlapping yet complementary meanings. I personally feel that to put a limitation of an “either/or” to this interpretation of the 6th seal would to leave an unsatisfactory explanation of it. I believe it is “both/and”.

and behold there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair and the whole moon became as blood: Reference to the cross: The vision describes for us the miracles that took place at the cross- the earthquake and the turbulence of the earth (Matt. 27:52), the darkness of the sun (Lk. 23:44), and the changing of the whole moon into blood. Reference to the final persecution: This passage is mentioned by three of the Gospel writers (Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24-25; Luke 21:25), and this indicates that the Church will not be obvious, because many will fall away from the true religion, and clear faith will be obscured by the cloud of unbelief, for the Sun of righteousness will be diminished among the faith of many; For in the last persecutions, the love of this world will shut out the light of the divine Sun;



there was a great earthquake: Reference to the cross: The earth quaked, because it was unequal to contain such a body. Reference to the final persecution: Indeed, throughout the Scriptures “earthquake” often signifies the change of things. The phrase “once again I shake” signifies “the removal of what is shaken,” as the prophet says (Hag. 2:6). And in the Old Testament it is said concerning the crossing of the Israelites from Egypt, “the earth quaked, the heavens poured (Ps. 68:8).” and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair: Reference to the cross: As soon as the Lord of all had been given up to be crucified, the whole framework of the world grieved its rightful Master, and the light was darkened at mid-day, which was a visible signal that the souls of those who crucified Him would suffer darkness. Reference to the final persecution: In this manner is the sun said to become black, when the power of Christ is hidden, or doctrine is masked for a time, or defense is delayed when the impious are allowed to attack the saints. And therefore the prophet says, “Shall you leave this unnoticed, that the impious swallows the righteous (Hab. 1:4)?” and the whole moon became as blood: Reference to the cross: Quite accurately, he added the word ‘whole’ to the moon; for the moon on the day of the crucifixion, and in its fullness it beheld the passion. This is what usually happens in the illuminated part during lunar eclipses. The prophet Joel, too, predicted that this would happen, saying, “The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and wonderful day of the Lord (Joel 2:31).” This no doubt applies to the events of the cross, St. Peter says this is what had already happened, “But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16).” Reference to the final persecution: According to a favorite image of the Church Fathers, the Church is like the moon, all its light reflected from the sun (Christ) (CCC 745). It is usually foretold that the Church will shed more blood for Christ when the great outbreak of persecutions occurs. Therefore, this speaks of Her own blood. So when the light of Christ is darkened, the Church will obviously be darkened, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light (Matt. 24:29).”



6:13 And the stars from heaven fell upon the earth, as the fig tree casteth its green figs when it is shaken by a great wind:

Reference to the cross: This is reference to Satan and the demons being cast from Heaven, which is mentioned in Rev. 12:3-4, And there was seen another sign in heaven. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and on his heads seven diadems. 12:4. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. They were cast out of Heaven because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
From Heaven means from the hearts of those who receive grace from Heaven, as what is meant in John 12:31, Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. Our Lord foresaw that after His passion and glorifying, great nations all over the world would be converted, in who the Devil and the demons was then, but from whose hearts, on their truly renouncing him, he would be cast out. But was he not cast out of the hearts of the righteous men of old? Yes, but that which once took place in a very few persons, was now to take place in whole nations.
Reference to the final persecution: The stars fall from Heaven, and the powers of Heaven shall be shaken, these are the many, who seemed to be shining in God's grace, shall give way to their persecutors, and shall fall, and even the strongest believers shall be shaken.


6:14 And the heaven departed as a book folded up: and every mountain, and the islands were moved out of their places.

And the heaven departed as a book folded up: Reference to the cross: By the heaven he means the heavenly powers of the angels, who themselves, too, were shaken, since they were unable to bear the insult done to their master, and it led to a war that broke out in Heaven, Rev. 12:7-8, And there was a great battle in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought, and his angels. And they prevailed not: neither was their place found any more in heaven. Reference to the final persecution: As a scroll rolled up contains indeed mysteries within, so will it be with the Church. At that time, known only to her own, she will carefully avoid persecution in departure that by such disguise she may remain unperceived by those without. and every mountain, and the islands were moved out of their places: Reference to the cross: He calls the division of the proud demons mountains and islands, according to what Scripture says of them: “the mountains were being moved in the heart of the seas (Ps. 45:3).” Again he says of the islands that they are lifted high and raised up(Is. 23:2-6) by the vain madness of their attitude in the unstable and bitter distractions of this life. They were moved out of their places indicates that they fell from the heavenly rank to an earthly rank. Reference to the final persecution: The Church is also symbolized in the mountains and in the islands, for She is a “city set on a hill (Matt. 5:14) on account of “the mountains round about (Ps. 125:2).” And we read, “also among the islands of the sea is the name of the Lord God of Israel (Is. 24:15)” which foretells that driven by persecution She will be moved from Her place.



6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and tribunes, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of mountains:

And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and tribunes, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman, and every freeman: They are every persons of every level and condition who stubbornly rejects God. hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of mountains: This hiding themselves in dens is simply figurative speech that symbolizes their attempts to escape the guilt of their sins. “But there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known (Lk. 12:3).”



6:16 And they say to the mountains and the rocks: Fall upon us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb:

This indicates that they will have self denial and a false hope that the worldly dominions will hide their guilt, or because some in the multitude of their sins, and excess of carelessness, abuse God's mercy, and say, “There is no hell, no punishment; God remits us all our sins.”



6:17 For the great day of their wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?

He surely will be able to stand in that day who has now taken care to be watchful, to stand in the faith, to act humbly. But if you refer this earthquake literally to the Day of Judgment itself, it is no marvel if the kings and princes of the earth are then afraid, and seeks the refuge of the holy hills. For so, in the rich man clothed in purple and the poor Lazarus, we read that it has already taken place.