Apringius of Beja — Commentary on Scripture

Revelation 21:13

It says that the gates are divided into four groups: “on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.” This signifies that the four parts of the world have accepted the mystery of the Trinity. That the names of the patriarchs are inscribed demonstrates that the ancient faith has been fulfilled.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:13

Revelation 21:15

The wall of fire surrounding it is the Lord, as we have already said. The golden measuring rod is the faith concerning the Lord’s incarnation, for on account of its purity and sinlessness his body is revealed to be clearer and more brilliant than any metal. He alone is the one through whom the measure of the faith and the integrity of the holy city is established, and he only is recognized as the measure of its gates and the height of its wall.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:15

Revelation 21:16

[The city is foursquare], that is, it persists in the faith of the fourfold gospel. It is said that its length is the same as its breadth, so that one might see that in its faith there is nothing disproportionate, nothing that has been added, and nothing that has been taken away.… He measured the city with his rod, which we understand to be the body of Christ, and it was twelve stadia. For the faith in Christ and the integrity of the holy people is recognized by means of these twelve stadia, that is, by means of the teaching of the apostles and the faith of the ancient fathers. “For the length and the breadth were the same.” All things are equal, for nothing is found in the saints that is superfluous or that comes from the outside, nor is anything inferior found within them.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:16

Revelation 21:17

We ought to regard the measure to be in the wall itself, for the wall of this city is our Lord Jesus Christ. That it was measured by the measure of a man indicates that the assumed man serves for the protection of the saints and as a guarantee of all bliss. This measure of a man is said to be that of an angel because he is himself the angel of the covenant of whom it is said, “He will suddenly come to his temple, whom you seek, indeed the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire.” And again it is said, “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Let us see what mystery is contained in the fact that its height is measured to be 144 cubits. One hundred, composed of ten tens, passes to the right side, and from this it is shown that the complete fullness of the saints and all righteousness that is perfected in the fulfillment of the Decalogue and the prophecy of the gospel is blessedly held at the right hand of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, the forty-four when divided into four tens and the remaining four ones indicates similarly th…

We ought to regard the measure to be in the wall itself, for the wall of this city is our Lord Jesus Christ. That it was measured by the measure of a man indicates that the assumed man serves for the protection of the saints and as a guarantee of all bliss. This measure of a man is said to be that of an angel because he is himself the angel of the covenant of whom it is said, “He will suddenly come to his temple, whom you seek, indeed the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire.” And again it is said, “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Let us see what mystery is contained in the fact that its height is measured to be 144 cubits. One hundred, composed of ten tens, passes to the right side, and from this it is shown that the complete fullness of the saints and all righteousness that is perfected in the fulfillment of the Decalogue and the prophecy of the gospel is blessedly held at the right hand of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, the forty-four when divided into four tens and the remaining four ones indicates similarly that the fourfold truth of the gospel and the perfection of every heavenly doctrine remains by his power. Moreover, the number twenty-four itself is the sum of two equal parts so that it might show that the fullness of the ancient law and the power of the gospel rest in him and come from him. We know that this is a figure of the apostles of the Lamb and of the patriarchs and is the very image of the twenty-four elders. This number [i.e., twenty-four] multiplied six times teaches that in the six days of this present week in which the world exists, the entire congregation and multitude of the saints is included, even as in our Lord Jesus Christ there is every perfection and [in him] the full righteousness of all the saints is shown to be safeguarded.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:17

Revelation 21:18

Jasper glimmers with a certain faint greenness and so shows the modest face of virginity. This is so that you might understand that our Lord Jesus Christ is joined to every building of the city and that that body taken from the flesh of the Virgin rises up for the protection of the whole wall. “The city itself was pure gold, pure as glass.” In this most pure gold, which is purified by the heat of fire and so is proven, we perceive the chorus of the saints who have been tested in the furnace of suffering and by the heat of temptation and so have been made pure through the power of the Lord. They are compared with pure glass to indicate the transparent and pure brightness of the holiness that is in them.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:18

Revelation 21:19-20

These foundations of the city are understood to be the apostolic faith and the preaching of the apostles, upon which our Lord Jesus Christ constructs his city. For he who is the Foundation of foundations is himself the builder who upon the faith in his own most blessed name builds the holy church, which consists of those who were the very first and of those who follow after them until the end of the world, which is unknown to us. The various precious stones signify the apostles because in each of them shine the gifts and miracles that belong to the Holy Spirit. Moreover, that the brightness of the unified light is seen within them indicates that what shines outward from them never ceases to exist within.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:19

Revelation 21:21

It is one thing to speak of each of the pearls; it is another thing to speak of the one pearl from which they come. For when it speaks of each pearl, it is shown that in each pearl one pearl is shining forth and that this one pearl is our Lord Jesus Christ. And when the pearls are related to a single pearl, we are taught that the apostolic teaching possesses already the light of righteousness that it has received from him. Just as Christ is the door, so also [the apostles] are the doors through which we are taught and enter into the faith.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:21

Revelation 21:21

These words reveal the difference of merit that exists within the very beatitude of the saints. For above it was said that the entirety of the city was like pure gold, clear as glass. [Now it says that] “the streets of the city are pure gold, transparent as glass.” These are the saints of the city that are of lesser merit. Nonetheless, gathered together into one congregation, it is indicated that they do not shine with a lesser light.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:21

Revelation 21:22

God established the temple so that the people gathered within the walls of the temple might call upon him whom neither the world nor the temple can contain. In this way their minds might obtain through the work of faith what cannot be seen of God. However, where he openly manifests himself to the faithful there a temple is neither desired nor existent, for he who sanctifies the temple is known in the sight of all.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:22

Revelation 21:23

What an image there is in these words, that the city, which has no need of a temple, has no need of the brightness of the heavenly luminaries! And what is the reason for this? Because the glory of God gives it light. The glory of God, that is, the presence of his majesty, about which it is said, “We shall see him as he is.” Therefore, why would those who shall see God have need of sun or moon?

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:23

Revelation 21:24

By the light, the Lamb is clearly shown to be the [city’s] lamp, and the kings and the nations will walk in his light. The prophet knew this and said, “In your light we shall see light.” The apostle also spoke concerning this light: “The night is far gone, the day is at hand.” The Evangelist also writes in a similar way: “The life was the light of men, and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” This is to say, what the nature of our weakness had concealed and what the shadow of our humanity had rendered dark was made clear by the assumption of the Lord’s body. And while God, who is light, inhabits the lot of our flesh, he enlightens the whole by the greatness of his glory. For this reason the honor and the glory of the kings and the nations are given to him, because all have been made glorious through him, and the darkness of night shall not overcome his faithful, whom the presence of the Lamb and the Word of the ineffable, unbegotten Father illuminate.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:24-26

Revelation 21:27

It is true that no one enters into that communion of the saints who either refuses to be cleansed of former sin and from the guilt of their parents, or having become filthy after purification refused to be cleansed by the washing of humility and the shedding of tears. Indeed, Judas committed such an abomination, and so does a heretic who worships God deceitfully. However, those are said to enter who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, namely, those whom the heart of a true faith and a firm hope embrace.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21:27

Revelation 22:1

The living water is the Lord Jesus Christ. Of this water he spoke to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God and who it was who says to you, ‘give me to drink,’ you would rather ask from him, and he would give to you the living water.” [He was speaking of] the knowledge of his deity and the fullness of a holy faith. For concerning him it is said, “For with you is the fountain of life.” For they are buried [with him] through baptism, as the apostle says: “For we have been buried with him by baptism into death.” Therefore, the living water which is like crystal and is perfectly clear is the washing of the holy font and the resulting brightness of most blessed faith. It is said to flow from the throne of God and the Lamb because the cleansing is from him, life is from him, and all righteousness and holiness of baptism flows from and proceeds from him.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 22:1

Revelation 22:2

Concerning wisdom it is said, “She proclaims outside; she raises her voice in the streets, and she cries out on the top of the walls.” And should anyone refuse to come to the marriage of the king, she commands her servants and says, “Go to the streets and byways and invite whomever you meet to the wedding, that my house might be filled.” This water of salvation and the cleansing of grace is described as flowing in the streets.… The two banks of the river are the two Testaments in which the fullness of our salvation is written down. There is the tree of life. There is told [the story] of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the tree of life: “Through him we live, move, and have our being.” The leaves are his words; they are of use for the health of all nations. The twelve months are the apostles of the Lord, because the Lord himself is the “favorable year of forgiveness.” These are the twelve months, each bringing to the many the fruit of unending preaching out of an abundance of knowledge.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 22:2

Revelation 22:3

There will be [in that city] nothing accursed, that is, no temptation will approach, no profane sin shall be recorded through the rashness of the envious one. Rather, in its midst will be the rule of the divine power and of the Lamb. All will serve him with the exaltation of that city’s happiness. They shall rejoice in the vision of his face and in the sweetness of his presence, and they shall bear his name engraved in the sign of his cross on their foreheads.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 22:3-4

Revelation 22:5

Neither the night of sin nor the darkness of unrighteousness will ever appear again. Nor in that bliss will they [the saints] live by the words of any teacher; nor established in such a fullness will they require the light of another’s understanding. The Lord himself will give them great understanding and wisdom, for all knowledge that is desired is revealed in the brightness of his countenance. And they shall reign in all wisdom and truth.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 22:5

Revelation 22:6

What is so faithful and true as the promise of Christ and the future hope of the saints? He who spoke through his servants, the prophets, did so that he might be recognized as the Lord of the living and be called “the Spirit of the Lord.” For the Spirit is life, and all flesh is made alive by the Spirit.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 22:6-7

Revelation 22:7

By the messenger of truth the Lord himself reveals directly “to his servants what must soon take place.” And unless anyone be in doubt about the expectation of the end, he indicates that what is to happen will happen quickly and that he is blessed who keeps the words of the prophets.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 22:6-7

Revelation 22:8

John, the most blessed of the apostles, says that when he heard [these words] he was overcome with fright by the power of the words and the magnitude of the vision and fell to the ground because of this. And he says that he was prostrate that he might adore the angel of truth “who showed these things to me.”

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 22:8

Revelation 22:9

Since there is no pride in the servant nor any vanity in the saints, [the angel] immediately exhorts him [not to worship him].… The angel proclaims that nothing is equal to the Creator, and he declares that nothing can be offered to another that is owed to the Lord God only.

TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 22:9