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On Revelation

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Revelation 7:14
Therefore, he says that these are the ones who come out of the great tribulation; for the righteous did not only endure a considerable struggle but also a very great one under the dominion of the Antichrist.

And it says that they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; indeed, it was more fitting for the robes dyed in blood to become crimson rather than white. How then have they become white? Because baptism, which is accomplished through the death of the Lord, as it seems to the most wise Paul (Rom. 6:3), acts as a cleanser of all impurity arising from sin, rendering those who are baptized in it white and pure.

But also the partaking of the life-giving blood of Christ grants this: for the Lord says that it is poured out for many and for the forgiveness of many concerning His own blood. (Matt. 26:28)

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 7:15
These, therefore, worship God forever; and God dwells among them. One of the saints said that the dwelling of God is the unceasing remembrance of Him that remains in the souls of the saints; therefore, God reasonably dwells there. They worship Him day and night.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 7:16
They will hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; for previously, those from the nations came through every kind of trial. But now they will be satisfied with the countless blessings.

Nor will the sun strike them anymore, he says. The temptation of the sun is interpreted in various ways in the Holy Scripture; in one instance, the prophet says that "the sun will not harm you by day, nor will the moon by night," (Ps. 120:6) while in another, the evangelist writes that when the sun shone, it dried up the seeds that had sprouted in the rocky ground (Matt. 13:5), interpreting the sun as a temptation.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 7:17
He therefore says in the present passage that no trial would harm them any longer; for they are deemed worthy by Christ to be shepherded and to be nourished at the springs of living water.

And God says He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. For those who have therefore lived and struggled with gentleness owe no useless tears, nor "weeping or gnashing of teeth," (Matt. 13:42, 50; 24:51) but all things are good and extraordinary.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:1

Perhaps someone who is very meticulous might analyze what has been said and say to me: Oh you, what are you doing? Have you perhaps forgotten what was said in the prologues of this Revelation? For it was also said that the first voice I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things." (Rev. 4:1) And you have become a narrator to us of things not yet come to pass but already happened, recounting the birth of the Lord, the temptation, the teachings and divine signs, the lashes and bonds and the wounds inflicted by Pilate, the cross and the death, and the resurrection and the ascent, or rather, the return to Heaven. To this I would say: most certainly you have heard, my friend, and some of the things that will happen, whenever we recount the righteous among the nations together with Israel around the divine throne, and those who exist with the Lord. And now you also hear in the breaking of the seventh seal. For the one who said to the evangelist, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after…

Perhaps someone who is very meticulous might analyze what has been said and say to me: Oh you, what are you doing? Have you perhaps forgotten what was said in the prologues of this Revelation? For it was also said that the first voice I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things." (Rev. 4:1) And you have become a narrator to us of things not yet come to pass but already happened, recounting the birth of the Lord, the temptation, the teachings and divine signs, the lashes and bonds and the wounds inflicted by Pilate, the cross and the death, and the resurrection and the ascent, or rather, the return to Heaven. To this I would say: most certainly you have heard, my friend, and some of the things that will happen, whenever we recount the righteous among the nations together with Israel around the divine throne, and those who exist with the Lord.

And now you also hear in the breaking of the seventh seal. For the one who said to the evangelist, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things," (Rev. 4:1) did not remove from him the ability to see anything that had happened before, but along with those, he also revealed what was to come. Therefore, listen.

The breaking of the seventh seal has accomplished for us the most perfect glory; for no longer is the release from sins and the turning back to God and from God to us as before, but rather the indescribable blessings: to be called children of God, "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ," (Rom. 8:17) brothers and friends and children of Christ, to reign with Him (2 Tim. 2:12) and to be glorified together, (Rom. 8:17) and "what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the heart of man, these good things." (1 Cor. 2:9) What then is the breaking of the seventh seal? It is the second coming of the Lord and the restoration of all good things. For although some are delivered to punishment for their sins, the purpose of Christ and the foundation of the Incarnation is that all become heirs of His kingdom.

Therefore, when the seventh seal was broken, it is said that there was silence for about half an hour, as the King of creation was about to come, and all angelic and supernatural powers were overwhelmed by the surpassing glory of the One arriving, and for this reason, there was silence.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:2
Then it is said that seven trumpets were given to the seven angels so that they might sound them as a king takes his place. With these same trumpets, the dead were also about to be awakened; for the wise apostle to the Thessalonians, writing about divine matters, says in the first epistle that "the Lord Himself will descend with a command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God." (1 Thess. 4:16)

And again, he says, "for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible." (1 Cor. 15:52)

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:3
The altar is said to be incense [λιβανωτὸν], as it receives the incense. When Christ appeared, as a kind of first fruits and precious offering, the prayers of the saints are presented to Him by the angels who oversee us. These prayers are naturally fragrant and become even more fragrant through the cooperation of the holy angels.

Therefore, it has been said that much incense offerings was given to him. Indeed, it was given by God as a clear sign to entrust humans to the angels and to make their prayers welcome. Those who receive it grant a fragrant aroma to the prayers of the saints.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:4
And it is said that the smoke of the incense rises in the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel. Do you see that the prayers of the saints became more fragrant before God through the angel?

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:5
Then the divine angel took the censer, filled it with the fire of God, and threw it to the earth; and there were voices, sounds of thunder, lightning flashes, and an earthquake. Perhaps one of the angels cast this divine fire upon Mount Sinai, and there were sounds of thunder, voices, trumpets, flashes of lightning, and the mountain was covered with smoke as God descended upon it. Just as then the thunder and the signs preceded, so now these things have preceded the glorious coming of the Lord.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:6
Then the angels also sounded trumpets, signaling the presence of God (Ex. 19:16-19); for even then the trumpets sounded loudly.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:7

Of the righteous, having been deemed worthy of the blessed end [λήξεως], as it is said to me concerning the release of the sixth seal at the fulfilment, like those who are also caught up before the Lord's coming in the clouds, into the air so that they may meet the coming Lord according to the testimony of the apostle presented to me there (1 Thess. 4:17), the vision then proceeds to the end of the rest of humanity and to the punishment of sinners. When a complete defeat is about to occur, various forms of death and the punishment of the impious will inevitably follow; most of these will be brought about by fire, for on that day fire is destined to reveal itself, as the divine apostle wrote to the Corinthians in his first epistle. (1 Cor. 3:13) For if there are many abodes of rest, as the Lord says (Jn. 14:2), and different places of punishment, the same trumpets that bring death to those on earth will also afterward awaken the dead. What then does it mean when the first angel sounded the trumpet, and hail and fire are cast down upon the earth? One who considers this literally will…

Of the righteous, having been deemed worthy of the blessed end [λήξεως], as it is said to me concerning the release of the sixth seal at the fulfilment, like those who are also caught up before the Lord's coming in the clouds, into the air so that they may meet the coming Lord according to the testimony of the apostle presented to me there (1 Thess. 4:17), the vision then proceeds to the end of the rest of humanity and to the punishment of sinners. When a complete defeat is about to occur, various forms of death and the punishment of the impious will inevitably follow; most of these will be brought about by fire, for on that day fire is destined to reveal itself, as the divine apostle wrote to the Corinthians in his first epistle. (1 Cor. 3:13) For if there are many abodes of rest, as the Lord says (Jn. 14:2), and different places of punishment, the same trumpets that bring death to those on earth will also afterward awaken the dead.

What then does it mean when the first angel sounded the trumpet, and hail and fire are cast down upon the earth? One who considers this literally will not stray from the correct interpretation; and if one understands it figuratively, nothing inappropriate will be said. The fire in this context signifies destruction and deep suffering; it represents the pain of sinners who see the saints "caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord," (1 Thess. 4:17) while they themselves remain on earth dishonored and deemed unworthy of any consideration.

For the word metaphorically refers to sinners as trees and grass burning, because of their folly, and the insensibility of the soul, which is wooden and suitable for burning.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:8-9

The divine apostle writes to the Romans, saying: "that creation was subjected to futility, not willingly but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself will be set free from the bondage of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Rom. 8:20-21) But when will it be freed? When there will be "new heavens and a new earth according to His promises," as Peter proclaims to us, writing in his second epistle. (2 Peter 3:13) In order for the earth, when it is renewed, to be freed from corruption and to become new, it is necessary that the sea also undergo this transformation; for the sea is within the earth. And how could it be purified itself, except through the cleansing of fire? Therefore, fire having fallen into it, it transformed the sea into blood, and killed a third of those within it. This, then, in relation to the letter and the perceptible, you might also conceive of as the sea, both by analogy and according to the laws of transformation, representing the present life because of the turmoil within it and the varied distractions; and f…

The divine apostle writes to the Romans, saying: "that creation was subjected to futility, not willingly but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself will be set free from the bondage of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (Rom. 8:20-21)

But when will it be freed? When there will be "new heavens and a new earth according to His promises," as Peter proclaims to us, writing in his second epistle. (2 Peter 3:13) In order for the earth, when it is renewed, to be freed from corruption and to become new, it is necessary that the sea also undergo this transformation; for the sea is within the earth. And how could it be purified itself, except through the cleansing of fire? Therefore, fire having fallen into it, it transformed the sea into blood, and killed a third of those within it. This, then, in relation to the letter and the perceptible, you might also conceive of as the sea, both by analogy and according to the laws of transformation, representing the present life because of the turmoil within it and the varied distractions; and fish and ships, symbolizing people immersed in the salty and bitter mud of sins, who, overwhelmed by sorrows, will ultimately fall into fruitless regrets over the lives they have lived.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:10
I believe this refers to the falling of the star, which, having angered God, made the waters bitter.

Waters are metaphorically called humans, as stated by the prophet regarding "the sounds of many waters; the wonders of the sea's waves are marvelous," (Ps. 92:4) and again "the rivers lifted up their voices, saying, Lord, the rivers lifted up their voices; the rivers lifted up their waves." (Ps. 92:3) These things are to be understood as a form of allegorical speech. However, it must not be disregarded that such events and similar ones occur perceptibly.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:11
Naomi, who long ago suffered many afflictions concerning her children and other misfortunes, was called Bitter. (Ruth 1:20) Bitterness serves as a symbol of the remaining extraordinary hardships. This bitterness is what we sinners experienced at that time, becoming bitter over the glory of the saints, because, indeed, although such good things were prepared for humanity, we ourselves exchanged the present for what was to come.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:12

We have been taught by Joel the prophet that "the sun" will turn "into darkness, and the moon into blood before the coming of the day of the Lord, the great and glorious day." (Joel 2:31) This will happen when all these things take place. And Peter said in the second of his epistles: "The day of the Lord will come like a thief, during which the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved by fire." (2 Peter 3:10) But the Lord himself, according to Matthew (24:29), says that "immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven." These things are now also taught through Revelation to occur at the end of the present age. But what does it mean that not all things on the earth, and in the sea and rivers, and also the elements in the heavens mentioned, will endure suffering, but only a third of them? This too is a precise demonstration of God's love for humanity, calling to repentance those people then living who are affected partially, not all the elements; and…

We have been taught by Joel the prophet that "the sun" will turn "into darkness, and the moon into blood before the coming of the day of the Lord, the great and glorious day." (Joel 2:31) This will happen when all these things take place. And Peter said in the second of his epistles: "The day of the Lord will come like a thief, during which the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved by fire." (2 Peter 3:10) But the Lord himself, according to Matthew (24:29), says that "immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven."

These things are now also taught through Revelation to occur at the end of the present age. But what does it mean that not all things on the earth, and in the sea and rivers, and also the elements in the heavens mentioned, will endure suffering, but only a third of them? This too is a precise demonstration of God's love for humanity, calling to repentance those people then living who are affected partially, not all the elements; and for those who do not turn back, it brings about total destruction thereafter. Such a thing the prophet also says: "he made a path by his anger, not sparing their souls from death." (Ps. 78:50) For the partial and gradual manifestation of God's wrath, as if proceeding along a road, is a door opened by repentance, calling people through the fear of what is happening to change their minds. But if this does not advance among them, he does not spare their souls from death.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 8:13
The eagle soaring at midday, lamenting over the calamities on the earth, may be understood as a divine messenger sympathizing with the affliction of humanity.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 9:1
Until now, the vision has been describing to us the manner and the kinds of plagues by which the completion is brought about, alternating both those on the earth and in the sky, and with them, the people. But now, as if the completion has already occurred and the resurrection has taken place, it recounts the punishments against the sinners.

He says, "I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth", calling the star an angel of God who descended to the earth because of its brightness. For in it will be the judgment of the sinners, in a certain place that one of the holy prophets named "the Valley of Jehoshaphat." (Joel 3:2)

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 9:2
And it was said to him, "You are given the key to the shaft of the abyss". The shaft of the abyss is called Gehenna.

Therefore, "smoke rose from the shaft", like the smoke of a great fire burning in the shaft. Indeed, the "smoke" signifies not only fire but also darkness; "for the voice of the Lord interrupting the flame of fire," (Ps. 29:7) as spoken by the prophet, is interpreted by the saints as the ending of the illuminating fire from the Gehenna's fire, leaving only the burning fire together with darkness within it.

And it is said that "the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke" of the pit; not that these elements themselves were darkened, but that those cast into the pit, filled with "darkness" due to punishment, have the "air" and the "sun" unseen. For therefore one of the holy prophets also said: "The sun will be darkened at midday," (Amos 8:9) referring to the calamities of the Jews, not to the darkening of the sun itself, but to those suffering in tribulation who do not see the sun; for the magnitude of calamities is accustomed to be filled with darkness.

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 9:3
And from the smoke "locusts came out onto the earth". I believe the term "locusts" [ἀκρίδες] refers to worms, about which Isaiah says: "Their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched," (Isa. 66:24; Mark 9:48) possibly calling the worm the biting of the soul and the relentless and creeping pain.

And it was said that "they were given authority", just "as the scorpions of the earth have authority".

Commentary on Revelation
Revelation 9:4

And it was said to them "that they should not harm the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, except for the" humans alone, "who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads", because the earth is undergoing a renewal. For it is said somewhere that "if you send forth your spirit, they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth." (Ps. 104:30) It was no longer good to strike any of the creatures that inhabit the earth, neither "tree" nor any of the growing things, except only the humans; and among the humans, "those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads". For among the humans, some are entirely holy and pure, having taken possession of the space mentioned earlier, always united with Christ, and beholding the divine throne. Yet they are nevertheless holy, having been baptized, and bearing the sign of Christ "on their foreheads", and not entirely despairing, though they have deeply defiled themselves by the absurdity of their actions; but, because of their baptism, as if being somewhat intermediate, they remain on earth in both virtue and v…

And it was said to them "that they should not harm the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, except for the" humans alone, "who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads", because the earth is undergoing a renewal. For it is said somewhere that "if you send forth your spirit, they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth." (Ps. 104:30) It was no longer good to strike any of the creatures that inhabit the earth, neither "tree" nor any of the growing things, except only the humans; and among the humans, "those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads".

For among the humans, some are entirely holy and pure, having taken possession of the space mentioned earlier, always united with Christ, and beholding the divine throne. Yet they are nevertheless holy, having been baptized, and bearing the sign of Christ "on their foreheads", and not entirely despairing, though they have deeply defiled themselves by the absurdity of their actions; but, because of their baptism, as if being somewhat intermediate, they remain on earth in both virtue and vice, yet unpunished. For if this were not so, how could those who are well-disposed manage the entrusted resources? It has been said by the Lord, "He who has authority over ten cities," and another "over five cities." (Luke 19:17, 19.) As those who are about to rule the less capable, and yet the rulers remain completely unpunished. For who would choose to rule if they were to be punished and relentlessly hear the gnashing of teeth, and the inconsolable weeping (not of the holy ones, I do not say, but not even of ordinary people who nonetheless sympathize) unless he himself were also about to suffer similarly to those being punished for the sake of those under his care?

The third fate of humans is indeed handed over to punishment, being sinners and impious, and not accepting the faith of Christ. Therefore, it is said that these people are struck; for they are not sealed with "the seal of God."

Commentary on Revelation