Primasius of Hadrumetum

In his own words on Revelation

• Revelation 1:13

  "And I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands was one like a son of man." He saw Christ who rather often desires to be called by this name. He who is the enclothed Christ is the seven lampstands themselves. Whether the seven lampstands or the seven stars, both refer to the church.… On account of the exalted nature of the divine discourse, on occasion the genus cannot be described clearly, because it is more easily seen than expressed.… So also in this passage, among the seven lampstands he is describing the church in the Son of man. "For," the apostle says, "the two shall become one flesh, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." As I said above, the genus is clarified through various species.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 1:12

• Revelation 2:10

  These words pertain to the entire church. For also the apostle teaches this when he speaks of Adam and says, "Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor." And thereupon he indicated the church by moving to figurative speech, saying, "She will be saved through the bearing of sons, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with modesty." No one believes that this is spoken of a woman who is dead, and not rather of the church of Christ.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 2:10

• Revelation 2:10

  "Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation." These words are fitting for the universal church, against whom the devil is always waging war with unavoidable hostilities. And for this reason the course of the present life is signified by the ten days, since in the Decalogue there exists in brief form a summary of the law. For here are the required divine commandments where there is need for continence. For this reason also the Lord said, "Agree with your accuser," that is, the law, "while you are with him in the way of this age." In this way he indicates the entire time when, with the law instructing you, there is conflict against the manifold allurements of desire, so that when the five physical senses are subdued through the grace of God, victory is achieved. And when duplicated on account of the twofold sexes, the five senses become ten.I also think that the ten days may be interpreted as the total course of this life in which there will never fail to be a threefold temptation for the faithful. For "the life of man upon the earth is a trial," and this is so as the seven days pass by and continue to pass by until the whole time of the present life is unfolded. The devil was permitted to bring this temptation even upon our Lord Jesus Christ as the head of the church. This spiritual battle of the church of Christ is further indicated in the figure of a woman who is in struggle. For the Lord said to the serpent, "I will put enmity between you and the woman. She will watch your head, and you will lie in wait for her heel." It is, therefore, clearly recognized that in this age, which is completed in the course of seven days, the church of Christ is subjected to various trials. These receive their most powerful and principal expression in the three sins, in the passion of fleshly desire and the unrestrained gluttony of forbidden excesses. The enemy attempted to deceive the Lord by way of bread, as though he were a second Adam, since he had given the first Adam a draught of death when he persuaded him to taste what was forbidden to humankind. And so by rendering the first Adam a captive to the belly, he intended to bind him in addiction also to other desires of the flesh. And the enemy was also allowed to attack the Lord with the temptation to vainglory when he exhorted him to throw himself headlong from the pinnacle of the temple, adding the witness of the psalm which says, "He has given his angels charge over you" and the following. And just as the enemy had deceived the first man with the suggestion, "You shall be like gods knowing good and evil," so he exhorted the Lord to throw himself down incautiously out of the desire to display the deity which he had laid aside. And the enemy tempts also a third time through which it is indicated that greed for the glory of earthly kingdoms and the pomp of worldly wealth must be condemned. When this threefold temptation is added to the times of this life, which are indicated by the seven days, the number ten is fulfilled, and for this reason it is said, "for ten days you will have tribulation."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 2:10

• Revelation 2:11

  "He who conquers shall not be hurt by the second death." Having eaten of the forbidden tree, [Adam] procured this [death] for posterity. However, watering the tree of the cross by the water and blood which flowed from the holy place of his side, Christ caused the firstfruits of salvation to sprout up where he knew the original evil had arisen, saying, "Rejoice, I have overcome the world." Thus, if anyone conquers, he will conquer in him.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 2:11

• Revelation 2:16

  "You also have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and war against you with the sword of my mouth." He speaks of a sword. … The sword is the commandments of both Testaments by which the contemptuous are spiritually overcome. "For those who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 2:16

• Revelation 2:17

  "And I will give him a white stone," that is, the adoption of the sons of God. This stone is a precious gem and may be understood as similar to that pearl that the merchant found and valued as equal to all his possessions which he sold. Another translation renders this as "pearl." "And upon the stone is a new name," that is, the name of Christian, for which reason we read, "And you shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will give." And besides baptism I mention also martyrdom, "which no one knows except him who receives it." Although hypocrites seem to bear the name superficially, they are unable to enter the power of its meaning, "having the form of religion but denying the power of it." Therefore, the same John says, "He who says that he knows him but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 2:17

• Revelation 2:21

  The bed here is to be understood as that security which sinners often promise to themselves when they have committed disgraceful crimes with impunity. That is, sinners at times do not experience the vengeance of present wrath and so neglect penance until sudden destruction comes upon them like the pain of childbirth and they are not able to escape. They are said to be given over by God to this neglectfulness that this security produces, for they are abandoned to a hidden, although not unjust, judgment. We read of such security also elsewhere: "The little ones are killed by their turning away, and the prosperity of the foolish will destroy them." Another translation renders "mourning" for "bed," whereby is designated the eternal misery that awaits those who do not repent from their works.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 2:22

• Revelation 3:7

  The secrets of the divine law are disclosed to the faithful by the power of Christ alone, and they are closed to the unbelievers. However, when he loosens, no one shuts, and when he binds, no one loosens.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 3:7

• Revelation 3:8

  He shows the reason why the church has merited these gifts: because she does not have confidence in her own powers but in the power of Christ the king. And confessing that she has but little power, she is glorified, having been redeemed not in herself but in the Lord.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 3:8

• Revelation 3:14

  "He who is the Amen says these words, the faithful and true witness." We must consider the meaning here of "is" and "Amen." The term amen is certainly said to mean "true" or "faithful." And so, in this passage without question it refers to that essence of the divinity of which God spoke when he said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 'He who is has sent me to you.' " For he truly is, who is always the same.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 3:14

• Revelation 3:14

  Since in the person of the one Christ humanity is said to have been assumed, he says, "who is the beginning of the creation of God." It is appropriate to regard the Lord Christ as the beginning of God's creation because of the mystery of the incarnation. From his person we read, "The Lord created me as a beginning of his ways." And the apostle said, "Since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest," and following. For he himself is the Way, who is the fatherland, he himself the Author of faith, who is also its fulfiller, he himself both alpha and omega, he himself the beginning whom no ones precedes, he himself the end whom no one succeeds as ruler.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 3:14

• Revelation 3:15-16

  In this passage we recognize persons of nobility in the world, whom he says are neither hot nor cold but lukewarm, because, although they possess an abundance of wealth, they are empty of works of piety, nor are they inflamed by any feeling of compassion toward good works. They are therefore [considered] as poor, said to be neither cold nor hot, for they abound in riches which they use tepidly and so become sluggish, and by not sharing those riches with the needy are rightly regarded as lacking in the desire for good works. But this passage may also refer to those persons who interpret the Scriptures in private while outside it is not known whether they are faithful and being confident in their literary knowledge, they are found to be empty of works.… Now they may purchase gold for themselves, of which he says, "Receive wisdom as gold and knowledge like chosen silver." And, should they be able to derive something from the sources of the divine Scriptures, as though illumined by the light of wisdom; they might perfect it by works themselves, either the former enkindled by the depths of piety through the largess of their wealth, or the latter informed spiritually through their knowledge of the Scriptures.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 3:15-16

• Revelation 3:17-18

  He regards those as "naked" who are destitute of the works of righteousness, whom he also regards as "blind." However, he is clothed with white garments who is vested with the baptism of Christ, and he enjoys that faith "working through love," for "as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." When he says that the eyes must be anointed with salve, he advises that the heart be directed toward the divine testimonies. For "the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 3:18

• Revelation 4:1

  This is, therefore, the voice of prophecy of which it is said, "Lift up your voice like a trumpet." One has gone up and ascended who, having despised the world, is either compelled to come to the church or obtains admission to her. He ascends from the valley of tears to the height of that dignity of which we read, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways." However, the faithful are also invited to ascend to heaven when they are commanded to seek and to taste what is in heaven and not what is upon the earth. For when a neophyte 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 contemplate 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," wishing this touching to be understood as belief.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4:1

• Revelation 4:3

  Since the rainbow was given as a sign of safety after the flood, it is now suitably used as a sign of the church's reconciliation to God. For when the storm clouds are irradiated by the splendor of the sun, they produce the form of a rainbow. In comparison to this, when the souls of the saints are illumined by the Sun of righteousness, which is Christ, his deity deigns to be reconciled by their intercession.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4:2-3

• Revelation 4:5

  These seven lamps are the seven spirits of God. Even if he had not explained it, we would have properly understood these seven lamps to represent the Holy Spirit. For we know that at the beginning he had illuminated the apostles in the form of fiery tongues, and [we are aware] of his sevenfold operation. How much more clear is it, when now he himself adds, "which are the seven spirits of God." But where is the Holy Spirit more properly said to be present than at the time of baptism, when we believe that each one of the faithful have properly received him.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4:5

• Revelation 4:5

  In the voices and thunder 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." And again: "The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind, and your lightning illumined the whole world." For, as though from the clouds, the world, trembling by the thunderous commandments and astonishing miracles, was brought to fear and made to believe.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4:5

• Revelation 4:6-7

  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," from whose tribe kings are accustomed to be set over the people. "And the second animal was 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," 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 sons" and possesses "this treasure in clay vessels," 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" and who said, "Learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart." "The fourth animal was like a flying eagle." The celestial 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 two Testaments.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4:7

• Revelation 4:6

  The sea of glass refers to baptism, where "it is believed with the heart unto justification, and there is confession with the mouth unto salvation." And it is likened to glass because of faith. For in glass there is nothing to be seen on the outside than what is true on the inside. Nor is it without reason that baptism is said to be in the presence of the throne, lest heretics believe that they possess this or can bestow this outside [the church]. As so it says that [baptism is] in the presence of the throne, just as we read what was said to Moses, "The place is near me," or as God himself exhorted in Deuteronomy, "In the place which the Lord your God chooses, to make his name present there." We know that by all these passages the indivisible unity of the church is declared, where the Trinity may be received by baptism unto salvation, while the one who receives [baptism] outside [the church] is born to destruction. The gift of baptism is not evil but becomes evil when one to whom it is given makes evil use of it, just as was the morsel which was extended to Judas by the hand of the Lord.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4:6

• Revelation 4:8

  Everywhere diffused in its individual members and in those who profess [the faith], the church ceaselessly praises God by word and deed in times of difficulty and in times of prosperity, and she does this throughout a variety of cities, regions, provinces, languages and peoples. Nor does she cease to praise the Lord day and night, while that perpetual praise continues that is given by those rational creatures in the heavens, in the Jerusalem above, after whose likeness the pilgrim church rejoices to be formed.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4:8

• Revelation 4:10

  When the animals resound with praise, that is, when the Evangelists preach and celebrate the dispensation of Christ, … the twenty-four elders, that is, the whole church, that is, the leaders and people immediately fall on their faces and adore him who lives forever and ever.… By casting their crowns before the throne, they are ascribing to God whatever they possess of virtue and dignity. For whatever good we seek and acquire by right is attributed to him from whom he who conquers receives assistance. A figure of this action occurred in the Gospel when the people, going before the Lord, cast their garments and palm branches on the road before him, saying, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4:10

• Revelation 5:1

  The book is in the right hand because it is in Christ, for he is the arm of God, he is the right hand of the Father, or it means that it was in the highest blessedness. The book written on the inside and the 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 apostle speaks to the Hebrews of this: "For you have not come to what may be touched, a fire, a storm, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice with words whose hearers entreated that no further word be given to them, for they could not bear what was said," and the following. However, now "comparing spiritual things with spiritual things, we do not contemplate what is seen but what is not seen, for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are unseen are eternal." And therefore one book is mentioned, since the New Testament cannot be without the Old, nor the Old without the New. For the Old Testament is the messenger and the veil of the New, while the New is the fulfillment and revelation of the Old. And because the Old Testament was on the outside, it neither disclosed everything nor did it conceal everything. Or, to express this more clearly, every dispensation of the Savior that is either promised or enacted in either Testament is collected here in this book.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:1

• Revelation 5:3

  When it says that no one in heaven was found worthy, it indicates that [opening the scroll] exceeded the capacities of the angels. This was not because they were ignorant of the future mystery of the Lord's incarnation and work but because this was not to be completed through an angelic creature. For the Son of God, who through the assumption of true humanity was going to redeem humanity, wishes to fulfill all things through himself. Therefore Isaiah said, "Neither an angel nor a messenger but the Lord himself saved them." When it says that no one on the earth was worthy, it means that no one of the just remains perfect in this life, for in order to be re-created man requires the assistance of him who alone is Creator. And that no one could be found under the earth means that no one among the saints who had died was found worthy to open the scroll or even to see it. Here "to see" means "to comprehend," and therefore Paul says that he preaches the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles of which the Lord spoke, that is, the glory of the New Testament that was hidden in the law and that Christ reserved for his own presence. And so, no one was able to see this with an adequate sight, so that he might be able to effect it, since Christ had the power to fulfill it by his own dispensation. For [this glory] could only be foreseen by them, but it could not be effected.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:3

• Revelation 5:4

  It was the church that wept in John's weeping, for she is weighed down with the burden of sins and beseeches her own redemption, which was shown to exist in the opening of this book.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:4

• Revelation 5:7

  The Son of man is said to have received the book from the right hand of God as both the dispensation from the Father and an arrangement from himself, for each reigns upon the throne with the Holy Spirit. And also here we ought understand the right hand to represent the blessedness of the victory. Nor ought it be understood in a fleshly manner as though he received the book from another hand of the Father, since the self-same is Son of the Father and the self-same the right hand [of God]. But since he who said, "Rejoice, for I have overcome the world," always conquers in those who belong to him, he also makes his own church to exist as a conqueror, and it is declared of her that she receives the book.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:7

• Revelation 5:8

  The bowls that are accepted by God are the pious confession in which no one is hidden with a duplicitous heart but is rather sincere with an open affection. They are also the golden vessels that are in the great house, burning with the sweetness of the pleasant odor of Christ. Moreover, the prayers of the saints are the grateful deeds of those who rejoice over the salvation of the world and their intercessions for the wellbeing of the helpless. [The apostle] says, "Christ suffered for us, leaving for us an example that we should walk in his footsteps." When, therefore, "those who belong to Christ crucify their own flesh with its passions and desires," it is as though they are playing to Christ on harps, so that what he has done for them, they might do for him, "looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:8

• Revelation 5:9-10

  Christ wrote a new song by the harmonious truth of both Testaments. This he did when he, remaining the Word which was in the beginning, was born by a new sort of birth through the Virgin. This he did when he as God put on man in a new manner. This he did when he gave himself over to his killers by his own power. This he did when he was wondrously made alive from the dead and when at a time of his own choosing was ascended beyond the heavens. And this new song he bestowed upon all those who belong to the church which he acquired, that it might be sung continually, and that in this [the church] might rest secure as it awaits in hope the coming judge, that "we might walk in the newness of life." As he said, "If any one wishes to be my disciple, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 5:9

• Revelation 6:1

  He said, "I heard one of the four animals say, 'Come and see.' " This one animal is the whole church preaching with a great voice and inviting the church to greater faith, "Come and see!" "If anyone thirsts, let him come and drink." "Approach him and you will be illuminated." "Arise, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will illuminate you."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:1

• Revelation 6:2

  This white horse can be understood as the church of truth, represented in the persons of the apostles and preachers, which was made whiter than snow by grace. The rider upon the horse is Christ. Therefore, it was said to him through the prophet, "For you mounted your horses and your army is salvation." For the same reason he is said to hold an arrow. An arrow is aptly compared with the preaching of the Word of God, 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." The crown indicates the reward rightly given to preachers.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:2

• Revelation 6:3

  The same words of exhortation to "come and see" are repeated, but for a different reason. The white horse is portrayed as good, but the red horse is portrayed as evil. Just as in regard to the good, joy is promised for the church's victory, so here there is a warning against evil from a foreknowledge of the future.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:3

• Revelation 6:6

  I think that the different numbers of one and three are mentioned on account of the diversity of personal habitations. In the one denarius is indicated eternal life that is common to all even though [they live] among many mansions. And if one is there regarded as more sublime than another according to merits or is given a greater reward, yet no one is thought to be preeminent in comparison with another. For where there is a single immortality to each, there a common eternity exists for all. So also in the wine and oil he prohibits the dishonoring of the power of the sacraments, since that is the chrismation and the precious blood. Therefore we read, "What does he have which is good and beautiful, unless it be the fruit of the elect and producing virgins as wine." And in the psalm: "Wine gladdens the heart of man, and his face is made cheerful in oil."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:6, HOMILY 5

• Revelation 6:10

  This ought not be understood in a carnal manner, as though they were inflamed by animosity and wished revenge. We know that we are to love our enemies through an abundance of love, but it is manifest that they prayed against the kingdom of sin and were praying out of a desire for that kind of kingdom for which we say, "Thy kingdom come!"

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:10

• Revelation 6:11

  We believe that this was revealed to them by the knowledge of divine wisdom, that since the impious will inevitably be punished with eternal punishment and since the fountain of heavenly grace will flow forth unto the end of the world, many will until then be taken into the company of the holy martyrs. And when they received this response, they were filled with an inexpressible joy, which we believe is aptly symbolized by the white robes. Therefore, each one received a white robe, so that through the perfection of love that is poured out into the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit, they might be content with this consolation and prefer rather to wait for the completion of the number of other brothers.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:11

• Revelation 7:9

  By the robes he suggests baptism, and by the palms the triumph of the cross. Since they have conquered the world in Christ, it may be that the robes signify the love which is given through the Holy Spirit.… They are said to carry palm branches in their hands. "In their hands" indicates either their perseverance in good works—we read here, "The Lord made strong his arm for a good work," and "With my hands at night I was before him, and I was not deceived"13—or it indicates that power which they received so that they might become sons of God, as is said of Joseph, "And the Lord had placed all things in his hand," that is, into his power.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:9

• Revelation 7:9

  By the sign of the sacred number he signifies the multitude of the elect, "whom God foreknew and predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son." For those who come from the nations are made to be Israel and so by right are called sons of Abraham, not by flesh but by faith in that seed which is Christ, the cornerstone, of whom the apostle said, "He is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in the place of two, and so make peace, and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:9

• Revelation 7:10

  They were confessing with a "loud voice," that is, with a deep devotion and unceasing praise. "Upon the throne," that is, the Father and the Son reign in the Church, with the Holy Spirit ruling equally with them. There is here such an order to the words, "To our God and to the Lamb who sits upon the throne belongs salvation." We find a similar manner of speaking in the Gospel, "That they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." This is as though he said, "That they might know you and Jesus Christ whom you have sent, the one true God." In the one throne is indicated the power of one nature. However, in the name of the Lamb the personal character of the Father and the Son is designated, just as when the Holy Spirit is alone named, the Father and the Son are there also to be understood. For we read in the Acts of the Apostles, "Take heed to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers," and it immediately adds, "to rule the church of God which he obtained by his own blood." Now, we know that no one has poured out their blood for us except the person of Christ. And so it is sufficiently clear that whenever one alone is named, the entire Trinity is to be understood.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:10

• Revelation 7:11-12

  Whatever this multitude might be, by expressing these names he indicates the universal church.… Through the naming of these seven virtues, we are exhorted to inquire after the reason why he named those things here in which God desires his church to participate. It is for this reason, that when these [virtues] are given to God in praise, they might confess that they have received each of them from him. For we ought not consider that God alone is capable of the [virtues] named here, but that he has found them worthy also to give to the faithful. We rejoice that the church of Christ is allowed to participate in all of these good things: blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might. It does not mention omnipotence or majesty or eternity, for God alone always rightly possesses these things. But in these seven we recognize all those virtues that could be granted to the faithful from him who gave them power to become sons of God. And so, if we have acquired any of these good things, we shall know with certainly that we have them by the generosity of God.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:11-12

• Revelation 7:13

  This one elder represents either the body of the prophets or the church. It depicts the leaders teaching the other members of the future reward for which the laborers might hope, just as the apostle spoke of the gospel, "In it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith," that is, from the faith of those who preach, for the faith of those who hear.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:13-14

• Revelation 7:14

  When it says that a number of the faithful had come out of the great tribulation, what else is indicated except what we read elsewhere, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Therefore, the apostle also said, "Brothers, let us not grow weary, for in due time we shall reap." It is through the endurance of struggles that the number of the faithful are sifted out, just as by the weight of the press oil is prepared with diligent care and grain that is to be stored in a barn is collected through the threshing machine. That they wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb reveals their reward, so that the labor of the aforementioned struggle might be endured with equinimity. And he rightly adds that they made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. It is as though he said that the robes that some had befouled after the grace of baptism through neglect, ignorance or contempt, these had made white in the blood of the Lamb, that is, in the grace of Christ, or even in undergoing martyrdom. This reward is to be assigned especially to those in the church who have spilled their blood for Christ and have returned the robe of baptism with a greater brilliance by a better service of blood. But if this grace is to refer to all the faithful generally, we must finally conclude that if anyone is cleansed by the font of his Lord, is fed by his flesh and is enflamed by the call of the Spirit, he is in this manner made white as snow. For there are those who are proven to be martyrs before God by their inner character, even though they are not martyrs by way of a public act.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:13-14

• Revelation 7:15

  Before the throne of God is the church, in whose "heart he has placed ways to go up in the valley of tears to a place which he has established." They serve him day and night, that is, in times of prosperity and in times of adversity. They are regarded as a "temple" who are said to serve in the temple, just as [they are regarded as] a throne. Therefore, it continues, "And he who sits upon the throne will dwell among them." The soul of the righteous is the seat of wisdom. However, wisdom is Christ, and Christ is truly God.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7:15

• Revelation 8:8

  The burning mountain cast into the sea is the devil, who was sent against the peoples. A third part of the sea became blood. By "blood" he means the wisdom of the flesh, which is hostile to God. For this reason it is said that through such wisdom the human soul is destroyed. And so the apostle said, "To be wise according to the flesh is death, for flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 8:8-9

• Revelation 8:10

  It speaks of men who have fallen from heaven as though from the church, that is, of those who have the public reputation of shining brightly with good merits. For that reason they are compared to stars and torches, as did the apostle Jude, who called them "stars of seduction," since they lead astray by a superficial splendor. And the Lord also compared such people with walls and "whitewashed tombs."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 8.2.10-11

• Revelation 8:11

  Since the ruin of those who are great often confuses many, it says that the star fell upon part of the rivers and fountains, and that its name was Wormwood because of its great bitterness. We know that many are weakened by the fall of such persons and are corrupted by an evil imitation of their teaching. [The star] is rightly compared with wormwood, since a small amount of bitterness, when mixed with that which is sweet, will make the whole bitter. Elsewhere the Scriptures make the same point: "I planted you as a chosen vine; how did you turn into the bitterness of the vine of another?"

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 8:10-11

• Revelation 8:13

  He speaks of an eagle that moves through the heavens in swift flight out of contempt for the earth. He speaks of the church flying in mid-heaven, for she is going to possess the whole world, and she says, "Our abode is in the heavens." And he rightly says that she was "in the middle," for "all who are around him offer gifts," and God works his way in the midst and "works salvation in the midst of the earth," and "the Lord is round about his people."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 8:13

• Revelation 9:1

  The abyss and the pit are people who are hiding places for error, that is, they hide iniquity in their hearts even though they are in the church.… I think that they receive this key to the pit, and through it they open the poisons of their hearts and, once made manifest, burst forth into the open. For, as the apostle says, "There must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized." Whenever error arises, the truth is preached all the more, and as the integrity of the faith is being defended, that deceptive falsehood that had been hidden for such a long time is at the right time uncovered. For schismatics and heretics frequently arise from those who have fallen, and of these the church truly speaks in the Song of Songs, "The sons of my mother fought against me."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:1

• Revelation 9:3

  The "locusts" signify those who come forth from the smoke. For, like smoke, the heretics desire to rise high, since by their teachings they strive for positions of eminence, yet, again like smoke, they are dissipated. We read of this smoke, for in the person of those who are evil it was said, "Smoke is the breath in our nostrils, and reason is the sparks for moving our heart." When the impious are said to strive by sin against wisdom, that is, against the Lord Jesus Christ, they are also described as fighting against his church, harming it by their malicious mouth, while they are hindered from harming the green grass and trees.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:3

• Revelation 9:4

  By "grass" he refers to those small ones who are content with the milk of the Christian faith. By "green vegetation" he refers to those who have begun to live according to the virtues and who are moving not toward dryness but toward a fruitful fertility. By "trees" he refers to those persons in the church who already give spiritual thanks by the production of fruit. Of the first kind, the small ones, we read, "Who spread out the earth upon the waters," that is, baptism. Of the second type, we read, "It shall rejoice in its drops when it comes forth." And concerning the third kind we read, "I am like a fruitful olive tree in the house of the Lord." The number of the elect is perfected from all of these kinds of persons, which the bite of the locusts cannot harm, except for those who do not have the sign of God upon their foreheads. For the apostle says, "For not all have faith." By such persons, it says, the sun will be darkened, however not extinguished, for although with the increase of iniquity the love of many will grow cold, "God's firm foundation stands," as it is written, "having this seal, 'The Lord knows who are his,' and 'Let every one who calls upon the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.' "

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:1-4

• Revelation 9:7-8

  By the locusts prepared as horses for war he means those who originate evil teachings. For just as locusts which destroy by their mouth, so also these persons tear asunder by their preaching. It is as we read, "fierce wolves not sparing the flock." Moreover, they are like horses running around aimlessly and so destroy in such a war many whom they lead astray.… And if false doctrine is indicated by the mouth, by the hair of women he aptly describes their effeminate morals and their souls that are open to seduction. And so the apostle says, "These are those who make their way into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and swayed by various impulses." By these images he suggests both leaders and those whom they have led astray, so that he shows them to be not only deceitful in their faith but also hateful in their morals. The historical record shows that some of both sexes exhibit [these characteristics]. For women gave their support to many heretics, such as Priscilla and Maximilla to Montanus and Lucilla to Donatus.… It is natural for the teeth of lions not only to mangle but also to give off a natural stench. And since [the heretics] run around like horses to acquire for themselves fleeting fame as preachers, their opinion is rightly regarded as a stench. For in a good sense the apostle said, "We are the good aroma of Christ." This bad odor, therefore, is derived from their evil doctrine and is by comparison like the odor of a lion's mouth.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:7-8

• Revelation 9:9-10

  [The noise of their wings was like the sound of chariots] signifies that the few who were in the lead as the horses have now been multiplied in the chariots [that follow]. This suggests either an increase in the diversity of new opinions or the increase in the number of those who have been led astray. Moreover, they rush into battle because the preachers of error rebel against the truth and fight against unity. The apostle described such persons in a similar fashion, "As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith," and following. … [That they had power in their tails] reminds us of what Isaiah wrote, "The elder and the honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches falsehood is the tail, and those who bless my people will lead them astray, and those who are blessed have fallen." It is clear from this that these persons wish to rule that which every saint and teacher of the truth desires at all costs to avoid, namely, the glory of the world and the error of a destructive preaching. That they have power in their tails for five months indicates again the present life where falsehood can be strong and can either capture the useless or torment the spiritual for a short period of time.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:9-10

• Revelation 9:11

  ["As king they have over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is 'Armageddon,' whose name in Greek is 'Apollion,' and whose name in Latin is 'Exterminans.' "] Although God is supremely good, by hidden yet just judgments he nevertheless allows an angel suitable for such persons to rule over them. For a person is awarded as servant to the one who conquered him. And so the apostle said that they had been handed over "to every wicked deception because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore, God sends upon them a strong delusion that they might believe what is false and that all who did not believe the truth but consented to iniquity might be condemned." The kind of work he did, therefore, was befitting to the character of his name, that is, the "exterminator."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:11

• Revelation 9:15

  "The four angels were released" indicates the beginning of the persecution.… He indicates by an apt expression the four times during which the persecution will be continuing, that is, [he indicates] three years and six months. He said "for the hour, the day, the month, and the year," since a day is gradually filled with hours, and months with days, and finally years with months. It says that they were "prepared" in order to indicate the character of the devil and his angels. For they entangle themselves in ongoing hostilities against the church and constantly desire to do it harm. However, divine power restrains them, lest they wreak havoc as much as they want. Rightly did he previously say that the locusts were similar to horses arrayed for battle, for now when he says that the angels were loosed, he says that he saw horses.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:15

• Revelation 9:16

  "The number of that cavalry was eighty thousand." … He again uses different ways to suggest the whole body of evil persons. Here it says eighty thousand. Just as through the perfection of the number six, he signifies for us the form of sixty good people, so that we read "there were sixty queens," so sometimes the number eighty is used in a bad sense. [Eighty] arises from that which is fourfold, on account of the four well-known qualities of the body—cold and heat, moisture and dryness—or on account of the four passions that often vex humans in life—dread, desire, pain and joy. When these four are doubled because of the two sexes, they become eight. This number similarly increasing by way of tens makes eighty, and in some way this shows that portion of evil persons who as cavalry fight against the body of Christ, which is the church. Therefore, that verse continued, "there are eighty concubines," as though they were not united by a legitimate union but by a fraudulent one. And this is characteristic of all heresies that lay hold of the sacraments of faith for a time while they are clothed in the name of Christ. Yet just like concubines who do not remain permanently in the home, they desire to profit from the name of Christ by gaining influence or advantage or authority or human praise.… Tyconius comments upon another translation, "And the number of soldiers was twice ten thousand times ten thousand." … It seems to us that also in this translation the portion of the people of perdition are aptly indicated. For twice ten thousand is twenty thousand, and this is the number which the Lord in the Gospel placed against the king who had ten thousand, so that, as it were, the duplicity of those who are evil opposes the simplicity of the Christians.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:16

• Revelation 9:17

  The horses are men, and their riders are evil spirits. Just as we could say in a good sense "You mounted upon your horses," referring to preachers, "and your victorious cavalry," so here in an evil sense [these horses] are joined to iniquitous spirits.… And although little similarity can be found between locusts and horses, the same is true concerning lions. Yet each of these is suitable for symbolizing the persons of heretics.… The description of the breastplate signifies the punishments of the impious, for we read that those who worship the beast are promised fire and sulphur, and "the smoke of their torments goes up for ever and ever."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 9:17

• Revelation 10:1

  He sees the Lord Christ coming down from heaven dressed in a cloud, which is the church. Or, he is clothed by the cloud of his flesh, which is elsewhere said to be a new bride who descends from heaven, or as Daniel says, the Son of man has come on the clouds of the heavens. The arc above his head represents the promise of propitiation, which remains among those who are good, but it signifies also those who will be decorated with martyrdom before the advent of the Lord, as Abel and others.… And his face was as the sun, since the Lord Jesus Christ was made manifest through the glory of the resurrection, of which we read, "In the sun he has set his tabernacle," that is, where he is revealed so that he might no longer be hidden. For by his face is indicated the revelation of the present, which the prophet awaited and said, "Show your face, and we shall be saved." His feet are the apostles who were enflamed by the words of God and by the Holy Spirit and were sent out to preach. As it says, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road and opened to us the Scriptures?" They are called "pillars" on account of the stability of the church, and of them the prophet said, "I have strengthened its pillars," and "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet which announce and declare peace." Finally, the apostle said, "Who [Peter, James, John] were reputed to be pillars of the church."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10:1

• Revelation 10:2

  If earlier the deep secrets of the Old Testament were recognized to have been hidden in the sealed book, it is appropriate that the revealed grace of the New Testament is believed to be disclosed here in the opened book. Therefore, the apostle confidently says, "And we, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from glory to glory, as though by the Spirit of the Lord." Indeed, this is why his face is said to shine like the sun. Moreover, the right foot upon the sea represents those members who are strong so that they might suffer the attacks of persecution.… The left foot upon the land represents those who are not exposed to the greater dangers. For God does not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able, but with temptation [he] provides also a way, so that we might endure. It is certain, nonetheless, that the proclamation is extended by way of land and sea.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10:2

• Revelation 10:3

  [The loud voice] indicates that through his servants he was proclaimed faithfully and with strength. As the prophet says, "And he made firm the glory of his strength." "When he called out, the seven thunders sounded." Because of the known use of the number seven, I think that the seven thunders signify the various manners of the church's preaching. The apostle Paul spoke of this concerning his service to others, "As babes in Christ, I fed you with milk, not solid food," however to others, "solid food is for the perfect," yet also to others, "avoid the heretical man after the first and second admonition." Therefore, the church is said to proclaim rightly through its usual offices of preaching.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10:3

• Revelation 10:8

  The voice from heaven is the command of God, who breathes into the heart of the church and orders her to receive from the open book that which the church is to preach before the future peace. For it seems to us that to accept the open book from the hand of the angel is to understand the truth of the law and the prophets, which has been made manifest in Christ. And for that reason it says that [the church] should take the open book, which is no longer, as above, the sealed [book]. "For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness for everyone who believes." Christ, who is the truth, wished then to be born from the earth, that is, from Mary, when "Righteousness looked down from heaven." That is why I think that it is said, "I heard a voice from heaven speaking with me," just as [Christ] himself said, "I am the Beginning who is also speaking to you."

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10:8

• Revelation 10:9-10

  [I told the angel to give me the book.] The church is moved by divine inspiration to be thoroughly instructed about this mystery. "And he said, 'Take and eat it.' " This means that he was to store [the book] in his secret inward parts. "And it will be bitter to your stomach but sweet as honey in your mouth." This means that when you receive it, you will be delighted by the sweetness of the divine speech and by the hope of the promised salvation and by the sweetness of the divine justice; however, you will then sense bitterness when you begin to preach this to the pious and to the impious. For when the preaching of the divine judgment is heard, some are turned by the bitterness of penance and are changed for the better, while others are offended and become yet more hardened and bear a bitter hatred toward the preachers. "Reprove a wise man, and he will love you; refute a foolish man, and he will hate you." But the preacher takes in bitterness from either of these two persons. For he either sheds tears with the penitents out of a feeling of compassion, or he is tormented by the bitterness that comes from their failure. For this reason the apostle said, "I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart; for I wished that I myself were accursed from Christ for the sake of my brothers." But I think it more apt that the bitterness mentioned here be attributed to the impious alone and the sweetness to the pious. For the spiritual person can say, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey and the honeycomb to my mouth!"

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10:9

• Revelation 11:1-2

  He commands that the teaching of a false faith and the contagion of a sinful way of life among the heretics, Jews and Gentiles be expelled, for it is not right that such persons approach the holy of holies. For the apostle says, "What have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside whom you are to judge?" When all the Jews, heretics, and Gentiles incessantly attack the church by all means available, it is as though they are trampling upon the church. The number of the months signifies not only the time of the last persecution but also the entire time of Christianity. For there are six ages of the world and seven days by which all time moves by passing away and returning. Six times seven makes forty-two, and I believe that the passage refers to both of these [numbers].

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 11:2

• Revelation 11:3

  While he had said that "you must prophesy again," here it is that "I will grant to my two witnesses and they will prophesy." As there he spoke of John, here of the two witnesses, that is, of the church that preaches and prophesies on the basis of the two Testaments. There is another interpretation. The Truth proposes that there are two kinds of witness. On the one hand, there is the witness by way of one's manner and character. This witness occurs in the heart and is known to God alone, also when there is but minimal approval during times of suffering. On the other hand, there is the witness by way of deed, which is accomplished publicly in the view of all when the opportunity of persecution arises. For sometimes witness seems to fail the soul, while at other times the soul in some seems to fail the witness. Therefore, the blessed Cyprian said, "The first title to victory is for him who has fallen at the hands of the Gentiles confessing the Lord; the second step to glory is to make a cautious withdrawal and then to keep himself for God. The one is a public confession; the other private. The former conquers the judge of the world; the latter satisfied with God as his judge guards a conscience pure by integrity of heart." But the point is also very clearly demonstrated in the two sons of Zebedee. James, who was killed by Herod, is accounted a martyr because of his public confession, while his brother, John the Evangelist, is crowned because of his secret witness [as one who was] with Jesus. Moreover, it is clear that earlier the Lord had said to both, "You will drink my cup." That is, one would give witness by way of deed, the other by way of his manner and practice. They are clothed in sackcloth. This means that they were both established in confession, for the humility of confession is characteristic to both kinds of witness.

  COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 11:3