Beda Venerabilis Explanatio Apocalypsis; Book I

The translation cited here can be found in Rev. Edward Marshall's book The Explanation of the Apocalypse by Venerable Beda. Contents

1. Chapter 1
T.!"#$ T" T#E EVE$ %#&R%#E 1 The revelation of !esus %hrist. The pro'ress with which the %hurch that had been founded by the Apostles was to be extended( or the end with which it was to be perfected( had need to be revealed( in order to stren'then the preachers of the faith a'ainst the opposition of the world. And !ohn( in his own )anner( refers the 'lory of the on to the *ather( and testifies that !esus %hrist has received fro) +od. shortly. That is( which are to happen to the %hurch in the present ti)e. si'nified. #e wrapped up this revelation in )ystical words( that it )i'ht not be )anifested to all( and beco)e li'htly estee)ed. an'el. *or an an'el appeared to !ohn in the for) of %hrist( as will be seen )ore clearly in that which follows. !ohn. That throu'h !ohn #e )i'ht lay open to all #is servants the thin's which he( by the privile'e of a peculiar chastity( obtained above all others to behold.
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testi)ony. That thou )ayest not doubt of the person of !ohn( he is the sa)e who 'ave testi)ony to the eternal -ord of +od incarnate( accordin' as he saw( sayin'( .-hose 'lory we saw( the 'lory as of the only/be'otten of the *ather.. Blessed. Teachers and hearers are therefore blessed( because they who keep the -ord of +od find that a short ti)e of labour is followed by everlastin' 0oys. seven. By these seven churches he writes to every church( for universality is wont to be denoted by the nu)ber seven( in that all the ti)e of this a'e is evolved fro) seven days. +race. +race he desires for us( and peace fro) +od( the eternal *ather( and fro) the sevenfold pirit( and fro) !esus %hrist( -ho 'ave testi)ony to the *ather in #is 1ncarnation. #e na)es the on in the third place( as he was to speak further of #i). #e na)es #i) also the last in order( as #e is the first and the last2 for #e had already na)ed #i) in the *ather by sayin'( .-ho was to co)e..

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the first/be'otten. This is the sa)e that the Apostle says( .-e have seen !esus %hrist for the sufferin' of 5 death crowned with 'lory and honour.. And in another place( in settin' forth the reproach of the cross( he added( .-herefore also +od hi'hly exalted #i)( and 'ave #i) the $a)e which is above every na)e.. priests. Because the 5in' of kin's and heavenly 6riest united us unto #is own body by offerin' #i)self for us( there is not one of the saints who has not spiritually the office of priesthood( in that he is a )e)ber of the eternal 6riest.

1 t. !ohn i.,7 2 #eb. ii. 8. 3 6hilip. ii.8

co)eth. #e -ho was concealed( when at the first #e ca)e to be 0ud'ed( will be )anifested at the ti)e when #e shall co)e to 0ud'e. #e )entions this( that the %hurch which is now oppressed by ene)ies( but is then to rei'n with %hrist( )ay be stren'thened for the endurance of sufferin's. pierced. -hen they see #i) as a !ud'e with power( in the sa)e for) in which they pierced #i) as the least of all( they will )ourn for the)selves with a repentance that is too late. A)en. By interposin' an A)en( he confir)s that without doubt that will happen( which( by the revelation of +od( he knows )ost surely is to co)e to pass. !

and . #e is the be'innin' -ho) no one precedes( the end -ho) no one succeeds in #is kin'do). -ho is. #e had said this sa)e thin' of the *ather( for +od the *ather ca)e( as #e also is to co)e( in the on.

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1 !ohn. #e indicates the person( the place( and the reason of the vision2 and he also testifies that he saw this in the spirit( lest he should be supposed to have been deluded by fleshly apparition. 6at)os. 1t is a well/known story that !ohn was banished to this island by the E)peror 9o)itian for the +ospel's sake( and it was fitly 'iven hi) to penetrate the secrets of heaven( at a ti)e when it was denied hi) to 'o beyond a certain spot on earth.

the >ord's day. #e indicates also a fit ti)e for a spiritual vision( for cripture is wont to express the reason of thin's in ter)s( as( fre?uently( of the place( or the body( or the air( and in like )anner( the ti)e. < The An'els( na)ely( visit Abraha) at noon( odo) in the evenin'2 Ada) after )idday was afraid at the = 1 voice of the >ord( walkin' up and down2 and olo)on received at ni'ht the wisdo) which it was not to # be his to retain. heard. #e is first ad)onished by a voice( that he )ay direct his attention to the vision.
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seven churches. The %hurch of %hrist was not at the ti)e in these places alone( but all fulness is co)prised in the nu)ber seven. Asia( which is interpreted elevation( denotes the proud exaltation of the world in which the %hurch is so0ournin'( and( as is the )ethod of the divine )ystery( the 'enus is contained in the species. *or the Apostle 6aul also writes to seven churches( but not to the sa)e as t. !ohn. And althou'h these seven churches are a sevenfold fi'ure of the whole %hurch( still the thin's which he bla)es( or praises( ca)e to pass in the) one by one. turned. #ere the fi'ure of the %hurch is beautifully represented( as holdin' forth the li'ht of divine love in the bri'htness of a chaste breast( accordin' to that which the >ord saith( .>et your loins be 'irt( and your la)ps burnin'.. And he denotes its perfection within and without by the two parts of the nu)ber seven2 and the individual )e)bers of it( consistin' of the four ?ualities of the body( .love the >ord their +od with all their heart( with all their soul( and with all their stren'th..

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on of Man. #e )eans that he is like the on of )an when #e had overco)e death( and had ascended into heaven. *or .Althou'h we knew %hrist after the flesh( yet henceforth know we #i) no )ore.. And it is well said( .in the )idst(. for .All.( he says, .who are round about #i) shall offer 'ifts..

4 Euseb.(Hist.Eccl.,.iii.c.34. 5 +en. xviii.1. 6 +en.xix.1. 7 +en.iii.= 8 4 5in's A1 A.V.B iii.112 3 %hron. i.11. 9 t. >uke xii. 4:. 10 3 %or. v. ,; 11 6s. lxxv. 13 Alxxvi. 11( A.V.B. 12 Eph. iv. 4

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'ar)ent. .6roderis(. which is called in >atin( .tunica talaris(. and is a sacerdotal vest)ent( shews the priesthood of %hrist( by which #e offered #i)self for us( as a victi) to the *ather( upon the altar of the cross. 'irdle. By the .paps. he here )eans the two Testa)ents( with which #e feeds the body of the saints in co))union with #i)self. *or the 'olden 'irdle is the choir of saints( which cleaves to the >ord in har)onious love( and e)braces the Testa)ents( .keepin'(. as the Apostle says ( .the unity of the pirit in the bond of peace..

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white. The anti?uity and eternity of )a0esty are represented by whiteness on the head( to which all the chief ones adhere( as hairs( who( because of the sheep which are to be on the ri'ht hand are white( like wool( and because of the innu)erable )ultitude of the white/robed and the elect( who co)e forth fro) heaven( are 'listerin' like snow. eyes. The eyes of the >ord are preachers( who( with spiritual fire( brin' li'ht to the faithful( and to the unbelievin' a consu)in' fla)e.

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feet. By the .fiery feet. he )eans the %hurch of the last ti)e( which is to be searched and proved by severe afflictions. *or orichalcu) is brass( which by )uch fire and various in'redients( is brou'ht to the 7 1 colour of 'old. Another translation, which renders it, "like orichalcum of Lebanon," signifies 5 that in Juda( of which >ebanon is a )ountain( the %hurch will be persecuted( and especially at the last. The te)ple also fre?uently received the na)e of >ebanon( as there is said to it( ."pen( " >ebanon( thy 'ates( and let the fire devour thy cedars.. voice. The voice of confession, and preaching, and praise does not resound in Juda alone, but among many peoples.
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ri'ht hand. 1n the ri'ht hand of %hrist is the spiritual %hurch. ."n Thy ri'ht hand(. he says( .stood the ?ueen in a vesture of 'old.. And as it stands on #is ri'ht hand( #e saith( .%o)e( ye blessed of My *ather( receive the kin'do).. )outh. #e( the !ud'e of all thin's visible and invisible( .after #e has killed( has power to cast into hell fire..

countenance. uch as the >ord appeared on the Mount( will #e appear after the 0ud'e)ent to all the 1 saints( for at the 0ud'e)ent the un'odly will behold #i) -ho) they pierced. But all this appearance of 6 the on of Man belon's also to the %hurch( for #e #i)self was )ade the %hrist in the sa)e nature with it( and #e 'ives to it a sacerdotal di'nity and a 0udicial power( and to .shine as the sun in the kin'do) of #is *ather..
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1 fell. As a )an( he tre)bles at the spiritual vision( but his hu)an fear is banished by the cle)ency of the >ord.

1 the first. #e is the first( because .by #i) were all thin's )ade2. the last( because in #i) are all thin's restored. keys. $ot only( #e saith( have 1 con?uered death by resurrection( but 1 have do)inion also over death itself. And this #e also bestowed upon the %hurch by breathin' upon it the #oly pirit( sayin'( .-hose

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13 Alford observesC .The yriac and Arethas have( 'like brass fro) >ebanon.'. Thischendorf says that Anony)ous AD
TichoniusB in t. Au'ustine reads( . i)iles aurichalco >ibani.. 14 Eech. xi. 1. 15 6s.xliv. ,@. Axlv.8( A.V.B. 16 t. Matt. xxv. 47 17 t. >uke xii. :. 18 t. Matt. xiii. 74 19 %ol. i. ,;. 20 Eph.i.,@. 21 t. !ohn xx.34.

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sins ye re)it( they are re)itted unto the)(. and the rest.

-rite. Reveal to all the thin's which thou alone hast seen( that is( the various labours of the %hurch( and that the evil are to be )in'led in it with the 'ood unto the end of the world.

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stars. That is( the rulers of the %hurch. *or the priest( as Malachi says( is .the an'el of the >ord of hosts..

2. Chapter 2
T#E %#&R%# "* E6#E &
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Ephesus. 6art of this %hurch he bla)es( and part he praises( accordin' to the character of the na)e. *or Ephesus is said to be interpreted( .a 'reat fall(. as well as .)y will in it.. stars. That is( -ho has you in #is ri'ht hand( and seeks you by #is power. walketh. -ho 'oes about in the )idst of you( and searches the hearts and the reins of all.

1 know. 1 see( that is( that thou art dili'ent in the practice of 'ood works( and bearest cal)ly the insufferable in0uries of the wicked( for thou hast dili'ently exa)ined the words and works of the false Apostles( and hast not been willin' to 'ive way to the) in anythin'. love. 1n the person of so)e( thou hast forsaken the love which be'an at first( and if they do not re'ain it( 1 will deprive the) of the pro)ised reward of li'ht. But in others( thou hatest the exa)ples of evil )en( idolatry( that is( and fornication( for these are the deeds of the $icolaitans( as is shewn in what follows. ear. #e indicates that he writes for all the churches the thin's which he addresses to the) individually2 for it was not the %hurch of the Ephesians alone( which( if it did not repent( was to be re)oved fro) its place2 nor was atan's seat at 6er'a)os alone( and not rather in every place. 1n like )anner also( the other thin's of the several churches are co))on to every church. overco)eth. The .tree of life. is %hrist( by the vision of -ho) in the celestial paradise( and in the present body of the %hurch( holy souls are refreshed.

T#E %#&R%# "* MFR$A ! )yrna. #e speaks to this church of endurin' persecution( and its na)e also a'rees with this. *or )yrna is interpreted .)yrrh.( which denotes the )ortification of the flesh. the first. #e who both created all thin's( and renewed all thin's by #is death. This is a suitable preface when he is 'oin' to en0oin patience.

22 Mal. ii. <. 23 1f it appears fanciful in Beda to attach any i)portance to the si'nification of the na)es of the seven churches( it )ay be
re)e)bered( on the other hand( that so recent and approved a co))entation( as Rudolph tier( in his re)arks on the epistles to the seven churches( in The Words of the Risen Saviour( does very )uch the sa)e thin'. #e treats the na)e as sy)bolical of the caracter of the period of the %hurch to which he considers the epistle to apply( and observes(.the na)e appears in all cases si'nificant.. ee The Words of the Risen Saviour( Edinb. Tr.( p.iii s??.,=:8.

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tribulation. Fea( .Blessed are the poor in spirit( for theirs is the kin'do) of heaven.. *ortunatus has beautifully expressed this in a short verse( sayin'C .1n narrow real) the poor )an rei'ns possessin' +od.. !ews. .They profess that they know +od( but in works they deny #i).. *or !ew is a na)e of reli'ion. And so also the Apostle says( .who is a !ew inwardly( and circu)cision is of the heart(. .not in the letter.. devil. These words apply to the &niversal %hurch( a'ainst which the devil is always exercisin' an en)ity fro) which there is no escape. ten days. #e )eans the whole of the ti)e durin' which the co))and)ents of the decalo'ue are necessary. *or as lon' as thou shalt follow the li'ht of the divine word( thou )ust needs suffer i)prison)ent fro) the ene)y who opposes thee. o)e understand that the ten persecutions of the heathen( fro) the E)peror $ero to 9o)itian( are si'nified. death. #e shews how far the ten days reach( in that he counsels the) to keep the faith unto death.

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second death. #e who shall have re)ained faithful unto the death of the flesh( will not fear the death of the soul.

T#E %#&R%# "* 6ER+AM"

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6er'a)os. 6er'a)os is interpreted( .dividin' their horns(. for by his 0ud'e)ent he )ade a distinction between the virtues of the faithful and the perfidy of the $icolaitans( that .the horns of the sinners )i'ht be broken( and the horns of the ri'hteous one exalted.. sword. #e has fitly )entioned first #is 0udicial power( for #e was to assi'n rewards to the victors( and punish)ent to the trans'ressors.

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seat. 1 approve indeed of thy patience( because althou'h thou dwellest a)on' the reprobate( thou dost not honour Me in na)e alone( as called %hristian( but with perfect faith( even in the ti)e of a persecution unto death. But 1 do not approve of this( that 1 see seducin' teachers even in thee. Antipas. o)e understand a )artyr who suffered at 6er'a)os( others the >ord %hrist( who even now is put to death by the unbelievin'( so far as in the) lies.

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eat. These are the two principal thin's in which all the carnal exercise the)selves( .whose 'od is their belly( and their 'lory in their sha)e.. But besides this( every evil work is idolatry and spiritual fornication. $icolaitans. The $icolaitans are na)ed fro) $icolas the deacon( of who) %le)ent relates that( when he was reproved for his 0ealousy of a )ost beautiful wife( he answered that whoever would )i'ht take her to wife( and says that( on account of this( unbelievers tau'ht that the Apostles allowed to all a pro)iscuous and co))on intercourse with wo)en. And the $icolaitans are reported to have put forth so)e fabulous and al)ost heathen state)ents concernin' the be'innin' of the world( and not to have kept their )eats separate fro) thin's offered to idols.

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t. Matt. v. 4. Venantius *ortunatus( Opp. pt. 1. bk. vii. ch. ;( to). i.p. 3<4( Ro). ,<=; Tit. i. ,;. Ro). ii.38 6s. lxxiv. 11 Alxxvi( ,@( A.V.B Bed.( with #eb.( ept.( Vul'.( takes this in the sin'ular2 A.V. appears to take it as plural. Tertullian is of this opinion( Scorp.( c. xii. Arethas says that the record of his )artyrdo) was still preserved in his ti)e( circ. A.9. 8,,( in %ra)er's Catena( to). viii. p. 3@=( "xf. ,=7@. Baronius notices the tradition( that he was shut up in a heated braGen bull durin' the persecution by 9o)itian( Mart. Rom.( at April ,,. 30 6hil. iii.,8. 31 Strom.( bk. iii. ch. 7.

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)anna. #e who shall have despised the allure)ents of the flesh in spite of the advice of hypocrites( will of ri'ht be satisfied with the sweetness of the invisible bread which co)es down fro) heaven. stone. That is( a body which is now )ade white by baptis)( and is then reful'ent with the 'lory of incorruption. na)e. That we should be na)ed( and should be( sons of +od. knoweth. Because .he who says that he knows +od( and does not keep #is co))and)ents( is a liar(. for the hypocrite tastes not how sweet the >ord is.

T#E %#&R%# "* T#FAT1RA

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Thyatira. Thyatira is translated( .for a sacrifice2. and the saints .present their bodies a livin' sacrifice.. eyes. #e explains farther on what eyes of fla)e are( sayin'( .1 a) #e -ho searcheth the reins and the hearts( and 1 will 'ive to every one of you accordin' to your works.. feet. This also he explains to be( that .the last works of this church are )ore than the first..

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!eGebel. 1n thy work indeed( and thy faith( thou art to be praise. But in this thou art to be bla)ed( that thou dost not confute with proper ener'y the syna'o'ue of false Apostles( which pretends to be %hristian. The na)e !eGebel( which i)plies .an issue of blood(. belon's to heretics2 and in particular( she is con0ectured to be a wo)an in the aforena)ed church( who teaches the evil deeds which have been )entioned( who was to be a fi'ure of the !eGebel throu'hout the world( who) also he )anifestly threatens with ven'eance. seduce. &nder the na)e of %hrist forsooth( she tau'ht spiritual fornication and idolatry( for how could she openly teach the worship of idols( when she said that she was a prophetess in the %hurch.

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bed. 1t is brou'ht to pass by the 0ust 0ud'e)ent of +od( that she should lie in a bed of eternal punish)ent( who )ade the wretched lie down in a bed of lust. children. #e here na)es the posterity and works of the wo)an( .children(. and he threatens the) not with the )o)entary death of the body( but the eternal death of the soul. hearts. &nder the reins he si'nifies deli'hts( under the heart thou'hts. works. "ur works and words( no doubt( )ay be known to )en. But with what intention they are acco)plished( and whereunto we desire to attain by their )eans( #e alone knows -ho perceives what each one thinks( and in what he takes deli'ht. And with that consistency in punishin' fornication and idolatry( which are open faults( can #e be said to be a discerner of secret thin's( unless these na)es )ay be applied even to the least offencesD .Thou wilt destroy(. he says( .all those who co))it fornication fro) Thee.. And the sa)e Apostle !ohn( who heard this( when he reasoned of false brethren( ended by sayin'( .>ittle children( keep yourselves fro) idols..

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you. As he co))ends repentance to the un'odly( and threatens the) with punish)ent( so he exhorts the 'odly to patience by holdin' forth eternal rewards. known. o( a'ain( they who work ini?uity know not +od( althou'h they preach #i). 1n this way also( +od -ho knoweth all )en( knoweth not those who work ini?uity.

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1 t. !ohn ii. 7. Ro). xii. ,. 6s. lxxii. Alxxiii. A.V.B 3<. 1 t. !ohn v. 3,. 1 %or. x. ,4. t. Matt. vii. ,:.

send. 1 will not suffer you to be te)pted above that which ye are able to endure2 otherwiseC .Beware(. #e says( .of false prophets(. for 1 send unto you no new doctrine2 but keep that which ye have received unto the end.
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overco)eth. The %hurch has this power in %hrist( as the body in the >ordC for .in #i)(. accordin' to the Apostle( .+od has 'iven unto us all thin's.. iron. -ith inflexible 0ustice #e rule the )eek( that they )ay the )ore brin' forth fruit( but overthrows the contu)acious( that they )ay either perish for ever( or that earthly desires )ay be destroyed in the)( and the i)pure thin's of the old )an( whatever has been contracted and wrou'ht in the) fro) the sinful clay. star. %hrist is .the )ornin' star(. -ho pro)ises and reveals to the saints the eternal li'ht of life( when the ni'ht of the world is past.

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3. Chapter 3
T#E %#&R%# "* AR91 1 ardis. #e reproves this an'el( that is( the bishop( as not sufficiently dili'ent in correctin' the bad. #e co))ends hi)( however( as havin' so)e who walk in white( and the na)e ardis a'rees with these( as that of a precious stone. na)e. To thyself( indeed( thou see)est to be alive. But if thou art not watchful in the correction of the wicked( thou wilt henceforth be nu)bered a)on' the dead. 2 works. 1f a ruler has not striven to incite others as well( althou'h he )ay appear 'uiltless before )en( his works are not perfect before +od. thief. #ere also( as in the parable of the +ospel( he warns us to be watchful by the exa)ple of takin' precaution a'ainst a thief. few. #e said not a .few(. but a .few na)es.. *or .#e calleth #is own sheep by na)e(. -ho knew Moses by na)e( and -ho writes the na)es of #is saints in heaven. overco)eth. #e invites all )en to i)itate those who have kept the silken robe of baptis) undefiled.

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T#E %#&R%# "* 6#1>A9E>6#1A 6hiladelphia. 6hiladelphia is interpreted .brotherly love(. and to it is the door of the kin'do) opened( and the pro)ise )ade of bein' beloved by the >ord. key. That is( royal power( either because #e was born of the fa)ily of 9avid( or because the prophecy of 9avid was )ade )anifest by the dispensation of %hrist. openeth. The secrets of the divine law are opened to the faithful( and shut to the unbelievin'( by the power of %hrist alone. ! 38 39 40 41 door. By no )an's power is the 'ate of heavenly knowled'e( which %hrist opened to #is %hurch( ever
3 t. 6et. i.4. t. !ohn x.4. Exod. xxxiii. ,3(,<. t. >uke x.3@.

shut a'ainst it. stren'th. #e shews the reason on account of which the %hurch obtains theses 'ifts( na)ely( that it does not trust in its own powers( but in the 'race of %hrist( the 5in'. And it is the praise of +od the protector( and of the devotion of the %hurch( that the 'ate of victory is opened to a little faith( and that a little power is stren'thened by faith.
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syna'o'ue. #e pro)ises this to all the %hurch of that ti)e( for it was not at 6hiladelphia alone that there were believers fro) the syna'o'ue of the !ews( as we find in the Acts of the Apostles. kept. Because thou hast kept My exa)ple in sufferin' adversity( 1 also will keep thee fro) the i)pendin' afflictions( not( indeed( that thou )ayest not be te)pted( but that thou )ayest not be overco)e by adversity. And althou'h the %hurch is always tried by adversity( yet( in this place( the hour of te)ptation( and the hu)iliation of the !ews in the ti)e of antichrist( )ay be si'nified2 that( as fre?uently happens in the course of this book at the sixth in order( so here also at the sixth an'el( the last persecution )ay be desi'nated. But as to this( it is well believed that the wicked !ews will be deceived as well as deceive( but that others will understand the law spiritually throu'h the instruction of the 'reat prophet Eli0ah( and will be incorporated a)on' the )e)bers of the %hurch( and bravely overco)e the ene)y. hold fast. 9o not 'row weary in endurance( for 1 will help thee ?uickly( lest perhaps another( throu'h thy failure( receive the reward which was decreed for thee. o it is i)possible that the nu)ber of the saints which is fixed with +od should be di)inished by the faithlessness of the increasin' tares. *or if the lost crown is delivered to another( the place of hi) who has lost it is not vacant. te)ple. #e who has overco)e adverse thin's for My sake shall be 'lorious in the te)ple of the %hurch( and shall no )ore fear any loss which adversity can brin'. The pillars( that is( holy )en( at one ti)e stren'then the %hurch by their support( at another adorn it by their elevation( like the two pillars at the door of olo)on's te)ple. $a)e. That is( because we are called .the sons of +od. by adoption. city. #e shall be 0oined to the unity of the %hurch( which( by heavenly 'race( is born a'ain to a new life. new na)e. This is the %hristian na)e( not that it is new to the on of +od( -ho had this 'lory before the world was )ade( but new to the on of Man( -ho died and rose a'ain( and sitteth on the ri'ht hand of +od.

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T#E %#&R%# "* >A"91%EA 14 >aodicea. >aodicea )eans .the lovely tribe of the >ord(. or( .they were in vo)itin'.. *or there were there both those to who) #e said( .1 will spew thee out of My )outh(. and those also to who) #e said this( .-ho) 1 love( 1 rebuke and chasten.. But( accordin' to the +reek( it is interpreted( .a 0ust people.. A)en. A)en is interpreted( .truly(. or .faithfully.. %hrist( therefore( -ho in the essence of #is divinity is truth( declared that( by the )ystery of #is 1ncarnation( #e was )ade .the be'innin' of the creation of +od(. that #e )ay train the %hurch by these thin's for the endurance of sufferin's 16 lukewar). Thou art neither fervent in faith( nor entirely unbelievin'. But( if thou wert still unbelievin'( there would yet re)ain to thee the hope of conversion( whereas now( in that thou doest not the will of the >ord which thou knowest( thou shalt be cast forth fro) the boso) of My %hurch.

42 H 1 would like to re)ind that these texts are pri)ary sources si)ply cited and should not be confused with )y own
opinion. %arolin EsserI 43 H 1 would like to re)ind that these texts are pri)ary sources si)ply cited and should not be confused with )y own opinion. %arolin EsserI 44 4 5in's A, A.V.B vii.3,2 3 %hron. iii. ,<. 45 +al. iv. :2 , t. !ohn iii. 3.

rich. Thou art content with faith alone( and it is in vain that thou layest clai) to the treasures of ri'hteousness. But if thou desirest to be truly rich( forsake all thin's( and buy the fervour of love( proved in the fla)e of afflictions( and anoint the eyes of they )ind( not with the anti)ony of deceitful boastin'( but with the eye/salve of divine knowled'e. To anoint the eyes with eye/salve is to 'ain an understandin' of holy cripture by the perfor)ance of a 'ood work. chasten. 9o not shrink fro) sufferin' adversity( seein' that this is an especial proof that thou art loved by the >ord. repent. #e shews that there had been there such as were e)ulated and followed.

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knock. 1 knock( indeed( at the door of thy heart with the ri'ht hand of exhortation( and if thou receive it willin'ly( thou shalt be dee)ed worthy of My dwellin' with thee( and bein' fellow/heir with thee. sit. By .sittin' with #i). #e )eans( bein' a partner in power and 0ud'e)ent. .-ho has )ade us sit to'ether(. he says( .in heavenly places in %hrist.. overca)e. The >ord( as a %on?ueror( sat down with the *ather on the throne( in that( after the conflict of #is passion( after the victory of #is resurrection( #e )anifested #i)self )ore clearly to all( as coe?ual with the *ather in power. "bserve( that in all the churches the >ord first declares #is own power( then recounts the works of the %hurch as worthy either of praise or bla)e( but always with ad)onition inter)ixed( and that in the last place #e assi'ns to either part the reward which is due( and which )ay be understood both of the present and the future. But when #e sub0oins( .-ho hath ears( let hi) hear2. we are without doubt to understand the ears of the heart for obedience to the co))ands.

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4. Chapter 4
T#E V1 1"$ "* T#E T#R"$E
7<

door. After describin' the works of the %hurch and its future condition( he recapitulates fro) the birth of %hrist( with an intention to repeat the sa)e thin's in a different )anner( for in this book he repeats under various fi'ures the whole period of the %hurch's history. .Behold(. he says( .a door opened in heaven.. #e fitly sees a door in heaven( as he is about to ascend( for that it is pro)ised that the heavenly )ysteries are to be opened to hi)( or( because %hrist is the door. #e who believes that #e was born( and suffered( )ounts up to heaven( that is( the li'ht of the %hurch( and so is )ade spiritual( and beholds the thin's which shall be( as he says. voice. That is( it was like the for)er voice which had said( .-hat thou seest( write in a book..

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a throne. The >ord dwells within the %hurch( which is fixed in a heavenly abode. 6ope +re'ory interprets the throne of +od in the vision of Micaiah of the an'elic powers( .over whose )inds presidin' on hi'h( #e disposeth all thin's below.. 0asper. The colour of the 0asper si'nifies water( of the sard fire( and we know that 0ud'e)ent is represented by these two. *or .as it was(. #e says( .in the days of $oah( so shall also the co)in' of the on of Man be.. rainbow. The rainbow( which is caused by the rays of the sun shinin' upon the clouds( and which was first produced after the delu'e for a si'n of propitiation( denotes that the %hurch is protected by the intercession of the saints who) the >ord enli'htens( and these are well co)pared with an e)erald( a

:@ :,

46 Eph. ii. ;. 47 %h. i. ,,. 48 t. +re'.( Morals on the Book of Jo ( bk. ii. ch.3@. .*or what is the throne of the >ord( unless we understand the An'elic
powers( in whose )inds enthroned on hi'h #e disposeth all thin's below.. "xf. Tr.( vol. i.p.87. ,=77

stone of a deep 'reen. *or as they wait with a )ore perfect faith for an inheritance that fadeth not away( so do they by their prayer )ore powerfully protect the rest. 4 seats. The sa)e %hurch which because of its fellowship in faith he had seen on one throne( he beholds( as sprun' by a twofold testa)ent fro) patriarchs and Apostles( on twenty/four seats( and it is seated because of its 0udicial di'nity in %hrist. o all the )e)bers will sit and 0ud'e( but in one and by one #ead. *or how will saints be able to sit in the 0ud'e)ent( while they are standin' at the ri'ht hand of the !ud'eD The twenty/four elders )ay also be understood of those who( by their loud preachin' of the 'ospel( co)plete the perfection of work( which is represented in the nu)ber six2 for four ti)es six )ake twenty/four. crowns. That is( clothed with 'ood works( seekin' with an unfailin' recollection of the )ind the 0oys which are above. *or fre?uently( under the na)e of the head( the )ind is wont to be understood.
:3 :4

proceed. This is the sa)e that Mark says( .But they went forth preachin' everywhere( the >ord workin' with the)( and confir)in' the word by si'ns followin'.. la)ps. #e )eans the one sevenfold pirit( for .there is one pirit(. and to be sevenfold i)plies perfection and fulness. But when the #oly pirit has been )entioned( there fitly follows the water of baptis). *or in it the sa)e pirit is believed to be received.

'lass. Because of our faith in the true baptis)( this is co)pared to 'lass( in which nothin' else appears on the outside than that which it has within. The 'race of baptis) is also represented by crystal( which is for)ed fro) water( con'ealed into a precious stone. eyes. All the parts of the throne of +od( that is( of the %hurch( are filled by the li'ht of the 'ospel( with the knowled'e of the past and of the future.

T#E >1V1$+ %REAT&RE

livin' creature. The livin' creatures are interpreted in various ways. But the blessed Au'ustine( to follow the order in this book( says( that Matthew is intended in the lion( in that he describes the ancestral line of re'al di'nity in %hrist( -ho also has con?uered as the lion of the tribe of !udah( for .!udah is a lion's whelp2. and in his 'ospel( as a kin'( he is feared by a kin'( is worshipped by the Ma'i( in which also the kin' takes account of his servants( the kin' )akes a )arria'e/feast for his son( and at the last the kin' separates the sheep fro) the 'oats2 / that >uke is intended in the calf( which was the 'reat victi) under the >aw( for that not only does his 'ospel at the co))ence)ent be'in about the te)ple and the sacrifices( but it thus concludes( .and they were continually in the Te)ple praisin' and blessin' +od.. But the face of a )an( he says( si'nifies Mark( who says nothin' of the re'al( or of the sacerdotal power of the >ord( and only relates si)ply the actions of the )an %hrist2 and the ea'le is !ohn( for with keen si'ht he beholds the nativity of the -ord( as the risen un. The livin' creatures( a'ain( at one ti)e denote the Evan'elists( at another the whole %hurch2 for its fortitude is represented in the lion( its sacrificial offerin' in the calf( its hu)ility in the )an( and its subli)ity in the flyin' ea'le.

49 50 51 52 53 54

4 5in's A, A.V.B xxii. ,8. *or additional re)arks on this sub0ect( see on ch. xxi. ,8(3@. t. Matt. xxiv. 4<. t. Mark xvi. 3@ Eph. iv.7.. t. Au'.( The Harmon! of the Evan"elists( bk. i. ch. ;C .*or these reasons it also appears to )e( that of the various parties who have interpreted the livin' creatures in the Apocalypse( as si'nificant of the four Evan'elists( those who have taken the lion to point to Matthew( the )an to Mark( the calf to >uke( and the ea'le to !ohn( have )ade a )ore reasonable application of the fi'ures( than those who have assi'ned the )an to Matthew( the ea'le to Mark( and the lion to !ohn.. Edinb. Tr. vol. viii. p.,7<. ,=<4 55 +en. xlix. 8. 56 t. >uke xxiv. :4

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win's. They raise the %hurch on hi'h by the perfection of their doctrine. *or the nu)ber six is called perfect( because it is the first which is )ade co)plete by its several parts( in that one which is the sixth part of six( and two which are the third( and three which are the half( )ake up the nu)ber six. "therwiseC the six win's of the four livin' creatures( which are twenty/four in nu)ber( inti)ate as )any books of the "ld Testa)ent( by which the authority of the Evan'elists is supported( and their truth proved. eyes. The holy %hurch observes itself with vi'ilance( both before +od and before )en. The 6sal)ist had beheld its eyes within( when he says( .All the 'lory of that dau'hter of kin's is within2. and its eyes without( when he adds i))ediately( .clothed around with 'olden frin'es in variety.. "therwiseC whether thou shalt attend to the letter( or seek for an alle'ory( in the +ospel thou wilt always find li'ht. Another translation hasC .*ull of eyes before and behind2. because the li'ht of the +ospel both illu)ines the dark sayin's of the >aw( and pours upon it the bri'htness of a new 'race. rest. The holy livin' creatures for all the ti)e of the a'e proclai) the sole do)inion of the +odhead( the o)nipotence and eternity of the #oly Trinity. *or there abides in the heavenly places the continual praise of the intelli'ent creation.

1#

fall. -hen the livin' creatures utter the sound of praise( that is( when the Evan'elists preach the dispensation of %hrist( the whole %hurch( which is co)posed of rulers and people( for so )uch is si'nified by the nu)ber twelve bein' doubled( falls at once upon its face( and adores #i) .-ho liveth for ever and ever.. cast. They assi'n( that is( to +od whatever power( whatever di'nity the have( for that #e created all thin's out of nothin'.

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5. Chapter 5
T#E R">> -1T# EVE$ EA> 1 book. This vision represents the )ysteries of holy cripture( as laid open to us throu'h the 1ncarnation of the >ord. And its concordant unity contains( so to say( the "ld Testa)ent without( and the $ew within. seals. That is( it was either covered by all the fulness of the hidden )ysteries( or written as a roll by the direction of the sevenfold pirit.
;@ ;, ;3 ;4 ;7

an'el. #e indicates the pro)ul'ation of the >aw. *or .)any. prophets and wise )en .desired to see the thin's which the Apostles saw2. and( .of this salvation(. as 6eter says( .the prophets in?uired dili'ently( and searched.. This is the book which is closed both to the learned and unlearned in 1saiah( but of which even there the openin' is thus announced( .1n that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book.. And of this EGekiel also says( .And 1 saw( and behold a hand was sent unto )e( in which was the roll of a book( and #e opened it before )e( and it was written within and without2. when he also added that which !ohn concealed( na)ely( that which was written in the book( sayin'( .And there was written therein la)entations( and a dir'e( and woe.. *or the whole course of the "ld and $ew Testa)ent forewarns( that sins are to be repented of( the kin'do) of heaven to be sou'ht( and the wailin's of hell to be escaped.

57 6s. xliv. ,7 Axlv.,4 A.V.B. 58 o 6ri)asius in Tischendorf's note. the Commentar! of 6ri)asius was published separately( ABasil( ,::7B2 and is
contained in Bi l. #atr.( %ol. ,;,=( to). vi. p.ii.( and in Mi'ne's( t. lxviii. J 1t appears fro) the E$position of 6ri)asius that it was lar'ely )ade use of by Beda. 6ri)asius was Bishop of Adru)etu)( in Africa( and flourished A.9. ::@( about a hundred and sixty years later than Tichonius( who was a conte)porary of t. Au'ustine( and whose date is circ. A.9.48@ 59 The editions of Beda have " uo assignantes," a manifest error for " !o," or " eo," as it is in "rimasius, from whose E$position the sentence is taken. 60 t.Matt. xiii. ,<.

11

able. $either an an'el( nor any one of the 0ust( althou'h delivered fro) the bond of the flesh( was able to reveal( nor to search into the )ysteries of the divine law( nor to look into the book( that is to conte)plate the bri'htness of the 'race of the $ew Testa)ent( even as the children of 1srael could not look upon the face of the law'iver of the "ld Testa)ent( which contains the $ew. wept. #e was 'rieved( as reco'nisin' the co))on )isery of the hu)an race. -eep not. #e is forbidden to weep( because even then had been fulfilled in the 6assion of %hrist the )ystery which lon' lay hidden( when( as #e yielded up #is spirit( the veil of the te)ple was rent. *or to #i) it is said( .!udah is a lion's whelpC to the prey( )y son( thou art 'one upC restin'( thou couchedst as a lion( and as a lioness2 who shall raise hi) upD. #e proceeds to describe how( and when( the >ion of the tribe of !udah prevailed. a >a)b. The sa)e >ord( -ho is a >a)b in dyin' innocently( beca)e also a >ion in boldly con?uerin' death. Tichonius says that the >a)b is the %hurch( which has received all power in %hrist. seven. The sevenfold pirit in %hrist is co)pared with horns( because of the excellency of power2 and with eyes( because of the illu)ination of 'race. took. The on of Man is said to have taken the book fro) the ri'ht hand of +od( na)ely( the econo)y of the 1ncarnation( appointed by the *ather and by #i)self( in that #e is +od2 because both dwell with the #oly pirit upon the throne. *or %hrist( -ho in #is hu)anity is a >a)b( is also in #is deity the ri'ht hand of the *ather.

4
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opened. *or that the >ord( by #is 6assion( proved that the announce)ents of both Testa)ents were fulfilled in #i)self( the %hurch 'ives thanks( and offers herself to sufferin'( that( as the Apostle says( . he )ay fill up that which is wantin' of the sufferin's of %hrist in her flesh.. *or by .harps(. in which strin's are stretched on wood( are represented bodies prepared to die( and by .bowls. hearts expanded in breadth of love. san'. They laud the sacra)ents of the $ew Testa)ent( which are co)plete in %hrist( while they extol with praise that sa)e dispensation of it which they confess to belon' to %hrist alone. redee)ed. #ere is further declared( that the livin' creatures and the elders are the %hurch( which is redee)ed by the blood of %hrist( and 'athered out of the nations. *or he shews in what heaven they are by sayin'( .And they shall rei'n upon the earth..

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voice. %ountless thousands of the peoples flow to'ether unto the %hurch( and praise +od. in heaven. 1f the 0ust are called .the sons of +od(. why not also the an'elsD But a'ain( the heavenly host )ay also unite in sin'in' that son'( by re0oicin' with us upon our rede)ption( as the holy 6ope +re'ory also has expounded it( sayin'( .*or the voice of an'els in praise of the %reator is the very ad)iration itself of in)ost conte)plation.. A)en. -hen the people within the %hurch )ake the praise of the >ord resound( the teachers confir) the sa)e( and for exa)ple's sake( to'ether with the) adore the >ord.

13

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65 +en. xlix. 8. 66 %ol. i.37. 67 #hialis( A.V. .vials.. t. +re'ory refers in a si)ilar )anner to the difference between the phialae and c!athi( in the
TabernacleC .*or by 'bowls' is desi'nated an exuberant doctrine( but by 'cups' a s)all and narrow knowled'e.. Homil. in Evan".( bk. i. ho). vi. sec.;. !er. Taylor .was )isled by the En'lish use of the word 'vials('.in one of his SermonsC see note t. Works( vol. iv. p.;<3( Eden's edition. 68 t. +re'.( Morals on the Book of !ob( bk. ii. ch. ,@C .*or the voice of the an'els in the praises of +od is the very ad)iration itself of inward conte)plation.. "xf. Tr.( vol. i. p. <7.

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6. Chapter 6
T#E "6E$1$+ "* T#E EA>
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opened. eein' that the seals are first loosed( and the book is then opened( he has purposely chan'ed the accusto)ed order. *or in that #e suffered and rose a'ain( the >ord tau'ht the %hurch that #e was the end of the law2 and in that #e ascended into heaven( by the )ission of the #oly pirit( #e stren'thened the %hurch with the 'ift of a )ore hidden )ystery. o #e then opened the book( and now #e looses the seals of it. 1n the first seal( accordin'ly( he beholds the 'lory of the pri)itive %hurch( in the followin' three the threefold war a'ainst it( in the fifth the 'lory of those who triu)ph in this war( in the sixth the thin's which are to co)e in the ti)e of Antichrist( and that with a brief recapitulation of for)er events( in the seventh the be'innin' of eternal rest. %o)e. -e also are ad)onished by the loud voice of the +ospel to behold the 'lory of the >ord. white. The >ord presides over the %hurch( which is )ade whiter than snow by 'race( and #e bears the ar)s of spiritual teachin' a'ainst the un'odly2 and in the persons of #is own #e receives( as con?ueror( a crown2 as it is said of #i)( .#e received 'ifts in )en.. 1n their persons also( althou'h >ord of heaven( #e was persecuted by aul.

second. #e is wisely bidden to observe the opposin' horse)en( that ( as he derives 0oy fro) the prosperity of the %hurch( so he )ay ac?uire caution also fro) its adversity( by foreknowled'e of it. red. A'ainst the %hurch victorious and con?uerin' there went out a red horse( that is( a )ali'nant people( bloody fro) its rider( the devil. Fet we have read in Eechariah of the red horse of the >ord. But the for)er one is red with his own blood( this with the blood of others. earth. That is( its own peace. But the %hurch has received an eternal peace( which has been left to it by %hrist. sword. That is( either a'ainst those who) he )akes betrayers of the faith( or who) he )akes )artyrs. And concernin' this it is said to the blessed !ob( .#e who )ade hi) has )ade #is sword to approach2. that is( either that he )ay not try the saints( as )uch as the un'odly one wills( or( that the ven'eance of his own ra'e )ay return upon hi)self.

<@ <, <3

<4

black. The black horse is the band of false brethren who have the balance of a ri'ht profession( but hurt their fellows throu'h works of darkness. *or when it is said in the )idst of the livin' creatures( .hurt not(. it is shewn that one is there who hurts. "f the runnin' forward of this horse( the Apostle says( .-ithout were fi'htin's( within were fears.. hurt. Beware( he says( lest( by your )ost evil exa)ple( ye offend your brother for who) %hrist died( and who bears the seal of the sacred blood( and of the chris). *or whether they are perfect in )erits( or are even the least( yet whosoever in the %hurch are i)bued with the faith of the #oly Trinity( are redee)ed by the sa)e perfect price of the >ord's blood. And not without reason is the perfection of faith( or work( expressed by a )easure of two pounds( and not by a sin'le pound. *or both alike have their root in a twofold love. pale. #eretics who assu)e the 'arb of %atholics( are worthy to have death abide in their )idst( and they draw after the) the ar)y of the lost. *or the devil and his servants are( by a )etony)y( called death and hell. 1t )ay also be taken si)ply( that there eternal punish)ent follows those who here are spiritually dead.

<7

69 6s. lxvii. ,8. o #ebr.( ept.( Vul'.2 A.V. Alxviii.,=B( .for )en2. Mar'(. .in the )an.. %o)pare Eph. iv. =( .+ave 'ifts
unto )en.. 70 Eech. i. =. 71 t. !ohn xiv. 3<. 72 !ob xl. ,7 A,8 A.V.B. 73 3 %or. vii. :. 74 +r. .the fourth part(.2 Vul'.( .?uatuor partes2. A.V.( .the fourth part..

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four Athe fourth partB. Behold the )adness of Arius( which arose fro) Alexandria( and reached as far as the +allic ocean( and pursued the 'odly( not only with a fa)ine of the word of +od( but also as wild beasts( with a )aterial sword. Another version has translated it( .the fourth part(. because the three evil horses( confident in their rider( the devil( attack the fourth( the horse)en of the %hurch.
<: <;

"

fifth. Because he had said that the %hurch was afflicted in )anifold ways in the present ti)e( he speaks also of the 'lory of souls after the punish)ent of the body. .1 saw the)(. he says( .under the altar(. that is( in the secret place of eternal praise. *or the altar( which is of 'old( and is placed within( and near the ark of the >ord's body( does not( as the altar which is without( present flesh and blood to the >ord( but only the incense of praise2 and they who now .offer their bodies a livin' sacrifice(. when the bonds of the flesh are broken( thus offer to #i) the sacrifice of praise. 1t )ay also be by transposition that he did not see the) under the altar( but those who had been slain under the altar( na)ely( under the testi)ony to the na)e of %hrist( as it is said also of the Maccabees( .They fell under the covenant of +od.. voice. The 'reat cry of the souls is their 'reat desire for those thin's which they know that the >ord wills to do. *or it is not ri'ht to suppose( that they wish for anythin' a'ainst the 'ood pleasure of +od( when their desires are dependent upon #is will. #ow lon'D They ask not this in hatred of their ene)ies( for who) they )ade supplication in this a'e. But in a love of 0ustice( in which( as they who are placed near the !ud'e #i)self( they a'ree with #i)( they pray for the co)in' of the day of 0ud'e)ent( in which the rei'n of sin )ay be destroyed( and the resurrection of their lifeless bodies )ay co)e. *or we also( in the present ti)e( when we are co))anded to pray for our ene)ies( say nevertheless( when we pray to the >ord( .Thy kin'do) co)e..

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robes. The souls of the saints which re0oice in their blessed i))ortality( have now each one robe. But when their bodies arise( as 1saiah says( .they will possess double in their own land.. rest. The desire of resurrection is not denied( but deferred( that the brethren )ay be 'athered in and )ultiplied. *or the 0oy of souls itself )ay also be represented by white robes( when they learn by the revelation of the >ord( that the un'odly are to be conde)ned at the last( and that even unto the end of the a'e )any are to be 0oined to their nu)ber by )artyrdo). Therefore( i)bued with internal charity( and content with this consolation( they have been willin' rather that their own 0oys should be deferred for the co)pletion of the nu)ber of the faithful.

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sixth. By the openin' of the sixth seal the last persecution is announced( and that the world is shaken with darkness and fear( as when the >ord was crucified on the sixth day of the week. sun. This is( as if the power of %hrist were hidden( or #is doctrine te)porarily obscured( or covered by a veil( when the servants of Antichrist are brou'ht to attack the servants of %hrist. )oon. The %hurch( )ore than is wont( will shed her blood for %hrist. And he said .the whole(. because the last earth?uake will be in the whole world. But before that( as it is written( .there will be earth?uakes throu'h divers places..

13

stars. They who shine as heavenly ones in the %hurch( and that in appearance alone( when they are driven by the wind of the last persecution( will be proved to have been of earth. And their works are fitly co)pared to 'reen fi's( that is to the unti)ely( and useless( and fallin' fruit of the fi'/tree. heaven. As a scroll rolled up contains indeed )ysteries within( so will it be with the %hurch. At that ti)e( known only to her own( she will prudently avoid persecution in retire)ent( that by such conceal)ent she )ay re)ain unperceived by those without. )ountain. #e speaks of the )e)bers of the %hurch( as differin' accordin' to the character of their

14

75 Ro). xii.1. 76 # $acc. vii. %&, 'ulg., "sub testamento tern vit effecti sunt(" Bed., "sub testamento ei
ceciderunt(" ).'.,"are dead under *od+s covenant of everlasting life." 77 1sa. lxi. <. 78 t. Matt. xxiv. <.

14

offices or powers( and foretells( that no one will be without his share in this whirlwind. But the )ove)ent caused by it will be dissi)ilar( for in the 'ood it will be one of precaution by fli'ht( but in the bad( of 'ivin' way by co)pliance.
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15

kin's. The .kin's. we take to be those who are powerful. *or he will have persons of every de'ree and condition to be understood. Besides( who will then be kin's except the persecutor aloneD hid. -hile all the weak at that ti)e seek to be stren'thened by the exa)ples of the hi'hest in the %hurch( and to be fortified by their counsels( protected by their advice( and sheltered by their prayers( they entreat the very )ountains to fall upon the) with a feelin' of co)passion. *or .the hi'h )ountains are a refu'e for the hinds( and the rocks for the hed'eho's..

16

hide. That is( in order that #e )ay not find us reprobates when #e co)es( but steadfast in the faith( with our sins covered by the intercession of the saints( and the )ercy of +od. stand. #e surely will be able to stand in that day who has now taken care to be watchful( to stand in the faith( to act )anfully. But if thou refer this earth?uake literally to the day of 0ud'e)ent itself( it is no )arvel if the kin's and princes of the earth are then afraid( and seek the refu'e of the holy hills. *or so( in the rich )an clothed in purple and the poor >aGarus( we read that it has already taken place.

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7. Chapter 7
T#E $&MBER "* T#E EA>E9
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four an'els. That is( four principal kin'do)s( na)ely( of the Assyrians( and 6ersians( and +reeks( and Ro)ans. And as in the for)er seals( after the )anifold conflicts of the %hurch( he saw the 0oys of triu)phant souls( so now( also( he is to prove by exa)ples the victory over the precedin' kin'do)s of the world( who have now sub)itted to the %hurch of %hrist( which is to follow the rei'n of Antichrist. *or 'reater )atters )ust of necessity be confir)ed by 'reater proofs. winds. These( in a )anner( stifled all thin's by their )i'ht( and suffered no one to breathe of his own free/will. 1n .the earth. is si'nified the variety of provinces( in .the sea. of islands( in .the trees. the different ?uality and condition of )en. "therwiseC by the four an'els are to be understood four winds( accordin' to the prophecy of 9aniel who says( .Behold the four winds of heaven strove upon the 'reat sea( and four beasts ca)e up fro) the sea..

=3 =4

east. The >ord incarnate( -ho is the An'el of the 'reat counsel( that is( the Messen'er of #is *ather's will( has visited us( .the day/sprin' fro) on hi'h(. bearin' the ensi'n of the cross( with which to seal #is own in their foreheads. voice. The .loud voice of the >ord. is the cry which is lifted up on hi'h( .Repent ye( for the kin'do) of heaven is at hand..

=7 =: =;

#urt not. *ro) the ti)e that the >ord suffered( not only was the do)inion of the ene)y who opposed #i) destroyed( but that of worldly power too( as we both see with our eyes( and read of in the i)a'e which the stone fro) the )ountain .broke in pieces.. foreheads. *or to this end was the e)pire of the nations broken up( that the face of the saints )i'ht be freely )arked with the seal of faith( which these had resisted. *or( a'ain( the fi'ure of the cross itself represents the kin'do) of the >ord extendin' everywhere( as the old sayin' provesC/

79 6s. ciii. Aciv. A.V.B ,=. Bed.( erinaceis( .hed'eho's2. Vul'.( herinaceis2 A.V. .coneys.. 1t is one of the 6achyder)atous
class( livin' in holes in the rocks( of which the scientific na)e is H!ra$ S!riacus2 see )ith's Bi le %ict. +esenius translates the #ebrew na)e for it .the 0erboa.. &e$. s.v. 80 t. >uke xvi. ,8. 81 9an.vii.3. 82 t. >uke i. <=

15

"Behold the world four-square, in parts distin t, !o shew the real" of faith possessin# all$"
And not in vain was the sacred $a)e of the >ord( of four letters( written on the forehead of the #i'h 6riest( inas)uch as this is the si'n on the forehead of the faithful( of which it is also sun' in the 6sal) .for the winefats(. ." >ord( our >ord( how wonderful is Thy $a)e in all the earthD. and the rest( until he says( .That thou )ayest destroy the ene)y and the defender..
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nu)ber. By this definite nu)ber is si'nified the innu)erable )ultitude of the whole %hurch( which is descended fro) the patriarchs either by the linea'e of nature( or the i)itation of faith. *or( he says( .if ye be %hrist's( then are ye Abraha)'s seed.. And it tends to additional co)pleteness( that the twelve also should be )ultiplied by twelve( and brou'ht to a su) of thousands( which is the cube of the nu)ber ten( by which is represented the endurin' life of the %hurch. And for this reason( too( it is often denoted by the nu)ber twelve( because throu'hout the fours?uare world it subsists by faith in the #oly Trinity( for three ti)es four are ten and two. *inally( also( when the Apostles were to preach the sa)e faith to the whole world( twelve were chosen( as si'nifyin' by their nu)ber the )ystery of their work.

!&9A#( RE&BE$( +A9( A #ER( $E6T#A>1( MA$A !" E6# A$9 BE$!AM1$
== =8 8@ 8, 83 84 87 8: 8; 8< 8= 88 ,@@ ,@,

E#( 1ME"$( >EV1( 1

A%#AR( EAB&>"$(

!udah. -ith 'ood reason( he be'ins with !udah( fro) which tribe our >ord spran'2 and has o)itted 9an( fro) who)( as it is said( Antichrist is to be born2 for it is written( .>et 9an beco)e an adder in the way( a horned serpent in the path( bitin' the horse/hoofs( that his rider )ay fall.. *or he has not proposed to set forth the order of earthly 'eneration( but accordin' to the interpretation of the na)es the powers of the %hurch( which fro) present confession and praise is hastenin' to the ri'ht hand of eternal life. *or this is the )eanin' of the na)e of !udah( who is placed first( and of Ben0a)in( who co)es last. o( then( !udah is placed first( who is interpreted .confession(. or .praise2. for before the first step of confession no one reaches the hei'ht of 'ood works( and unless we renounce evil deeds by confession( we are not fashioned in such as are 'ood. The second is Reuben( who is interpreted( .seein' the son.. That works are denoted in .sons(. the 6sal)ist testifies( when a)on' the benedictions of the )an who is blessed he says with the rest( .Thy sons like olive/plants2. and below( .That thou )ayest see thy son's sons.. *or it is not( that he who fears the >ord cannot be blessed( unless he has be'otten sons( and raised up 'randsons( since a better reward awaits the faithful vir'ins2 but in .sons(. he desi'nates works( and in .son's sons. the fruits of works( na)ely( an eternal reward. Accordin'ly( after !udah there follows Reuben( that is( after the co))ence)ent of divine confession and praise( the perfection of action. But because .we )ust throu'h )any tribulations enter into the kin'do) of +od(. after Reuben follows

83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94

t. Matt. iv. ,<. 9an. ii. 47(7:. 6s. viii. 1 A3 A.V.B. Bed.( defensorem2 Vul'.( ultorem2 A.V.( .the aven'er(. +al. iii. 38. +en. xlix. ,<. Bed.( with Vul'. cerastes2 A.V.( .and adder2. Mar'.( .#eb.( an arrowsnake.. 6s. cxxvii. Acxxviii. A.V.B 4. Acts. xiv. 33. Ecclus. ii.1. 6s. xvii.7@ Axviii.48 A.V.B t. !a)es v. ,,. Beda has( .?ui sustinuerunt sufferentia).. But the co))on punctuation of the passa'e( as t occurs in the Vul'ate( is( .?ui sustinuerunt. 6atientia) !ob audistis2. and this is also the readin' adopted by Beda hi)self( in his E$position on the Epistle of St. James. 95 t. !a)es i. ,3. 96 Ro). xii.,3. 97 6s. iv. 3 A, A.V.B 98 6s. cxviii. Acxix. A.V.B 43. 99 1 5in's A1 a). A.V.B ii.,. 100 6hil. iii.,4. 101 Ro). xiii. ,7.

16

,@4 ,@7 ,@: ,@; ,@< ,@= ,@8 ,,@

+ad( who is interpreted .te)ptation(. or( .'irt.. *or after the be'innin' of a 'ood work( it is needful that a )an should be proved by 'reater te)ptations( and be 'irt about for 'reater conflicts( that the stren'th of his faith )ay be approved. And so olo)on says( .My son( when thou co)est to the service of +od( stand in ri'hteousness and fear( and prepare thy soul for te)ptation2. and the 6sal)ist also( .Thou hast 'irded )e with stren'th unto the battle.. And because .we estee) the blessed who have )aintained sufferance(. for this reason( after +ad is placed Asher( that is( .the blessed(. an order which is not unsuitable. *or .blessed is he who endures te)ptation( for when he has been proved( he will receive the crown of life.. But( inas)uch as they who rely upon the sure pro)ise of this blessedness( are not straitened( but .re0oicin' in hope( patient in tribulation(. sin' with the author of the 6sal)( .1n tribulation Thou hast enlar'ed )e(. and also .1 ran in the way of Thy co))and)ents( while Thou didst enlar'e )y heart2. and say( exultin'ly( with the )other of the blessed a)uel( .My heart is enlar'ed above )ine ene)ies( because 1 re0oiced in Thy salvation2. therefore( $epthali succeeds( that is( .enlar'e)ent.. Moreover( he is followed by Manasseh( who is interpreted .for'ettin'(. or( .necessity.. And by the )ystery of this na)e we are ad)onished( that bein' tau'ht by the an'uish of the present te)ptations( and .for'ettin' the thin's which are behind(. we should so .reach forward(. as the Apostle says( .to the thin's which are before(. as .not to )ake provision for the flesh in lust(. but as co)pelled by the necessity of hu)an nature alone. And concernin' this the 6sal)ist prayed( when si'hin' for better thin's( .9eliver )e out of )y necessities.. $ext to hi) is placed i)eon( that is( .he heard of sorrow(. or( .the na)e of his habitation2. in order that( by the character of this na)e also( he )i'ht )ore plainly inculcate both what is to be possessed here( and what is to be profitably expected. *or the 0oy of the heavenly habitation will be 'iven to those whose )ind is here )ade sorrowful by a fruitful repentance2 to who) it is also said( .Four sorrow shall be turned into 0oy.. 1n the next place follows >evi( that is( .added(. in who) we either understand those who by te)poral obtain eternal thin's2 as olo)on says( .The ranso) of a )an's life are his riches2. or those who( by followin' the counsel of +od(.receive in this world a hundredfold with tribulations( but in the world to co)e( eternal life .. And to these( also belon's this that is written( .#e who adds knowled'e( adds 'rief.. *or to this end also the bitterness of tribulation was added to the blessed !ob( that havin' been proved( he )i'ht receive a 'reater reco)pense of reward. And so( not without reason( there succeeds hi) in direct order( 1ssachar( who is interpreted .reward(. because( as the Apostle teaches( .The sufferin's of this present ti)e are not worthy to be co)pared with the future 'lory which shall be revealed in us(. inas)uch as we fi'ht with better success when there is hope of a sure reward. But +od operates and perfects this in the habitation of stren'th( which Eabulon )eans( when .stren'th is )ade perfect in weakness.. o that the body( which is considered weak by its ene)ies( and throu'h the )aterial substance of which they also strive to brin' destruction to the soul( is found to be invincible throu'h +od -ho stren'thens it2 and there succeeds a happy increase in this. This is also denoted by the word !oseph( for it si'nifies( 'ifts and 'races to be added( whether thou understand the increase of spiritual 'ain fro) the double return of the talents( or whether thou take it in respect of the offerin's which are )ade to +od the Redee)er by the devotion of the faithful. $ow( in order that thou )ayest perceive that all these( who both by the succession and interpretation of the na)es are shewn not to be placed without si'nificance( will be at the ri'ht hand of %hrist( the eternal 5in'( in the 0ud'e)ent to co)e2 Ben0a)in( that is( .the son of the ri'ht hand(. is set last( as said before( as the end of the line. *or( after the last ene)y( death( has been destroyed( the bliss of the eternal inheritance will be 'iven to the elect. And this( whether each one of the faithful is ri'htly called the son of the ri'ht hand( or the whole asse)bly of the %hurch( of which it is sun'C .&pon Thy ri'ht hand stood the ?ueen( in a vesture of 'old( clothed in variety.. o( then( fro) each tribe are sealed ten thousand. *or in whatsoever virtues each one of the faithful has )ade pro'ress( he )ust needs be ever stren'thened by the faith( and instructed by the exa)ples of the fathers of old. And it is )ost certain that fre?uently the body of doctors( fre?uently that of the whole %hurch( is desi'nated by the nu)ber twelve( because of the su) of the Apostles( or patriarchs. *or

102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110

6s. xxiv. Axxv. A.V.B ,<. Bed.( with Vul'.( necessitati us. t. !ohn xvi. 3@. 6rov. xiii. =. t. Mark. x. 4@ Eccles. i.,=. Ro). viii. ,=. 3 %or. xii. 8. , %or. xv. 3;. 6s. xliv. ,@ Axlv. 8 A.V.B2 Bed.( with Vul'.( .in vestitu deaurato( circu)data varietate(. and so ept.2 A.V. .in 'old of "phir(. with #eb.2 6./B.( .in a vesture of 'old wrou'ht about with divers colours..

17

whether each one is counted worthy of praise fro) confession( as in !udah2 or is illustrious fro) the pro'eny of works( in Reuben2 or is stron' fro) the discipline of te)ptations( in +ad2 or is happy fro) victory in conflicts( in Asher2 or is enlar'ed by abundant works of )ercy( in $apthali2 or is for'etful of the thin's which are behind( in Manasseh2 or is still sorrowful( as in the valley of tears( but always re0oicin' in the na)e of his habitation( while si'hin' for the heavenly !erusale)( in i)eon2 or is re0oicin' to'ether in the pro)ises of the life that now is( and of that which is to co)e( restin' upon te)poral 'ood thin's( added to the eternal 'ood( in >evi2 or is stren'thened by the conte)plation of the future reward( in 1ssachar2 or is layin' down his life for %hrist( in Eabulon2 or is labourin' earnestly for an increase of spiritual substance( and offerin' so)ethin' )ore beyond the co))ands of +od( either in vir'inity( or fro) the abundance of his )eans( in !oseph2 or is expectin' the ri'ht hand of eternal bliss( with unwearied prayer( in Ben0a)in2 it is fittin' that each should be sealed in his own profession by the rule of the precedin' fathers( as by the nu)ber twelve( and that fro) the )erits of individuals( should the )ost perfect beauty of the %hurch( as the su) of a hundred and forty/four thousand( be )ade up.

T#" E *R"M T#E +REAT TR1B&>AT1"$ " )ultitude. "n the conclusion of the recapitulation( which had been interposed for the sake of exa)ple( he returns to the previous order( and announces the 'lory of those who are to overco)e the wickedness of the last persecution. And that which follows( .*ro) all nations( and tribes( and peoples and ton'ues(. )ay also be thus understood( that( after enu)eratin' the tribes of 1srael( to who) the +ospel was first preached( he desires to )ake )ention of the salvation of the +entiles as well. robes. By .robes. he si'nifies baptis)( by .pal)s. the triu)ph of the %ross( and he inti)ates that in %hrist they have overco)e the world. But robes )ay also double the 'lory which is 'iven by the #oly pirit.
,,,

1#

cried. They proclai) with a loud voice( that is( with 'reat devotion( an unceasin' praise( that on the throne( na)ely( in the %hurch( there rei'n the *ather and the on2 the #oly pirit( nevertheless( rei'nin' to'ether with the). *or it is said( .To #i) -ho sitteth upon the throne( and to the >a)b2. in the sa)e )anner as it is said in the +ospel( .And )ay know Thee( the true and only +od( and !esus %hrist( -ho) Thou hast sent2. in which place( .)ay know the only and true +od. is understood. an'els. 1n all the an'els he has represented the persons of the 'reat )ultitude worshippin' the >ord. .All they(. he says( .who are round about #i) will offer 'ifts..

,,3 ,,4 ,,7

1 fell. 1n this passa'e he relates( that neither the )ultitude( nor the livin' creatures( nor the elders worshipped( but the an'els alone. *or these are the )ultitude( these the livin' creatures and the elders. But it )ay also be understood of the an'elic spirits the)selves( of who)( as re0oicin' to'ether at the salvation of the +entiles( it is said( .Re0oice( ye +entiles( with #is people(. and ( .>et all the an'els of +od worship #i).. blessin'. The %hurch offers the sevenfold praise of excellence unto the >ord( and in each of its )e)bers confesses to have received this fro) #i). whoD #e asks for this end( that he )ay teach. tribulation. .Throu'h )any tribulations we )ust enter into the kin'do) of +od(. but who knows not that the tribulation of Antichrist will be 'reater than all the restD washed. #e speaks not of )artyrs alone. They are washed in their own blood. But the blood of !esus( the on of +od( cleanses the whole %hurch fro) all sin( therefore are they before the throne of +od. *or they are accounted worthy to stand there to'ether in the service of +od( who in the )idst of adverse

12

13
,,:

14

111 112 113 114

t. !ohn xvii.4. 6s. lxxv.,3. Alxxvi. ,, A.V.B. 9eut. xxxii. 742 Ro). xv. ,@. 9eut. xxx11. 74( ept.( in which version the verse be'insC .Re0oice( ye heavens( to'ether with #i)( and let all the an'les Asons( M . Vat.B of +od worship #i)2. #eb. i. ;. 115 Acts xiv. 33.

18

thin's are faithful confessors of #is $a)e. 15 day and ni'ht. #e speaks after our )anner( and si'nifies eternity. throne. The saints are the throne of +od( above who) and a)on' who) the >ord for ever dwells.
,,; ,,<

hun'er. This it is which the >ord #i)self pro)ised( sayin'( .1 a) the bread of lifeC he who co)eth to Me shall never hun'er2 and he who believeth in Me shall never thirst.. Fea( .Blessed are they who ,,= 1 hun'er and thirst after ri'hteousness( for they shall be filled.. 6 the sun. .-e passed(. he says( .throu'h fire and water( and thou brou'htest us out into a place of refresh)ent..
,,8 ,3@ ,3, ,33 ,34

the >a)b. #e says( that the >a)b is in the )idst of the throne( in that he had said above( that .the >a)b received the book fro) #i) -ho sitteth upon the throne2. and teaches that the %hurch is one throne for the *ather and the on( in which one +od( the undivided Trinity( dwells throu'h faith.

fountains. That is to say( to the co)pany of the saints( who are the fountains of heavenly doctrine. The 1 vision of +od itself )ay also be si'nified( .in -ho) are hidden the treasures of wisdo) and knowled'e2. accordin' to this that 9avid says( .As the hart lon'eth for the fountains of waters( so lon'eth )y soul after Thee( " +od.. tears. -hen the fulness of i))ortal bliss is 'ained( all sorrow will be at once consi'ned to for'etfulness. *or( .Blessed are they who )ourn( for they shall be co)forted.. The vision of the white/robed )ultitude )ay also be understood of the present ti)e( when .we are saved in hope(. and .hopin' for that which we see not( in patience wait for it..

8. Chapter 8 I
"6E$1$+ "* T#E EVE$T# EA>
,37 ,3

seal. 1t is believed that after the death of Antichrist( there will be so)e little rest in the %hurch( which 9aniel thus foretoldC .Blessed is he who waiteth and co)eth to the one thousand three hundred and thirty/ : five days.. And it is thus interpreted by the blessed !ero)eC .Blessed(. he says( .is he( who when 1 Antichrist is slain( beyond the one thousand two hundred and ninety days( that is( three years and a half( waits for the forty/five days( in which the >ord and aviour is to co)e in #is own Ma0esty. $ow for what reason( after the destruction of Antichrist( there is silence for forty/five days( is a sub0ect of divine knowled'e( unless perhaps we say( the deferrin' of the kin'do) of the saints is the trial of patience.. "bserve that at the sixth seal( he sees the 'reatest afflictions of the %hurch( at the seventh( rest. *or the >ord was crucified on the sixth day of the week( and rested on the abbath( awaitin' the ti)e of resurrection. Thus far concernin' the openin' of the closed book. and the six seals. But now he recapitulates fro) the be'innin'( as he is about to say the sa)e thin's in another )anner. 116 t. !ohn vi. 4:. 117 t. Matt. v.;. 118 6s. lxv. Alxvi. A.V.B ,3. 2 Bed.( with Vul'.( refri"erium2 %overdale( .Thou hast brou'ht us out( and refreshed us2. A.V.(
.a wealthy place2. Mar'.( .#eb.( )oist.. 119 %h. v. ;. 120 %ol. ii. 4. 121 6s. xli. 3 Axlii. , A.V.B 122 t. Matt. v. 7. 123 Ro). viii. 3:. 124 9an. xii. ,3.

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