securely back in the Church as a paragon of true repentance, a symbol of rebirth and a victorious banner of the visible resurrection”.
This is Clement’s version of the story, which I cite here for the instruction and edification of all those who will happen to read it” (Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History, 3,20—24).
Many other deeds were accomplished by John, which we do not mention here. The apostle died in the city of Ephesus during the reign of Emperor Trajan (see Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History, 3,1; 3,23).
c. The Concept of Revelation
The Greek word for “apocalypse” means “revelation”. When the Church writers use this word, they typically mean the supernatural message through which God reveals to man some truths related to Faith and his Divine Mysteries:
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery (Col 1:26—27).
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them (Rom 1:17—19).
This is why John begins his “Apocalypse” in the following way:
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw (Rev 1:1—2).
I John, …was in the Spirit… (Rev 1: 9—10).
In the giving of the Revelation to John, all the three Divine Persons were present: God the Son, because it says: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”, God the Father, because it says: “Which God game unto him”, and the Holy Spirit, because it says that John saw prophetic signs in the Spirit.
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one (1 Jn 5:7).
The message of the revelation that came through John, contains some of the deepest mysteries about God’s providence in relation to man. These mysteries are given in a series of symbolic visions, most of which are not explained in the book. However, the Church Fathers were able to grasp the overall message of the Revelation. Many of them wrote their own interpretations on this book or its parts.
d. The prophecy for all times
– The Apocalypse is the pinnacle of all prophetic books which reveal the Divine plan concerning the final destiny of mankind. It spans a long stretch of history – from the moment of Revelation to the end of the world. Thus, the prophecy of the Apocalypse applies to the entire New Testament era, unfolding gradually in its entirety. The final fulfillment of Revelation will take place at the end of time, after the Day of Judgment.
That’s why it says:
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand (Rev 1:3).
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book (Rev 22:7).
The close fulfillment of the prophecy means here three things:
In relation to God, it is a testimony of God’s time-transcending nature, for he is above and beyond time:
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Pet 3:8).
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night (Ps 90:4 [Ps 89:5 rus]).
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be (Rev 22:12).
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen (Rev 22:20).
For mankind, the near fulfillment of the prophecy means that Apocalypse is a permanent event, that is, it is being fulfilled constantly since its individual visions correspond to certain historical eras:
And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand (Rev 22:10).
For an individual, the near fulfillment of the prophecy means that life is fleeting from the standpoint of eternity, and sudden death is always a possibility. This calls for constant spiritual vigilance for the sake of the soul:
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God (Rev 3:2).
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent (Rev 2:5).
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth (Rev 2:16).
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown (Rev 3:11).
It follows that the prophecies of the Apocalypse and their careful and thorough interpretation are of vital importance.
e. The rules for interpretation
The purpose of writing the Apocalypse was to explain to Christians the significance of certain historical events in light of the Divine Providence: to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass (Rev 1:1).
The mystical representation of the future of Christ’s Church and of the whole world helps to prepare believers for the temptations of peacetime, and, particularly, for the hardships in the days of the Antichrist. When the Church is aware of the inevitability of persecution and the Final Judgment, in which everyone will receive according to his deeds, she is helped to go through the hardships:
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be (Rev 22:11—12).
The prophetic visions of the Apocalypse are not always arranged in chronological order. However, each individual vision contains a strict chronological sequence. This sets the rules for interpretation, which help to align these visions against each other. To some extent, these rules were formulated by the Church Fathers, whose authority and opinion should undoubtedly be taken into consideration when interpreting certain visions.
The events of the last few centuries are a good enough reason to review our modern history in light of the Apocalypse so we can interpret it properly, thus filling up what was lacking in the ancient interpretations.
f. The proposed
