Concerning the Vision in the Middle of the Throne
The seven eyes and the seven horns of the lamb signify the seven spirits of Christ, which Isaiah and Zachariah the prophet recalled. The as one slain means his life after the sacrifice, by which he displayed the signs of his passion, as the one who truly had been slain, after rising from the dead.
Rev. 5:7 And he went and took (the scroll)from the right (hand) of the one sitting on the throne. And when he took the scroll, the four animals and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and gold bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
The harps signify the harmonious and beautiful sounding divine glorification, and the incenses (signify) the sweet-smelling sacrifice of the faithful being offered through a life of purity, as the Apostle says, we are a sweet fragrance of Christ. The bowls symbolize the thoughts out of which corne forth the fragrance of good works and pure prayer.
Rev. 5:9-10 9And they sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain and you purchased us for God by your blood, from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and you made them kings and priests to our God, and they shall reign upon the earth. "
Through this the elders are shown to be the ones who hâve been well-pleasing to God in the Old and the New (Testaments), and the ones who offer thanksgiving on behalf of ail the world to the slain lamb of God who purchased us. The song is new which the ones illuminated from every tribe and tongue had been taught to sing through the Spirit, having been released from the former stroke (of condemnation). These will rule the new earth, it says, which the Lord promised to the meek.
Rev. 5:11-13 "And I saw, and heard a voice of many angels around the throne and of the animals and of the elders, and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying in a great voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory! " And I heard every creature which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and ail the things which are in them, saying to the one who sits upon the throne and to the lamb, "Blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever! Amen. "
For God, as the originator of ail, is glorified by ail things, those known by the intellect, those perceived by the senses, those which are living beings and those which simply exist by the laws of nature. And his only begotten and co-substantial Son (is glorified), as the one who graciously bestows renewal to mankind and to the creation brought into being by him, even though it has been written that he would receive authority as a man over those in heaven and on earth.
Rev. 5:14 And the four animals said, "Amen" and the elders fell down and worshipped.
Through this it is shown (that) angels and human beings hâve become one flock and one church, through (the) Christ of God, who has joined together the things which were divided and has destroyed the middle wall of séparation. For behold, as we hâve heard for ourselves, together with the four animais, who are superior to the rest of the angelic orders, those who characterize the fullness of people being saved are also worthy (to offer) the praise and worship of God. May we too be worthy of this in Christ himself, the Giver of peace and our God, to whom, along with the Father, together with the Holy Spirit (are due) glory, power, unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Translation of the Apocalypse Commentary of Andrew of Caesarea
EUGENIA SCARVELIS CONSTANTINOU
Comments