Apocalypse. Interpretation of the XXI century

Part 1. Revelation from Heaven

Chapter 1:1. The first vision of God’s glory

John the Theologian was exiled to the island of Patmos by Emperor Domitian, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev 1:9). There he was given a spiritual vision. This is his own story:

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter (Rev 1:10—19).

Jesus Christ appeared to John in order to communicate through him a Revelation concerning the future of mankind. The apostle saw Christ in the radiance of his heavenly glory, clothed as the high priest.

Concerning the mysterious priesthood of Jesus, it says:

Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec (Heb 5:5—10; see Ps 110:4 [Ps 109:4 rus]).

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually (Heb 7:1—3; see Gen 14:18).

After the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec (Heb 7:15—17).

Jesus does not identify himself by name, but John recognizes him anyway and says about Him: like unto the Son of man (Rev 1:13). This name of Christ (Messiah, the Anointed One) goes back to Daniel’s prophecy in the Old Testament:

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed (Dan 7:13—14).

Often this same name appears in the Gospels, where sometimes Jesus refers to himself as:

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he [Jesus] to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house (Mt 9:6; compare Mk 2:10; Lk 5:24).

And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men (Mt 17:22; compare Mt 20:18; 26:2, 24, 45; Mk 9:31; 10:33; 14:21, 41; Lk 9:44; 22:22).

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead (Mt 17:9; compare Mk 9:9).

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Mt 19:28; compare Mt 25:31; Lk 22:69; Jn 5:27; 13:31).

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works (Mt 16:27; compare Mt 13:41; 18:11; Lk 9:56; 19:10).

For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day (Lk 17:24; compare Lk 17:30; 18:8).

See also Mt 8:20; 10:23; 11:19; 12:8, 40; 13:37; 17:12; 20:28; 24:44; 25:13; Mk 2:28; 8:38; 10:45; Lk 6:5; 7:34; 9:26, 58; 11:30; 12:8, 40; Jn 3:13; 6:27; 12:34.

Later, speaking to the seven churches in Asia, Jesus identifies Himself allegorically in various ways:

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks (Rev 2:1).

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive (Rev 2:8).

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges (Rev 2:12).

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass (Rev 2:18).

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars (Rev 3:1).

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth (Rev 3:7).

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God (Rev 3:14).

For Jesus Christ is the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God (Rev 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14).

It has the following meaning.

These things saith the first and the last (Rev 2:8). The First and Last (Protos and Eskhatos, the Beginning and the End) – these names represent Christ as the Beginning and the End of all things. Concerning the beginning of time, it says: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (Jn 1:1—3). And about the reward received through Christ at the end of time: But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life (Rom 6:22). But the lot of sinners is eternal death (see Rom 6:21). It also says: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (Rev 1:8; compare Rev 1:10, 17; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13). Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, with which the Apocalypse was recorded. Also, Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, is called Logos (the Word of God, God-the-Word). Thus, Alpha and Omega signify the fullness and perfection of the Word.

Which was dead, and is alive (Rev 2:8). Jesus was crucified, died, and rose again. Also: I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Rev 1:17—18). By his resurrection, Jesus destroyed death and rescued from hell all the Old Testament patriarchs by taking them to heaven.

Which hath the sharp sword with two edges (Rev 2:12). The sword in this vision is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph 6:17). The Word is depicted as a weapon, because, coming out of the mouth of the Lord, it is primarily a sin-exposing prophecy that smites sinful thoughts: Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword (Mt 10:34); For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12); Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth (Rev 2:16); And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God (Rev 19:15; compare Rev 19:21).

The Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass (Rev 2:18). Jesus Christ is the second person of the Holy Trinity. In John’s vision, he appears in the radiance of his heavenly glory: His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace… and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength (Rev 1:14—16). The white wool and the fine copper are symbols of Divine purity (compare Dan 7:9). Fire stands for God’s power (compare Rev 20:9).

He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars (Rev 3:1). He that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks (Rev 2:1). The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches (Rev 1:20). The seven stars are the seven Angels or the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth (Rev 5:6), which are before his throne (Rev 1:4). They rule over the seven churches, which signify the seven periods of the Universal Christian Church.

He that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth (Rev 3:7). The key of David is the key to interpreting prophecy or the key of knowledge (Lk 11:52; compare Mt 23:13). If a prophecy is interpreted correctly, no one can distort its meaning. Since prophecies are often presented in a symbolic way, their meaning is locked until the time when the prophetic door is opened (compare Rev 3:8) by the above-mentioned key, named after the prophet and psalmist David.

The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God (Rev 3:14). Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Word, the second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, the true beginning of God’s creation, for it is said: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (Jn 1:1—3). Through John’s prophecy, it is conveyed: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (Rev 1:4—6). Jesus Christ, the Word, is Amen, that is, the Truth, for the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king (Jer 10:10). It also says: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (Jn 17:17). And more: Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life (1 Jn 5:5—12). Woe to those who, having the Truth before their eyes, still blindly inquire: What is truth? (Jn 18:38).

When John saw Jesus in his Divine glory, he was overwhelmed: And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not (Rev 1:17). And his voice as the sound of many waters (Rev 1:15). A great voice, as of a trumpet (Rev 1:10).

The Old Testament prophets often experienced something like this when they saw angels. Here is Daniel’s testimony:

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me (Dan 10:4—19).

In the same way, Jesus laid his right arm on him (Rev 1:17) so he would take heart. He commanded: Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter (Rev 1:19).

Chapter 1:2. The second vision of God’s glory

In the next vision, John was taken up to heaven:

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Rev 4:1—11).

This time, John saw God the Father, the first Person of the Holy Trinity, Lord God Almighty (Rev 4:8).

The green rainbow (emerald) around the throne of the Lord is a symbol of redemption, mercy, and renewal:

And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth (Gen 9:12—16).

And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about (Ezek 1:26—28).

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open (Rev 10:1—2).

The seven spirits are the seven archangels. They are the so-called supreme angels, the ones closest to God. In the Bible, they are called by their names (compare Enoch 20):

Michael the archangel:

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee (Jude 1:9).

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book (Dan 12:1).

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven (Rev 12:7—8).

Gabriel the archangel:

And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision (Dan 8:15—17).

Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation (Dan 9:21).

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season (Lk 1:18—20).

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women (Lk 1:26—28).

Raphael (Azarias) the archangel:

I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One (Tob 12:15).

Then the young man said to the angel, Brother Azarias, to what use is the heart and the liver and the gal of the fish? (Tob 6:7).

Jeremiel [Remiel] the archangel:

And unto these things Jeremiel the archangel gave them answer, and said, Even when the number of seeds is filled in you: for he hath weighed the world in the balance. By measure hath he measured the times; and by number hath he numbered the times; and he doth not move nor stir them, until the said measure be fulfilled (2 Esd 4:36—37 [3 Ezra 4:36—37 rus]).

Uriel the archangel:

And the angel that was sent unto me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer, and said, Thy heart hath gone to far in this world, and thinkest thou to comprehend the way of the most High? (2 Esd 4:1—2 [3 Ezra 4:1—2 rus]).

And so I fasted seven days, mourning and weeping, like as Uriel the angel commanded me (2 Esd 5:20 [3 Ezra 5:20 rus]).

Where is Uriel the angel, who came unto me at the first? (2 Esd 10:28 [3 Ezra 10:28 rus]).

Salathiel [Saraqael] the archangel:

So the angel that was come to talk with me held me, comforted me, and set me up upon my feet. And in the second night it came to pass, that Salathiel the captain of the people came unto me, saying, Where hast thou been? and why is thy countenance so heavy? (2 Esd 5:15—16 [3 Ezra 5:15—16 rus]).

In the midst and around the throne John saw the other four angels in the form of a Lion, Calf, Man, and Eagle. They were called Cheribim:

Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever. Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever (Prayer of Azarias and Hymn of the Three Children 1:32—33 [Dan 3:54—55 rus]).

Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne (Ezek 10:1).

O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth (Is 37:16).

The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved (Ps 99:1 [Ps 98:1 rus]).

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind (Ps 18:6—10 [Ps 17:7—11 rus]).

Around the Lord’s throne, there were 24 smaller thrones with 24 elders sitting on them. They had crowns on their heads and were clothed in white. The elders are saints, the white robes represent righteousness, and their golden crowns symbolize victory over death:

Four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints (Rev 5:8).

These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14).

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels (Rev 3:5).

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne (Rev 3:21).

Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Rev 2:10).