Works › Commentary on the Apocalypse of Blessed John
Volume 38 · pp. 582–584
Chapter VI: beginning of the sixth seal
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12. « Et vidi cum aperuisset sigillum sextum: et ecce terraemotus magnus factus est, et sol factus est niger tamquam saccus cilicinus, et luna tota facta est sicut sanguis, 13. Et stellae de caelo ceciderunt super terram, sicut ficus emittit grossos suos cum a vento magno movetur. »
Hic agitur de sexto sigillo. Et in apertione hujus ostenditur quae tribulatio ventura sit tempore Antichristi. Et dividitur haec pars in duas. In prima manifestatur tribulatio Ecclesiae tempore Antichristi. In secunda, ne desperent boni, subditur consolatio ex praesentia Christi, ibi, VII, 2: « Et vidi alterum Angelum. »
In prima duo tanguntur. Primo, quod tanta erit tribulatio, quod in Ecclesia secundum omnem sui statum fiet immutatio. Secundo, quod propter hoc impedietur praedicatio, infra, VII, 1: « Post haec vidi quatuor Angelos. »
In prima duo. Primo quod erit praedicta immutatio. Secundo, ponitur hujus immutationis manifestatio: et hoc dupliciter: primo, quantum ad bonos: secundo, quantum ad malos. Primum, ibi, « Et sol factus est. » Secundum, ibi, V. 14: « Et omnis mons, etc. »
Dicit ergo: « Et vidi, » scilicet oculis mentis, « cum aperuisset sigillum sextum, » id est, manifestasset mysterium sexti sigilli, quod est tribulatio inferenda tempore Antichristi. Hoc autem facit Dominus duplici causa. Primo, ut moderni in contemplatione futurorum Sanctorum animentur ad tolerantiam passionum: quia istae quasi nihil sunt respectu futurarum. Secundo, ut cum venerint, minus gravent: quia jacula quae praevidentur, minus feriunt, ut dicit Gregorius.
« Et ecce, etc. » Istud ecce est nota admirationis. « Terraemotus factus est magnus, » id est, Ecclesiae persecutio tempore Antichristi: terra enim est Ecclesia. Eccle. I, 4: Terra autem in aeternum stat. « Motus magnus, » persecutio magna, de qua, Matth. XXIV, 21 et seq., erit tanta tribulatio, ut si fieri potest moveantur etiam electi. Et utitur praeterito hic pro futuro certitudine prophetali.
« Et sol factus est niger. » Factus, id est, fiet. Nota: Per solem intelliguntur Doctores Ecclesiae: quia sicut sol inter alios planetas maxime fulget, sic illi dicuntur fulgere inter alios homines. Matth. V, 14: Vos estis lux mundi. Primo ergo dicuntur sol, quia illuminant et accendunt. I ad Timoth. IV, 12: Exemplum esto fidelium, etc. Secundo, quia sicut sol vires resolvit, excrementa fluviorum detrahit, lutum siccat, fructus maturat: sic Doctores. Unde, Malach. IV, 2: Orietur vobis timentibus nomen meum Sol justitiae. Tertio, quia sicut sol distinguit horas diei, sic Doctores perfectionem Apostolorum qui sunt duodecim horae diei 1. Quarto, quia sicut sol atomos apparere facit, sic Doctores minimos defectus cognoscunt. Unde, supra, II, 18: Qui habet oculos, id est, Doctores, tamquam flammam ignis. Quinto, quia sicut sol quanto magis elevatur, tanto magis calefacit: sic Doctores quanto magis elongantur a terrenis, tanto alios magis accendunt ad amorem aeternorum. Habacuc, III, 11: Sol et luna steterunt in habitaculo suo.
12. “And I saw when he had opened the sixth seal: and behold, a great earthquake was made, and the sun became black as a haircloth sack, and the whole moon became like blood; 13. And the stars from heaven fell upon the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when it is moved by a great wind.”
Here the sixth seal is treated. And in the opening of this seal it is shown what tribulation is to come in the time of Antichrist. And this part is divided into two. In the first, the tribulation of the Church in the time of Antichrist is manifested. In the second, lest the good despair, consolation from the presence of Christ is added, there, VII, 2: “And I saw another Angel.”
In the first two things are touched upon. First, that the tribulation will be so great that in the Church, according to every state of it, a change will be made. Second, that because of this preaching will be impeded, below, VII, 1: “After these things I saw four Angels.”
In the first there are two things. First, that the aforesaid change will occur. Second, the manifestation of this change is set down, and this in two ways: first, with respect to the good; second, with respect to the wicked. The first is there, “And the sun became.” The second, there, V. 14: “And every mountain, etc.”
Therefore he says: “And I saw,” namely with the eyes of the mind, “when he had opened the sixth seal,” that is, had manifested the mystery of the sixth seal, which is the tribulation to be brought in the time of Antichrist. Now the Lord does this for a twofold cause. First, so that modern people, by contemplation of future Saints, may be animated to tolerance of sufferings, because present sufferings are as nothing in comparison with future ones. Second, so that when they come, they may weigh less heavily, because missiles that are foreseen strike less, as Gregory says.
“And behold, etc.” This behold is a mark of wonder. “A great earthquake was made,” that is, the persecution of the Church in the time of Antichrist; for the earth is the Church. Ecclesiastes I, 4: But the earth stands forever. “A great movement,” a great persecution, concerning which Matthew XXIV, 21 and following says that there will be such great tribulation that, if it can happen, even the elect will be moved. And he uses the past here for the future with prophetic certainty.
“And the sun became black.” Became, that is, will become. Note: By the sun are understood the Doctors of the Church, because as the sun shines most among the other planets, so they are said to shine among other human beings. Matthew V, 14: You are the light of the world. Therefore first they are called the sun because they illuminate and enkindle. 1 Timothy IV, 12: Be an example of the faithful, etc. Second, because as the sun dissolves strengths, draws off river sediments, dries mud, and ripens fruits, so do Doctors. Hence Malachi IV, 2: For you who fear my name, the Sun of justice shall arise. Third, because as the sun distinguishes the hours of the day, so Doctors distinguish the perfection of the Apostles, who are the twelve hours of the day 1. Fourth, because as the sun makes atoms appear, so Doctors know the smallest defects. Hence above, II, 18: Who has eyes, that is, Doctors, as a flame of fire. Fifth, because as the sun heats more the more it is raised, so Doctors, the more they are removed from earthly things, the more they enkindle others to love of eternal things. Habakkuk III, 11: Sun and moon stood in their dwelling.
« Factus est niger, » secundum apparentiam, « tamquam saccus cilicinus, » id est, viles, et peccatores reputatione malorum. « Et luna tota, » id est, medii in Ecclesia, qui post solem, id est, Praelatos, majores sunt, et lumen sicut a sole luna ab eis recipiunt, « facta est ut sanguis. » Per sanguinem intelliguntur illi qui carnalem vel terrenam vitam diligunt, quae est tota in sanguine 2. Luna ergo fit tota ut sanguis, quando timore mortis illi qui ut luna in nocte, id est, in adversitate hujus mundi splendebant, lumen suum aliis occultabunt. Joel. II, 31: Sol convertetur in tenebras, et luna in sanguinem. Vel, « Luna tota, » id est, tota congregatio mediocrium in Ecclesia, « facta est ut sanguis, » quia illi occidentur, et suo sanguine respergentur.
Per stellas quae parum habent de lumine respectu solis et lunae, intelliguntur minores in Ecclesia, qui lucent fide: sed tempore persecutionis amore terreno cadere videbuntur in terram, sed non cadent, quia finaliter non ruent. Joel. III, 15: Et stellae retraxerunt splendorem suum. Unde: « Sol factus est niger, » id est, majores in Ecclesia obscurabuntur, « tamquam saccus cilicinus, » quia miraculis non coruscabunt: « et luna tota facta est, ut sanguis, » quia timore mortis mediocres suam fidem occultabunt.
« Et stellae de caelo ceciderunt, etc. »
« Et stellae, » id est, minores in Ecclesia, « de caelo ceciderunt super terram, » id est, cadere videbuntur amore terrenorum, « sicut ficus emittit, etc. » Vel sic: « De caelo ceciderunt, » id est, a fide recesserunt, « super terram, » adhaerentes terrenis, « sicut ficus emittit grossos suos. » Haymo: « Grossos appellat fructus primi temporis, qui antequam veniant ad maturitatem, concussi vento in terram cadent. » « Cum a vento magno movetur. » Vel, Grossi intelliguntur idem quod stellae. Hi a vento magno movebuntur, id est, magna persecutione.
14. « Et caelum recessit sicut liber involutus. »
Hic ostendit quod omnes Sancti exibunt in medio impiorum, qui Sancti intelliguntur per caelum. Unde: « Et caelum, » id est, Ecclesia stellata virtutibus, lucens sapientia, sphaerica fide, alta contemplatione, mobilis obedientia, firma patientia, casa helios, id est, domus Dei, « recessit, » id est, recedet, non abscessu corporis, sicut dicit Haymo, sed fide, et opere, « sicut liber involutus, » id est, signatus, et clausus.
“It became black,” according to appearance, “as a haircloth sack,” that is, vile and sinners in the reckoning of the wicked. “And the whole moon,” that is, the middle ones in the Church, who after the sun, that is, the Prelates, are greater, and receive light from them as the moon from the sun, “became like blood.” By blood are understood those who love carnal or earthly life, which is wholly in the blood 2. Therefore the moon becomes wholly like blood when, through fear of death, those who shone as the moon in the night, that is, in the adversity of this world, will hide their light from others. Joel II, 31: The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood. Or, “the whole moon,” that is, the whole congregation of the middle ones in the Church, “became like blood,” because they will be killed and sprinkled with their own blood.
By the stars, which have little light in relation to the sun and moon, are understood the lesser ones in the Church, who shine by faith; but in the time of persecution they will seem to fall into the earth through earthly love, but they will not fall, because finally they will not collapse. Joel III, 15: And the stars withdrew their brightness. Hence: “The sun became black,” that is, the greater ones in the Church will be darkened, “as a haircloth sack,” because they will not flash with miracles; “and the whole moon became like blood,” because through fear of death the middle ones will hide their faith.
“And the stars from heaven fell, etc.”
“And the stars,” that is, the lesser ones in the Church, “fell from heaven upon the earth,” that is, they will seem to fall through love of earthly things, “as a fig tree casts, etc.” Or thus: “They fell from heaven,” that is, withdrew from faith, “upon the earth,” clinging to earthly things, “as a fig tree casts its unripe figs.” Haymo says: “He calls unripe figs the fruits of the first season, which, before they come to maturity, fall to the earth when shaken by wind.” “When it is moved by a great wind.” Or, the unripe figs are understood as the same as the stars. These will be moved by a great wind, that is, by great persecution.
14. “And heaven withdrew like a rolled-up book.”
Here he shows that all the Saints will go out in the midst of the impious; these Saints are understood by heaven. Hence: “And heaven,” that is, the Church starred with virtues, shining with wisdom, spherical by faith, high by contemplation, mobile by obedience, firm by patience, casa helios, that is, the house of God, “withdrew,” that is, will withdraw, not by absence of body, as Haymo says, but by faith and work, “like a rolled-up book,” that is, sealed and closed.
Nota: Sicut in libro involuto non videtur quid intus contineatur, nisi ab illis quibus voluntarie aperitur: sic Sancti illius ultimi temporis suis se manifestabunt, et extraneis se celabunt. Unde Glossa: « Celantes praedicationem impiis. » Item, in Sanctis erit fides, et sanctitas, sed non apparebit, quia non facient miracula. Isa. XXIX, 11: Erit vobis visio omnium sicut verba libri signati, quem cum dederint scienti litteras, dicent: Lege istum: et respondebit: Non possum, signatus est enim, scilicet ubi litterae non apparent, licet sint ibi.
Aliter exponuntur praedicta de Christo sic: « Et sol » id est, Christus, « factus est niger tamquam saccus cilicinus, » quia tunc non lucebunt miraculis, malis econtra facientibus miracula. « Et luna, » id est, Ecclesia a vero sole illuminata, « tota, » id est, totaliter secundum omnem sui statum, « facta est, » reputatione malorum, « ut sanguis, » id est, ut sanguinea, et peccatrix. « Et stellae caeli, » id est, Sancti, « de caelo ceciderunt super terram, » id est, a Christo separati sunt reputatione malorum propter terrenorum amorem. « Et caelum, » id est, vera Scripturae intelligentia, « recessit sicut liber involutus, » id est, recedet ab hominum memoria propter sua peccata. Vel, « Et caelum » id est, praedicatores, « recessit sicut liber involutus, » quia prae nimia persecutione non audebunt, nec poterunt praedicare. Moraliter potes omnia exponere de Praelato.
14. « Et omnis mons, et insulae de locis suis motae sunt: 15. Et reges terrae, et principes, et tribuni, et divites, et fortes, et omnis servus, et liber, absconderunt se in speluncis, et in petris montium: 16. Et dicunt montibus et petris: Cadite super nos, et abscondite nos a facie sedentis super thronum, et ab ira Agni: 17. Quoniam venit dies magnus irae ipsorum, et quis poterit stare? »
Supra ostendit fieri immutationem circa bonos in Ecclesia secundum omnem statum, hic ostendit immutationem fieri in malis secundum omnem eorum differentiam. Et dicuntur duo. Primo dicit, quod omnes mali in Ecclesia movebuntur a fide. Secundo, quod desperati fugient ad auxilium daemonum, judicio imminente, ibi, V. 15: « Absconderunt se in speluncis. » In prima dicuntur tria. Primo, quod
Note: As in a rolled-up book one does not see what is contained inside, except by those to whom it is voluntarily opened, so the Saints of that last time will manifest themselves to their own and hide themselves from strangers. Hence the Gloss says: “Hiding preaching from the impious.” Likewise, in the Saints there will be faith and holiness, but it will not appear, because they will not work miracles. Isaiah XXIX, 11: The vision of all things will be to you like the words of a sealed book, which, when they have given it to one who knows letters, they say: Read this; and he will answer: I cannot, for it is sealed, namely where the letters do not appear, although they are there.
Otherwise the preceding things are expounded of Christ thus: “And the sun,” that is, Christ, “became black as a haircloth sack,” because then they will not shine with miracles, while the wicked, on the contrary, work miracles. “And the moon,” that is, the Church illuminated by the true sun, “whole,” that is, totally according to every state of itself, “became,” in the reckoning of the wicked, “like blood,” that is, bloody and sinful. “And the stars of heaven,” that is, the Saints, “fell from heaven upon the earth,” that is, in the reckoning of the wicked they were separated from Christ because of love of earthly things. “And heaven,” that is, the true understanding of Scripture, “withdrew like a rolled-up book,” that is, it will withdraw from the memory of human beings because of their sins. Or, “and heaven,” that is, preachers, “withdrew like a rolled-up book,” because because of too great persecution they will not dare or be able to preach. Morally you can expound all things about a Prelate.
14. “And every mountain and the islands were moved from their places; 15. And the kings of the earth, and princes, and tribunes, and the rich, and the strong, and every slave and free man hid themselves in caves and in the rocks of mountains; 16. And they say to the mountains and rocks: Fall upon us, and hide us from the face of the one sitting upon the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who will be able to stand?”
Above he showed that a change occurs concerning the good in the Church according to every state; here he shows that a change occurs among the wicked according to every difference of them. And two things are said. First he says that all the wicked in the Church will be moved from faith. Second, that in despair they will flee to the help of demons, when judgment is imminent, there, V. 15: “They hid themselves in caves.” In the first three things are said. First, that
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