Exposition on Chapter XXII of the Apocalypse, verses 6-18 opening

6. "And he said to me: These words are most faithful and true; and the Lord God of the spirits of the Prophets sent his Angel to show his servants the things which must happen soon. 7. And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

Above John set down the beginning and narration of the book; here he sets down its conclusion.

And it is divided into three parts. In the first, a commendation of the whole work is set down. Secondly, lest anything be added or subtracted, a threat is set down, there at verse 18: "For I testify, etc." Thirdly, he wishes grace to all Saints, there at verse 21: "The grace of our Lord, etc."

Likewise, the work is commended from five things. First, from the authority of the Angel. Secondly, from the authority of John, there at verse 8: "And I John." Thirdly, from the authority of Christ, there at verse 16: "I Jesus." Fourthly, from the authority of the Church and of the whole Trinity, there at verse 17: "And the spirit and the bride." Fifthly, from the authority of the one reading and understanding, in the same place, "And he who hears."

In the first three things are said. First, the testimony of the Angel; secondly, the manifestation of necessity, there at verse 7: "It must happen soon." Thirdly, of usefulness, there at verse 8: "Blessed is he who keeps."

Therefore he says: "And he said to me," namely the Angel who had shown the other things, "These words," namely which from the beginning of the book have been shown to you, "are most faithful," that is, most worthy of faith, "and true," because spoken by the true God, according to Haymo. Or, "Most faithful," because they pay what they promise; "and true," because they deceive no one.

"The Lord God of the spirits," that is, he who has in his power the gift of the Holy Spirit. "Of the Prophets," that is, through whom the Prophets spoke. 2 Peter 1:21: For at no time was it brought by human will, etc.

"Sent his Angel," that is, whom he created for this, that he might be his messenger, "to show," that is, so that he might show, "his servants," that is, the humble, not the proud. The Gloss says, not kings or philosophers.

"The things which must happen soon," because of God's preordination, and because of the remuneration of the good and the evil.

"And behold, I come quickly."

"And behold, I come," to glorify the good and punish the evil. Joel 3:4: Soon and quickly I will repay recompense, etc. [Marginal label: Soon.] NOTE: According to Haymo, he says "soon," or "quickly," because every time of the present life, compared to eternity, is held as momentary.

"Blessed is he who hears," by understanding, by obeying, by fulfilling in work, etc., "the words of the prophecy of this book," that is, the things which are contained in this book. Luke 11:28: Blessed are those who hear the word of God, etc. Gregory says: "If you wish to keep the word, it is necessary that you apply your hand."

8. "And I John, who heard and saw these things."

Here the commendation of the work is set down from the authority of John.

First, John testifies that he saw and heard these things. Secondly, he makes clear how he conducted himself when these things had been seen, there, "And after I had heard."

Therefore he says: "And I John." The Gloss says, who am accustomed to say nothing false. "Who heard" the words, "and saw these things," namely these figures, supply, am bearing testimony concerning the aforesaid things.

8. "And after I had heard and seen, I fell down to adore before the feet of the Angel who was showing me these things. 9. And he said to me: See that you do not do it; for I am your fellow-servant, and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of the prophecy of this book. Adore God. 10. And he said to me: Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is near."

Here he says how he conducted himself when these things had been seen.

And three things are said. First, that he adored the Angel. Secondly, that he was forbidden by the Angel, there at verse 9: "And he said to me." Thirdly, he forbids him to hide the mysteries of this, there at verse 10: "Do not seal."

Hence he says: "And after I had seen and heard," namely all the aforesaid things, "I fell down," humbling myself in heart and body, "that I might adore," that is, show the honor of reverence which is dulia, "before the feet of the Angel who was showing me these things." As if he said: For this reason I wished to adore.

"And he said to me,"

Namely the Angel whom I wished to adore: "See," that is, take care, "that you do not do it." As if he said: Attend carefully to the dignity of human nature, and do not adore me.

"For I am your fellow-servant," that is, I and you are servants of one God, "and of your brothers the prophets." The Gloss says, that is, of those preaching, "and of those who keep the words of the prophecy of this book." The Gloss says, that is, of those obeying the Preachers.

"Adore God," namely him who alone is to be exalted above human nature. Matthew 4:10: You shall adore the Lord your God.

"And he said to me,"

Namely the Angel who was speaking with me: "Do not seal," that is, do not seal up or close, "the words of the prophecy of this book." A like passage, Habakkuk 2:2: Write the vision, and explain it upon tablets, etc.

And he adds the cause: "For the time is near," namely in which these things must be fulfilled; and therefore each one ought to be solicitous to do good things. Ecclesiastes 9:10: Whatever your hand is able to do, work earnestly, etc.

11. "He who harms, let him harm still; and he who is in filth, let him be filthy still; and he who is just, let him be justified still; and he who is holy, let him be sanctified still. 12. Behold, I come soon."

Here is another cause why the words of the book must be manifested, namely so that the damnation of the evil and the salvation of the good may appear just.

Hence he says: "He who harms," by doing evil things, "let him harm still," namely by despising the things which have been written in the book.

"And he who is in filth," that is, dwells in vices, "let him be filthy still," that is, let him slide into worse things.

"And he who is just." Haymo says, through faith, "let him be justified still," through good operation. Psalm 83:8: They will go from virtue into virtue.

"And he who is holy," namely in himself, "let him be sanctified still," by advancing more.

"Behold, I come soon,"

Namely to judge the good and evil. Joel 3:14: Near is the day of the Lord in the valley of cutting. And when he says, "Behold," evidence is noted; "I come," presence; "soon," swiftness.

"And my reward is with me, to render to each one according to his works."

Here he shows that the damnation of the impious and the salvation of the just will be just.

And three things are said. First he says that to each one it will be rendered according to the requirement of his merit. Secondly he shows that he will be able to do this, there at verse 13: "I am Alpha." Thirdly, that he will render to the good and to the evil, there at verse 14: "Blessed are those who wash."

Therefore he says: "And my reward is with me," that is, which will be given by me. Isaiah 40:10: Behold, his reward is with him.

"To render to each one," that is, for rendering, "according to his works," namely to one more, to another less. Ecclesiasticus 35:24: The Lord will render to men according to their acts.

13. "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

Here he shows that he will be able to do this, because he himself is the end and beginning of all things.

Hence he says: [Marginal label: Alpha.] "I am Alpha and Omega." Bede says: "In Alpha he designates the divinity of the Word; in Omega, the assumed humanity." Likewise, Haymo says: "Alpha, that is, the beginning remaining with the Father; Omega, that is, the end born temporally from the mother." Concerning Alpha it is said, John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word. Concerning Omega it is said in the same place, verse 14: And the Word was made flesh.

"The first and the last," that is, before whom there is no one. Isaiah 41:10: Before me God was not formed, and after me there will not be.

"The beginning." The Gloss says, from whom all things began, "and the end," in whom all things will be consummated.

14. "Blessed are those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb, so that their power may be in the tree of life, and they may enter into the city through the gates."

Here he says to whom God is going to render rewards, since to the good he will render paradise, there at verse 14: "Blessed are those who wash;" to the evil eternal punishment, there at verse 15: "Outside are dogs."

Hence he says: "Blessed are those who wash their robes." Haymo says: "Those who wash their hearts and their life in the fountain of baptism and the water of penitence." Psalm 6:7: I shall wash through individual nights, etc.

"So that their power may be in the tree of life." The Gloss says, that is, so that they may be able to eat of the tree of life. Above, 2:7: To the one conquering I will give to eat of the tree of life.

Or thus: "In the tree of life," that is, in the Lord Jesus Christ, whom, when they have him, they will certainly possess all things in their head. Now his refreshment is delight in the vision of God. Matthew 5:8: Blessed are the clean of heart, etc.

"And through the gates," that is, through the faith and doctrine of the good, or through observance of the commandments. Matthew 19:17: If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.

Or, "Through the gates," that is, virtues and gifts, "they may enter into the city," that is, the Church triumphant.

15. "Outside are dogs, and poisoners, and the shameless, and murderers, and those serving idols, and everyone who loves and makes a lie."

Here John shows who are those who will be cast outside.

Hence he says: [Marginal label: Many will be cast outside.] "Outside," that is, outside the city, namely they will remain, exposed to winds and storms and tempests, and excluded forever, "dogs," that is, those returning to sins, just as dogs to vomit; concerning these, 2 Peter 2:22: That of the true proverb has happened to them: A dog returned to his vomit. Or, the envious and detractors are called dogs. Philippians 3:2: Beware of dogs..., beware of the cutting.

"And poisoners," literally, those who serve poisons as drink to others. Habakkuk 2:15: Woe to him who gives drink to his friend, sending gall.

"And the shameless," that is, the immodest. Jeremiah 3:3: The forehead of a prostitute woman has been made yours, etc.

"And murderers," those who kill with material sword, or with will, or with word, or by withdrawing necessary sustenance. Augustine says: "You did not feed; you killed."

"And those serving idols," as Pagans. Or spiritually, as the greedy. Ephesians 5:3: Every greedy person, which is the service of idols, does not have inheritance, etc.

"And everyone who loves," that is, who willingly hears, "and makes," that is, invents, "a lie." Haymo says: "He is said to love and make a lie who lies with zeal and love of sinning."

16. "I Jesus sent my Angel to testify these things to you in the Churches."

Here the work is commended from the authority of Christ.

And two things are said. First, Christ is introduced, saying that he sent the Angel for the revelation of divine mysteries. Secondly, he describes himself, there, "I am the root of David."

Therefore he says: "I Jesus," supply, am, from whom is all salvation, and therefore one must believe me. "I sent," as Lord, "my Angel," that is, whom I created for my service, "to testify to you," that is, for testifying, "these things in the Churches," namely through John, to whom these things were revealed. Above, 1:1: Sending through his Angel to his servant John. And there follows, verse 4: John to the seven Churches which are in Asia.

"I am the root and stock of David, the splendid and morning star."

Here Christ describes himself. And first, from the divine nature; secondly, from the human, there, "And stock of David;" thirdly, from the most powerful effect which he made in human nature, there, "The splendid star."

Therefore he says: [Marginal label: Root of David.] "I am the root of David," that is, the origin and support of David through divinity, just as the root is the support and origin of a tree, and nourishes it. "And stock of David," because generated from him according to humanity. Romans 1:3: Who was made from the seed of David according to the flesh.

"Star," because he illuminated the night of this world. Likewise, "Splendid," because he excels the splendor of all the Saints. "And morning," because he announced and made the day of grace.

Likewise, "Star," illuminating others by doctrine and preaching; "splendid," in the working of miracles; "morning," in the resurrection. Ecclesiasticus 50:6: Like the morning star in the midst of a cloud.

17. "And the spirit and the bride say: Come. And he who hears, let him say: Come. And he who thirsts, let him come; and he who wills, let him receive the water of life freely."

Here is the fourth part, where the work is commended from the authority of the whole Trinity and of the general Church.

Hence he says: "And the spirit," that is, the whole Trinity. Or, [Marginal label: Bridegroom of the Church.] "Bridegroom," according to another letter, that is, God the Trinity. John 3:29: He who has, namely, the Church as bride, is the bridegroom.

"And the bride," that is, holy Church, whom God betrothed to himself through faith. Hosea 2:20: I will betroth you to me in faith, etc.

"They say," namely to any faithful person, "Come," namely to the hearing of this book. Note: Haymo says: "God calls through hidden inspiration; the bride invites through open preaching."

"And he who hears," that is, understands the book, "let him say: Come," namely to knowledge of those things which are written in this book. Wisdom 7:13: Without fiction I learned, and without envy I communicate, etc.

"And he who thirsts, let him come," that is, he who desires to believe in Christ, let him come, namely through right faith and good work. John 7:37: If anyone thirsts, let him come to me.

"And he who wills, let him receive the water of life freely." TO THE CONTRARY: Romans 9:16: It is not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God showing mercy. Therefore he says badly: "He who wills, etc." RESPONSE. [Marginal label: To receive grace.] It belongs to the one willing to receive grace by preparing himself, but it belongs to God by effecting it. He speaks here in the first way, but in the second way, in Romans 9:16. Haymo responds thus: It must be known that mercy first anticipates, so that we may will; then our will follows, so that through the same grace we may work. Philippians 2:13: God is the one who works in you both to will and to accomplish. Hence: "He who wills," that is, he who has been made willing from God showing mercy, not by his own merits, but by the freely given goodness of God, "let him receive the water of life," that is, eternal beatitude, "freely," namely with respect to the root of merit, which is charity; because that is given freely, and when it has been had, eternal life is merited.

18. "For I testify to everyone hearing the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add upon him the plagues written in this book. 19. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the Book of life, and from the holy city, and from these things which are written in this book. 20. He who gives testimony of these things says: Indeed I come soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

Here is the third part of this part, in which John forbids through a sentence of excommunication that anything be added to this work or subtracted from it.

And five things are said. First, he forbids that anything be added. Secondly, that anything be subtracted, there at verse 19: "And if anyone." Thirdly, by the authority of Christ he confirms his sentence, there at verse 20: "He who gives testimony." Fourthly, so that the sentence may be more feared, he shows that Christ will come soon, in the same place, "I come soon." Fifthly, with respect to this coming, he manifests his affection, in the same place, "Come, Lord Jesus."

Therefore he says: [Marginal label: Nothing is to be added to, or subtracted from, the Apocalypse.] "For I testify," that is, I bear witness, "to everyone hearing the words of the prophecy of this book." And there follows concerning what he testifies: "If anyone adds to these things," that is, adds some error to the things which are contained in this book, "God will add upon him the plagues written in this book, etc." Above ¹.