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Article sixty-eight About the pure river that seemed to emanate from the throne Rev.22:1. And he showed me a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and the Lamb. The baptism of rebirth is allegorically called the river emanating from the Church, because those washed in it by the action of the Holy Spirit become purer than snow and crystal. And the river flowing through the mountainous Jerusalem, full of the water of God, is the Life-giving Spirit emanating from God the Father, watering through the Angel both the highest powers, called the thrones of God, and the hundredfold of the holy city, that is, its inhabitants, who have increased, according to the word of the Psalmist, “more than the sand” (Ps. 139:18). Rev.22:2. In the midst of its street, and on both sides of the river, is the tree of life, bearing fruit twelve times, yielding its fruit every month; The river, he says, will water the saints planted near it, allegorically called the “tree of life” for their communion and imitation of the tree of life - Christ. They produce twelve fruits, that is, they continually give fruit, because there will not be a sinful winter, forcing, as we see now, the tree of life to shed its leaves, but then the age of unceasing fruiting of the saints will begin. In accordance with our usual yearly circulation, and also for the sake of the apostolic preaching, it is called here twelve months. This same verse can be explained in another way. By the river one can understand, as has been said, the gifts of the Holy Spirit sent down through the throne of the Father and the Son, that is, the Cherubim, on which God sits, as on a throne, on the “hundreds” of the city, that is, on its numerous society; because these gifts flow from the highest to the lowest in the order of the Heavenly hierarchy. The “tree of life” means Christ known through the Holy Spirit, for in Him is the Spirit, and He is worshiped in the Spirit and is the Giver of the Spirit. Through Him, the twelve fruits of the apostles give us eternal, unfading fruits of prudence. Or is it here foreshadowed “the acceptable year of the Lord” and the day of recompense,” about which the prophet spoke (Isa. 61:1, 2). and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. The leaves of the tree of life - Christ - signify the subtlest and most luminous understanding of the destinies of God, and its fruits - the most perfect knowledge that will be revealed in the next century. For peoples who are inferior in the practice of virtues, these leaves will serve to cleanse their ignorance and heal. For “one is the glory of the sun, and another is the glory of the moon, and another is the glory of the stars” (1 Cor. 15:41), and there are many mansions with the Father (John 14:2), so that each may be worthy of greater or lesser lordship according to the nature of his deeds. This can also be understood differently. By the tree of life, which bears twelve fruits, one can understand the apostolic face because of its participation with the true Tree of Life, which gave us the communion of His Divinity through the incarnation. Its fruits bear a hundredfold fruit, and its leaves bear sixtyfold fruit. These, passing on to the lower ones the ray of illumination with the light of God that they received from those who bore fruit a hundredfold, will bring healing and health to the peoples who bore fruit thirtyfold. For there will be a difference between those who are saved, as between leaves and fruits: some will be glorified more, and others less. In general, in Holy Scripture very often one tree is mentioned instead of many, just as there are many cases when the plural is used instead of the singular. Rev.22:3. And nothing will be cursed anymore; Anathema, that is, excommunication, can be understood in two senses: either left to God alone and inaccessible to many, or as not relating to creation and holy powers, but said to the devil and attributed to him for the sake of his final alienation from good. We think that here “anathema” is used in a stronger sense, for this is not imposed, but excommunicated, being subject to the devil, and condemned to be trampled upon. There will be no such curse in the city. but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will serve Him. Rev.22:4. And they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Those who have become the thrones of God, after the Lords rest on them, will live in this city and will see Him face to face, not in fortune telling, but, according to the testimony of the great Dionysius, in the form in which the apostles saw Him on Mount Tabor. Instead of the golden shield (a plate with the inscription: “Holy to the Lord,” which was attached to the headdress - Ed.) of the ancient high priest (Ex. 28:36), they will have the inscription of the name of God not only on the forehead, but also in the heart, that is, love for Him is firm, immutable and bold. For the mark on the forehead means boldness. Rev.22:5. And there will be no night there, and they will have no need of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God illuminates them; and they will reign forever and ever. The righteous, according to the word of Christ, will shine like the sun (Matthew 13:43), and for them, having as their enlightenment and King the Lord of glory, by whom they, reigning with Him, will be ruled forever, will not need the light of lamps or the sun. Article sixty-nine That Christ is the God of the Prophets and the Lord of Angels Rev.22:6. And he said to me: these words are true and true; “Faithful and true” because the Truth Itself pronounces them. Having indicated everything seen and explained as if through an Angel, He now speaks on His own behalf. and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants what was soon to happen. If the God of the prophets is Christ, who sent His Angel to show His servants the future through Blessed John, who contemplated this vision, then it is obvious only in relation to the economy that the Apostle says in advance that Revelation was given to the Son for the sake of the flesh. Since, really, the God of the prophets, Who sends Angels as ministering spirits to reveal the future to His servants, does not know either the day or the hour of death and only now learns from the Father, He, who, like God, has the secret treasures of wisdom and reason? On His behalf the evangelist further says: Rev.22:7. Behold, I am coming quickly: blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. Other prophets also tend to offer Divine commands as if on their own behalf. The words “I am coming soon” indicate either the brevity of this life in comparison with the future, or the suddenness and speed of death, which, like death from here, is the end for everyone. And since it is unknown at what hour the thief comes (Matthew 24:35, 43), we are commanded to keep watch and have our loins girded and lamps burning (Luke 12:35) to live according to God and to shine for our neighbors. Let us therefore constantly, with a contrite heart, beg God to deliver us from our persecutors, so that when they conquer us, the Angels who receive our souls do not take them unprepared, “I am not a deliverer, but one who saves” (Ps. 7:3), so that the soul of each, entangled in the bonds of earthly affairs and unable to bear being separated from them, does not return to them in vain, and, forced The angels, by God's command to leave them, would not mourn needlessly for the time she had neglected. But, constantly singing the song of David: “We were prepared and were not troubled to keep Your commandments” (Ps. 118:60), we will hear as a reward for their fulfillment the words of God: “Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful for a little, but I will make you ruler over many: enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21). With Him befits glory to the Father with the Holy Spirit, honor and power, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. About the reliability of what the Angel saw Rev.22:8. I, John, saw and heard this. When I heard and saw, I fell at the feet of the Angel showing me this to worship him; Rev.22:9. but he said to me: see that you do not do this; For I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and with them who keep the words of this book; Worship God. This is a property of the apostolic soul, because, as he said in the Gospel: “And he who has seen bears witness, and his testimony is true” (John 19:35), so here too, based on the presentation of what he saw, he assures that he himself saw and heard what was predicted. He also showed the blessing of the Angel, who revealed the vision, that he did not accept its worship, but prudently took it and handed it over to the Lord. That Revelation is commanded not to be recorded, but to be preached Rev.22:10. And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is near. Until now, he conveyed the words of the Angel, and now he speaks on behalf of the Lord Christ: “do not seal the words of prophecy.” This book is worthy of reading by believers, because it guides those who read it to true life by indicating the punishments prepared for sinners and the peace promised to saints. Rev.22:11. Let the unrighteous still do injustice; let the unclean one still become unclean; let the righteous still do righteousness, and let the holy one still be sanctified. Rev.22:12. Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his deeds. Let no one think that with these words He encourages untruth, desecration and offense, but, pointing to free will and preserving its ease, He seems to say: let everyone do as he pleases; I don't force him. And, indicating that for every deed there will be an end corresponding to it, He says: “I am coming... to reward everyone according to his deed.” Rev.22:13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the First and the Last. “Alpha and Omega” means that just as in the beginning there is nothing older than Him, so His power and the Divine Kingdom will have no end. And it has been said more than once above that Christ is Alpha and Omega, as the First in Divinity and the Last in humanity. Rev.22:14. Blessed are those who keep His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life and to enter into the city through the gates. Those who keep God’s commandments are truly blessed, because they will have the power in a blessed life to rest “on the tree of life” - Christ our God, to be satisfied and enjoy the contemplation of Him, and then nothing evil will be able to prevent this. Through the “Gates” of the apostles, that is, through their teaching, they will enter the highest city through the true door (John 10:9), not “creeping elsewhere” (John 10:1), like hired shepherds, but will be introduced by the Gatekeeper of life. Rev. 22:15. And outside are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices iniquity. Here, shameless, unfaithful and generally evil workers are called dogs, mourned by the apostle, and at the same time returning after baptism to “their vomit” (2 Pet. 2:22). For this they will be alienated from the city above, along with murderers, adulterers and idolaters. About the fact that the Church and the Spirit who dwells in her await the glorious coming of Christ, and about the curse to which those who damage this book will be subjected Rev.22:16. I, Jesus, have sent My Angel to testify to you this in the churches. This testifies to the dignity of the Master who sends the Angel. The word “testify” is used instead of “testify.” I am the root and descendant of David, Christ is the “root” of David, as God, as having come from him, is his “race.” the star is bright and morning. "The morning star and the morning star." Christ, who shone forth to us in the morning of the Three Days and is about to appear to the saints, after this life, on the morning of the general resurrection, will establish an endless day. Rev.22:17. Both the Spirit and the bride say: come! And let him who hears say: Come! “Bride” - the Church and the Spirit who dwells in it say in our hearts: “Abba, Father!” (Gal. 4:6), and call for the coming of the Only Begotten Son of God. Likewise, every believer who listens to the teaching prays to God the Father: “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). Let him who is thirsty come, and let him who desires take the water of life freely. “And thirst and let him come.” A thirst for the drink of life is necessary for the lasting possession of what has been acquired. And especially because the gift is given not to those who are unworthy of its greatness, although they work a little, but to those who bring a good mind, kindled more than silver and gold, as well as bodily labor. Rev.22:18. And I also testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; Rev.22:19. and if anyone takes away anything 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 what is written in this book. A terrible curse on the perverters of Divine Scripture; their daring recklessness, ill-will and pride will deprive them of the benefits of the next century. And he warns us so that we do not undergo the same thing and do not add or subtract for this, but consider the words of Scripture more reliable and more glorious than Attic writings and dialectical syllogisms. Because even in them, if there is anything inconsistent with the truth, then they usually resort to the testimony of the author of these works. But the difference in the greatness of the famous among us and among them is difficult to even imagine in our minds. I think she is more than between light and darkness. Rev.22:20. He who testifies to this says: Hey, I am coming quickly! Amen. Hey, come, Lord Jesus! Rev.22:21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The Apostle says: “And I, who bear witness to this, cry: to You, our Life, I come, and You Yourself, come, Lord!” But perhaps the words “bear witness to this” are also spoken on behalf of Christ, that is, He says: “I, who am testified, will come quickly,” and the apostle answers: “Come, Lord Jesus.” The coming of Christ is desirable for the saints, as it brings with it many rewards. Therefore, this book, which leads to a blessed death and peace for those who read it, is holy, divinely inspired. Now we will briefly outline its purpose. What has been said about the seven churches teaches us patience in troubles, love of doing good and other virtues. From here it is clear that on earth one should prefer to contemplate with a pure spiritual eye in heaven the glory of God, not the essence of God, but His appearance, perceived either in the form of many different stones, or a multi-colored rainbow, or in other images of God’s economy. We also learn that God is surrounded by holy disembodied forces and those who please Him in the flesh, that thunder and lightning precede His coming, that it is impossible to comprehend and explain the book of God’s destinies, sealed with the seven seals of the Spirit, which received only through the Lamb of God the revelation of everything that happens from His coming to the end. We also learn about the bravery and courage of the martyrs, the terrible punishment of the infidels, the fruitfulness of the seed of the Gospel, the falling away of the weak and those of little faith, the desire of the saints for the second coming of Christ, the disasters before the Antichrist and his persecution of Christians. In addition, it is also indicated as honest (worthy of all respect - Ed. ) are saints before God, for the punishments of sinners are postponed until they are discovered by the seal by the punishing Angels. From the same book we learn about the seven plagues that will befall those living on earth in the last times, so that we turn our attention to repentance and prayer to God, so as not to experience them. The philanthropy of the Angels who hold the Gospel and preach it to those on earth, the firmness and courage of the souls of the saints who will appear before death to expose the Antichrist are also pointed out; the destruction of Jerusalem, the death and destruction of pagan cities and thanksgiving for this to the heavenly powers, persecution of the Church, the fall of the devil, the coming of the Antichrist and the deception of the false prophet. The multitude of those being saved is shown, the fall of Babylon and the harvest of the world field, the pruning of the bitter grapes, the rest of the saints, like a clear glass sea, and the pouring out of the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth, sea, rivers and other elements - an outpouring for the sins of people, bringing punishment and darkening the throne of the beast, and opening the way and passage through the Euphrates for the helpers and servants of the devil, exposing their weakness and producing a general and final oscillation of the world for a change in the present, when a city like a harlot, adulterous and bestial, having the devil in itself and resting on him, will be struck. Then we see that the higher powers sing praises to God; The Church, or heavenly Jerusalem, is most closely united with Christ, and the winepress of wrath is trampled upon, and after the destruction of everything earthly, after the betrayal of the Antichrist and his servants to Gehenna, the angelic forces and saints become partners in the spiritual supper. From here we learn about the binding of the devil, his temporary release and condemnation to torment, about the bliss of the martyrs reigning with Christ until the coming of the Antichrist, after which the devil, who aroused Gog and Magog to war, will be punished along with them, when the books of life are opened and some go to the second death, while others are worthy of the heavenly Jerusalem and are brought to Christ. We also learn about the size of the city, about the Divine River of the Spirit flowing there and that nothing can describe the splendor of the present mountain, or the endless glory, turning us to which the Theologian commands us to say: “come,” that is, that He who wants to give what has been prepared for the saints will come. Grant, God, that we may acquire it through long-suffering, meekness, humility and purity of heart, which gives rise to constant and imperturbable a prayer that raises the mind to the Mystic God. For the enemy-seducer, during heartfelt prayer to God, tries to penetrate our hearts in order to sow evil seeds that tear us away from union with God, and to prevent the fire from burning from the teachings of God, which destroys his slander and temptations. For “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29), He will make the soul that converses with Him purely and unabashedly, even during its sinful cooling, warm and receptive to the scorching fire, just as the sun shining strongly on a glass vessel with water sends fire there through heating and refraction of rays. Therefore, we too will show ourselves pure to the Sun of Truth, like a glass church of the Spirit, and not mortal and meager vessels, incapable of receiving the rays of the Divine. And the Lord, “who wants everyone to be saved and to come into the understanding of truth” (1 Tim. 2:4), shines with the unrestrained grace of His light on everyone, but communicates it to everyone only according to the purity of his spiritual eyes. May the All-Merciful Christ, our God, who suffered for us in the flesh, make us worthy to receive it. To Him, together with the Father and the All-Holy Life-Giving Spirit, is due all glory, honor and worship, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. 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