A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St John CHAPTER 6

8/13/2019 A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St John CHAPTER 6

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CHAPTER 6

THE FIRST SIX SEALSPRELIMINARY SIGNS OF THE END 1. Subject of this Section.This section gives an account of the six Seals, which

in the os!els an" in conte#!o$a$% an" ea$lie$ &u"ais# we$e the 'essianic woes o$

signs of the i##e"iate "est$uction of the !$esent wo$l". The wo$l" in all its !hases

su(se$ves a #o$al en"the t$aining an" "isci!lining of the chil"$en of o". )hen thisen" is attaine", ie. when the nu#(e$ of o"*s chil"$en is co#!lete, +11, the !$esent

o$"e$ of things will (e "est$o%e".

The a!!$oach of this consu##ation will (e he$al"e" (% the ($ea-ing u! of !olitical

an" social o$"e$, 1, an" the !a$tial "est$uction of the !$esent cos#ic o$"e$, 6/101,

will follow. 2u$ autho$ thought that the ti#e of the en" was at han"3 fo$ he ex!ecte" a

unive$sal !e$secution an" a unive$sal #a$t%$"o#. 4ut that hou$ ha" not %et co#e3 fo$

the $oll of the #a$t%$s was still inco#!lete. Acco$"ingl% the cos#ic woes in 6/10/5

a$e still futu$e, an" even when fulfille", a$e !a$tial an" not unive$sal. 1Histo$% has still

so#e ti#e to $un, an" the ha!!enings of that ti#e a$e #ainl% the the#e of the $est of the

(oo-.

0. The enti$e cha!te$ is f$o# ou$ autho$*s han"

n"e!en"entl% of the fact that it fo$#s an o$ganic !a$t of his wo$-, the "iction an" i"io#

a$e o(viousl% his.

7!8.Diction.

1. .See !. 196. "!ssi# / use" twent%:seven ti#es inou$ autho$, (ut not elsewhe$e in the ;.T. of Ch$ist.

2. / also in , an" not elsewhe$e in;.T. save in Acts 0/09, whe$e it is a uotation f$o# &oel.7b8I$io#.

1 In the Gospels, Mark 13, Luke 21, and analogous descriptions of the last

times, these woes are to be literally and fully realized, and so to be taken as the

immediate heralds of the final udgment ! but in our author"s hands they ha#e

ceased to be the immediate heralds of the end and are to be realized only

partially$

%$&$ %ew &estament$


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1. / cf. : in next clause/ f$euent in ou$ autho$. 2 #&7aHe($ais# fo$ 2 #&+. See note in %oc

2. - 7 3; / cf. /,+, an" &ohn 1>/16 7%et see A((ott, G&!#. !. 610 s.8 #a% (e inte$!$ete" in the sa#ewa%. 2the$wise it is not foun" in the ;.T. ?is use" in this sense in u-e 19/1,05/50.

4. / !#!/ cf. 11. /, cu# inf'nine ti#es in ou$ autho$, fou$teen in $estof ;.T.

6. 2 #&7. See note on ! 5< s.7. #&@ . AB= thevoice,D etc.11. : !=/ cf. 0/05. 2utsi"e ou$ autho$ onl% once in ;.T. 5.Metho$ of inte&"&etin( the Se)en Se!%s

A sho$t inui$% as to the $ight #etho" of inte$!$eting the Seven Seals in necessa$%,

since the (ul- of inte$!$etations !$ocee" on wholl% a$(it$a$% lines. )e can ta-e accountonl% of the #ost nota(le inte$!$etations, an" then t$% to a$$ive at one which is @ustifia(le

on histo$ical an" c$itical g$oun"s. 2u$ inui$% $elates to the fi$st five seals, since the

sixth is unive$sall% ta-en eschatologicall%. The #etho"s #a% (e given as follows/

i. *onte#"o&!&+ Histo&ic!% Metho$.FGlte$ in all his fou$ volu#es, E$(es, 5 s.,

Holt#ann, an" Swete see- to ex!lain the fi$st five seals (% the Conte#!o$a$%

Histo$ical 'etho". The fi$st th$ee seals $e!$o"uce, E$(es asse$ts, an ancient

eschatological sche#e, (ut co$$es!on" to events of the !$esent, an" in $ega$" to the

fou$th an" fifth Seals these w$ite$s fin" co$$es!on"ing histo$ical events. The fi$st Ri"e$

is the Pa$thian Iing FologJses, who in 60 A.K. fo$ce" a Ro#an a$#% to ca!itulate.

E$(es ex!lains the secon" Ri"e$ (% the g$eat insu$$ection in 4$itain, 61 A.K., which le"

to the loss of 1>, the fa#ines in ;e$o*s ti#e an" the g$eat !estilence

th$oughout the E#!i$e in 6< 7Tac.Ann. xvi. 153 Suet.Ne&o'5+, >


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$einte$!$etations of !$e:existing #ate$ials, o$ as a""itions to a !$e:existing

eschatological sche#e.

ii. *onte#"o&!&+,Histo&ic!% !n$ S+#bo%ic!% -ith T&!$ition!% E%e#ents.4ousset

feels hi#self o(lige" to use these two #etho"s in this inte$!$etation of the Seals. The

fi$st Seal #ust, he hol"s, (e inte$!$ete" (% the Conte#!o$a$%:Histo$ical of the Pa$thian

e#!i$e on two g$oun"s/ 7!8 The #eaning of the white ho$se cannot (e ex!laine" f$o#ste$eot%!e" eschatological i"eas. 7b8 The white ho$se is !lace" fi$st in ou$ text in

cont$a"istinction to the o$"e$ in Lech. 6, The latte$ $eason, al$ea"% a"vance" (% S!itta,

0+1, is not of #uch weight3 fo$ though the ho$ses a$e #entione" th$ee ti#es in Lech. 6

the% occu$ in a "iffe$ent o$"e$ each ti#e. The secon" an" fou$th Seals a$e ex!laine"

s%#(olicall% of wa$ an" !estilence, though, of cou$se, in"ivi"ual featu$es in the Ri"e$s

a$e "e$ive" f$o# t$a"ition. n $ega$" to the thi$" Seal, 4ousset acce!ts the

Conte#!o$a$%:Histo$ical ex!lanation, an" inte$!$ets this Seal (% Ko#itian*s E"ict in +0

7see note on 6 of #% text8.

The fifth Seal is li-ewise inte$!$ete" (% the sa#e #etho" 7!. 0>8. Thus the fi$st,

thi$", an" fifth a$e to (e ex!laine" (% this #etho". S!itta, 0 s., ex!lains these th$ee

Seals (% the sa#e #etho", (ut a$$ives at ve$% "iffe$ent $esults. The fi$st Seal $efe$s toRo#e, the thi$" to "efinite fa#ines, an" the fifth 7!. 5998 to the !e$secutions of the

Ch$istians (% the &ews.

Although 4ousset*s exegesis is, of cou$se, goo", it has in #% o!inion #isse" the -e%

to the inte$!$etation of the Seals as a whole, an" the$efo$e has a show of a$(it$a$iness.

iii. The T&!$ition!%,Histo&ic!%.This #etho" has (een a!!lie" to the inte$!$etation

of the fi$st fou$ Seals (% un-el 7.u# &e%i(ions(esch /e&st $ NT


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iv. *onte#"o&!&+,Histo&ic!% !n$ T&!$ition!%,Histo&ic!%. n"e$ this hea"ing &.

)eiss 70. Ea$thua-es. >. Ma#ines.


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0. nte$national st$ife. Seal 0. nte$national st$ife.

5. Ea$thua-es. Seal 5. Ma#ine.

>. Ma#ines. Seal >. Pestilence. 7Keath an" Ha"es.8

/0+ an" 'a$- 15/0> in al#ost the sa#e

language as in ou$ text. The uestion natu$all% a$ises the$efo$e/ Ki" ou$ autho$ #a-e use

1&his feature may ha#e its parallel in Luke 21829, where the nations are said to

be distressed, 3C D0( !! !.&he winds in our te5t, :81, are

not to blow upon the sea till the final udgment$ &he storm winds of ;ahweh are

a well*known eschatological element in $ and parallels, Luke$ 2182- s>$4! but since

=erusalem had fallen o#er twenty years before, our author is not concerned with

these$

3+ scheme of se#en plagues was already current in =ewish literature8 see 0ir$

7-8! &est$ 6en$ :82! 0ayings of the ?athers, 9811$ +lso Le#$ 2.821, @I will bring

se#en times more plagues upon you according to your sins$A It is noteworthy

that in Barsism we find many of the abo#e signs mentioned as precursors of the

end of the world, such as the following8 wars 6ahmanC;ash ii$ 27 s>>$4! social

di#isions op. cit$! 6undahish 555$ 1D4! the sun losing its light 28314$ 0ee 6Eklen,

Verwandtschaft der Jdischchristlichen mit der Parsischen Eschatologie, p$ DD

s>>$


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of two of the os!els, u-e togethe$ with 'atthew o$ 'a$-3 o$ "i" he use the $ocu#ent

behin$ the Gos"e%sthe ittle A!ocal%!se, the existence of which so #an% schola$s

have felt the#selves o(lige" to assu#e3 o$ thi$"l%, was he si#!l% "e!en"ent on o$al

t$a"ition fo$ his #ate$ialO The fi$st an" thi$" alte$natives a$e !ossi(le, (ut less li-el%

than the secon". The secon" see#s highl% !$o(a(le, if we #a% assu#e the in"e!en"ent

existence of the ittle &ewish:Ch$istian A!ocal%!se 7= 'a$- 15/, 1>09, 0>0, 5951, an" !a$allels in 'atthew an" u-e8. n this ittle &ewish A!ocal%!se, so fa$ as it is

!$ese$ve" in the os!els, the$e is no $efe$ence to the !e$secution of the faithful. 4ut

since in the Psal#s, Kaniel an" late$ a!ocal%!tic lite$atu$e this is a constant su(@ect of

co#!laint to o", it cannot have (een wanting in the o$iginal fo$# of the ittle

A!ocal%!se. f such an A!ocal%!se we$e cu$$ent, it is (ut natu$al to assu#e that such a

!$ofoun" #aste$ of this lite$atu$e as ou$ autho$ woul" (e acuainte" with it. Howeve$

this #a% (e, the conclusion that ou& te0t is $e"en$ent on the Gos"e% !ccounts' o& &!the&

on the $ocu#ent behin$ the#'see#s i$$esisti(le. The su(@ect:#atte$, then, of the Seals

is "e$ive" f$o# a !$e:existing eschatological sche#e. The nu#(e$ seven in such a

connection is -nown to t$a"ition 7see note in %oc83 (ut in"e!en"entl% of this fact it is

!ostulate" (% ou$ autho$*s !lan, in which seven !la%s a !$e"o#inant $QleSevenChu$ches, Seven 4owls.

The "e!en"ence of ou$ autho$ on a !$e:existing eschatological sche#e is fu$the$

shown (% his see#ing a(an"on#ent of it in two !a$ticula$s. 1. Although he gives a new

cha$acte$ to the seventh woe uite "istinct f$o# that of the last woe in these os!els, he

is ca$eful not to o#it the su(@ect:#atte$ of this last woe, an" acco$"ingl% e#(o"ies it

un"e$ the sixth Seal. Thus the sixth Seal e#($aces the two os!el woesea$thua-es

an" signs in the !owe$s of heaven. 2u$ autho$ the$efo$e !$efe$$e" inclu"ing these two

woes un"e$ one Seal to o#itting these ele#ents of t$a"ition. 0. 2u$ autho$ has change"

the o$"e$ of the woes. He has $elegate" the ea$thua-esD to the sixth Seal, whe$eas it is

thi$" in 'a$- an" u-e an" fou$th in 'atthew. Two vali" $easons fo$ this change can (e

given.

1. n his f$esh $e!$o"uction of the t$a"itional #ate$ial, ou$ autho$ !e$sonifies fou$1of

the woes un"e$ fo$#s (o$$owe" f$o# Lech. 1/, 6/1. ;ow, since ea$thua-esD

cannot (e so !e$sonifie", the% a$e $elegate" to the sixth Seal, an" thei$ !lace is ta-en (%

!estilence.D Thus the fou$ Ri"e$s $e!$esent wa$, inte$national st$ife, fa#ine, an"

!estilence.

0. 4ut the$e is anothe$ an" weightie$ $eason. The #o$e closel% the vision is stu"ie",

the #o$e #anifest (eco#es the "$a#atic fulness of the o$"e$ of the Seals, an" the

g$owing intensit% of the evils the% s%#(olie. These (egin with social catacl%s#s 7Seals

1>8 an" en" with cos#ic 7Seal 68. Hu#an societ% is ove$th$own (% wa$, $evolutions,

fa#ines, an" !estilences 7Seals 1>8, which $age without ceasing, till a la$ge !$o!o$tionof the nu#(e$ of the #a$t%$s is acco#!lishe" 7Seal


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conte#"o&!&+ e)ents. Thus the fi$st Ri"e$ -ith the bo-$efe$s to the Pa$thian e#!i$e that

was to ove$th$ow the hate" Ro#e3 the secon" #a% have a secon"a$% $efe$ence to Ro#e,

as the sou$ce of social "iso$"e$ an" "est$uction, though ea$lie$ $ega$"e" as the u!hol"e$

of o$"e$ an" !eace3 the thi$" !ossi(l% 7O8 to the e"ict of Ko#itian, an" the fifth ce$tainl%

to the #a$t%$"o#s un"e$ ;e$o.

4ut these $efe$ences a$e "ue to ou$ autho$, an" "o not (elong to the o$iginaleschatological sche#e. Such conte#!o$a$% histo$ical $efe$ences a$e, howeve$, to (e

loo-e" fo$, though !$i#a$il% the su(@ect:#atte$ is t$a"itional/ cf. 1 &ohn 0/1.

1. E " :3' !#$&.The loosingof the Seals is a s%#(olical action. The visions a$e not $ea" out f$o# the 4oo-, (ut the

contents of the 4oo- a$e fo$thwith t$anslate" into action in the visions of the See$. 2n

see note on >/1. n = the fi$st of,D we #a% have a He($ais# = 3 (ut the$e is the !ossi(ilit%, of cou$se, as 'oulton, G&!#. i. +< s., conten"s, that Fca#e in 4%antine $ee- to (e use" as an o$"inal, an" that we have such an instance

he$e. The !a$titive use of is f$euent in the A!ocal%!se/ cf. 4lass, G&!#. !. +. 4ut

the fact that in we have a "ou(le He($ais#, an" that it occu$s in a (oo-containing so #an% He($ais#s, is in favou$ of the !h$ase (eing ta-en as such. )e #ight

co#!a$e Ee-. 19/1>, the face of the fi$stD = 3!&3 ( := ,whe$e fou$ a$e #entione"/ &o( >0/1>. 4ut the !h$ase #a% si#!l% #ean one of.D The

occu$$ence of the o$"inals, howeve$, in >>, have $ecognie". 2the$s have

ta-en the wo$"s as a""$esse" to the See$3 (ut elsewhe$e 1/1, 01/+, whe$e the See$ is

su##one", (is use". 'o$eove$, as &. )eiss o(se$ves, it is inconceiva(le that the*0shoul" (e a""$esse" fou$ ti#es to the See$. 2the$sAlfo$" an" Sweteagainsu!!ose it to (e a""$esse" to Ch$ist, an" cite as !a$allels 00/1, 09.2 #&7.;ea$l% all the textual evi"ence is against $ea"ing #&+, which in o$"e$to a$$ive at an intelligi(le text we #ust $ea".

4ut 2 #&7is susce!ti(le of ex!lanation. The w$ite$ #a% have ha" in his#in" an" $en"e$e" this as 2 #&7, whe$eas i"io#aticall% it = 2 #&+, the (eingsu!!$esse" afte$. .. Cf. sa. , 1+/11, see note on >/1.

Thesubject,#!tte&of the fi$st fou$ Seals a!!ea$s, as we have seen 7see !. 1


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;ext as $ega$"s the "iffe$ent colou$s, these a$e chosen f$o# Lecha$iah to suit the

woes the% s%#(olie. Thus $e" natu$all% co$$es!on"s to the swo$", (lac- to fa#ine, an"

!ale %ellow to "eath, (eing a co$!seli-e colou$. The white $e#ains, an" this natu$all%

(elongs to the ho$se on which t$iu#!hant wa$ is seate". Thus e$xes $o"e on white

;isaean ho$ses 7He$o". vii. >93 Philost$. /it A"o%%. i. 598, an" 'a$"onius, one of his

chief gene$als, $o"e on a white ho$se 7He$o". ix. 658. )hite was the colou$ of victo$%/cf. Fi$g.Aen. iii. 7uote" (% Swete8, the fou$

ho$ses which "$ew the ca$ in &ulius Caesa$*s t$iu#!h we$e white/ ' 3 '3I#!% 3 " /33&.

2u$ autho$ was at li(e$t% to a$$ange the colou$s in an% o$"e$ that suite" his !u$!ose3

fo$ in Lech. 1/, 6/0, the% a$e given th$ee ti#es, an" in each in a "iffe$ent o$"e$/ 1/,

$e", so$$el 7o$ $e""ish:%ellow8, white 7"efective83 6/0, 5, $e", (lac-, white, s!ec-le"3 6/,

, (lac-, white, s!ec-le", $e".1

1

&he passages in echariah call for treatment since they are manifestly

corrupt$ ech$ 18D, ! L, 3 JI K3 $ ere it is admitted that the te5t is defecti#e and omits

, which is found in .82, .$ &he L gi#es, it is true, four colours, but I and 3 appear to be duplicate renderings! for, according to

esychius, they ha#e the same meaning$ 0o also )ustathius on the "liad, 5#ii$

ad fin.#I /33 - ' I5 3$ %e5t, in .82, 3 we ha#e . . . . . . . . . , L 3H %H H 3 JIK$ ere also it is admitted that the te5t is corrupt$

J @strong,A cannot denote a colour$ It has possibly been inserted herefrom .8:$ 6y its omission we ha#e the needed four colours$ ?inally, in .8., : we

ha#e . . . . . . . . . L, 1%H 1 H 1 3H 1 Ibut +>uila has 1 34$ereis rightly taken to be a corruption of @red,A a reading which is attested by the Beshitto and +>uila$ &he te5t is thus restored so far as the

colours go, but there are e#idently two lacunae in .8., :! for since the four

bodies of horses represent the four winds, .89, the four >uarters of the world to

which they go as God"s messengers should be mentioned, whereas only the

north and the south are$ In the ne5t place, while the $lac!horses rightly go

towards the north, the redshould go to the south and not the spotted, the white

to the east, and the %ellow@spottedA in te5t4 to the west! for the four colours of


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- 7 3; *0& , < !%#, 4 " / 7!. As has al$ea"% (een !ointe" out, the $i"e$ he$es%#(olies wa$ in the fi$st instance3 fo$ this is the fi$st woe in the sou$ce f$o# which the

woes in the Seals a$e "e$ive" 7see !!. 1


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The(iftof the !%#is euivalent to a !$o#ise of victo$%. Mu$the$#o$e, as $ega$"sthe !%#, which, as a s%#(ol of victo$%, was given to hi#, it #a% (e #entione",though the fact !$o(a(l% "oes not conce$n ou$ text, that Seleucus, the Pa$thian -ing,

who foun"e" Seleucia on the Tig$is, was na#e" L&. The Pa$thian lea"e$s,acco$"ing to )etstein, $o"e white ho$ses in (attle.

2the$ inte$!$etations a$e as follows/1. The text !ointsfi&st !n$ so%e%+to the Pa$thian e#!i$e/ so Holt#ann, Sch#i"t3

113 Ra#sa%, 0 an" /33 3, < %= 3; J/50,

)icht des alten *rients4 on this >uestion are often merely fantastic$ 0ee Mller,

@Nie +pokal$ eiter,A +..T.,.#1-:, 2-O31.$

10ee erod$ 987, :8.1!


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9/5, 6. The ex!ectation that civil st$ife woul" he$al" the en" of the wo$l" is foun" also

in 4a(%lonian lite$atu$e. See Li##e$n,2AT55+5. Since we have he$e to "eal with a

ste$eot%!e" !$e"iction, which exhi(its no new ele#ents !ointing to histo$ical events,

the$e is no occasion to enu#e$ate the va$ious histo$ical inte$!$etations that have (een

a"vance".

As in the case of the fi$st Seal the Ri"e$ is fu$nishe" with a (ow 7which gives theSeal an histo$ical $efe$ence8, so he$e the secon" Ri"e$ is !$ovi"e" with a swo$". This

s%#(ol, howeve$, (elongs to eschatological t$a"ition. This swo$" is #entione" in this

eschatological sense in sa. 0/1, 5>/6/19, >/63 Ee-. 01/5 s., whe$e it is wiel"e"

(% Uahweh Hi#self. n the next stage of "evelo!#ent it is co##itte" to s$ael to ta-e

vengeance on thei$ own an" o"*s ene#ies. The ve$% wo$"s ? 0 $a$e foun" in 1 Enoch +9/1+, A g$eat swo$" was given to the shee!, an" the shee!

!$ocee"e" against all the (easts of the fiel" to sla% the#.D This swo$" is again

#entione" in +1/10, +9/5>. The o(@ect with which it is given in Enoch is that the faithful

s$aelites #a% the$ewith "est$o% thei$ ene#ies, who a$e the ene#ies of o".

n the thi$" stage of "evelo!#ent it is given to the ene#ies of o" that the% #a%

"est$o% one anothe$ with it. This stage is foun" in 1 Enoch /0 whe$e a($iel causesthe giant offs!$ing of the fallen angels an" the "aughte$s of #en to "est$o% each othe$

(% giving the# a swo$". An" one of the# "$ew a swo$" an" gave it to those ele!hants

an" ca#els an" asses/ then the% (egan to s#ite each othe$, an" the whole ea$th ua-e"

(ecause of the#.D The co##an" to "o so is given in a!ocal%!tic language in 19/+,

P$ocee" against the (asta$"s ? an" "est$o% the chil"$en of fo$nication, an" the

chil"$en of the watche$s ? sen" the# one against anothe$ that the% #a% "est$o% each

othe$ in (attle.D n ou$ text, as also in 'att. 19/5>, @ ! E O 87 3 @ $4) O 8 7 ' 07cf. u-e 10/


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have seen 7see !. 1618. Mo$ the #o$e "etaile" ex!lanation see next ve$se. The A$islite$all% the (ea# of the (alance f$o# which the scales a$e sus!en"e". That ($ea" is sol"

(% weight is a to-en of sca$cit%. Cf. Ee-. >/16, #$ > !< C, an" ev. 06/06, 3P!! H > Q" !< #$! @ 3!4.

6. ! 2 #&@ %!= " !!& AB& %$! 0! , 0 " ) * @ 7!.2n the !eculia$ use of 2he$e see note on !. 55 s. )e have thesa#e use on 1+/1, 6. The voice, as 4ousset suggests, #a% (e that of the a#(.

The voice states a co#ing !$ice of the wheat an" (a$le%al#ost a fa#ine !$ice3 fo$

a 0of wheata(out two !intsconstitute" the "ail% consu#!tion of a #an. SoHe$o"otus assu#es in esti#ating the a#ount of foo" consu#e" (% e$xes* a$#%/ /1,Q!& $' !8 0 3" ?! 4 9% 8 R 3%. Thuc%"i"es, >/16, #entions as the allowance #a"e fo$ the S!a$tans inS!hacte$ia!? 0 :!= S' #& T

%, 3 R & 9!%. The uantit% he$e state" was the o$"ina$%allowance #a"e at the S!a$tan #ess, the allowance (oth of g$ain an" wine (eing $oub%eof that which was su!!ose" to (e necessa$%. Si#ila$l% in Athenaeus, 5/09, @ R0 9#, an" Kiog. ae$t.P+th!(. viii. 1, an" Sui"as un"e$ P%thago$as /9 $' 0 97! #7. Mo$ othe$ $efe$ences see )etstein.

The "ena$ius, which was wo$th a(out +1V0". 7see Hastings* D4i. >08, was the

o$"ina$% "ail% wage 7cf. 'att. 09/0 s.8. The following !assages f$o# Cice$o a$e

inst$uctive. Cice$o, /e&&. iii. 1, "ue f$u#entu# Senatus ita aesti#asset, uate$nis

H.S. t$itici #o"iu#, (inis, ho$"ei. ? Cu# in Sicilia H.S. (inis t$itici #o"ius esset ?

su##u# H.S. te$nis ? tu# iste !$o t$itici #o"iis singulis te$nos a( a$ato$i(us "ena$ios

exegit. >, Cu# esset H.S. (inis aut etia# te$nis ? "uo"enos seste$tios exegisti.D He$e

wheat a!!ea$s to have (een twice the !$ice of (a$le% in Sicil%3 whe$eas it was th$eeti#es in ou$ text. n the next !lace the #o"ius of wheat cost 0 o$ 5 seste$ces, o$

acco$"ing to the esti#ate of the Senate >. ;ow, since a #o"ius contains choenices,

an" a "ena$ius=fou$ seste$ces, it follows that the !$ice in ou$ text was 16 ti#es the

lowest !$ice of wheat in Sicil%3 19 0V5 ti#es the highest, an" ti#es the esti#ate #a"e

(% the Senate.

Thus at the ti#e "esigne" in ou$ text a "ena$iusa #an*s "ail% wagecoul"

!u$chase onl% two !ints of wheata uantit% sufficient #e$el% fo$ his own i##e"iate

nee"s, whe$eas at othe$ ti#es its !u$chasing !owe$ was , 10, o$ 16 ti#es as g$eat, if we

#a% use the "ata su!!lie" (% Cice$o. 4ut since the wo$-#an woul" not (u% wheat (ut

(a$le%, he coul" ea$n enough to !$ocu$e so#ething fo$ his fa#il% as well, though the

su!!l% was ina"euate an" "eaths occu$$e" th$ough sta$vation 7see 8. The text, then,s!ea-s of a ti#e of ve$% g$eat "ea$th, (ut not of a(solute fa#ine, that was co#ing u!on

the wo$l". t is the !$e"icte" in 'a$- 15/3 'att. 0>/.4ut the wo$"s that follow, * @ 7!, when ta-en in

con@unction with what !$ece"es, #a% !oint to a s!ecial ti#e when the necessa$ies of life

we$e sca$ce an" its su!e$fluities a(un"ant.

Acco$"ing to E$(es, >9, the #o$e #o"e$ate the sca$cit% is $e!$esente", the #o$e

#anifestl% it (elongs not to the $egion of fanc% (ut to histo$%, an" in his o!inion to the

%ea$ 60 7Tac.Ann. xv. < 3 &ose!h.Ant. xx. +. 08 3 whilst FGlte$ in his va$ious wo$-s

assigns this event to the latte$ half of ;e$o*s $eign 7Suet.Ne&o, >


13/29

4ut a #o$e satisfacto$% ex!lanation has $ecentl% (een a"vance" (% Ha$nac- 7TL.,

1+90, col. +(, n the ti#es when the 'essiah is at han" sha#elessness

will inc$ease, an" the$e will (e a "ea$th/ the vine will %iel" its f$uit, (ut wine will (e

"ea$ 7 # 83 the e#!i$e of the wo$l" will(eco#e #inaean / the$e will (e no "isci!line ? the son will "es!ise the fathe$, the

"aughte$ $esist the #othe$, the "aughte$:in:law the #othe$:in:law/ a #an*s foes shall (e

the% of his own househol" 7 8.D The last clauses he$e #a% have (een in the #in" of ou$o$" when He utte$e" 'att. 19/5< s. 7= u-e 10/


14/29

6/5, , an" not . 4ut as we have seen in the note $efe$$e" to, we $eui$e inLecha$iah a wo$" signif%ing %ellowD o$ !ale %ellow.D 4ocha$t 7Hie&on5oicon, i. /1 the sa#e (i$" is calle"in 2n-elos an in Ps. &on. The ;isaean ho$ses we$e so#ewhatof this colou$, as Phavo$inus attests / L! /33 E ! ) 9 $' L! 3! '/33 ' *07see 4ocha$t, %occit.8. ;ow A$istotle 7Meteo&, 5, >, . 4ut how a$e we to conceive the# in the !$esent !assageO The$e is

onl% one ho$se an" the$e a$e two figu$es. M$o# the analog% of the !$ece"ing Seals weex!ect he$e onl% one figu$e. Hence &. )eiss,


15/29

- U? (int$o"uces confusion of thought an" "iction, an" loo-s li-e anint$usion.

0. )e shoul" ex!ect he$e, as in u-e 01/11. 4ut can (e use" in the

sa#e sense, as it f$euentl% a!!ea$s in the as a t$anslation of . n Si$. 5+/0+we have the co#(ination !YX 3 , / Fulg. fa#es et#o$sD3 an" also in Pss. Sol. 15/0, ( . 4ut the fact that an" notis use" is inst$uctive. t fo$#s an a""itional a$gu#ent that ou$ autho$ is using notou$ Canonical os!els, (ut the "ocu#ent (ehin" 'a$- 15, 'att. 0>, u-e 013 fo$ the

wo$" in this A$a#aic "ocu#ent woul" (e $ 31fo$ this is the $en"e$ing in theTa$gu# of 2n-elos of in Ex. +/1/103 Ta$g. &on. of &e$. 1>/10, 01/6, ,+, 0>/19, 0+/1, 1, >>/15 3 Ee-. /01, 55/0, etc. ;ow can #eaneithe$ "eathD o$ !estilence.D u-e $en"e$e" it (% the un#ista-a(le wo$" in01/11, (ut ou$ autho$ (% , which #ight #ean eithe$ "eathD o$ !estilence.D 4utto $etu$n. )e ex!ect, as we saw in 1, a single Ri"e$/ in the next !lace we ex!ect hi# to

(e na#e" the !estilence,D as in the sou$ce use" (% ou$ autho$. An" this, in fact,coul" #ean, an" not onl% the sou$ce, (ut the context $eui$es such a #eaning3fo$ such a !lague as the !estilenceD woul" (e in -ee!ing with what !$ece"es an" what

follows3 fo$ all these $efe$ to !lagues o$ evils which ($ing a(out "eath, (ut a$e not

s%non%#ous with "eath. Keath conceive" gene$all%, acco$"ing to the t$a"itional text, as

the lo$" of all -in"s of "est$o%ing agents, an" Ha"es "o not (elong to the !$esent

catego$% of evils.

5. The $ea"ing . f the a(ove conclusions a$e $ight that onl% one Ri"e$ is $efe$$e" to an" that his

na#e is !estilence,D then the last clause of the ve$se, 3?$4, can ha$"l% (egenuine. t cannot (e sai" that !owe$ was given to the !estilenceD to "est$o% with the

swo$", an" with fa#ine, an" with !estilence,D etc. Even if (% an% !ossi(ilit% inthe fi$st instance #eant "eath itself, the lo$" of "est$uction, it woul" have (een cul!a(l%

ca$eless to use the sa#e wo$" again in the sa#e sentence with uite a "iffe$ent #eaning.

t is fu$the$ to (e o(se$ve" that the clause 3?$4, which see#s inten"e"to $esu#e the evil activities of the secon", thi$", an" fou$th !lagues, is clea$l% otiose

he$e. The state#ent a""s nothing to the weight of what is al$ea"% (ette$ sai", an" the$efe$ence to is ext$e#el% aw-wa$", since it o(liges us to assu#e 7 =lo$" of all the !lagues8 cont$olling 7 = a single !lague8, o$ 7 =

!estilence8 cont$olling its un"e$ling 7 = !estilence8.Hence conclu"e that the clause is an inte$!olation. Mu$the$#o$e, its su(@ect:#atte$

an", in fact, its "iction a$e (ase" on Ee-. 1>/01, M# 3' . This (o$$owing ex!lains the !$esence of M#instea" of 07cf. 6/198 an" the conclu"ing !h$ase, ie. Q3 " & 4 $4, which has no

K (ords so enclosed are restored by the )ditor$

1If the source were in ebrew, ' J in +>$ or 0ym$, or in theL4 would account for the abo#e facts$


16/29

connection with the context as the othe$ th$ee !lagues have. The const$uction of Q3afte$ an active ve$( is unexa#!le" elsewhe$e in the ;.T. an" is foun" ve$% $a$el% in

classical $ee-. )ith & 4 $47en. 1/593 Ee-. 5>/08, the onl% nea$ !a$allel inthe ;.T. is Acts 11/6.

The fact that the$e a$e fou$ !lagues "esc$i(e" in ou$ text, an" that Ee-iel in 1>/01

s!ea-s of fou$ so$e @u"g#ents,D #a% have le" to the inco$!o$ation of this gloss in ou$text.

911.n a ce$tain #echanical #anne$ the fi$st fou$ !lagues a$e g$ou!e" togethe$ an"

the last th$ee. The fi$st fou$ !ossess one cha$acte$istic in co##onthe i#!e$sonation

of thei$ lea"ing featu$es/ anothe$ is thei$ connection with the fou$ living (eings. 4ut in

anothe$ as!ect the fi$st five a$e #o$e nea$l% $elate" to each othe$ as evils affecting #an

$i&ect%+, whe$eas the two evils which a$e co#(ine" in the sixth Sealthe ($ea-ing u!

of ea$th an" heavena$e in thei$ fi$st $efe$ence cos#ic, an" affect #an in$i&ect%+.

The fifth Se!%.Fe$ses +11 "eal with Ch$istian #a$t%$"o#. n the co$$es!on"ing

sections in 'a$- 15/+15, 'att. 0>/+19, u-e 01/101, !e$secutions an" #a$t%$"o#

a$e fo$etol". n ou$ text the% a$e in !a$t al$ea"% acco#!lishe". The stan"!oint, the$efo$e,

is wholl% change". nstea" of $e!$o"ucing the ste$eot%!e" "esc$i!tion of !e$secutionsstill to co#e ca$$%ing with the# the sanction of Ch$ist Hi#self, ou$ autho$ $efe$s in

un#ista-a(le language to a g$eat !e$secution in the !ast/ na% #o$e, with his own e%es

fo$ he is in heavenhe (ehol"s the souls of the #a$t%$s al$ea"% offe$e" on the heavenl%

alta$ (efo$e o"3 hea$s the# su!!licating fo$ @u"g#ent on the heathen wo$l", an" sees

the# (eing clothe" with thei$ heavenl% (o"iesa s!i$itual !$ivilege li#ite" exclusivel%

to the #a$t%$e" $ighteous 3 fo$ the $est of the $ighteous coul" not $eceive thei$ heavenl%

(o"ies till the final $esu$$ection.

9. E @ 3%3 !#$, Q3 & ( !!' I0' " !#$%& ' $ ( ( ' @ V0.n this ve$se we have to "eal with th$ee uestions/ 1. The alta$ in heaven. 0. Thesouls un"e$ the alta$in &u"ais# an" Ch$istianit%. 5. The $easons fo$ which the faithfulsuffe$e" #a$t%$"o#.

1. The !%t!& in he!)en.The fact that the alta$, though not #entione" hithe$to, is

!$ece"e" (% the a$ticle, !oints to a cu$$ent (elief in the existence of an alta$ of (u$nt:

offe$ing in heaven.1That, acco$"ing to &ewish an" Ch$istian A!ocal%!tic, the$e was

onl% one alta$ in heaven, an" that this alta$ ha" the cha$acte$istics !a$tl% of the ea$thl%

alta$ of incense an" !a$tl% of the alta$ of (u$nt:offe$ing, (ut #ainl% of the fo$#e$, have

shown late$ on at so#e length. 7See note on /5.8 How ea$l% this (elief a$ose cannot (e

"efinitel% "ete$#ine". Since, howeve$, acco$"ing to Ex. 09, ;u#. />, the ea$thl%

alta$ an" ta(e$nacle we$e to (e #a"e afte$ the li-eness of heavenl% !atte$ns o$ o$iginals,

a view which $ecu$s in He(. />$, argues strongly for the altar in =erusalem! but most of his

arguments are beside the mark$


17/29

ea$thl% te#!le, while Kelitsch, Kill#ann, an" &e$e#ias #aintain that it is in the

heavenl%. At all events it was cu$$ent in the 0n" cent. 4.C., as we have seen a(ove.

0. The sou%s un$e& the !%t!& in 6u$!is# !n$ *h&isti!nit+.The souls in ou$ text a$e

those of the #a$t%$s. t has (een gene$all% su!!ose" that ou$ text is to (e ex!laine" f$o#

the &ewish $itual, acco$"ing to which the (loo" of the victi# was to (e !ou$e" on the

(ase of the alta$ 7ev. >/, F ( !0 0 3' @ 8! (!!8. Since the life was in the (loo", the souls we$e thus conceive" to (e

(eneath the alta$. 4ut this is unsatisfacto$%. The souls a$e (eneath the heavenl% alta$3 fo$

the% have al$ea"% (een sac$ifice" the$eon. et us exa#ine the evi"ence. That a

sac$ificial "eath of the #a$t%$s is i#!lie" in ou$ text is clea$ f$o# the wo$"s

!!an" !#$%&. Elsewhe$e in the ;.T. the #a$t%$s a$e $ega$"e" asvicti#s offe$e" to o", 0 Ti#. >/6 3 Phil. 0/13 an" in late$ ti#es cf. gnatius, A$ Ro#.

ii. 0, 3% % @ 3!0! ( !3!4 /0, /? ( ! Q". 4ut the (elief that the #a$t%$s we$e a sac$ificewas al$ea"% cu$$ent in !$e:Ch$istian &u"ais#, as a!!ea$s f$o# the !assages uote" f$o#

> 'acca(ees (elow.1

These !assages $efe$ to #a$t%$s. n late$ ti#es the souls of the &i(hteousa$e

conceive" (% the Ch$istians as well as (% the &ews 7see late$8 as offe$e" in sac$ifice. Cf.

uestions of 4a$tholo#ew i. 0+, - R W&& 3 3 3 X!() Y, *! 9 < 3!= #% !Z - R X!H %$)I0 &. Fita Pacho#ii a((atis ta(ennensis xxxviii. 'ultitu"o sancto$u#angelo$u# cu# #agna laetitia su#entes ani#a# e@us velut electa# hostia# Ch$isti

cons!ecti(us o(tule$unt.D

n &u"ais# also we fin" the (elief that the souls of the $ighteous we$e un$e& the

!%t!& in he!)en. This in theAboth RN. 06., Ra((i A-i(a "ecla$es ? that whoeve$ was

(u$ie" in the lan" of s$ael was @ust as if he we$e (u$ie" un"e$ the alta$, an" -hoe)e&

-!s bu&ie$ un$e& the !%t!& -!s just !s if he -e&e bu&ie$ un$e& the th&one of (%o&+ .Dn Sha((. 1


18/29

that 'ichael sac$ifices u!on the heavenl% alta$ the souls of the stu"ents of the law. n

the !# 7e". &elline-,4et h! Mi$&!sch, iii. 158, An" the$e stan"s ? theg$eat !$ince 'ichael an" the alta$ (efo$e hi#, an" he offe$s all the souls of the $ighteous

on that alta$ 7 )! 8.D n the &al-ut Ru(. f.110( 7SchGttgen,Ho&!e, i. 10098, Et ille 7ie. 'ichael8 stet et offe$t ani#as @usto$u#D3an" si#ila$l% in &al-ut Cha". f. 11, col. >.

Again in &al-ut Ru(. fol. 1>, col. 5 7Ho&!e, i. 101/15 in the He($ew,

1 0pitta, 3--, is of opinion that only =ewish persecutions of the =ews are

referred to here$


19/29

. . ..1+/0( affo$"s anothe$ !a$allel to ou$ text in the e!ithets which a$e a!!lie" to !. n fact, 1+/0 "esc$i(es the fulfil#entof the !$a%e$ in ou$ text.

F 7= 8. Cf. 1+/0, whe$e this !h$ase$ecu$s. is followe" (% 7Keut. 1/1+3 1 Sa#. 0>/158 o$ 37u-e 1/58 in$efe$ence to the !e$sons f$o# who# the vengeance is exacte". Cf. also 0 Iings +/,7! ' / " & . 2n the #eaning of the !h$ase &3 4 $4see note on 5/19.

As $ega$"s the thought of the wo$"s, it has (een #aintaine" that the% onl% asse$t

the !$inci!le of Kivine $et$i(ution which fo$(i"s the exe$cise of !e$sonal vengeance

7Ro#. 10/1+8.D t has (een u$ge" also that u-e 1/, - R @ 37! @! " " ( " 8P& < 9% , !$acticall%ex!$esse" the sa#e view.

The teaching of the os!el !assage an" of ou$ text is, howeve$, "iffe$ent. n u-e

the enti$e !assage $efe$s to the %i)in(elect 7cf. 1/18, an" the s!i$it of the teaching #ust

(e const$ue" in -ee!ing with the context. n ou$ text, howeve$, the $e"!&te$ sou%sa$e$efe$$e" to, an" the note of !e$sonal vengeance cannot (e wholl% eli#inate" f$o# thei$

!$a%e$. The %i)in(!$a% to o" to f$ee the# f$o# un@ust o!!$ession an" secu$e the#

thei$ @ust $ights. 2n the othe$ han", the $e"!&te$!$a% fo$ vengeance fo$ what the% have

suffe$e" o$ lost. The fo$#e$ is !$os!ective an" ($eathes the s!i$it of @ustice, the latte$ is

$et$os!ective as well as @ust. 4oth u-e 1/1 an" ou$ text a!!ea$s to go (ac- to

&ewish o$iginals o$ &ewish t$a"itional views. The fo$#e$ has seve$al ele#ents in

co##on with Si$. 50/1/0, >/>, The !$a%e$

of the $ighteous 7that the she""ing of thei$ (loo"8 #a% not (e in vain (efo$e the o$" of

S!i$its, That @u"g#ent #a% (e "one unto the#, An" that the% #a% not have to suffe$ fo$

eve$.D >/>, An" the hea$ts of the hol% we$e fille" with @o%, 4ecause ? the !$a%e$ of

the $ighteous ha" (een hea$", An" the (loo" of the $ighteous (een $eui$e" (efo$e theo$" of S!i$its.D n 00/

E$a >/5/5, the$efo$e it was the

#anifestation of a !e$#anent attitu"e of #in". This is not so in ou$ text.

The !$a%e$ of the souls un"e$ the alta$ fo$ a $ighteous vin"ication on thei$

!e$secuto$s, #a"e he$e once an" fo$ all an" not uninte$$u!te"l% !$esse" as in &u"ais#, is

$e!$esente" as fulfille" in 1/09, 1+/0. The$ein is $eflecte" the te#!e$ that in !a$t

ani#ate" the Chu$ch in the !e$secutions of the 1st centu$%. )e #ight co#!a$e the

attitu"e of the #a$t%$s towa$"s thei$ @u"ges in Pol%c.M!&t. 11, o$ the late$ Acts of the'a$t%$s.


20/29

11. : != !@ 7.This white $o(e was thei$ heavenl%(o"% 7see note on 5/.1To all the $ighteous these white $o(es a$e given finall%. % / 3! * 0 .Augustine, Alcasa$,Ri(ie$a, 4engel, Ke )ette, 4lee-, Holt#ann, 4ousset, etc., ex!lain these wo$"s as

#eaning that the #a$t%$s a$e to (e !atient an" to a(stain f$o# thei$ c$% of vengeance3

(ut Hengsten(e$g, Kste$"iec-, Iliefoth, Alfo$", Swete, an" othe$s, as #eaning that

the% a$e to $est in (lesse"ness, as in 1>/15, / 37! " 3& ".?& 3&"! 1 ! " 1 # " 1% 3 %! 2 .The #a$t%$s a$e -e!t waiting until thei$fellow:se$vants also 7ie. 8, who with the# have the sa#e 'aste$ 7!3, 198, an"thei$ ($eth$en 71/+8, have also (een slain. The !an" the #a$e the sa#e

!e$sons viewe" un"e$ "iffe$ent as!ects. The $e!eate" "can (est (e ex!laine" as anunconscious He($ais#.

The a(ove clause loo-s (ac- to the #a$t%$"o#s un"e$ ;e$o, an" antici!ates a final

an" unive$sal !e$secution un"e$ Ko#itian which woul" follow in a little ti#e.D n this

!e$secution he ex!ects the nu#(e$ of the #a$t%$s to (e co#!lete". Then woul" ensue

the en".

nstea" of eithe$ of the a(ove ex!lanations of 3! *, the evi"ence ofconte#!o$a$% lite$atu$e is !e$ha!s in favou$ of the following/ the souls of the #a$t%$s,

now clothe" in s!i$itual (o"ies 7cf. Asc. sa. +/6 s., whe$e A(el, Enoch, an" othe$s a$e

$e!$esente" as (eing so clothe", an" in the seventh heaven, (ut not %et in !ossession of

thei$ full !$ivileges8, a$e (i""en to en@o% thei$ !$esent $est an" uietness fo$ a little

while longe$, when, on the co#!letion of the $oll of the #a$t%$s, the @u"g#ent the%"e#an"e" woul" ensue. n a #uch ea$lie$ wo$-, 1 Enoch 199/$, seeks to e5plain the te5t by the indi#idual martyrdoms of =ews

and Fhristians before .2 +$N$


21/29

This thought is highl% cha$acte$istic of late$ &u"ais#, which hel" that eve$%thing

was ca$$ie" out in the "ivine gove$n#ent of the wo$l" acco$"ing to a ce$tain !$e"estine"

nu#(e$, ti#e, o$ #easu$e. This a!!ea$s in > E$a >/56 s./

Mo$ He has weighe" the age in the (alance,

An" with #easu$es has #easu$e" the ti#es,

An" (% nu#(e$ has nu#(e$e" the seasons/;eithe$ will He #ove no$ sti$ things

Till the #easu$e a!!ointe" (e fulfille".D

n 1 Enoch > the en" will co#e when the nu#be& of the #!&t+&s is co#"%ete.

Thus in >/1 it is sai" that

n those "a%s 7ie. the last8 shall have ascen"e" the !$a%e$ of the $ighteous,

An" the (loo" of the $ighteous f$o# ea$th (efo$e the o$" of S!i$its.D

n the next ve$se 7>/08 the angels su!!licate an" inte$ce"e

2n (ehalf of the (loo" of the $ighteous which has (een she",

An" that the !$a%e$ of the $ighteous #ight not (e in vain (efo$e the o$" of S!i$its,

An" that @u"g#ent shoul" (e "one unto the#,

An" that the% #a% not have to suffe$ fo$ eve$.DHe$e clea$l% the souls of &ewish #a$t%$s a$e $efe$$e" to, which "e#an" vengeance

an" !$a% against the fu$the$ !ost!one#ent of it. n >/5 the (oo-s a$e o!ene" an" the

o$" of S!i$its seats Hi#self on the th$one of @u"g#ent. n >/> $ea"s/

An" the hea$ts of the hol% we$e fille" with @o%,

4ecause the nu#(e$ of the $ighteous ha" (een offe$e",

An" the !$a%e$ of the $ighteous ha" (een hea$",

An" the (loo" of the $ighteous (een $eui$e" (efo$e the o$" of S!i$its.D

He$e, as the context shows, the $ighteous a$e #a$t%$s. This is the ea$liest fo$# of

this conce!tion, an" is $e!$o"uce" in ou$ text. A late$ "evelo!#ent of it 7see !. 158 is

foun" in > E$a >/5 E$a3 fo$

the latte$ $e!$esents a late$ "evelo!#ent of this conce!tion, as we have shown. 4ousset,

as S!itta, 0+, ha" al$ea"% "one, $ega$"s ou$ text an" > E$a >/5< s. as in"e!en"ent,

(ut as "e$ive" f$o# a co##on ol"e$ sou$ce. He $e!$esents ou$ autho$ as t$ansfo$#ing

the cu$$ent &ewish t$a"ition, that the wo$l" woul" co#e to an en" when the nu#(e$ ofthe souls of the &i(hteouswas co#!lete", into the fo$# given in ou$ text3 (ut 4ousset*s

view was "ue to the unintelligi(le text of 1 Enoch >/>, which, howeve$, when

$et$anslate" into He($ew, !$esents the sa#e t$a"ition as ou$ text. The unintelligi(leness

was "ue to the $ee- t$anslato$ $en"e$ing as ha" "$awn nighD 7a !ossi(le#eaning8, instea" of ha" (een sac$ifice",D as the context he$e $eui$e" 7so in late$

He($ew an" A$a#aic8. See !. 10.

117:8.The si0th Se!%its "%!(ues !n$ the ensuin( "!use $u&in( -hich the f!ithfu%

Is&!e%ites !&e se!%e$ to secu&e thei& s!fet+.These woes a$e still in the futu$e. The% a$e

not in ou$ autho$ the i##e"iate he$al"s of the en", as in the os!els. The en" cannot

co#e till the g$eat !e$secution an" #a$t%$"o# of the faithful have ta-en !lace. )ith the

text co#!a$e 'a$- 15/, 0>0


22/29

fact that afte$ the sta$s of heaven ha" fallen, the heaven (een $e#ove" as a sc$oll, an"

eve$% #ountain an" islan" ha" (een $e#ove" out of thei$ !laces, the -ings of the ea$th

an" the #ight%, the (on" an" the f$ee, coul" ha$"l% (e "esc$i(e" as hi"ing the#selves in

the caves an" $oc-s of the ea$th an" i#!lo$ing the #ountains to fall u!on the#.

12. E @ !#$ @ ? , !! %$ $%, - _ $% % 2 ! 0, 9 !7 E $% 2 F.

The ea$thua-e he$e is not to (e ex!laine" (% that in ao"icea in 61, o$ at Po#!eii in

65. t is $athe$ a single g$eat ea$thua-e, which is a !$ecu$so$ of the en" of the wo$l".

Thus the !! ' 37 = 'a$- 15/8 has not onl% (een t$ansfo$#e" into asingle wo$l" catast$o!he, (ut also t$ans!ose" f$o# hol"ing the thi$" o$ fou$th !lace in

the list of woes to the sixth, as we have al$ea"% !ointe" out.

Ea$thua-es (elong, of cou$se, to the t$a"itional eschatological sche#e. Cf. A#os

/, +/8, - _ !#7! ! 9 !7 F 3 9% / 'att. 0>/0+3 'a$- 15/0>3 u-e05/>< contains $efe$ences to ea$thua-es, the ecli!se of

the sun, the ensanguining of the #oon, an" the "iso$"e$ of the sta$s/Et t$e#e(it te$$a ?

sol non "a(it lu#en ? et 7luna8 tota conve$tet se in sanguine# et o$(is stella$u#

contu$(a(itu$.D n an% case he is not "e!en"ent on the . Mo$ the ex!ectation in

4a(%lonian lite$atu$e that the sun an" #oon woul" (e "a$-ene", see Li##e$n,2AT5

5+5.

13. 1 !% ( ( *3! @ $4, 2 ! 4 8 H` 4 Q3 % $ !%,14. - 30&!2 88 :!!.This !assage a!!ea$s to (e (ase" on sa. 5>/>, 7! 35! 1 " ", :$7! 2 88 - , 3 ' >! 3! 2 #? 3 !4. f this is so, then ou$ autho$ #a%

see# "e!en"ent on the , since the 'asso$etic has +, will fa"e,D an" not = 3!, (ut that S%##achus also has 3!. This clause is foun" also in 'att.0>/0+, 1 !% 3!( 3 ( (3 also in Si(%ll. iii. 5, 3%!3# E 3 0 a, ii. 090, viii. 1+93 an" the sa#e ex!ectation in the4un"ehesh xxx. 1 74G-len, !. 8.

The wo$l" an" its well(eing "e!en" on the faithfulness with which the lu#ina$ies of

heaven fulfil thei$ !a$ts. The unva$%ing o$"e$ an" lo%alt% with which the% "o so was a

favou$ite the#e with a!ocal%!tic w$ite$s/ cf. 1 Enoch ii. 1, xli. 3 > E$a 6/>


23/29

The "a$-ening of the sun an" the ensanguining of the #oon an" the falling of the

sta$s in ou$ text, have a li-e significance.1

The #ention of the fig:t$ee a!!ea$s to (e "ue wholl% to sa. 5>/>, an" to have no

connection with 'att. 0>/50 an" its !a$allels. 6= @ 33% !(7Hes%chius8. The figu$e in 30&!? :!!is that of a !a!%$us $ent in two,

whe$eu!on the "ivi"e" !o$tions cu$l an" fo$# a $oll on eithe$ si"e. )ith this clause we#ight co#!a$e 0 Pet. 5/19, 1 MA 3!, though the thought ishe$e "iffe$ent. An excellent !a$allel a!!ea$s in Si(%ll. iii. 0, :, ; 388 . Cf. /055, >15. n the 2.T. the heavens a$e sai" to (e sha-enD an"

$entD 7!8/ cf. sa. 15/15, 65/1+3 Hagg. 0/6, 01. 35 6 4! " 3& " 7!.This state#ent$ecu$s in 16/09, 35! 4! *#$, 6 0 Q%!. ;o $eal !a$allel hashithe$to (een foun" fo$ these wo$"s. ;ah. 1/< is a""uce" (% so#e, an" &e$. >/0> (%

othe$s, (ut neithe$ is at all li-el%. Such cos#ic !heno#ena #ust in thei$ o$iginal context

have (een i##e$i!te!$ecu$so$s of the en"3 (ut as the% a$e not such in ou$ autho$, the

wo$"s a$e not to (e ta-en lite$all%.15. 1 8! 4 $4 1 $!5 1 00 13! 1 !0 35 ( * I :H '!37 ' 3% " `%&.)ith the a(ove enu#e$ation co#!a$e

15/16, 1+/1. The nu#(e$ of classes in ou$ text is sevena favou$ite nu#(e$ with ou$

autho$. t inclu"es eve$% one f$o# the e#!e$o$ "own to the slave. Mo$ si#ila$

enu#e$ations see &u(. xxiii. 1+3 0 4a$. lxx. 5, >, 6, though these a$e #entione" in

connection with what is given in ou$ text un"e$ the secon" Seal.

)ith the thought of 1/0+.

)ith 1, Then shall !ain co#e u!on

the# as u!on a wo#an in t$avail ?D3 60/


24/29

6! YI 95, 8 b%! #; 95. He$e ou$ text "iffe$s f$o#the in its $en"e$ings, %$!, 3%, I, an" in the o$"e$ of its ve$(s.This o$"e$ is foun" also in u-e 05/59, whe$e this uotation is given/ > %$ 6! b%! #; 95, 8 YI 95. t #a% not (e necessa$%to assu#e an in"e!en"ent t$anslation of Hos. 19/ he$e, (ut onl% the use of a cu$$ent

collection of eschatological !assages, o$ a collection of the sa%ings of ou$ o$". Eithe$of these h%!otheses woul" account fo$ the inve$sion of the o$"e$ of the ve$(s. The use of

Ian" 3%coul" (e accounte" fo$ (% the occu$$ence of these wo$"s in 193

S!itta, 3 )e%lan", 16.o" is the &u"ge on the th$one, whe$eas the a#( a!!ea$s elsewhe$e in these cha!te$s

(efo$e the th$one, su$$oun"e" (% angels. &. )eiss $ega$"s the clause as a late$ a""ition

of the final e"ito$, acco$"ing to whose view the en#it% of the 4east is "i$ecte" against

the a#( an" His followe$s, 1/1>1


25/29

autho$ teaches that the en" is not %et3 the $oll of the #a$t%$s is not %et co#!lete3 the

un(elieving wo$l" has wo$se woes still to encounte$.

)ith !43 we #ight cont$ast the !ictu$e in /+ s. of theinnu#e$a(le host stan"ing 7:!"8 (efo$e o".

AKKT2;A;2TE2;6/11

!@ 7. t is (est to give at the outset the inte$!$etation of the!@ 7that can (e @ustifie" (% &ewish an" Ea$l% Ch$istian lite$atu$e, an" this isthat the !@ 7signifies the s!i$itual (o"ies which we$e fo$thwith given to the#a$t%$s, (ut not to the $est of the faithful "e!a$te" till afte$ the Minal &u"g#ent.

Atte#!ts have (een #a"e (% 4G-len 7/e&-!n$tsch!ft $ j8$isch,ch&ist%ichen #it $

P!&ischen Esch!to%o(ie, !!. 61608 to fin" this conce!tion in the Len":Avesta 7Uasht

15/>+ s./ see S4E05/1+01+518, (ut it cannot (e $ega$"e" as successful. n the

Pahlavi lite$atu$e 7th cent. A.K. o$ late$8 to which he a!!eals 7!. 608, the$e is a "oct$ine

a!!$oxi#ating, (ut onl% a!!$oxi#ating, to that of ou$ autho$/ see 4un". 59/0 7S4Ev.

108. This too, it sa%s, that whoeve$ has !e$fo$#e" no wo$shi!, an" has o$"e$e" no

eti:-ha$i", an" has (estowe" no clothes as a $ighteous gift, is na-e" the$e3 an" he!e$fo$#s the wo$shi! of Aharmazd, an" B the heavenl% angels !$ovi"e hi# the use of

clothing B.D Cf. also Ddistn- Dnk, xliii. 1+ 7S4Exviii. 1>+ s.8, an" Sa" Ka$,

lxxxviii. 06 7S4Exxiv. 5/0, Thou clothest Th%self with light as with a ga$#ent,D we fin" one of

the sou$ces of the conce!tion with which we a$e "ealing. ;ow as o" was clothe" in

light, the $isen faithful we$e li-ewise so conceive", as in 1 Enoch 19/10, will ($ing

fo$th in shining light those who have love" '% hol% na#e, an" will seat each on theth$one of his honou$.D 4ut since the light going fo$th f$o# o" was li-ewise the glo$%

of o", the $esu$$ection (o"ies of the $ighteous coul" (e "esc$i(e" as ga$#ents of

glo$%.D Thus in 1 Enoch 60/16/

An" the% shall have (een clothe" with ga$#ents of glo$%,

An" these shall (e the ga$#ents of life f$o# the o$" of S!i$itsD3

an" in 0 Enoch 00/, An" the o$" sai" to 'ichael/ o an" ta-e Enoch f$o# out his

ea$thl% ga$#ents ? an" !ut hi# into the ga$#ents of '% glo$%.D The ga$#ents a$e

white,D as the white ga$#ent is a s%#(ol of the light st$ea#ing fo$th f$o# a

su!e$natu$al (eing. Thus the $ai#ent of the angels is white,D 'a$- +/5 7' 1(? ' 8, 16/< 7!@ 783 Acts 1/19 7!7!! 8, o$

"aling,D u-e +/0+ 7- 1! ( !3&8, 0>/> 7 !4!3!8.

So fa$ we see that the (o"ies of the $isen $ighteous we$e "esc$i(e" as ga$#ents of

glo$%,D ie. the su!e$natu$al glo$% o$ light (elonging to o" Hi#self 70 Enoch 10/8, an"

0.(.E. 0acred (oo!s of the Eastedited by Ma5 Mller4,


26/29

that the ga$#ents of the angels in the ;.T. a$e "esc$i(e" in analogous te$#s as whiteD

o$ "aling.D The angels a$e then a!!a$entl% to (e conceive" of as having s!i$itual

(o"ies. 4ut the i"entification of the white ga$#entsD o$ white $ai#entD of the (lesse"

with thei$ s!i$itual (o"ies can (e full% esta(lishe". Mo$ in the Ascension of saiah 7 ci&c.

199 A.K., o$ 199109 A.K. acco$"ing to 4ee$8 we have ! -&itin( conte#"o&!&+' o&

!%#ost conte#"o&!&+' -ith th!t of ou& !utho&' -hich $e!%s $efinite%+ -ith this 9uestion.Thus in >/16 we $ea"/ 4ut the saints will co#e with the o$" with thei$ ga$#ents

which a$e 7now8 sto$e" u! on high in the seventh heaven/ with the o$" the% will co#e,

whose s!i$its a$e clothe" ? an" He will clothe 7 ie. $ea"ing 3!fo$ !0!,which latte$ the Ethio!ic !$esu!!oses8 the saints who have (een foun" in the (o"% ? in

the ga$#ents of the saints.D Again in /1> we fin"/ )hen f$o# the (o"% ? thou hast

ascen"e" hithe$, then thou wilt $eceive the ga$#ent which thou seest.D Mo$ othe$

$efe$ences to these ga$#entsD o$ s!i$itual (o"ies see /00, /06, +/+, 1, 0>06, 11/>9.

These ga$#ents we$e #ost !$o(a(l% te$#e" 7in the lost $ee- o$iginal,since this te$# is foun" in the G&ee7 Le(en$, ii. 5 E$a 0/5+,ui se "e u#($a saeculi t$anstule$unt, s!len"i"as tunicas a "o#ino acce!e$unt ? >0.

Ego Es"$as vi"i in #onte Sion tu$(a# #agna#, ua# nu#e$ate non !otui ? >>>,

whe$e he "istinguishes the!" I0

f$o# the!" 3

, the latte$ of

which is sai" 71+8 to (e the li-eness of the heavenl%D 7@ ( 38.This heavenl% (o"% he calls in 0 Co$.


27/29

(1"enotes the sa#e thing as the ga$#ents of glo$%D in 1 Enoch 60/16, though thefo$# of ex!$ession is "iffe$ent.

et us next exa#ine the views of ou$ autho$ on this uestion. n this connection he

uses two wo$"s, !7an" 1. Since the #eaning is less clea$ with $ega$" to1we shall (egin with !7.

Mi$st of all, in 6/11, when the souls un"e$ the alta$ a!!eale" fo$ @u"g#ent on thei$o!!$esso$s, a !@ 77ie. a s!i$itual (o"%8 was given to each, an" the% we$e

(i""en to $est till thei$ fellow:se$vants on ea$th shoul" suffe$ #a$t%$"o# even as the%

ha". He$e the$e is no "efinite answe$ given to thei$ collective c$% fo$ $et$i(ution, (ut a

"efinite (oon is acco$"e"even the gift of s!i$itual (o"ies. 4ut the$e(% thei$ co#!lete

(lesse"ness is not %et fulfille". This cannot (e acco#!lishe" till all the faithful have

finishe" thei$ wa$fa$e on ea$th. The% a$e not to en@o% !e$fect (lesse"ness till the $oll of

the #a$t%$s is co#!lete an" the 'illennial Iing"o# esta(lishe" on the ea$th. n this

-ing"o# the% a$e to $eign with Ch$ist fo$ 1999 %ea$s 709/>8, sitting on His th$one 7ie.

sha$ing in His autho$it%8, 5/01 7cf. u-e 00/0+, 593 'att. 1+/08, an" to (e c$owne" as

victo$s in the st$ife on ea$th, 0/19, 5/0 7cf. 0 Ti#. >/, 8. )e #ight co#!a$e with ou$

autho$*s ex!ectation Asc. sa. +/+, whe$e the See$ sees all the $ighteous f$o# A"a#

onwa$"s st$i!t of the ga$#ents of the fleshD 7= ' 4 ! 7, cf. G&ee7Le(en$, ii. 558 an" clothe" in thei$ ga$#ents of the u!!e$ wo$l",D an" a!!ea$ing li-e

angels.D 19. 4ut the% sat not on thei$ th$ones, no$ we$e thei$ c$owns of glo$% on the#.

11. An" as-e" the angel who was with #e/ How is it that the% have $eceive" the

ga$#ents (ut not the th$ones an" the c$ownsO 10, 15. An" he sai" unto #e/ C$owns an"

th$ones of glo$% the% "o not $eceive till the 4elove"D has "escen"e" into the wo$l" an"

$eascen"e" 7118. He$e, though the ti#e li#it "iffe$s, the i"ea is si#ila$. The i"ea in

ou$ text is that of the soli"a$it% of the Chu$ch, of the 'a$t%$s. That of the enti$e Chu$ch,

1

It is noteworthy that this idea of a resurrection body of glory or light is used

in a purely spiritual sense in the


28/29

&ewish an" Ch$istian, is well set fo$th in He(. 11/5+>9, These all ? $eceive" not the

!$o#ise, o" having !$ovi"e" so#e (ette$ thing conce$ning us, that a!a$t f$o# us the%

shoul" not (e #a"e !e$fect.D

The !@ 7in 6/11 is, then, clea$l% the s!i$itual (o"ies which a$e given (%o" to the #a$t%$s, an" acco$"ing to ou$ autho$ to the #a$t%$s onl% at this stage. This

!h$ase use" in connection with the glo$ifie" #a$t%$ host in heaven in /+ 760 3H? 388% !' 8 an" in /15 7c 1 388% ' !'' 8 has, of cou$se, the sa#e #eaning.

The$e a$e two othe$ !assages, /1>, 00/1>, in which this !h$ase occu$s, an" which at

fi$st sight see# to !lace consi"e$a(le "ifficult% in the wa% of the a(ove inte$!$etation.

4ut the "ifficult% is #o$e see#ing than $eal. To solve it, howeve$, we #ust tu$n to ou$

autho$*s use of 11as a s%non%# of !7, an" li-ewise 8!!a secon"s%non%# fo$ !7. Maithful "isci!leshi! in chi$st !$ovi"es the s!i$it with the s!i$itual

(o"%/ othe$wise it is n!7e$, as we saw a(ove in 0 Co$. , 00/1> 71 3 ' !' "8. f it is !ossi(leto "efile the heavenl% (o"% 75/>8, o$ even to "est$o% it 75/1, 16/1, 00/1>8 an" #a-e it white 7, /1>8 in the (loo" of

the a#(.Thus to su# u!. The !$esent life of faith has within it the !$o#ise an" the !otenc%

of a (lesse" i##o$talit% of the soul en"owe" with an o$ganis# 7s%#(olie" in ou$

autho$ (% !@ 7o$ 1 8 a"a!te" to its s!i$itual envi$on#ent. Eve$%

1 In 787 the 1 are the spiritual of the )lders, which they ha#e as

hea#enly beings$ In 1817, % 8!! , and in 198.,

% 3, the hea#enly bodies of the angels are

referred to in any case, e#en if there is a secondary reference to their white

garments$ In 1813, 1. 1 is apparently used in its literal sense$ 0ee

footnote on p$ D2$


29/29

t$ue Ch$istian has !otentiall% an" actuall% this s!i$itual (o"%, which he can "efile 75/>8

o$ cleanse 7/1>, 10/1>8 an" #a-e white 7/1>8, o$ "est$o% wholl% 75/1, 16/1

A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St John CHAPTER 6

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