The Apocalypse of St. John by Rev. E. Sylvester Berry [1921]

[Stone]

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH


CHAPTER IV

1. After these things, I looked and behold, a door was opened in heaven, and the first voice which I heard, as it were the voice of a trumpet speaking with me, said: Come up hither, and I will shew thee the things which must be done hereafter.

2. And immediately I was in the spirit: and be hold there was a throne set in heaven, and upon the throne one sitting.

3. And he that sat was to the sight like jasper and the sardine stone: and there was a rainbow about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats, four and twenty ancients sitting, clothed in white garments, and on their heads were crowns of gold.


1. Chapters iv-v serve as an introduction to the visions which follow. They describe the constitution of the church on earth, and the worship which it gives to Jesus Christ the Lamb of God.

The prophet sees the throne of God surrounded by the Apostles, the Evangelists, the faithful, and angels with censers of sweet-smelling incense. Beneath the throne are the martyrs who have suffered for their Faith, and in front of it stand the seven burning lamps. In the midst of the throne stands the Lamb of God as if slain. He is worthy of all honor and praise. All bow down in adoration to Him who alone is able to break the seals of the future.

This vision of adoration is a symbol of the worship offered to God in His Church on earth. The throne of God is the altar upon which the Lamb is mystically slain in the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Before Him all the faithful bow down in adoration and sing their canticles of praise. In ancient times the bishop had his throne behind the altar, and round about it on either side sat the priests and other clergy. During solemn Mass lighted lamps stood around the altar and ministers carried vessels of burning incense. Beneath the altar reposed the relics of martyrs who had suffered for their faith.

2. The door opened in heaven is a figure of speech signifying that St. John was wrapped in ecstasy even as St. Paul had been many years before.1 While in this ecstasy he sees the future of the Church unfolded before him in symbolic visions such as were seen by the prophets of old.

3. The red and orange colors of the jasper and sardonyx signify the infinite justice of God. The rainbow of emerald is a symbol of God's mercy and love which save man by calling him to penance. In the days of Noe the bow was set in the heavens as a sign of mercy and forgiveness. Thus at the very beginning of these prophecies God reveals Himself as a just Judge and a kind Father.

4. The four and twenty ancients are the twelve patriarchs of the Old Law and the twelve Apostles of the New Dispensation. By extension they represent the bishops and priests of the Church throughout the centuries. They are seated upon thrones participating with Christ in the government of His Church. They wear the crowns of royalty because they have been chosen kings and princes in the kingdom of God on earth.3 The gold is a symbol of Christian charity. The white garments signify sanctifying grace and the eternal happiness to which it leads.


(1) II Corinthians xii, 2.
(2) Genesis ix, 12-17.
(3) Apocalypse i, 6.



5. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, and voices and thunders: and there were seven lamps burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.

6. And in the sight of the throne was as it were a sea of glass like to crystal: and in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind.

7. And the first living creature was like a lion: and the second living creature like a calf; and the third living creature having the face, as it were, of a man: and the fourth living creature was like an eagle flying.

8. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings; and round about and within they are full of eyes. And they rested not day and night, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.

9. And when those living creatures gave glory and honour and benediction to him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever.

10. The four and twenty ancients fell down before him that sitteth on the throne, and adored him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne saying:

11. Thou art worthy. O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour, and power: because thou hast created all things, and for thy will they were, and
have been created.


5. As of old on mount Sinai, thunder and lightning are symbols of God s power and majesty.1 On the last day our Lord shall come on the clouds of heaven as the "lightning cometh out of the east and appeareth even into the west."2

The voice is the voice of the Church preaching the Gospel to all nations. The thunders are the warnings of the Gospel against the wicked who
refuse to accept its teachings. The seven lamps are the seven angels who stand before the throne of God, and by extension, all angels. They are the
instructors and enlighteners of men. For this reason they are compared to lighted lamps. The ministry of angels in the Church is apparent on every page of the Apocalypse. They also represent bishop and pastors in the Church.3

6. In Biblical symbolism the sea represents human society.4 Here the sea of crystal is the Church, the society of the faithful permeated by the light of divine truth which Christ brought to earth.

The four living creatures are the four greater prophets of the Old Law and the four Evangelists of the New Law. The number "four" signifies the universality of the Church which carries the Gospel to the four quarters of the earth. The eyes before and behind and round about the living
creatures also refer to the universality of the Church in time and place. They see on all sides and have regard to all times, both before and after
Christ, from the creation of the world until its final consummation.

7. The four creatures symbolize the principal virtues necessary for those who preach the Gospel of Christ. The lion is a symbol of strength and
courage; the ox, of patient labor. The creature with the face of a man denotes reason and prudence. The eagle in flight represents contemplation. From
the earliest times the Evangelists have been represented in art by these four living creatures.

8. Each of the four living creatures has six wings. In this they resemble the seraphim in the vision of Isaias. The symbolism is probably the same. With two wings the seraphim shielded themselves before the majesty of God. These were adoration and reverential awe. With the wings of humility
and temperance they veiled their feet. The two wings which served for flight symbolize faith and prayer.

9, 10. All creatures must ever proclaim the power and majesty of God who is thrice holy in the ever blessed Trinity. But no creature is worthy to wear a crown in the presence of God. The four and twenty ancients lay their crowns at the foot of the throne to acknowledge that God alone is head of the Church. It is only in dependence upon Him that they govern.

11. All power, honor, and glory belong to Him who created all things. What sublime theology the Apocalypse contains! Its every word teaches some exalted truth concerning God, or recalls to mind some noble Christian duty!


(1) Exodus xix, 16-8.
(2) St. Matthew xxiv, 27; xxvi, 64.
(3) See above, page 9.
(4) Cf. Daniel vii, ,2,3; Isaias lvii, 20; lx, 3 sq.; St. Matthew xiii, 47; Apocalypse xvii, 15.
(5) Isaias vi, 2,