ACC ~ Revelation 10 v4

THE CHURCH INTERPRETS THE OLD TESTAMENT THROUGH HER PROPHETS. VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM: “The seven thunders uttered their voices.” The Spirit of sevenfold power announced through the prophets all things that were to come and by his voice has given witness in the world. But since he said that he was going to write whatsoever the thunders had said, that is, whatever had been obscurely foretold in the Old Testament, he was forbidden to write but told to keep it [sealed]. For he was an apostle, and it was not good that the grace of the second rank should be given to the person in the first rank, “for the time is already near.” For the apostles overcame unbelief by powers and signs and wonders and mighty deeds. And after them the comfort of having the prophetic Scriptures interpreted was given to the churches which were confirmed in the faith. These interpreters [the apostle] calls prophets, for he says, “He has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers” and following. In another place he says, “Let two or three prophets speak and let the others weigh what is said.” And he says, “Any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head.”When he said, “Let two or three prophets speak and let the others weigh what is said,” he is not speaking of some unheard of and unknown orthodox prophecy but of that prophecy which is already spoken. They weigh what is said to ensure that the interpretation conforms with the witness of the sayings of the prophets. It is clear that John, armed with a superior power, had no need of this, while the church, which is the body of Christ, is adorned by her own members and ought to respond from her own rank. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10.2.

THE CHURCH DOES NOT REVEAL MYSTERIES TO THE UNWORTHY. TYCONIUS: It was said to him, “Do not write” that which you have heard, so that what is in mystery and is reserved to the church would not be revealed to those who are unworthy and faithless. … [Elsewhere] he says, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.”He shows that there are those to whom the mystery ought to be sealed and those to whom it ought to be opened. As the Lord himself said, “To you”—he is speaking to his disciples—“it has been given to know the secret of the kingdom of God, but for others it is in parables.” It says, “Let him who continues to do evil, do evil still, and him who is filthy, be filthy still, and let him who is righteous still perform more righteous deeds, and likewise the holy more holy deeds.” This is to say, “This is why I speak to them in parables, that they who do not see may see and they who see might become blind.” And again, “Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.”Daniel likewise said, “Seal the book until the time of the consummation.” And [John] explains why he was commanded to seal the book in the following words, “Let the unrighteous transgress so that all the wicked and the sinners might not know, but let those who understand understand.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10.4.

COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: This shows that what is now undisclosed is to be explained through experience and the course of the events themselves. And from the heavenly voice the Evangelist learned that the voices are to be imprinted on the mind but that the final understanding and the clear interpretation of them is reserved for the last times. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10.4.

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