ACC ~ Revelation 12 v12

TRIALS TRAIN THE FAITHFUL FOR APPROVAL. OECUMENIUS: When these events occurred, it says, “Rejoice all you angels of God, for you have been delivered from the bitter association with Satan.” But “woe to the earth and to the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, for he knows that his time is short.” Someone might ask, “If by his coming down Satan was intending to do evil upon the earth and sea, why [was he allowed] to come down?” Because, for those who are sober and have hope in God, this did not occur for their harm but rather for their benefit. It trained them, as though by a gymnastics instructor, so that by these trials they might be made more approved and hardened to be like iron. But this does harm the slothful and the weak, who, since the one urging them on is himself without foundation, would quickly become evil out of themselves and exchange any hardship for what they are by nature. When he says “woe to the earth and to the sea,” he is not saying “woe to those who live upon the earth and sail upon the sea.” Rather, he calls those “earth” and “dust” who are earthly in thought and, moreover, fickle, without direction and unstable in mind. Against such as these, our common enemy makes war and enslaves the weak who are willing to submit to his tyranny. “Knowing,” it says, “that his time is short.” The time from the downfall of Satan until his judgment and condemnation, when he will be thrown aside into unending ages, is short. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 12.10-12.

EXULTATION FOR THE REDEEMED BUT LAMENTATION FOR THE PERISHING. PRIMASIUS: As above, in angels the church is recognized to be “heaven,” and it is proper to both to rejoice harmoniously in the Lord, for people are said to be the associates of angels and in Christ the angels serve the human nature. But there follows, “Woe to you, O earth and sea.” Just as there was exultation for those who are redeemed, there is lamentation for those who are perishing. Therefore, Ezekiel said that he saw a book having written within a lament, a song and a woe.In the lament he refers to the wailing of the penitent; in the song he refers to the joyfulness of the saints; in the woe he properly manifests the condemnation of the wicked. It is to these last that here [John] alludes when he says, “Woe to you, earth and sea and the rest, for he knows that there is little time left to him.” And so, moved by an unconquered power he confesses to the Lord and says, “Have you come to destroy us before the time.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 12.12.

THE SAINTS BECOME HEAVEN. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: It says “come down” to preserve the allegory. As all are in “heaven,” that is, in the church, which is rightly called heaven, when the devil is thrown out of the saints, he “comes down” to his followers who are the “earth” because of their earthly affection. He is said to be thrown out of heaven, not so that he might come to those who have already been made heaven but because of those who have not become what they might be. For the saints cannot become heaven, unless the devil has been expelled. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 12.12, HOMILY 9.

ANGELS GRIEVE FOR THOSE WHO CLING TO EARTHLY THINGS. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: In imitation of God, it follows that the powers above rejoice at his downfall but grieve over those who by his plot cling to earthly things. But woe to those who dwell upon the earth, that is, clearly to those who have no citizenship in heaven but only on earth. For many upon the earth do defeat the enemy and will continue to do so, although because of the nearness of his punishment he now is especially enraged against those who fight him. And so it is necessary to think that those are unhappy who have an earthly mind and are buffeted about by the sea of life. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 12.11-12.