ACC ~ Revelation 14 v3

ONLY THOSE PURIFIED BY CHRIST’S BLOOD KNOW THE NEW SONG. OECUMENIUS: “And no one,” it says, “could learn this song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.” I think that no one is strong enough even to hear the mysteries of the new song except for those who are thought worthy to sing them. For knowledge is given to each according to the measure of his purity. For “there are many rooms,” says the Lord, or rewards of good things, “with my Father.”He calls those “redeemed” who had been purchased by the blood of Christ. For the precious blood of Christ was poured out on behalf of all humankind. Yet for some it was without profit, namely for those who willingly robbed themselves of the salvation that came from it—indeed, through the prophet the Lord reproached these, saying, “What profit is there in my blood, when I go down into destruction?” But for those who have been saved and made righteous, of whom these, of whom the passage now speaks, are the first fruit and the first offering, it was immensely profitable, more than anyone could say. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 14.1-5.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEW SONG BELONGS TO THE FAITHFUL. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: No one else, it says, can learn this song except these, for the knowledge [of the song] is co-extensive to the measure of their behavior, just as the servants of people are allowed to know their master’s secrets in proportion to their good will. … We think that, after the twenty-four elders, these are leaders of the rest who because of their chastity and purity in word and deed have, after the sojourn of Christ, come to possess the brightness of the virtues. Taught by the virtues, they sing the new song, which remains unknown to most, not only in this life but in that to come. For although when “the perfection of knowledge will come, then the imperfect will cease,” as the apostle says, the appearance of the divine mysteries will be proportionate to the life of the saints here. For “in my Father’s house are many rooms,”and “star differs from star in glory,” just as also there is a difference of torments. Redeeming us from these, may the Lord of all count us among those who are being saved through his own goodness, not regarding the multitude of our sins but his own mercies, on account of which he came to the earth and shed his precious blood for us, that washing away our stains and spots, he might bring us to the Father, with whom glory, power and honor are due to him, the Leader of our salvation, together with the all-holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 14.3-5.

ONLY VIRGINS SING THIS SONG ETERNALLY TO THE LAMB. BEDE: The old song was this: “Blessed is he who has his seed in Zion and his household in Jerusalem.” However, the new song is this: “Rejoice, O barren one, who did not bare,”and again, “To eunuchs in my house and within my walls, says the Lord, I shall give a place and a name better than sons and daughters.” … To sing the song to the Lamb is to rejoice with him for eternity before all the faithful, especially from the incorruptibility of the flesh. Nevertheless, the other elect are able to hear the song, although they cannot sing it, because through love they have been made glad in their high status, although they do not rise to their rewards. EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 14.3.

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