ACC ~ Revelation 16 v20

THE RANKS OF DEMONS WILL BE OBLITERATED. OECUMENIUS: By islands he speaks of the Gentile churches, as the prophet says, “The Lord has reigned; let the earth be glad, and let the many islands rejoice.”He calls them “islands” because they lifted their heads and rose above their bitter and distasteful idolatry. Someone might also think otherwise and interpret the “islands” to refer to the impure orders of the demons, since they wallow in this briny and turbulent life. But that he refers to demons when he mentions the “mountains,” even the holy psalmist shows, singing, “The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, for he is coming,” Therefore, this passage transmits to us that the ranks of the demons at that time will be wiped out and obliterated. And, where might the wretched flee from God, in whose hand are the corners of the earth and who measured the heaven with a span and the earth with his hand—unless those who are smitten by these events should attempt a futile flight and escape? When these things take place and there is a violent hailstorm, it is necessary that people at that time turn to prayers and entreaties—for these signs against them might have ceased, but they rather cursed God and therefore these evils even intensified against them. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 16.17-21.

THE CHURCH WILL BE ESTABLISHED. PRIMASIUS: It is my view that by the terms islands and also mountains the church is signified on account of the greatness of its stability. Isaiah spoke about these: “In [your] teachings give glory to the Lord; in the islands of the sea [give glory] to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel,”and again: “And in the latter days that mountain of the house of the Lord will be established upon the tops of the mountains.” This flight will occur when the society of evil persons is at last avoided to such an extent that there will be no confusion or mixture of the church with the wicked. Therefore, the prophet said, “Flee from the midst of Babylon, let every one save his life.” Babylon will fall at that time when at the end it has received the power to persecute the saints. For this reason [Scripture] says, “The heart is proud before destruction, and the spirit is humbled before glory.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 16.20.

FLEEING TO MOUNTAINS AND CAVES. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: The holy Scriptures have taught us that “islands” refer to the churches and “mountains” refer to those who are leaders in them. That they flee at the time of the arrival of the aforementioned occurrences, we have heard from the Lord, who said, “Then they will flee from the east to the west and from the west to the east. For there will be a great tribulation, such as has not been from the foundation of the world, nor will ever be.” At that time some will be tormented for their sins, and others will endure misfortunes for the testing of their virtue. Such misfortunes will not only be those torments from the antichrist which they suffer for the sake of Christ, but also their flights and their sufferings among the mountains and caves. For they will prefer the mountains and caves to living in the cities for the sake of preserving their piety. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 16.20.

THE CHURCH WILL HIDE. BEDE: The church, which is compared with islands and to mountains because of its excellent stability, wisely hides herself from the attacks of the persecutors. EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 16.20.

Rev