ACC ~ Revelation 21 v16

PERFECT AND WHOLE IN FAITH AND HOLINESS. APRINGIUS OF BEJA: [The city is foursquare], that is, it persists in the faith of the fourfold gospel. It is said that its length is the same as its breadth, so that one might see that in its faith there is nothing disproportionate, nothing that has been added, and nothing that has been taken away. … He measured the city with his rod, which we understand to be the body of Christ, and it was twelve stadia. For the faith in Christ and the integrity of the holy people is recognized by means of these twelve stadia, that is, by means of the teaching of the apostles and the faith of the ancient fathers. “For the length and the breadth were the same.” All things are equal, for nothing is found in the saints that is superfluous or that comes from the outside, nor is anything inferior found within them. TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.16.

THE BLISS OF THE SAINTS WILL BE UNCHANGEABLE. OECUMENIUS: The foursquare shape is called by the experts a cube. It is a flat surface of four corners, and when it is foursquare and equal in all of its dimensions, they say that the cube exhibits great stability. For the blessings of the saints are permanent and unchangeable, since there is no change to corrupt their bliss. The grandeur of the city and the magnificence of the saints signify that although they are considerably less in number than are the sinners, they are not so small in number as not to fill such a city. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.15-22.

THE CHURCH IS BUILT ON THE UNSHAKEABLE ROCK. PRIMASIUS: The apostle certainly recalls the dimension of the city when he says, “according to the measure of Christ’s gift,”and again, “To me, though I am the least of all the saints, this grace was given to me, to preach to the Gentiles.” Therefore, the city is said to be foursquare and each side given an equal dimension, so that nothing might be marked by inequality. To be perfect, according to the apostle, is to have the same wisdom and to have peace, that is, truly to exist in the strength of a square. This is, then, that city that the Lord said in the Gospel was built on a hill, that is, was built on himself. And concerning this he also said to Peter, who is the image of the whole church, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I shall build my church.”It is as if he had said, “I will build you upon me.” For Christ was the Rock, and therefore from the Rock is the rock, even as the Christian is from Christ. And Christ indeed teaches that every invention of human error is to be avoided and only the monuments of divine truth are to be followed. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.15-16.

PERFECTION OF LIFE AND OF REST FOR SOUL AND BODY. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: The city is foursquare because of its stability and solidity. That which is of equal length in its depth and breadth and height is called by some a cube, and it suggests stability. The twelve thousand stadia that the city measures perhaps signify the size of the city, for, as David says, its inhabitants “shall be multiplied beyond the sand.” Or perhaps they are mentioned because of the number of the apostles through whom the city was established. The number seven, which is mystical, presents a solution through a certain line of reasoning. The thousands of stadia, which are mentioned, are equivalent to 1,714 miles, the thousand representing the perfection of eternal life, the seven hundred indicating the perfection of the rest, and the fourteen indicating the twofold sabbath of the soul and the body. For seven times two is fourteen. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.16.

THE CHURCH IS PERFECTLY STABLE IN FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE. BEDE: [The twelve thousand stadia] means that he looked upon the church in her faith and works and made her to be perfect. For the perfection of the four cardinal virtues is lifted up by the faith in the holy Trinity, and so by the number twelve the dignity of the church is indicated. … “Its length and breadth and height are equal.” This signifies the stability of unconquered truth by which the church, supported by the length of faith, the breadth of love and the height of hope, is not allowed to be blown about by every wind of doctrine. Were she to lack any one of these, the perfect stability of the church would not exist. EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 21.16.

Rev