ACC ~ Revelation 21 v17

EVERY PERFECTION AND ALL THE SAINTS. APRINGIUS OF BEJA: We ought to regard the measure to be in the wall itself, for the wall of this city is our Lord Jesus Christ. That it was measured by the measure of a man indicates that the assumed man serves for the protection of the saints and as a guarantee of all bliss. This measure of a man is said to be that of an angel because he is himself the angel of the covenant of whom it is said, “He will suddenly come to his temple, whom you seek, indeed the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire.” And again it is said, “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Let us see what mystery is contained in the fact that its height is measured to be 144 cubits. One hundred, composed of ten tens, passes to the right side, and from this it is shown that the complete fullness of the saints and all righteousness that is perfected in the fulfillment of the Decalogue and the prophecy of the gospel is blessedly held at the right hand of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, the forty-four when divided into four tens and the remaining four ones indicates similarly that the fourfold truth of the gospel and the perfection of every heavenly doctrine remains by his power. Moreover, the number twenty-four itself is the sum of two equal parts so that it might show that the fullness of the ancient law and the power of the gospel rest in him and come from him. We know that this is a figure of the apostles of the Lamb and of the patriarchs and is the very image of the twenty-four elders. This number [i.e. , twenty-four] multiplied six times teaches that in the six days of this present week in which the world exists, the entire congregation and multitude of the saints is included, even as in our Lord Jesus Christ there is every perfection and [in him] the full righteousness of all the saints is shown to be safeguarded. TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.17.

BY THE CONTEMPLATION OF GOD, MEN BECOME ANGELS. OECUMENIUS: It is often the habit of holy Scripture to use the word men when speaking of angels. This is clear from those passages in which the archangel Gabriel is interpreted as “man of God.” Moreover, the prophet said, “You will preserve men and beasts, O Lord,” by “men” referring to angels and by “beasts” referring to men. For compared with the thoughts of the angels, men are irrational and like animals. … In addition, according to Luke, the Lord also called angels “men” when he said, “Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast.” Therefore, since angels are often called “men,” as we have said above, their gaze is directed toward God. For this reason it says here “by a man’s measure, that is, an angel’s.” By this language is signified that what is divine is wholly incomprehensible—above we have interpreted the wall of the city to be Christ—but rather by the contemplation of the greatness of God men become angels. And so, the wall of the city is measured by an angelic cubit, not a human one. That the wall measures 144 cubits indicates a certain mystical number determined by the wisdom and the discerning measurement of the angels. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.15-22.

THE CHURCH LONGS FOR THE COMPANIONSHIP OF THE ANGELS. PRIMASIUS: Clearly in many passages an angel symbolizes the church. Since the church is gathered together from people and is lifted high by the promises of Christ, she hopes for equality with the angels and her every intent longs for their company, and for this reason it says, “the measure of a man,” that is, of an angel’s. Or this verse indicates that that city that will reign more fully consists partly of angels who already live there in perpetual happiness and partly of those who are on the way, that is, of people. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.17.

Rev