ACC ~ Revelation 21 v20g

SIMON POSSESSED A HEAVENLY WISDOM. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: It seems likely that the hyacinth, which is deep blue, that is, like the sky, symbolizes Simon. For he was zealous for the gifts of Christ and possessed a heavenly wisdom. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.20.

THOSE WHO APPROACH THE ANGELIC LIFE MUST PRESERVE THEIR HEARTS. BEDE: Hyacinth is found in Ethiopia and has a dark blue color. At its best it is neither of loose texture nor dull by density, but rather [it] shines moderately and gives a pleasant, pure gleam. But this stone does not gleam the same all the time. Rather, it changes with the appearance of the sky, for when the sky is fair and clear, it is transparent and pleasing, but when the sky is cloudy, it becomes faint and pale to the eyes. This stone suggests those souls that are always devoted to the purpose of heaven and who, to the extent possible for mortals, approach in some manner to the angelic life. These are admonished to preserve their hearts with every diligence, lest they grow callous by an excessive subtlety of their understanding and dare to seek after higher things and to examine that which is more powerful. “For the glory of God is to conceal a word,”that is, one is to intellectually scrutinize God and the human Christ only with caution. They are also to preserve their hearts lest through an idle torpor they fall back again to the weak beginnings of faith and to the rudiments of the words of God. Those rather who travel the royal highway advance protected on the left and on the right by the weapons of righteousness, and by apt observation of the times [they] change their style and form with the sky and say to their overseers, “If we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.” As a hyacinth underneath a cloud, such a person says, “You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affection”; and again, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”And as a hyacinth seen in the bright sun, he says, “We speak wisdom among the mature.” EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 21.20.

Rev