ACC ~ Revelation 21 v6b

THE SUFFERINGS OF THE PRESENT NOT EQUAL TO THE FUTURE BLESSINGS. OECUMENIUS: In the Gospels the Lord says, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Therefore, to one who thirsts after such a thirst, I shall give life without payment. But how is it that he said “without payment,” since the saints attain to the future life with very great hardships? Why, therefore, does he say that he gives it “without payment”? He says this to indicate that one never bears anything worthy of the blessings of that [future] time, no matter how much one might labor. And the apostle made the same point when he said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.6-8.

GOD WATERS THOSE ON THE WAY AND THOSE IN THE FATHERLAND. PRIMASIUS: From this fountain [God] refreshes believers who are now on the way. However, to those who conquer he will provide abundantly [from this fountain] and give them to drink in the fatherland. He causes rain to fall upon both, so that those who are still on the way are not deprived of drink in this desert and so that those who become citizens [of the new Jerusalem] might continually be inebriated from the stream of delights that come from God. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.6.

THE REMISSION OF SINS COMES THROUGH BAPTISM. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: This is to say, [I will give from the fountain of life] to him who desires the remission of sins through the font of baptism. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.6, HOMILY 18.

CHRIST PROMISES THE SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: To the one who thirsts after righteousness he promises to grant the joy of the life-giving Spirit that he supplied in the Gospels to those who believed in him. It is “without payment” either because “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to the saints,” or because it is not possessed except by the good works and the goodness of him who gives it. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 21.6.

Rev