ACC ~ Revelation 22 v14

BAPTIZED AND REPENTING WITH SORROW. APRINGIUS OF BEJA: He calls those blessed who either wash their nuptial garment in the blood of the Lord’s passion through the washing of regeneration which they receive or who through the sorrow of their heart and with tears accomplish the washing away of sins committed at the present time. He indicates that without doubt these will have the right to possess the tree of life.This is that right, that they see the face of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is true life, and rejoice, and that they desire to be admitted to his presence through the gates, that is, through the doctrine of the apostles and the prophets, which they worked to fulfill. TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 22.14.

CLEANSED FROM EVERY SIN. OECUMENIUS: By “robes” he means our bodies. Therefore, blessed are those who live well and cleanse themselves from every stain of sin. For those who have lived in such a manner will have the right to lean upon the tree of life and to rest upon it. The “tree of life” is the Lord, as we have noted earlier. “That they may enter the city by the gates.” Through the gates, that is, by the apostolic doctrines and teachings they become partakers of the life and blessedness of the saints. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 22.10-14.

THE STRENGTH OF FAITH. PRIMASIUS: After speaking of the faith he mentions the uprightness of our character, and by the washed robes he teaches about the keeping of the divine commandments. At the beginning of his Gospel John uses a different manner of speech but with the same meaning when he says, “In the beginning was the Word.” A little later he writes, “The Word became flesh,”where the fullness of our entire faith consists, so that in one and the same Christ both perfect deity and true humanity are confessed. When he speaks of the uprightness of our character and habits, he says, “As many as received him, he gave to them power to become sons of God, namely, to those who believe in his name,” making explicit the reward for faith and love. So also in this present passage [John] is speaking in a similar and equal manner, making mention of Christ in the A and Ω, and signifying the pure and stainless life in the white robes. Thus, in a similar manner he promises the same reward, saying, “That they might have power over the tree of life.” However, the tree of life is Christ, for we read, “Wisdom is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.” We must not think, however, that they [who have this power] are over [i.e., more powerful than] Christ.For “a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” Therefore, when he says here “over the tree of life,” he means that their strength consists in the tree of life, that is, in the Lord Christ, of whom the prophet also says, “They are made strong in the holy One of Israel.” From whatever source one receives strength, one is said to be “over this.” In the same sense it is said to blessed Peter, “On this rock I will build my church,” that is, “upon me.” Also the prophet speaks the same meaning although with a different wording when he says, “I will keep my strength, [watching] for you.”[Concerning the gates] it is written, “Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I might enter through them and confess the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.” In addition we must also say that no one can enter into this city except through Christ who says, “I am the door,” and “No one comes to the Father except through me.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 22.14.

REST AND DELIGHT IN CHRIST. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: Those [who keep the commandments] are truly worthy of blessedness. For in life eternal they shall possess authority to find rest in the tree of life, namely, Christ our God, and to delight in the vision of him without any evil power becoming a hindrance [to that bliss]. And they shall enter into that city above by the apostolic gates, that is, by the apostles’ teachings, through the true door. Nor shall they, as though shepherds for hire, sneak in by some other way, but they will be guided in by the gatekeeper of life. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 22.14.

THROUGH GATES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. BEDE: In the image of the white robes he is promising a worthy and suitable reward, namely, that of a pure and stainless life. Clearly [he promises this] in order that one might receive the vision of the Lord, who is eternal life. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” “That they might enter the city by the gates.” Those who keep the commandments of the Lord, who said, “I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture”—these are the pastures that are also here promised, that is, the tree of life—these without doubt enter through the gates into the church, to be sure, through the gates of righteousness which the psalmist says are opened to him.”However, he who climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.” EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 22.14.

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