ACC ~ Revelation 4 v6

BAPTISM IS AN ENDURING GIFT FROM GOD. VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM: And “before the throne there was, as it were, a sea of glass similar to crystal.” This is the gift of baptism, which he poured out through his Son during the time of repentance, before he should begin the judgment. And, therefore, it is “before the throne,” that is, before the judgment. And since it says “a sea of glass similar to crystal,” it shows that it is pure water, smooth, not made rough by the wind nor like a river flowing downhill, but given as an immovable gift from God. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4.2.

ONE BAPTIZED OUTSIDE THE CHURCH. PRIMASIUS: The sea of glass refers to baptism, where “it is believed with the heart unto justification, and there is confession with the mouth unto salvation.” And it is likened to glass because of faith. For in glass there is nothing to be seen on the outside than what is true on the inside. Nor is it without reason that baptism is said to be in the presence of the throne, lest heretics believe that they possess this or can bestow this outside [the church]. As so it says that [baptism is] in the presence of the throne, just as we read what was said to Moses, “The place is near me,” or as God himself exhorted in Deuteronomy, “In the place which the Lord your God chooses, to make his name present there.” We know that by all these passages the indivisible unity of the church is declared, where the Trinity may be received by baptism unto salvation, while the one who receives [baptism] outside [the church] is born to destruction. The gift of baptism is not evil but becomes evil when one to whom it is given makes evil use of it, just as was the morsel which was extended to Judas by the hand of the Lord. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4.6.

THE FONT OF BAPTISM. APRINGIUS OF BEJA: The sea of glass is like crystal, that is, it is transparent, indicating that it is infused by a certain whiteness and an uncommon purity. With good reason we think that this is said of the font of baptism and of the grace of regeneration. For [baptism] cleanses and illumines those who have received it and it clothes those who have been led to purity with the splendor of righteousness. These are the waters of which it is written in the prophets: “In those days living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. They shall continue in summer and in winter.” TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 4.6.

A MULTITUDE OF HOLY SPIRITS SURROUND GOD. OECUMENIUS: The vision of the sea indicates the multitude, the glass and crystal indicate the purity and utter cleanliness of the holy spirits who are around God, who are as a sea in multitude. For Daniel says, “A thousand thousands stood before him, and ten thousand times ten thousand served him.” And, although they be so many, they are all pure, similar to glass and crystal. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 4.4-6.

Rev