ACC ~ Revelation 6 v1

THE LAMB FORETELLS WHAT WILL HAPPEN. VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM: The breaking of the seals is the disclosing of the prophecies of the Old Testament and the foretelling of those things that will happen at the end of time. Although our prophetic writing expresses the events to come by way of the individual seals, it is not until all of the seals have been opened that the announcement is able to run its course. … He said, “one of the living creatures,” because all four are one. “Come and see.” “Come” is spoken to one who is invited to faith. “See” is spoken to one who has not seen. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.1.

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST INITIATED OUR RESTORATION TO GOD. OECUMENIUS: The closing and sealing of the scroll signifies the fearful alienation of those inscribed in it and the closing of their mouths from making any plea for justice before God. Therefore, the gradual opening of the seals reveals the gradual recovery of our free and open relationship with God, which the Only Begotten acquired for us when by his own righteousness he set aright our offenses. It is then to be noted that the loosing of each seal reveals a work done by the Lord for our salvation and effected by him against our spiritual enemies. For the intention of the Lord on our behalf is the destruction of their domination of us. … Therefore, the first good work of Christ our Savior toward our race, which loosed the first seal of the scroll, is the physical birth of the Lord. For his birth initiated our restoration from that exile that was occasioned by Adam’s sin, and it began the recovery of that closeness of God with us which we had lost and the change of our fearful alienation into a confident freedom. For [his birth] sanctified our birth, so that we might no longer be conceived in transgressions or be born in the sins of our mothers, but that we might have a sanctified birth, Christ having blessed human birth through his own birth. The holy apostle witnesses to this goodness toward humankind when he writes, “Since your children are unclean, but now they are holy.”COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.1-4.

WITH ONE VOICE. PRIMASIUS: He said, “I heard one of the four animals say, ‘Come and see.’” This one animal is the whole church preaching with a great voice and inviting the church to greater faith, “Come and see!” “If anyone thirsts, let him come and drink.” “Approach him and you will be illuminated.” “Arise, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will illuminate you.”COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.1.

THE APOSTLES ARE CALLED TO A ROYAL STRUGGLE. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: Indeed, here is indicated the good order of those in heaven, which descends from the first ranks to the second. And therefore from one figure of the four-formed living creatures, namely, from the lion, he heard the first voice that gave the command, “Come!” to the angel who mystically symbolizes the vision. The first living creature, the lion, seems to me to signify the royal intention of the apostles against the demons. Concerning them it is said, “Behold, the kings of the earth have gathered together.” And again: “You will establish them as rulers over all the earth.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.1.

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