ACC ~ Revelation 6 v11

TO GRANT REMISSION OF SINS HASTILY IS TO PROVOKE THE WRATH OF GOD. CYPRIAN: But if anyone with precipitate haste rashly thinks that he can grant remission of sins to all or dares to rescind the precepts of the Lord, not only is this of no advantage to the lapsed but it is even a hindrance. Not to have observed the judgment of the Lord, and to think that his mercy is not first to be implored, but after condemning the Lord to presume on one’s own power, is to have provoked his wrath. Under the altar of God the souls of the slain martyrs cry out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord holy and true, do you refrain from judging and from avenging our blood on those who dwell on earth?” And they are ordered to be quiet and to continue to have patience. Does someone think that anyone can wish to become good by remitting and pardoning sins at random or that he can defend others before he himself is vindicated? The martyrs order something to be done. If just, if lawful, if not contrary to the Lord himself, they are to be done by the priest of God. Let the agreement be ready and easy on the part of the one obeying, if there has been religious moderation on the part of him asking. The martyrs order something to be done. If what they order is not written in the law of the Lord, we must first know, that they have obtained from the Lord what they ask, then do what they order. For what has been assured by man’s promise cannot be seen at once to have been granted by the divine majesty. THE LAPSED 18.

THE SAINTS RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM: He who sees all things willed that we know that these, that is, the souls of the slain, await the vindication of their blood, that is, of their body, from those who dwell upon the earth. However, since at the end of time the eternal reward of the saints and the condemnation of the impious will come, they are told to wait. And for a consolation of their body they received, it says, white robes, that is, the gift of the Holy Spirit. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.4.

THE COURAGE OF MARTYRDOM, THE MARTYR CROWN. OECUMENIUS: And having said these things, they first receive white robes. This image signifies that they have been cleansed by their own blood and have put off every filth. Then they hear that they ought “rest a little longer, until their fellow servants and their brothers should be completed, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” For it would not be just were those who were similar to them in courage be deprived of their martyr crowns because the demons who were struggling against them had been destroyed prematurely. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.9-11.

THE MARTYRS AWAIT THE COMPLETION OF THE SAINTS. PRIMASIUS: We believe that this was revealed to them by the knowledge of divine wisdom, that since the impious will inevitably be punished with eternal punishment and since the fountain of heavenly grace will flow forth unto the end of the world, many will until then be taken into the company of the holy martyrs. And when they received this response, they were filled with an inexpressible joy, which we believe is aptly symbolized by the white robes. Therefore, each one received a white robe, so that through the perfection of love that is poured out into the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit, they might be content with this consolation and prefer rather to wait for the completion of the number of other brothers. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.11.

THE TIME FOR VENGEANCE IS PUT OFF BY THE DIVINE PATIENCE. FULGENTIUS OF RUSPE: The Word of God shows that when the time of vengeance comes, conversion will not then help the evil person evade punishment but avenging wrath will destroy him with due damnation. For that will be a time not of remission but of retribution, not of forgiveness but of revenge. This is put off by the divine patience so that the number of the saints can be filled up. The blessed John in the Apocalypse recalls that it is the saints who asked for this vengeance in these words, “How long will it be, holy and true master, before you sit in judgment and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” And to teach those who are joined to this company that the time for vengeance is being put off by the highest ordinance, he adds right away. “Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little while longer until the number was filled of their fellow servants and brothers.” ON THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS 2.5.2-3.

THE SAINTS PRAY IN HOPE. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: In this passage the saints are shown praying for the consummation of the world. Therefore, they are told to have patience until the completion of the brothers, so that “apart from them they would not be made perfect,” as the apostle says.The white robes reveal the brightness that appears on them because of their virtues, in which they are clothed, although they “had not yet received the promises.” And so, putting away every dullness, in the hope for these things, which they see in the spirit, they rightly rejoice, resting in the bosom of Abraham. For to many of the saints it is said that each receives a place worthy of the doer of virtue through which they are judged of their future glory. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.11.

THE SOULS OF THE ELECT. BEDE: The spirits of the elect who dwell in that heavenly city can be understood as asking in the name of the Savior on their own behalf too, since they clearly desire the coming of the period of universal judgment and the resurrection of their bodies, in which they have striven for the Lord’s sake. … Each soul now has a white robe, when each enjoys his bliss alone. They will then receive two, when the number of their brothers has been filled at the end, and they are gladdened by receiving their own immortal bodies. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 2.12.