ACC ~ Revelation 7 v5

THE JEWS DID NOT THEN BELIEVE. JEROME: Someone may ask, Where does one read that all Israel will be saved? First, of course, there is the apostle: “Until the full number of the Gentiles should enter, and thus all Israel should be saved.” In the second place, John says in his Apocalypse: of the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand shall believe, of the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand shall believe, and of the remaining tribes, he says the same; and the number of all who believe became 144,000. Then too Psalm 144, which is alphabetical, treats of this number saved. If Israel had believed, our Lord would not have been crucified. If our Lord had not been crucified, the multitude of Gentiles would not have been saved. The Jews are going to believe, but not until the end of the world. It was not the time for them to believe in the cross; for if they had believed, the Lord would not have been crucified. It was not the time to believe. Their infidelity is our faith. By their downfall, we are raised up. It was not their time in order that it might be our time. HOMILIES ON MARK 82 (8).

ALL ISRAEL HAS AN EQUAL ZEAL AND AN UNANIMITY OF FAITH. OECUMENIUS: That an equal number from each tribe is said to have been sealed and to have believed indicates the equality of their zeal and unanimity of their faith, although there would have been more from one tribe and less from other tribes of those who were saved and believed on Christ, who although dishonored by the Jews, is worshiped [by us] and by every supernatural creature now and always and forever more. Amen. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7.1-8.

CONFESSION, SPIRITUAL SIGHT, ENDURANCE. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: “From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand sealed.” Judah is interpreted “confession,” through which those are manifested who are being saved through the confession to Christ who came forth as a branch from Judah. “From the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand sealed.” Reuben is interpreted “son of vision,” through which those are shown who possess spiritual sight through purity of heart. “From the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand.” Gad is interpreted “temptation,”through which those are shown who through the endurance of temptations are being crowned, after the example of Job. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7.5.

THE NAMES OF THE TRIBES. BEDE: It is fitting that he begins with Judah, for from that tribe our Lord came, and he omits the tribe of Dan, from which it is said that the antichrist will come, as it is written: “Let Dan be a serpent in the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that his rider falls.” For he does not intend to give the order of earthly generations but to expound the virtues of the church by way of the interpretation of the names, for by its present confession and worship [the church] hastens to the right hand of eternal life—for this is the meaning of the name Judah, which is placed first, and of Benjamin, which is placed last. Therefore, Judah is placed first, who being interpreted means “confession” or “praise.” For before the beginning of confession, no one attains the heights of good works, and unless we should renounce evil works through confession, we are not informed by those works which are just. The second name is that of Reuben, who being interpreted means “seeing the son.” By sons works are indicated, as the psalmist says when speaking of the various blessings of the blessed man: “Your sons will be as olive shoots,” and further, “that you may see the sons of your sons.” For it is not that he who fears the Lord cannot be blessed unless he beget sons and grandsons, since a greater reward awaits the faithful virgins. But by sons is meant works and by sons of sons the fruit of works, that is, the eternal reward. For this reason, Reuben comes after Judah, since after the beginning of divine confession there follows the perfection of work. And since “through many tribulations it is necessary that we enter into the kingdom of God,”after Reuben there follows the tribe of Gad, which interpreted means “temptation” or “girt about.” For after the beginning of good works, it is necessary that man be tested by greater temptations and be prepared for more serious battles, so that the strength of his faith might be demonstrated. As Solomon says, “Son, if you come forward for the service of God, stand in his righteousness and prepare your soul for temptation.” And the psalmist says the same thing: “You did gird me with strength for the battle.” EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 7.5.

Rev