ACC ~ Revelation 7 v9b

REJOICING IN CHRIST’S VICTORY. OECUMENIUS: They are clothed in white robes as a sign of the purity of their life, and the palm branches are symbolic of victory and reveal that they rejoice in the victory of Christ against every spiritual and physical foe. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7.9-17.

THE SAINTS PERSEVERE IN GOOD WORKS. PRIMASIUS: By the robes he suggests baptism, and by the palms the triumph of the cross. Since they have conquered the world in Christ, it may be that the robes signify the love which is given through the Holy Spirit. … They are said to carry palm branches in their hands. “In their hands” indicates either their perseverance in good works—we read here, “The Lord made strong his arm for a good work,” and “With my hands at night I was before him, and I was not deceived”—or it indicates that power which they received so that they might become sons of God, as is said of Joseph, “And the Lord had placed all things in his hand,” that is, into his power. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7.9.

THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: By the white robes he means the gift of the Holy Spirit. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 7.9, HOMILY 6.

THEIR DEEDS ARE WHITE THROUGH BLOOD. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: By the outpouring of their own blood for the sake of Christ, some have made white and others will make white the robes of their deeds. And they have in their hands palm branches, which are symbolic of victory and which are good, straight and white as are their hearts. And they form a chorus around the divine throne of the godly rest, as grateful family members ascribing the victory over the demons to him who provides it. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7.9-10.

BODIES GLORIFIED THROUGH RESURRECTION. BEDE: Let us think attentively about the eternal feast of the martyrs, which is in heaven, and by following in their footsteps insofar as we can, let us also take care to become ourselves participants in this heavenly feast, for as the apostle bears witness, if we have been companions of his passion, we will at the same time be companions of his consolation. Nor should we mourn their death as much as we should rejoice about their attaining the palm of righteousness. Rachel must groan over each of them when, through torments, they are driven away from this life—that is, the church which begot [them] exhorts them with mourning and tears, but when they have been driven out, the heavenly Jerusalem, who is the mother of us all, soon receives them into another life by ministers of gladness who are ready at hand and introduces them into the joy of the Lord to be crowned as his forever. Hence, says John, they were standing before the throne “in the sight of the Lamb, dressed in white robes, and palms were in their hands.” For they now stand before God’s throne, crowned, who once lay, worn down by pain, before the thrones of earthly judges. They stand in the sight of the Lamb, and for no cause can they be separated from contemplating his glory there, since here they could not be separated from his love through punishments. They shine in white robes and have palms in their hands, who possess the rewards for their works; while they get back their bodies, glorified through resurrection, which for the Lord’s sake they suffered to be scorched by flames, torn to pieces by beasts, worn out by scourges, broken by falls from high places, scraped by hoofs and completely destroyed by every kind of punishment. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.10.

Rev