Apocalypse. Interpretation of the XXI century. Valeriy Sterkh

Church History, 3,17—18).

      It follows that John’s Apocalypse was written on Patmos about the year 96 from New Era (96 NE).

      Let’s hear Eusebius further:

      “When the fifteen years of Domitian’s reign were over, Nerva came to power; historians of that period write that, by the order of the Roman senate, the honors granted to Domitian were revoked, and those unfairly deported were returned home. It was around that time, according to the testimony of our ancient writers, that John the Apostle left the island of his exile and settled in Ephesus. After Nerva’s reign, which lasted for a little over a year, Trajan came to power.

      […] At that time the Apostle and Evangelist John, the one whom Jesus loved, was still in Asia. Upon his return from the island of the exile, after the death of Domitian, he was actively involved in taking care of the local churches. That he was still alive at that time is sufficiently confirmed by the two faithful witnesses, the paragons of true orthodoxy in the Church: Irineus and Clement of Alexandria. The former writes literally the following in his second book “Against Heresies”: “All the elders in the Province of Asia who communicated with John, the disciple of the Lord, testify that he spoke of this; he was with them until the time of Trajan” [compare Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, 2,22].

      In his third book, he writes: “And the Church, founded by Paul in Ephesus – where John lived until the time of Trajan, – is the true witness of this testimony of the apostles” [compare Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, 3,3].

      Clement, who also mentions this period, included the following story in his essay entitled “Who is the rich man that can be saved?” It is a highly instructive tale for all who like to listen to wholesome admonitions. So, take it and read it:

      “Listen to this true story, not a fable, about John the Apostle. We committed it to memory just as it was passed down to us. Upon his return from Patmos to Ephesus, after the death of the tyrant, he was invited to visit the nearby regions to appoint bishops, plant churches, or sometimes introduce this or that person into the clergy, as led by the Spirit. When he came to a nearby city (some even mention its name), he helped the brothers to establish peace among themselves, and, noticing a young man, handsome and fervent in spirit, he asked the local bishop, whom he had appointed: “I fully entrust him to your care before the witness of the Church and Lord Jesus”. The bishop took the boy under his wing and promised to do as he was asked. John repeated his charge again and asked him to swear an oath one more time. Then John departed for Ephesus, and the bishop, taking the young man into his home, provided him with the proper support, care and protection, and, finally, got him baptized. After that he lessened his care and withdrew some of his protection, believing God’s seal of approval to be the best protection. The young man was prematurely allowed too much freedom and, to his own demise, got hooked up with some of his peers – the notorious lazybones, dabbling in sin. At first, they were taking him from one feast to another, but one night, they took him on a raid, and then, finally, decided that he was ready for more serious crimes. A gifted man, he was gradually getting used to this new lifestyle, and, like a stubborn horse, he took the bit between his teeth, left the straight path and rushed headlong to his own ruin. Abandoning all hope of being saved by God, he, finally, began to plot many crimes: if you are to perish anyway, why not suffer along with others by committing something worth remembering. Gathering a gang of robbers from among his comrades, he became their leader – a rapist, a killer and a villain more vicious than others. In the meantime, John was invited there again on some errand. Having done everything he came for, he said, “Now, bishop, please give account for the pledge that I and Jesus Christ laid on you, to which the church you oversee is a witness”. At first, the bishop was frightened, thinking that he must have been falsely accused of stealing money, which he had not taken. He could not just agree to something that didn’t happen, but neither could he distrust John. “I demand the soul of the young man and your brother”, he said. Upon hearing this, the bishop groaned inwardly and said, “He died”. “In what manner and what was his death?” “He died for God – as an arch villain and, what is more, a thief. Instead of being in the Church, he is now on the mountain with an army of robbers”. The apostle tore his clothes and, moaning loudly, showered his head with many blows, “What a guardian did I leave for my brother! Give me a horse and someone to lead the way”. And he hopped on the horse right on the spot and was off in no time. When he came to that place, he was seized by the robbers’ picket but didn’t run away or plead for mercy. He just cried, “This is why I came! Take me to your leader!” The leader picked up his weapon as he was expecting the visitor, but, having recognized John, turned and ran away in shame. John, forgetting his old age, started chasing him around crying at the top of his voice, “Son, why are you running away from your father, I am unarmed and old? Take pity on me! Don’t be afraid, there’s still hope. I will answer for you to Jesus Christ, and will, if necessary, give up my life for you, just like our Lord gave up his life for us. I will give up my soul for you. Stop running and trust me; I have been sent by Jesus Christ”. The thief lingered as he was listening to him, at first downcast, but then, throwing down his weapon, he embraced the old man in bitter tears, and his penitence became his best protection against evil. His tears became his second baptism. All this time, however, he was hiding his right arm. The apostle swore an oath that he had been forgiven by the Savior; he knelt and pleaded with him, kissing his right arm as if cleansed by the repentance. And in this way, he restored him to the Church. He constantly prayed for him, encouraged him to practice fasting, and fasted together with him, edifying him in every possible way with wholesome admonitions. They say, he left him no sooner than the young man was securely back in the Church as a paragon of true repentance, a symbol of rebirth and a victorious banner of the visible resurrection”.

      This is Clement’s version of the story, which I cite here for the instruction and edification of all those who will happen to read it” (Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History, 3,20—24).

      Many other deeds were accomplished by John, which we do not mention here. The apostle died in the city of Ephesus during the reign of Emperor Trajan (see Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History, 3,1; 3,23).

      c. The Concept of Revelation

      The Greek word for “apocalypse” means “revelation”. When the Church writers use this word, they typically mean the supernatural message through which God reveals to man some truths related to Faith and his Divine Mysteries:

      Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery (Col 1:26—27).

      For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them (Rom 1:17—19).

      This is why John begins his “Apocalypse” in the following way:

      The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw (Rev 1:1—2).

      I John, …was in the Spirit… (Rev 1: 9—10).

      In the giving of the Revelation to John, all the three Divine Persons were present: God the Son, because it says: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”, God the Father, because it says: “Which God game unto him”, and the Holy Spirit, because it says that John saw prophetic signs in the Spirit.

      For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one (1 Jn 5:7).

      The message of the revelation that came through