Andreas of Caesarea

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

“From all beings, whether intelligent or sensible, whether living or simply existing in some way, God, as the Creator of all things, is glorified by words proper to their natures.”

And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

“Through these, one flock and one church from angels and from men is indicated which has been formed through Christ, the God who united that which was separate and has destroyed the partition wall of separation.”

from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

“"From the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand." Simeon is interpreted "obedience," clearly referring to those who are becoming righteous through obedience to the divine commandments. "From the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand."”

from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, and from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

“"From the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand." Zebulun is interpreted "abode of power" or "fragrance," through which are indicated those who by the indwelling of Christ have been made firm against sufferings and have become his sweet smell, as Paul says.”

The locusts were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months, and their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion.

“That these spiritual locusts sting people after the manner of scorpions shows the baneful death of the soul that lies hidden at the end of evil deeds.”

A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that proceeded from their mouths.

“"The fire that proceeds with smoke and sulfur from their mouths," through which one third of humankind is killed, signifies those sins that consume the fruits of the heart by means of the poisonous assaults and instigations of the demons.”

Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven.

“God swears by himself, since there is none greater than he. But the angels, being creatures, swear by the Creator, for due to our untrustworthiness, they are the guarantors of what is said by them.”

For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb.

“Those Jews and Gentiles, who once were overpowered by the false wonders of the antichrist and who had indelibly engrafted that abominable name upon their hearts, prohibited the holy bodies from being buried, and they rejoiced because they were free from the torments that [the…”

And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who…

“We must understand this smoke to be either the sighing of those being tormented, which arises from below along with their lamentation, or the smoke that comes from the fire that torments the fallen.”

Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.

“Although Christ is called the "angel of great counsel" of the Father, nonetheless from the following words the present angel is shown to be one of the ministering angels, for he comes out of the heavenly temple with a sharp sickle in order to accomplish…”

Still another angel, with authority over the fire, came from the altar and called out in a loud voice to the angel with the sharp sickle, “Swing your sharp sickle…

“From this passage we learn that angelic powers have been placed over the creatures, one is over water, another is over fire, and another is over some other part of creation.”

and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty!

“From the song of Moses we learn the hymn sent up to God by those who were justified by the law before [the coming of] grace.”

And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven…

“From the smoke we learn of the frightful, terrible and tormenting character of the wrath of God. We are taught that the temple is filled with this wrath, which comes at the time of judgment against those who are worthy of it, and especially against…”

And I heard the altar reply: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgments.”

“Sometimes "the altar" signifies Christ, for in him and through him are brought to the Father our spiritual offerings and living sacrifices, which the apostle has instructed us to render.”

Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given power to scorch the people with fire.

“Perhaps humankind will literally be burned by the fierce heat of the sun. While God in his goodness "curbs them with bit and bridle who do not draw near to him" so that they might look toward repentance, some have fallen to such depths of…”

Then every island fled, and no mountain could be found.

“The holy Scriptures have taught us that "islands" refer to the churches and "mountains" refer to those who are leaders in them.”

These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.

“Indeed! For "no one can serve two masters." And so those who conspire together with an evil agreement and ally themselves with the antichrist will oppose themselves to Christ. However, the Lamb of God who was slain for us will conquer them.”

And the woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

“That which continues makes very clear that the woman who was seen is the great city that exercises power over the kings of the earth, and the sufferings of that power that is ruling during those times is prophesied.”

Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”

“By a "single day" he means either the suddenness and shortness of the time in which mourning will come to her either from the sword or from famine, and she will be wasted from pestilence and will be consumed by fire.”

The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again.

“And he gives the reason for this. [Babylon] deceived all nations with her sorcery and was the recipient of the blood of prophets and the other saints.”

After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God!

“"Hallelujah" signifies divine praise, while "Amen" means "truly" or "let it be so." This praise is common both from the angelic powers as well as from humankind, which is similar to the angels, and this praise is sent up to God three times on account…”

For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality.

“God has "avenged the blood of his servants from the hand" of Babylon and has benefited her inhabitants by accomplishing the cessation of sin through its punishment.”

And a second time they called out: “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever.”

“The words that the "smoke from the city goes up forever and ever" show either the unforgettable nature of the punishment that has come upon the city, or that although she meted out punishments in part and to some extent, she will, nonetheless, be punished…”

Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

“The marriage supper of Christ is the feast of those who are being saved and the joy that accompanies it. The blessed will come into these things when they enter into the eternal bridal chamber with the holy Bridegroom of their purified souls.”

And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

“This name reveals the unity of the divine incarnation. For in this unity he who is God suffered in the flesh, and although man, he is King of kings and Lord of lords.”