Revelation 22:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Apostle says, "And I, who testify to these things, cry out: To Thee, our Life, I go, and do Thou Thyself come, O Lord!" But perhaps the words "He who testifies to these things" are also spoken in the person of Christ. That is, He says, "I, the One testified to, will come quickly," and the Apostle answers, "Come, Lord Jesus!" The coming of Christ is desirable to the saints, since it brings with it a multitude of rewards. Therefore this book, which leads those who read it to a blessed end and to rest, is holy and God-inspired.

He shows the truth and nearness of His coming. And the saint, already assured of his blessedness, cries out with longing: "Come, Lord Jesus!" Almighty Jesus Christ grants us, with the same power with which we have thirsted for His coming, the ability to keep ourselves under His protection from every evil deed. Then, when our desire is fulfilled, He will find in us nothing worthy of condemnation. And if there is anything capable of forgiveness, He certainly can forgive the accused, because this was given Him by the One with whom the Blessed One lives and reigns unto the ages of ages.

We pray that, according to His promise, the Lord Jesus Christ may deign to come to us. Through His mercy may He free us from the prison of this world and, according to His righteousness, bring us to His blessedness. He is the One who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns unto the ages of ages.

Here John says what Paul said: "For I am already being poured out, and the time of my departure has come" (2 Tim 4:6). The meaning is this: "I am the one who teaches these things and bears witness to them at the end of the present life, so that no one may have any suspicion concerning these words. Therefore I write this only at the words of Christ, who calls me to my change: Surely, I am coming quickly!"

The same Christ bears witness, He who announces to the Church that He will come. The Church answers Him devotedly in the spirit of the Song of Songs: "Amen. Surely, come, Lord Jesus!" She speaks in song: "Thy Kingdom come" (Mt 6:10), and concerning the blameless way: "When wilt Thou come to me?" (Ps 100:2).

From the interpretation of Revelation that we have offered, based on the teaching of the holy and divinely wise fathers and teachers of the Church, it clearly appears that Revelation, when rightly understood, gives us many new characteristics concerning the final destinies of the world.

It gives these in comparison with what is revealed about this in the other books of Holy Scripture. Here the connection is established between the final destinies of the world and the whole history of the New Testament Church.

Here physical calamities and plagues are discussed in detail. God will permit them in the last times for the admonition, and if possible the healing, of sinful mankind.