Revelation 8:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Rightly are the inhabitants of the earth summoned to judgment (Hos 4:1), and not those who sojourn upon it, incolae. For "from the face of the north evils are kindled against those who dwell on the earth" (Jer 1:14).

And in the Revelation of John (ch. 8), "woe, woe, woe" is uttered to those who dwell on the earth.

But whoever can say with the prophet, "I am a sojourner with Thee and a stranger, as all my fathers were" (Ps 38:13), has passed through this world as an exile and stranger.

Such a man hastens toward truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God, so as not to be swept away by the overflowing curse, by deceit and murder, by theft and adultery.

"An eagle flying in midheaven." By this the Holy Spirit is signified, bearing witness in the two prophecies that the great fury of sufferings is drawing near.

Although this is the end of the world, someone could also have been saved before it. In ancient manuscripts of Revelation, as also in the Vulgate, the reading is aquila, eagle, not angel, as is evident in the interpretations that follow.

The words "Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth" point to the compassion and love for mankind of the divine angels. Imitating God, they grieve over sinners who are punished, and especially over those not corrected by punishments.

To these in particular the woe applies, because while living on earth they are filled with thoughts of earthly things. Instead of the fragrance poured out upon us, they breathe dust.

For those whose citizenship is in heaven, calamities and sufferings serve only as the cause for receiving unfading crowns as a reward.

John says that the eagle, having despised earthly things, directed its swift flight into the heavens. He speaks of the Church flying in the midst of the heavens, the Church that will reign throughout the whole world.

He says: "Our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil 3:20). It is clear why he says "in the midst." For it is said: "Let all around Him bring gifts" (Ps 75:12).

God sees all things from the midst, and works salvation in the midst of the earth (Ps 73:12), and the Lord is round about His people (Ps 124:2).

The voice of this eagle is heard daily through the mouths of the eminent teachers of the Church. They prophesy about the impiety of heretics, the cruelty of antichrist, and the day of judgment, which will fall with all its weight upon those who love earthly things. They say: "In the last days perilous times will come. Men will be lovers of themselves" (2 Tim 3:1-2). And further: "men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith" (2 Tim 3:8). And elsewhere: "Then the lawless one will be revealed," the one "who opposes and exalts himself above everything called God or holy" (2 Thess 2:8, 4). And again: "The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. For when they say, 'Peace and safety,' then sudden destruction will come upon them" (1 Thess 5:2-3).

This woe must be terrible, for the angel cries out about it and warns of it three times.