The Apocalypse of St. John by Rev. E. Sylvester Berry [1921]

[Stone]

PERSECUTIONS OF THE CHURCH


CHAPTER VI

1. And I saw the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures, as it were the voice of thunder, saying: Come
and see.

2. And I saw; and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and there was a crown given him, and he went forth conquering that he might conquer.

3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature, saying: Come and see.

4. And there went out another horse that was red: and to him that sat thereon, it was given that he should take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another, and a great sword was given to him.

5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying: Come and see. And behold a black horse, and he that sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand.

6. And I heard as it were a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying: Two pounds of wheat for a penny, and thrice two pounds of barley for a penny, and see that thou hurt not the wine and the oil.



With this chapter begin those symbolic visions in which the entire history of the Church is unfolded before us. The first part (chapters vi-viii) extends from the which the entire history of the Church is unfolded before Christ. Some of the prophecies in this part have been fulfilled, as a comparison with the events of the past nine teen centuries will show. As noted in the introduction, application of these prophecies to history must be confined to generalities because the Apostle is not giving detailed accounts. In many cases the same prophecy may refer to several events of similar nature. Hence a prophecy may have been fulfilled in the past and still refer to similar events in the future.

Toward the end of this chapter there is a glimpse of the last days of the world. This is to show that the whole history of the Church has an intimate connection with the second coming of Jesus Christ. In fact the mission of the Church throughout the ages is to prepare mankind for that great event.

1. The voice of thunder is the voice of the Church resounding to the uttermost parts of the earth as it proclaims the Gospel to all nations and threatens the wicked with trials and punishments.

2. White horses were used by Roman conquerors when celebrating triumphs for their victories. The rider with the bow symbolizes the pagan empire of Rome waging war against the Church. The white horse and the crown of a triumphing general signify that the empire will appear victorious for a time in its conflict with the new-born Church.

This verse clearly foretells the terrible persecutions launched against the Church with all the powers of the Roman empire, then undisputed mistress of the world. These persecutions continued almost without interruption from the time of Nero in 64 A. D. until the victory of Constantine in 3 12 A.D. But it was not until Theodosius in 394 A. D. that Christianity completely triumphed over paganism.

3, 4. The red horse signifies war as the context clearly indicates. This is a prediction of the many wars and internal troubles that harassed the Roman empire before its final overthrow by the barbarian hordes from the North.

5, 6. In the wake of war follow pestilence and famine foreshadowed by the black horse. The sixth verse explicitly predicts times of famine when the necessities of life sell for exorbitant prices. The English version does not bring out this idea clearly. The Greek χοῖνιξ is a dry measure equal to one and one-half pints. Our bushel contains 42 of these Greek measures. A "penny" is the translation of the Greek word fyvdpiov a Roman coin worth about 17 cents in our money. It was an ordinary day's wage for a workingman.3 At this rate it would require 21 days labor for a bushel of wheat, and 7 days for a bushel of barley. The chastisements of God are always tempered with mercy. They are not to destroy man, but to convert him. Hence not all foods shall fail during these famines. This is indicated by the command to leave the wine and oil unharmed.


(1) Cf. St. Matthew xx, 2.




7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the four living creatures, saying: Come and see.

8. And behold a pale horse, and he that sat upon him, his name was death, and hell followed him* And power was given him over the four parts of the earth, to kill with sword, with famine, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.

10. And they cried out with a loud voice, saying: How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell on earth?

11 . And white robes were given to every one of them one. And it was said to them, that they should rest for a little time, till their fellow servants and their brethren, who were to be slain, even as they, should be filled up.



8. Death riding upon the pale horse is followed by hell. If this be the hell of the damned, the prophecy must refer to the death of the wicked, especially the persecutors. It is worthy of note that nearly all the Emperors who persecuted the Church were taken off by tragic or violent death. It is more probable, however, that "hell" here corresponds to the Hebrew "sheol," a general term for the abode of the dead.

Death is given power to destroy by every sort of plague, the chief of which are war, famine, and pestilence. Such were the chastisements inflicted upon the pagan Empire of Rome for persecuting the Church. Such will be the punishment of every nation that follows in her footsteps. We have seen this prophecy fulfilled in our own day upon nations that sought to oppress and destroy the Church of Christ.

9, 10. At the breaking of the fifth seal St. John sees the souls of the martyrs beneath the altar where they enjoy eternal happiness in union with Christ, yet they cry out for justice. They beseech God to manifest His glory, His justice, and His mercy by the resurrection of their bodies, the punishment of His enemies and the general judgment of all men.

The imagery of this vision seems to refer to the altar of holocaust which stood in the inner court of the temple before the Holy Place. In the Jewish ritual the blood of the victim was poured out at the foot of the altar.1

The life of the victim was said to be in the blood: "The life of the flesh is in the blood," and again, "Beware of this that thou eat not the blood, for the blood is for the soul, and therefore thou must not eat the soul with the flesh."2 Hence the life or soul of the victim was conceived as being under the altar. In like manner the souls of the martyrs are seen beneath the altar because they too have become victims to God through martyrdom3 and the voice of their blood cries out to God for justice. "The voice of thy brother's blood crieth out to me from the earth."4

11. The martyrs have received the white robes of eternal happiness and glory, but they must wait for the resurrection of the body until the number of their fellow martyrs has been filled up. They have but a short while to wait since the whole course of ages is as a few moments when compared with eternity that follows: "For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday which is past, and as a watch in the night."

This verse clearly foretells that there shall be martyrs other than those of the first ages of the Church. There shall be witnesses to God by their blood in every age, especially in the days of Antichrist and at the end of the world. The resurrection and general judgment shall not take place until after this last persecution.



(1) Leviticus iv, 7.
(2) Leviticus xvii, 11; Deuteronomy xii, 23.
(3) II Timothy iv, 6; Philippians ii. 17.
(4) Genesis iv, 10.
(5) Psalm Ixxxix, 4.