Christ Will Win in the EndAnother angel appears, surrounded by a cloud, descending from Heaven. Above his head is a rainbow, and his feet are like pillars of fire.
Taking Elijah and Enoch to Heaven, Merian, 17th C.
Symbolic numbers
And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves (Rev. 11:9). Again we find this number, three and a half: three and a half year years, three and a half days, forty-two months.
The corpses will remain on the square for three and a half days. Is it possible to leave corpses on the street for three days, for people to look at them? Is this symbolic? Does this tell us that this death, this destruction, this humbling of the prophets will last for a time and continue for a certain period of time? Will people think: “Look, they were killed, we lost them, but it’s only temporary?” We don’t know.
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth (Rev. 11:10). The inhabitants of the earth will rejoice that the prophets were killed. They’ll be happy, they’ll send each other gifts, saying: “Finally, they killed these prophets; now we can live in peace. After all, these prophets tormented us; it was hard with them; they caused us suffering. They did well to kill them.” The people will rejoice, they’ll exchange gifts, and the corpses will remain on the square for three and a half days.
However, what’s said then in the eleventh verse? And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them (Rev. 11:11). Again I say that we needn’t think that everything will happen exactly as it’s described. These are symbols, mysteries; they speak to us about other circumstances. Of course, it’s possible that this is exactly how everything will happen. It’s not hard for God. But it’s also possible that this is an allegory and everything will happen differently. It’s a mystery.
And they heard a great voice from Heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of Heaven (Rev. 11:12–13). On that day, a strong earthquake occurred, a tenth of the city fell and 7,000 people died. Again, the number seven. The rest were seized with fear; they were very afraid and glorified the God of Heaven.
The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly (Rev. 11:14). “Will we see it too?” you might ask. You might say: “Fortunately, we’re already old now; we probably won’t see how all of this will happen.”
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God (Rev. 11:15–16). As soon as this voice was heard saying that the kingdom of this world belongs to the Lord and His Christ, Who will reign unto the ages, twenty-four elders, who were before the throne of God and seated upon their thrones, fell upon their faces, worshiped God, and said: We give thee thanks, O LORD God Almighty, Which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned (Rev. 11:17). Here is another mention of the Trinuness of God—Which art, and wast, and art to come—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He received great power and reigned.
In Revelation 11:18, it is mentioned that when the time of Jerusalem’s trampling ends, the prophets are killed but later resurrected by God. This event causes fear among people, leading to an earthquake and deaths. The seventh angel sounds his trumpet, and the presbyters declare that it is time for God to reign and reward His servants, including the prophets, saints, and those who fear His name.
Following this, Revelation 11:19 describes the opening of the Temple of God in Heaven, revealing the Ark of His Testament, accompanied by thunder, lightning, voices, earthquakes, and hail. These events foreshadow future occurrences, shrouded in mystery.
Moving on to Revelation 12:1, a woman appears in Heaven clothed with the sun, the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. This woman is interpreted as either the Virgin Mary bearing Christ or the Church adorned in Christ’s grace. The moon symbolizes the Old Testament illuminated by the New Testament’s light, and the twelve stars represent the Holy Apostles upholding the Church.
Revelation 12:2 depicts the woman in labor, symbolizing mankind’s suffering until Christ’s birth. In Revelation 12:3, a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns emerges in Heaven, intent on harming the woman and her child. However, the child, who is Christ, is born and ascends to God’s throne, evading the dragon’s grasp.
The woman then flees into the wilderness, signifying the Church’s escape from worldly corruption. This spiritual warfare highlights the devil’s ongoing efforts to destroy Christ and His Church, ultimately leading to the Church finding solace in the desert, symbolizing a retreat from worldly distractions and a dedication to spiritual contemplation and asceticism. Have hope and trust in the Theotokos. Until the age of forty, I experienced firsthand the devil’s battles with man in various aspects of life. As a monk, hieromonk, and igumen, I saw his warfare within families, personal lives, and even in monasteries. Becoming a bishop, I witnessed the devil’s fights against the Church, which was truly unimaginable. The Church navigates through traps, turbulence, and the consequences of our mistakes, yet it continues to stand strong like a boat amidst a raging sea.
I recall a vision shared by a saint, where he found himself in a jungle with wild animals and snakes chasing him to protect a baby in his arms. In his desperation, he cried out to the Most Holy Theotokos for help, and the Archangel Michael came to his rescue. This vision symbolized the struggle to protect his soul from spiritual enemies, with the message to have hope and trust in the Theotokos for guidance.
This experience, similar to that of the Apostle John the Theologian, highlights the devil’s relentless attempts to destroy our souls. However, with faith in the Theotokos and the intercession of Archangel Michael, we can overcome these trials. Just as children playfully push each other, let us stand against the devil’s attacks and push back with unwavering faith and trust in the divine protection offered to us.
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