Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Revelation 11:1

Eastern Fathers

Oecumenius

In the visions that had come before, the apparition revealed to the divine John the multitude of saints accompanying Christ and the divine throne they beheld, among whom those from the nations far outnumbered those from Israel. But now, another vision shows him how many, or rather how few, were esteemed in the time of the Old Covenant, and how many in the era of the New. And see how cleverly this is depicted to him. …

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Dionysius bar Salibi

And I was given a rod like a staff—Ezekiel shows this again, as he has announced spiritually the measurings of the heavenly city. Arise, measure the Lord's temple, and the altar, and those who worship in it—he calls the temple the body of Christ. However, the Hebrews, when they did not understand the prophecy, tried to build it in the days of Zerubbabel and Sharbashar, leader of Cyrus's army, according to the measures that Ezekiel stated. And they were impeded, because they were unable. …

Commentary On The Apocalypse 11:1 ↗

Western Saints

Bede

Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar. He said rise, not because John was hearing these things while sitting, but because with this word he rouses the hearts of each one to measure the evangelical Scripture and deeds. For there they find how much each one advances and how much they conform to the divine rule.

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Alcuin of York

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod, saying: Arise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar and them that adore therein. He says this in the person of preachers in general. The reed represents metaphorically the divine preaching written by it, and it is called like unto a rod because holy preaching is not pliant but straight. The temple of God is the faithful, to whom it is said, You are the temple of the living God. [2 Cor. …

Commentary On Revelation ↗

Victorinus of Pettau

"And there was shown unto me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein." A reed was shown like to a rod. This itself is the Apocalypse which he subsequently exhibited to the churches; for the Gospel of the complete faith he subsequently wrote for the sake of our salvation. …

Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John ↗