Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Revelation 5:2

Eastern Fathers

Oecumenius

He says, I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" No one, he says, is worthy, O most divine angel, to speak to it, except the God who became man, who took away sin, "having wiped out the handwriting that was against us," (Col. 2:14) and by his own obedience healed our disobedience (Rom. 5:19).

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Western Saints

Bede

And I heard a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book? This signifies the preaching of the law. For many prophets and righteous men desired to see what the apostles saw (Matt. 13). And about this salvation, as Peter says, the prophets sought and searched diligently (1 Pet. 1). This is the book which in Isaiah is sealed both to the one who can read and to the one who cannot. Yet even there its opening is proclaimed thus: In that day the deaf will hear the words of the book (Isa. 29). …

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Alcuin of York

And I saw a strong angel, proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? By the strong angel we should understand a herald of the law, for the lips of the priest keep knowledge, and they seek the law at his mouth: because he is the angel of the Lord of hosts. [Mal. …

Commentary On Revelation ↗

Victorinus of Pettau

"And I saw an angel full of strength proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no one was found worthy, neither in the earth nor under the earth, to open the book." Now to open the book is to overcome death for man.

Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John ↗