Revelation: - Knights of Columbus, Supreme Council

IV
THE WOES TO COME
Practically all commentators on the Apocalypse are agreed that after the
introductory letters to the seven churches (ch. 1-3), the body of the
Apocalypse falls into two main divisions, the first of which is ch. 4-11. This
first main division describes the future triumph of Christ and His Church
from what may be called a negative standpoint, that is, with its emphasis on
the punishment of God’s enemies. The section to follow, which we shall see in
our next article, is more positive.
The letters to the seven churches really contained in brief everything that
is found in these two main divisions. But while the facts were merely stated
in the letters, in the body of the Apocalypse they are described as in a
prophetic vision.
As he did in the letters, John begins with a vision of the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit. This vision, however, takes place not on earth but in heaven, and
it is described in much greater detail.
The Father and the Spirit
First the vision of the Father and the Spirit (ch. 4). The materials of
John’s description have been taken chiefly from the sixth chapter of Isaiah, the
first chapter of Ezekiel, and the seventh chapter of Daniel. If we read through
these Old Testament passages we see that the description of the heavenly
throne is from Ezekiel, the “living crea tures” who stand around it have been
described in terms both of Ezekiel and Isaiah, and certain details here and
there have been taken from Daniel. Some revision bas been made – for
example, John has simplified Ezekiel’s vision by omitting the “wheels” and
instead ascribed to the living creatures the omnipresence of God symbolized
in the eyes “in front and behind” (v. 6) which Ezekiel attached to the wheels.
Also, this is a Christian, not a Jewish, vision and therefore the Holy Spirit,
once more termed “the seven spirits of God” (v. 5) is introduced and explained.
Thus we are presented with a vision in which John is rapt into heaven
and sees God the Father on His heavenly throne, in the pres ence of the Holy
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