Early Christian Beliefs About Revelation

Papias, Fragments Direct teaching

With regard to the inspiration of the book (Revelation), we deem it superfluous to add another word;

Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Supporting witness

4. After this, he examines the whole book of the Revelation;

Caius, Fragments Supporting witness

And John too, indeed, in the Apocalypse, although he writes only to seven churches, yet addresses all.

Revelation 22:6 Direct teaching

And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

Revelation 1:3 Direct teaching

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 22:7 Direct teaching

“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Revelation 22:10 Direct teaching

And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

Revelation 1:11 Direct teaching

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Revelation 1:4 Direct teaching

John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Direct teaching

...toward the end he speaks in this way: "Blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book; and I John who saw these things and heard them." Revelation 22:7-8 Therefore, we must believe that it is a John who writes these things, for he himself tells us.

Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Direct teaching

Revelation 1:9 And likewise toward the end he speaks thus: Blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book;

Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Direct teaching

After this, he examines the whole book of Revelation. After proving that it cannot possibly be understood in a bare, literal sense, he goes on like this: “When the prophet has now completed, so to speak, the whole prophecy, he declares those blessed who keep it, and he also includes himself among them. For he says, ‘Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book; and I, John, am the one who saw and heard these things,’ Revelation 22:7-8. Therefore, I do not deny that this person was called John, or that this was the writing of a John. I also admit that it was the work of some holy and inspired man. But I cannot easily admit that this was the apostle, the son of Zebedee, the brother of James, and the same man who wrote the Gospel that bears the title According to John, and the catholic epistle. Instead, from the character of both works, their forms of expression, and the whole arrangement and execution of the book, I conclude that the authorship is not his. For the evangelist nowhere else adds his name, and he never identifies himself either in the Gospel or in the epistle.”

Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Supporting witness

But the writer of the Revelation puts himself forward at once in the very beginning, for he says: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which He gave to him to show to His servants quickly;

Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Background

...it is clear that the Gospel and the Epistle are marked by one and the same kind of writing. But the Revelation is totally different, and completely distinct from this. I might almost say that it does not even come near it or touch it. Nor does it contain a single syllable in common with these other books. More than that, the Epistle—for I say nothing of the Gospel—does not mention the Revelation or show any awareness of it. And the Revelation, in the same way, gives no sign of the Epistle. Paul, however, does give some indication of his revelations in his epistles, although he did not record those revelations in separate writings.

Caius, Fragments Supporting witness

...e John named above, or bearing the name of John, are counted among the Catholic Epistles. Also, the book of Wisdom, written by the friends of Solomon in his honor. We also receive the Apocalypse of John, and that of Peter, though some among us do not allow this latter one to be read in the Church. Moreover, Hermas wrote The Pastor very recently, in our own times, in the city of Rome, while his brother, bishop Plus, sat in the chair of the Church of Rome. Therefore it also ought to be read. But it cannot be made public in the Church to the people. Nor can it be placed among the prophets, since their number is complete, nor among the apostles to the end of time. Of the writings of Arsinous, also called Valentinus, or of Miltiades, we receive nothing at all. Those too are rejected who wrote the new Book of Psalms for Marcion, together with Basilides and the founder of the Asian Cataphrygians.

Caius, Fragments Supporting witness

We receive also the Apocalypse of John and that of Peter, though some among us will not have this latter read in the Church.

Anonymous, Connection to Revelation 1:9 Supporting witness

but he takes up his name again, and says: "I John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Revelation 1:9 Direct teaching

I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:2 Supporting witness

who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

Revelation 1:1 Supporting witness

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Revelation 22:8 Supporting witness

And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

1. In a still clearer light has John, in the Apocalypse, indicated to the Lord’s disciples what shall happen in the last times, and concerning the ten kings who shall then arise, among whom the empire which now rules [the earth] shall be partitioned.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

...at left the Pleroma, or to Prunicus, but to the Jerusalem that has been depicted on God's hands. In Revelation, John saw this new Jerusalem coming down upon the new earth. After the times of the kingdom, he says, "I saw a great white throne, and the One sitting on it, from whose presence the earth and heaven fled, and there was found no place for them." He also describes the events of the general resurrection and the judgment, mentioning "the dead, great and small." "The sea," he says, "gave up the dead it held, and death and hell delivered up the dead they contained; and the books were opened. Moreover," he says, "the book of life was opened, and the dead were judged based on what was written in the books, according to their deeds; and death and hell were cast into the lake of fire, the second death." This is what is called Gehenna, which the Lord referred to as eternal fire. "And if anyone," it is said, "was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire." After this, he says, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away; there was also no more sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven,

Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh Direct teaching

In the Revelation of John, again, the order of these times is spread out to view, which the souls of the martyrs are taught to wait for beneath the altar, while they earnestly pray to be avenged and judged: Revelation 6:9-10 (taught, I say, to wait), in order that the world may first drink to the dregs the plagues that await it out of the vials of the angels, Revelation xvi and that the city of fornication may receive from the ten kings its deserved doom, Revelation xviii and that the beast Antichrist with his false prophet may wage war on the Church of God;

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

Jeremiah 7:6 In the Apocalypse too: If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, he shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in the cup of His wrath, and shall be punished with fire and brimstone before the eyes of the holy angels, and before the eyes of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torments shall ascend for ever and ever: and they shall have no rest day or night, whosoever worship the beast and his image. Revelation 14:9-11

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Isaiah 2:8-9 In the Apocalypse also, we read the anger of the Lord threatening, and saying, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God mixed in the cup of His anger;

Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Supporting witness

And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. Revelation 17, Revelation 18

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

...n abomination of desolation to the world, and he will reign for one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is the one who waits and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. For when the abomination comes and makes war on the saints, whoever survives his days and reaches the forty-five days, while the other period of fifty days goes forward, to that person the kingdom of heaven comes. Antichrist, indeed, enters even into part of the fifty days, but the saints shall inherit the kingdom along with Christ.

Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Supporting witness

36. For he sees, when in the isle Patmos, a revelation of awful mysteries, which he recounts freely, and makes known to others.

Victorinus, Connection to Revelation 13:1 Supporting witness

"And I saw a beast rising up from the sea, like unto a leopard." This signifies the kingdom of that time of Antichrist, and the people mingled with the variety of nations.

Revelation 13:1 Direct teaching

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.

Revelation 6:14 Direct teaching

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Revelation 17:8 Supporting witness

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

...ey afflicted them, so much the more they became greater, and grew stronger.” Exodus 1:12 And in the Apocalypse, divine protection is promised to our sufferings. It says, “Fear nothing of these things which you shall suffer.” Revelation 2:10 Nor does anyone else promise us security and protection, but He who also speaks by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “Fear not; for I have redeemed you, and called you by your name: you are mine. And if you pass through the water, I am with you, and the rivers shall not overflow you. And if you pass through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not burn you; for I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, am He who makes you safe.” Isaiah 43:1-3 He also promises in the Gospel that divine help shall not be lacking to God's servants in persecutions, saying: “But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak. For it shall be given you in that hour what you shall speak. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” Matthew 10:19-20 And again: “Settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which your adversaries

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...h Christ, if we suffer together, that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8:16-17 And in the Apocalypse the same exhortation of divine preaching speaks, saying, "Hold fast what you have, lest another take your crown." Revelation 3:11 This example of perseverance and persistence is also shown in Exodus, when Moses, for the overthrow of Amalek, who bore the figure of the devil, raised up his open hands in the sign and sacrament of the cross. He could not conquer his adversary except when he steadfastly persevered in the sign with his hands continually lifted up. And it came to pass, it says, when Moses raised up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he let down his hands, Amalek grew mighty. And they took a stone and placed it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur held up his hands, on the one side and on the other side, and Moses' hands were made steady until the going down of the sun. And Jesus routed Amalek and all his people. And the Lord said to Moses, "Write this, and let it be a memorial in a book, and tell it in the ears of Jesus; because in destroying I will destroy the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." Exodus 17:11-14

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

and He also speaks in the Apocalypse, saying, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for now the time is at hand for them that persevere in injuring to injure, and for him that is filthy to be filthy still;

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Direct teaching

...and upon them sat one like the Ancient of Days, and His clothing was white as snow." Daniel 7:9 The Apocalypse also says that the Lord Himself appeared wearing such a robe. It also says, "I saw the souls of those who had borne witness, beneath the altar, and a white robe was given to each of them." Revelation 6:9, 11 And if it were necessary to look for some other color, the natural color of truth should be enough. But garments that are like flowers should be left to Bacchic foolishness, and to the rites of initiation, along with purple and silver plate, as the comic poet says:

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

But when John could not endure the sight (for he says, “I fell at his feet as dead;” that what was written might come to pass: “No man sees God, and shall live”), and the Word reviving him, and reminding him that it was He upon whose bosom he had leaned at supper, when he put the question as to who should betray Him, declared: “I am the first and the last, and He who liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, and have the keys of death and of hell.” And after these things, seeing the same Lord in a second vision, he says: “For I saw in the midst of the throne, and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.” And again, he says, speaking of this very same Lamb: “And behold a white horse;

Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Direct teaching

... thousands ministered to Him, and thousand thousands stood before Him. He sat for judgment, and the books were opened.” Daniel 7:9-10 And John declares even more plainly, both about the day of judgment and the end of the world, saying: “And when,” he said, “He had opened the sixth seal, look, there was a great earthquake. And the sun became black like sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became like blood. And the stars fell to the earth, just as a fig tree, shaken by a mighty wind, casts its unripe figs. And the heaven departed like a book when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved from their places. And the kings of the earth, and all the great men, and the tribunes, and the rich men, and the strong men, and every slave, and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the caverns of the mountains. They said to the mountains and to the rocks, ‘Fall upon us, and hide us from the sight of the Father who sits upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. Because the day of destruction comes, and who shall be able to stand?’” Revelation 6:12-17 Also in the same Apocalypse John says that this too was revealed to him: “I saw a great throne, and one in w

Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Supporting witness

and another book was opened, which is (the book) of life: and every one was judged according to those things that were written in the book, according to their own works.

Revelation 20:12 Direct teaching

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

Revelation 20:11 Supporting witness

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.

Revelation 20:9 Supporting witness

And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Revelation 15:2 Supporting witness

And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands.

Revelation 6:17 Supporting witness

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching

...e of the nations would instead flow together and assemble. For the divine Scripture declares in the Apocalypse that the waters mean the people, saying, “The waters which you saw, upon which the whore sits, are peoples and multitudes, and nations of the Gentiles, and tongues,” Revelation 17:15. We plainly see that this is also contained in the sacrament of the cup.

Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Supporting witness

... the Apocalypse teaches, saying, "The waters which you saw are peoples, and nations, and kingdoms," Revelation 17:15. Moreover, the dove, which could not find rest for its feet, bore the likeness of the lapsed, who fell away, forgetting the divine announcements, either through simple ignorance or through bold pretense. About these, the Lord had pointed beforehand to their future destruction in the Gospel with these words, saying, "He who hears my words and does them not, I will liken him to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: the tempests came and beat upon that house, and it fell; and great was its destruction," Matthew 7:26-27. And lest we should seem to have made the comparison thoughtlessly, in comparing that dove to the image of the lapsed, the prophet rebukes the city as a dove—that is, as having the character of the lapsed—saying, "The dove does not listen to the voice." That is, the glorious and redeemed city does not receive instruction and did not trust in the Lord.

Origen, Commentary on John Direct teaching

... of using the form of the statement, “In the beginning the Word was with God.” The same John in the Apocalypse gives Him His name with the added words “of God,” where he says, Revelation 19:11-16, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it was called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but He Himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood, and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies in heaven followed Him on white horses, clothed in pure fine linen. Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He should strike the nations, and He shall rule them with a rod of iron, and He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His garment and on His thigh a name written: King of kings, and Lord of lords.” In this passage, “Word” is necessarily spoken of both absolutely and also with the added words “of God.” If the first had not been so, that is, if it had been given with the article, we might have been led into a wrong meaning and so wandered from the

Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness

The same John in the Apocalypse gives Him His name with the addition of God, where he says: Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and He that sat thereon called Faithful and True;

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

And in the Apocalypse John saw this new [Jerusalem] descending upon the new earth.

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

... says. And again, the same John says: "And I saw, in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw an angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose its seals?'" and so on. "And I looked, and in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, a Lamb stood as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having harps and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sing a new song, saying, 'You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals, for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood.'" Therefore He took the book and opened it, so that the things spoken long ago about Him in secret might now be proclaimed boldly upon the housetops.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

Now the Apostle John, in the Apocalypse, describes a sword which proceeded from the mouth of God as a doubly sharp, two-edged one.

Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Supporting witness

And he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Revelation 10:2 Direct teaching

And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

Revelation 5:7 Direct teaching

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Revelation 5:1 Direct teaching

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.