The Explanation of the Apocalypse

by Bede

— A Classic — Includes Active Table of Contents — Includes Religious Illustrations

The chief characteristics of Beda’s method of exposition may be thus stated. The several visions are considered not to be successive, but contemporaneous, with occasional recapitulations, and to represent the condition of the Church in all ages, under different aspects. The thousand years, in the twentieth chapter, are interpreted of the present period of the Church’s existence, in accordance with the opinion of St. Augustine, in the second part of his De Civitate Dei. The attention is closely directed to the text, and to corresponding passages of Holy Scripture, that the meaning of the symbolic language may be elicited. The previous exposition of Tichonius is mainly, but not exclusively followed. Beda appears, for example, to have adopted several opinions from St. Gregory the Great, and Primasius, as well as St. Augustine.

Aeterna Press

Genres: Biblical Studies

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2013

About the author

born perhaps 673

Saxon theologian Bede, also Baeda or Beda, known as "the Venerable Bede," wrote Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation , a major work and an important ancient source, in 731 in Latin and introduced the method from the birth of Jesus of dating events.

People referred to Saint Bede, a monk at the Northumbrian monastery of Saint Peter at Monkwearmouth and at its companion of Saint Paul in modern Jarrow in the kingdom, for more than a millennium before canonization. Most fame of this well author and scholar gained him the title as "the father.”

In 1899, Leo XIII, pope, made Bede a doctor of the Church, a position of significance; only this native of Great Britain achieved this designation; from Italy, Saint Anselm of Canterbury originated.
Bede, a skilled linguist, moreover translated the Greek of the early Church Fathers, and his contributions made them significantly much more accessible to his fellow Christians. Monastery of Bede accessed a superb library, which included Eusebius and Orosius.

Reviews

[Alan Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Venerable Bede (672-735) was an English Benedictine monk who is known for his historical and ecumenical writings, including this commentary on the Apocalypse.

Bede saw the series of seven judgments repeating itself. The sixth judgment was about a future time of antichrist as well as a recapitulation of the other judgments. The symbolism was about the spiritual battle against heretics and deceivers more than political persecution.

"Therefore ungodliness cannot apprehend Christ, Who is spiritually born in the minds of the hearers, because at the same time He reigns with the Father in heaven, “Who has raised up us also together with Him, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ.” - Venerable Bede (p. 53)

I read this commentary some years ago but wanted to read it again since I read the reconstructed commentary of Tyconius. I wanted to see how Bede was influenced.

[Paul Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good work not only on interpreting the book of Apocalypse (Revelation), but also in general interpretation of Biblical symbols and numbers.

Most interesting point: Bede says that the angel stopped John from bowing to him not because it would be idolatry (for this was done in the OT), but that Christ so raised human nature that it should not rightly bow to an angel any longer. Cool take.

[Father Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the dragon oppose, the Church ever brings forth Christ. But he spoke of the man child as conqueror of the devil, who had conquered the woman. For who but the man child, who is “to rule all nations with a rod of iron,” rules the good with inflexible justice, breaks in pieces the bad? And this is also promised to the Church, in that it is said above, “I will give Him power over the nations, and He shall rule them with a rod of iron.” For the Church, too, daily generates the Church, which rules the world in Christ.

Venerable Bede. (1878). The Explanation of the Apocalypse. (E. Marshall, Trans.) (p. 82). Oxford: James Parker and Co.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is interesting to read these old commentaries on Revelation because the expositors had such different ideas than modern day expositors of Revelation. It serves as a reminder that Biblical interpretation is largely a child of its own day.