John the Theologian. Interpretation of the "Apocalypse" by John the Divine

The last book of Holy Scripture, or rather the New Testament, is called "The Revelation of St. John the Divine." But more often it is called "Apocalypse". It is impossible to imagine a more mysterious book. And her second name is fear. The fact that the events of the coming end of the world are encoded in the "Revelation" is clear from the title. But how to find out what exactly John the Evangelist wrote about, because the apostle spoke about his visions ambiguously?

A little about the author of "Apocalypse"

Among the twelve apostles who followed everywhere the Son of God, there was one to whom Jesus, already on the cross, entrusted the care of his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was John the Evangelist.

The evangelist was the son of the fisherman Zebedee and the daughter of St. Joseph (Betrothed the Virgin Mary) Salome. The father was a man of wealth, he had hired workers, he himself occupied a significant place in the Jewish community. Mother served the Lord with her possessions. First, the future apostle was among the disciples of John the Baptist. Later, along with his younger brother James, John left his father's boat on Lake Genisareth, responding to the call of Jesus Christ. The apostle became one of the three most beloved disciples of the Savior. St. John the Evangelist was even called a confidant, as they talked about a person, especially close to someone.

When and how was "Apocalypse" written?

Already after the ascension of Jesus, in exile, the Apostle was written "Apocalypse" or "Revelation about the destinies of the world." After returning from the island of Patmos, where he was exiled, the saint wrote his Gospel in addition to the already existing books, written by Mark, Matthew and Luke. In addition , the Apostle John created three epistles, the main idea of which is that those who follow Christ need to learn how to love.

The departure from the life of the holy apostle is shrouded in mystery. His - the only one of the disciples of the Savior - was not executed or killed. About 105 years was a saint, when John the Evangelist himself insisted on his own burial alive. His grave was unearthed the next day, but there was no one there. In this regard, the words of Christ are recalled that the apostle will not die before the second coming of the Savior. Many believers are sure of the veracity of this statement.

"Apocalypse" of John the Theologian

The very name of the book of the apostle in translation from Greek means "revelation." The writing of the last of the parts of the New Testament occurred around 75-90 years after the birth of Christ.

Some Bible scholars doubt the attitude of the apostle to the authorship of the most mysterious book, since the style of writing the "Gospel of John" and "Apocalypse" is different. But there are arguments in favor of the saint.

1. The author calls himself John and says that he had a revelation from Jesus Christ on the island of Patmos (it was there that the saint was in exile).
2. The similarity of the "Apocalypse" with the messages of the Apostle and the Gospel on his behalf in spirit, style and some expressions.
3. Ancient testimonies recognizing that John the Theologian is the author of the last book of Holy Scripture. These are the stories and the disciple of the apostle St.. Papia of Hierapolis, and St. Justin Martyr, who lived for a long time in the same city with a holy old man, and many others.

The essence of "Revelation"

From the whole New Testament the last book differs in style and content. The revelations from God received by the Apostle John the Theologian in the form of visions tell of the appearance of the Antichrist on earth, his number (666), the return of the Savior, the end of the world, the Last Judgment. It inspires in the hearts of hope that the last prophecy of the book describes the Lord's victory over the Devil after a hard struggle and the emergence of a new heaven and earth. Here will be the eternal kingdom of God and people.

Interestingly, the number of the beast - 666 - is still understood literally, while interpreting the entire book is only the key to unraveling the alphabetic content of the name of Antichrist. The right time will come - and the whole world will know the name of the enemy of Christ. There will be a person who will calculate each letter in the name of Satan.

Interpretation of the Revelation of St. John the Divine

It is necessary to know and remember that the "Apocalypse", like any of the books of Holy Scripture, requires a special approach. It is necessary to use other parts of the Bible, the works of St. Fathers, Church Teachers, to correctly understand what was written.

There are various interpretations of the "Apocalypse" of John the Divine. Many of them are contradictory. And in this light, according to one of the interpreters, Archpriest Fast Gennady, the reason for the contradiction is that each person in his reason tries to understand the meaning of the visions of the holy apostle, bestowed by God's Spirit. Therefore, the true decoding of the mysterious book is possible only thanks to Him. And the saying of St. Irenaeus of Lyons says that God's Spirit is where the Church is. Only Her interpretation of the "Apocalypse" can be right.

The main interpretation of the "Revelation" is the work of the holy archbishop of Caesarea - Andrew, dated VI century. But there are books of other clergymen and theologians explaining the meaning of what was written in the Apocalypse.

Contents of the beginning of the "Apocalypse"

One of the modern authors of the interpretations of the last book of the Holy Scripture is Father Oleg Molenko. The Church of St. John the Divine is the name of the church, the rector of which he is. His explanations for the Apocalypse reflect the past works of the holy fathers, but at the same time they are passed through the prism of real events and today's life.

At the very beginning, "Revelation" tells about why the "Apocalypse" was written, where and how it was received by the Apostle John the Theologian. It emphasizes the importance of predictions of the future, given to people, in time to prepare for the Last Judgment.

Then there is a message to the seven churches. The interpretation of John the Theologian shows that many of the warnings of the apostle, given to them through revelations, were subsequently fulfilled. So, there was a collapse of the Ephesian Church.

The number 7 is not accidental. It is sacred and chosen by God himself. Here - a warning about the abolition of the Christian holidays and anti-christ. Instead, the Sabbath will be set aside for rest. On the special place of the number 7 indicates much in the Bible and the Church:

• 7 sacraments;
• 7 Ecumenical Councils in the Church;
• 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (basic);
• 7 His manifestations;
• 7 Virtues (basic);
• 7 passions (sins with which to fight);
• 7 words in the Jesus Prayer;
• 7 petitions of the prayer "Our Father".

In addition, the number 7 can be observed in life:

• 7 colors;
• 7 notes;
• 7 days of the week.

On the features of the "Apocalypse"

The Church of St. John the Theologian, whose rector is the author of the popular Interpretation, Father Oleg Molenko, collects many parishioners eager to understand the Apocalypse. It should be remembered that this book is prophetic. That is, everything she tells about will happen, probably, in the near future.

It was difficult to read and accept prophecies in the past, but now it seems that all that is said in Revelation is written for us. And the word "soon" should be understood literally. When will this come? The events described in the predictions will remain only a prophecy until they begin to come true, and then they will develop rapidly, then there will be no time left. This all will happen, according to the interpretation of Oleg's father, who heads the church of St. John the Divine, from the outbreak of World War III, when all types of weapons in the world will be used. About it narrates the 9th chapter of the Apocalypse. The war will begin as a local conflict between Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria, into which the whole world will be drawn. And it will last 10 months, devastating the earth by one third of the people living on it.

Can one understand the predictions correctly without interpretation?

Why is the "Revelation of John the Divine" so difficult for the right perception even of the saints? It must be understood that the apostle saw everything described in the revelations more than 2,000 years ago and told about this with words available for that time. And as for the heavenly (or spiritual), it is impossible to convey this in simple language, hence the symbolism in prophecy. Mysteries and ciphered predictions are for people far from God. The true meaning of all that is said in the Apocalypse can only be revealed to spiritual people.

A lot and a long time you can talk about the prophecies of the holy apostle, but one article for this will be small. Interpretations do not always fit even into the whole book. The Church of John the Theologian (that is, the apostle, as Jesus guides and protects him), which is considered modern Orthodoxy, can give up to eight different interpretations of the Holy Scriptures (in terms of the number of degrees of spiritual development). The saints of the highest level are the evangelist himself. But such as he, one.

To believe or not to predictions is everyone's business. The prophecies of the holy apostle are needed to reflect on one's own life, to repent of sins and to fight against them. It is necessary to be kinder and try to resist evil, as if this is the antichrist himself. Peace in your soul!