The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 73: Apocalypse
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Unknown >> The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 73: Apocalypse
This eBook was produced by David Widger [widger@cecomet.net]
from etext #1581 prepared by Dennis McCarthy, Atlanta, Georgia
and Tad Book, student, Pontifical North American College, Rome.
THE HOLY BIBLE
Translated from the Latin Vulgate
Diligently Compared with the Hebrew, Greek,
and Other Editions in Divers Languages
THE OLD TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Douay
A.D. 1609 & 1610
and
THE NEW TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Rheims
A.D. 1582
With Annotations
The Whole Revised and Diligently Compared with
the Latin Vulgate by Bishop Richard Challoner
A.D. 1749-1752
THE APOCALYPSE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE
In the first, second, and third chapters of this Book are contained
instructions and admonitions which St. John was commanded to write to
the seven bishops of the churches in Asia. And in the following
chapters, to the end, are contained prophecies of things that are to
come to pass in the Church of Christ, particularly towards the end of
the world, in the time of Antichrist. It was written in Greek, in the
island of Patmos, where St. John was in banishment by order of the cruel
emperor Domitian, about sixty-four years after our Lord's Ascension.
Apocalypse Chapter 1
St. John is ordered to write to the seven churches in Asia. The manner
of Christ's appearing to him.
1:1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make
known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and
signified, sending by his angel to his servant John,
The things which must shortly come... and again it is said, ver. 3, The
time is at hand... This can not be meant of all the things prophesied in
the Apocalypse, where mention is made also of the day of judgment, and
of the glory of heaven at the end of the world. That some things were to
come to pass shortly, is evident, by what is said to the Seven Churches,
chap. 2 and 3, Or that the persecutions foretold should begin shortly.
Or that these words signified, that all time is short, and that from the
coming of Christ, we are now in the last age or last hour. See 1 John
2.18.
1:2. Who hath given testimony to the word of God and the testimony of
Jesus Christ, what things soever he hath seen.
1:3. Blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy:
and keepeth those things which are written in it. For the time is at
hand.
1:4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace be unto you and
peace, from him that is and that was and that is to come: and from the
seven spirits which are before his throne:
1:5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first
begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth, who hath
loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
1:6. And hath made us a kingdom, and priests to God and his Father. To
him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
1:7. Behold, he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him: and
they also that pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth shall bewail
themselves because of him. Even so. Amen.
1:8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord
God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
I am Alpha and Omega... These are the names of the first and last
letters of the Greek alphabet, and signify the same as what follows: The
beginning and the end: the first cause and last end of all beings: who
is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty... These words signify
the true God only, and are here applied to our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, who is to come again to judge the living and the dead.
1:9. I, John, your brother and your partner in tribulation and in the
kingdom and patience in Christ Jesus, was in the island which is called
Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus.
1:10. I was in the spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a great
voice, as of a trumpet,
1:11. Saying: What thou seest, write in a book and send to the seven
churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamus and
to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.
1:12. And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And being
turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks:
1:13. And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like to the
Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the feet, and girt about the
paps with a golden girdle.
1:14. And his head and his hairs were white as white wool and as snow.
And his eyes were as a flame of fire:
1:15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as in a burning furnace. And
his voice as the sound of many waters.
1:16. And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from his mouth came
out a sharp two-edged sword. And his face was as the sun shineth in his
power.
1:17. And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid
his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last,
1:18. And alive, and was dead. And behold I am living for ever and ever
and have the keys of death and of hell.
1:19. Write therefore the things which thou hast seen: and which are:
and which must be done hereafter.
1:20. The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand
and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the
seven churches. And the seven candlesticks are the seven churches.
Apocalypse Chapter 2
Directions what to write to the angels or bishops of Ephesus, Smyrna,
Pergamus and Thyatira.
2:1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith
he who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the
midst of the seven golden candlesticks:
2:2. I know thy works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst
not bear them that are evil. And thou hast tried them who say they are
apostles and are not: and hast found them liars:
2:3. And thou hast patience and hast endured for my name and hast not
fainted.
2:4. But I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first
charity.
2:5. Be mindful therefore from whence thou art fallen: and do penance
and do the first works. Or else I come to thee and will move thy
candlestick out of its place, except thou do penance.
2:6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaites,
which I also hate.
2:7. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches: To him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of life
which is in the paradise of my God.
2:8. And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write: These things saith
the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive:
2:9. I know thy tribulation and thy poverty: but thou art rich. And
thou art blasphemed by them that say they are Jews and are not, but are
the synagogue of Satan.
2:10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the
devil will cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried: and you
shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death: and I will
give thee the crown of life.
2:11. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches: He that shall overcome shall not be hurt by the second death.
2:12. And to the angel of the church of Pergamus write: These things
saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:
2:13. I know where thou dwellest, where the seat of Satan is. And thou
holdest fast my name and hast not denied my faith. Even in those days
when Antipas was my faithful witness, who was slain among you, where
Satan dwelleth.
2:14. But I have against thee a few things: because thou hast there them
that hold the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balac to cast a
stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat and to commit
fornication.
2:15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites.
2:16. In like manner do penance. If not, I will come to thee quickly and
will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
2:17. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches: To him that overcometh I will give the hidden manna and will
give him a white counter: and in the counter, a new name written, which
no man knoweth but he that receiveth it.
2:18. And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write: These things
saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like to a flame of fire and his
feet like to fine brass.
2:19. I know thy works and thy faith and thy charity and thy ministry
and thy patience and thy last works, which are more than the former.
2:20. But I have against thee a few things: because thou sufferest the
woman Jezabel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce
my servants, to commit fornication and to eat of things sacrificed to
idols.
2:21. And I gave her a time that she might do penance: and she will not
repent of her fornication.
2:22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed: and they that commit adultery
with her shall be in very great tribulation, except they do penance from
their deeds,
2:23. And I will kill her children with death: and all the churches
shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts. And I will
give to every one of you according to your works. But to you I say,
2:24. And to the rest who are at Thyatira: Whosoever have not this
doctrine and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say: I will
not put upon you any other burthen.
2:25. Yet that which you have, hold fast till I come.
2:26. And he that shall overcome and keep my words unto the end, I will
give him power over the nations.
Power over the nations... This shews, that the saints, who are with
Christ our Lord in heaven, receive power from him to preside over
nations and provinces, as patrons; and shall come with him at the end of
the world to execute his will against those who have not kept his
commandments.
2:27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and as the vessel of a
potter they shall be broken:
2:28. As I also have received of my Father. And I will give him the
morning star.
2:29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches.
Apocalypse Chapter 3
Directions what to write to Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.
3:1. And to the angel of the church of Sardis write: These things saith
he that hath the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know thy
works, and that thou hast the name of being alive. And thou art dead.
3:2. Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, which are ready
to die. For I find not thy works full before my God.
3:3. Have in mind therefore in what manner thou hast received and heard:
and observe and do penance: If then thou shalt not watch, I will come to
thee as a thief: and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come to
thee.
3:4. But thou hast a few names in Sardis which have not defiled their
garments: and they shall walk with me in white, because they are worthy.
3:5. He that shall overcome shall thus be clothed in white garments: and
I will not blot out his name out of the book of life. And I will confess
his name before my Father and before his angels.
3:6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches.
3:7. And to the angel of the church of Philadelphia write: These things
saith the Holy One and the true one, he that hath the key of David, he
that openeth and no man shutteth, shutteth and no man openeth:
3:8. I know thy works. Behold, I have given before thee a door opened,
which no man can shut: because thou hast a little strength and hast kept
my word and hast not denied my name.
3:9. Behold, I will bring of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are
Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and adore
before thy feet. And they shall know that I have loved thee.
3:10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep
thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the whole world
to try them that dwell upon the earth.
3:11. Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no
man take thy crown.
3:12. He that shall overcome, I will make him a pillar in the temple of
my God: and he shall go out no more. And I will write upon him the name
of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which
cometh down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.
3:13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches.
3:14. And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These things
saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the beginning of
the creation of God:
The Amen... that is, the true one, the Truth itself; the Word and Son
of God. The beginning,`ï 'àpxï... that is, the principle, the source,
and the efficient cause of the whole creation.
3:15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou
wert cold or hot.
3:16. But because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will
begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.
3:17. Because thou sayest: I am rich and made wealthy and have need of
nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor
and blind and naked.
3:18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold, fire tried, that thou mayest be
made rich and mayest be clothed in white garments: and that the shame of
thy nakedness may not appear. And anoint thy eyes with eyesalve, that
thou mayest see.
3:19. Such as I love, I rebuke and chastise. Be zealous therefore and do
penance.
3:20. Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man shall hear my
voice and open to me the door, I will come in to him and will sup with
him: and he with me.
3:21. To him that shall overcome, I will give to sit with me in my
throne: as I also have overcome and am set down with my Father in his
throne.
3:22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the
churches.
Apocalypse Chapter 4
The vision of the throne of God, the twenty-four ancients and the four
living creatures.
4:1. Aftengs which must be done hereafter.
4:2. And immediately I was in the spirit. And behold, there was a throne
set in heaven, and upon the throne one sitting.
4:3. And he that sat was to the sight like the jasper and the sardine
stone. And there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like
unto an emerald.
4:4. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the
seats, four and twenty ancients sitting, clothed in white garments. And
on their heads were crowns of gold.
4:5. And from the throne proceeded lightnings and voices and thunders.
And there were seven lamps burning before the throne, which are the
seven Spirits of God.
4:6. And in the sight of the throne was, as it were, a sea of glass like
to crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne,
were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind.
4:7. And the first living creature was like a lion: and the second
living creature like a calf: and the third living creature, having the
face, as it were, of a man: and the fourth living creature was like an
eagle flying.
4:8. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings: and round
about and within they are full of eyes. And they rested not day and
night, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and who is
and who is to come.
4:9. And when those living creatures gave glory and honour and
benediction to him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth for ever and
ever:
4:10. The four and twenty ancients fell down before him that sitteth on
the throne and adored him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their
crowns before the throne, saying:
4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and
power. Because thou hast created all things: and for thy will they were
and have been created.
Apocalypse Chapter 5
The book sealed with seven seals is opened by the Lamb, who thereupon
receives adoration and praise from all.
5:1. And I saw, in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, a book,
written within and without, sealed with seven seals.
5:2. And I saw a strong angel, proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is
worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?
5:3. And no man was able, neither in heaven nor on earth nor under the
earth, to open the book, nor to look on it.
5:4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open the book,
nor to see it.
5:5. And one of the ancients said to me: Weep not: behold the lion of
the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book
and to loose the seven seals thereof.
5:6. And I saw: and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four
living creatures and in the midst of the ancients, a Lamb standing, as
it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes: which are the seven
Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.
5:7. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat
on the throne.
5:8. And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures and the
four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of
them harps and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of
saints.
The prayers of saints... Here we see that the saints in heaven offer up
to Christ the prayers of the faithful upon earth.
5:9. And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to
take the book and to open the seals thereof: because thou wast slain and
hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe and tongue and
people and nation:
5:10. And hast made us to our God a kingdom and priests, and we shall
reign on the earth.
5:11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the
throne and the living creatures and the ancients (and the number of them
was thousands of thousands),
5:12. Saying with a loud voice: The Lamb that was slain is worthy to
receive power and divinity and wisdom and strength and honour and glory
and benediction.
5:13. And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under
the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard
all saying: To him that sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb,
benediction and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever.
5:14. And the four living creatures said: Amen. And the four and twenty
ancients fell down on their faces and adored him that liveth for ever
and ever.
Apocalypse Chapter 6
What followed upon opening six of the seals.
6:1. And I saw that the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals: and I
heard one of the four living creatures, as it were the voice of thunder,
saying: Come and see.
6:2. And I saw: and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a
bow, and there was a crown given him, and he went forth conquering that
he might conquer.
White horse... He that sitteth on the white horse is Christ, going forth
to subdue the world by his gospel. The other horses that follow
represent the judgments and punishment that were to fall on the enemies
of Christ and his church. The red horse signifies war; the black horse,
famine; and the pale horse (which has Death for its rider), plagues or
pestilence.
6:3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second living
creature saying: Come and see.
6:4. And there went out another horse that was red. And to him that sat
thereon, it was given that he should take peace from the earth: and that
they should kill one another. And a great sword was given to him.
6:5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living
creature saying: Come and see. And behold a black horse. And he that
sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand.
6:6. And I heard, as it were a voice in the midst of the four living
creatures, saying: Two pounds of wheat for a penny, and thrice two
pounds of barley for a penny: and see thou hurt not the wine and the
oil.
6:7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the
fourth living creature saying: Come and see.
6:8. And behold a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was
Death. And hell followed him. And power was given to him over the four
parts of the earth, to kill with sword, with famine and with death and
with the beasts of the earth.
6:9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the
souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony
which they held.
Under the altar... Christ, as man, is this altar, under which the souls
of the martyrs live in heaven, as their bodies are here deposited under
our altars.
6:10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying: How long, O Lord (Holy
and True), dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell
on the earth?
Revenge our blood... They ask not this out of hatred to their enemies,
but out of zeal for the glory of God, and a desire that the Lord would
accelerate the general judgment, and the complete beatitude of all his
elect.
6:11. And white robes were given to every one of them one; And it was
said to them that they should rest for a little time till their fellow
servants and their brethren, who are to be slain even as they, should be
filled up.
6:12. And I saw, when he had opened the sixth seal: and behold there was
a great earthquake. And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair: and
the whole moon became as blood.
6:13. And the stars from heaven fell upon the earth, as the fig tree
casteth its green figs when it is shaken by a great wind.
6:14. And the heaven departed as a book folded up. And every mountain,
and the islands, were moved out of their places.
6:15. And the kings of the earth and the princes and tribunes and the
rich and the strong and every bondman and every freeman hid themselves
in the dens and in the rocks of mountains:
6:16. And they say to the mountains and the rocks: Fall upon us and hide
us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne and from the wrath
of the Lamb.
6:17. For the great day of their wrath is come. And who shall be able to
stand?
Apocalypse Chapter 7
The number of them that were marked with the seal of the living God and
clothed in white robes.
7:1. After these things, I saw four angels standing on the four corners
of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that they should not
blow upon the earth nor upon the sea nor on any tree.
7:2. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun,
having the sign of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the
four angels to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
7:3. Saying: Hurt not the earth nor the sea nor the trees, till we sign
the servants of our God in their foreheads.
7:4. And I heard the number of them that were signed. An hundred forty-
four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children of Israel.
7:5. Of the tribe of Juda, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of
Ruben, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand
signed:
7:6. Of the tribe of Aser, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of
Nephthali, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Manasses, twelve
thousand signed:
7:7. Of the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of
Levi, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand
signed:
7:8. Of the tribe of Zabulon, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of
Joseph, twelve thousand signed: Of the tribe of Benjamin, twelve
thousand signed.
7:9. After this, I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of
all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the
throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in
their hands.
7:10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God,
who sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb.
7:11. And all the angels stood round about the throne and the ancients
and the four living creatures. And they fell down before the throne upon
their faces and adored God,
7:12. Saying: Amen. Benediction and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,
honour and power and strength, to our God, for ever and ever. Amen.
7:13. And one of the ancients answered and said to me: These that are
clothed in white robes, who are they? And whence came they?
7:14. And I said to him: My Lord, thou knowest. And he said to me: These
are they who are come out of great tribulation and have washed their
robes and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
7:15. Therefore, they are before the throne of God: and they serve him
day and night in his temple. And he that sitteth on the throne shall
dwell over them.
7:16. They shall no more hunger nor thirst: neither shall the sun fall
on them, nor any heat.
7:17. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them
and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life: and God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Apocalypse Chapter 8
The seventh seal is opened. The angels with the seven trumpets.
8:1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in
heaven, as it were for half an hour.
8:2. And I saw seven angels standing in the presence of God: and there
were given to them seven trumpets.
8:3. And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden
censer: and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of
the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar which is before the
throne of God.
