THE IMMENSE MULTITUDE

Saint Maximus observed that within man there are three dynamics that confront and sometimes clash: the divine, the human, and the demonic. Subjugation is the demonic one, which seduces and overwhelms man; Autonomy is what encapsulates it, making it withdraw upon itself; theonomy is holiness, which should not be understood as mere submission to God, but as an intimate and profound friendship with Him, so much so as to attest to a shared desire for love. Yes, holiness is love born of divine Love and fulfilled in an embrace that envelops Heaven and earth. It is no coincidence that in the Apocalypse, John sees before God and the Lamb the community of the elect. These have a seal that characterizes them and certifies their belonging to the Lord. In Ezekiel 9, those who bear the seal of the living God are guarded by Him as a most precious possession. Also because of these biblical reminiscences, from the 2nd century AD, the seal indicates Christian baptism. With these consecrated ones, the solemn heavenly liturgy described in Revelation 7:9-14 then begins. The number 144,000 is naturally symbolic and points to the fullness of God’s holy people. Their liturgy is a song, celebrating the salvation that belongs to God and the Lamb; it is a cosmic song that involves the angels and the twenty-four elders, the four living beings, and all of creation which now—finally—groans no more (cf. Rom 8:19 ff.) because it has joyfully seen the appearance of the sons of God. This praise has seven expressions, that is, it is perfect: “Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be to our God forever of ages. Amen” (Rev 7:12). Over these, God spreads his tent. The new temple of God being built in history is therefore not only the house of David (cf. 2 Sam 7) but all humanity. God builds it with all the victims of human history, with those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

Commentary by b. Sandro Carotta, osb
Abbazia di Praglia (Italy)

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves,
Prinknash Abbey