It is possible to interpret the "earth" here to refer to the church, as in the psalm, "He who set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be shaken." That is, he [set the earth] on the saints whose prayers and teachings and the working of salvation [which they have received] dispels the uncovered intrigues of the enemy. However, it would be…

The wise tend to understand the "earth" here to refer to those earthly things in which by the strength of that curse the devil is known to inhabit. For it says, "Earth you shall eat all the days of your life." Having been exiled from spiritual realities, he assailed those of the earth who were suitable to his own strengths. This is what it means that he…

The trumpets signify that preaching of which Isaiah spoke, saying, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet." In this preaching the dread of the divine judgment is also indicated, which I think is also suggested by the mention of the thunder.… In the many waters those peoples are symbolized who praise God by saying "Hallelujah." And so,…

The intentions are expressed by which the impious strive to remove the church of Christ from the world, as the psalmist says, "Let the name of Israel be remembered no more!" And although they are unable to fulfill their desire, yet they make their evil intention known.

We must not think that the devil and his angels dared to fight in heaven, since he could not even tempt Job without God's permission. Rather by "heaven" he quite manifestly indicates the church, where each one of the faithful constantly contends against spiritual evils. Therefore the apostle says, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against…

"He who conquers shall not be hurt by the second death." Having eaten of the forbidden tree, [Adam] procured this [death] for posterity. However, watering the tree of the cross by the water and blood which flowed from the holy place of his side, Christ caused the firstfruits of salvation to sprout up where he knew the original evil had arisen, saying,…

The book is in the right hand because it is in Christ, for he is the arm of God, he is the right hand of the Father, or it means that it was in the highest blessedness. The book written on the inside and the outside is both Testaments, the Old Testament on the outside because it was visible, and the New Testament on the inside because it lay hidden within…

This white horse can be understood as the church of truth, represented in the persons of the apostles and preachers, which was made whiter than snow by grace. The rider upon the horse is Christ. Therefore, it was said to him through the prophet, "For you mounted your horses and your army is salvation." For the same reason he is said to hold an arrow. An…

In heaven the churches, as though "with unveiled face beholding the glory of God," all being pure in heart and made whiter than snow by grace, are said to follow Christ.… They always go forward on white horses, that is, with pure bodies and minds, following the footsteps of Christ, who is going before and to whom it is said in the Song of Songs, "We run…

In the voices and thunder the proclamation of the gospel is indicated, while the lightning signifies the miraculous signs, as we read in the Gospel, "They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs which followed." And again: "The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind, and your lightning…

These seven lamps are the seven spirits of God. Even if he had not explained it, we would have properly understood these seven lamps to represent the Holy Spirit. For we know that at the beginning he had illuminated the apostles in the form of fiery tongues, and [we are aware] of his sevenfold operation. How much more clear is it, when now he himself…

What the apostle said, "God gave them up to a base mind to do what they ought not," that is also now said. For God has placed in their hearts to do that which is pleasing to him. Righteousness is pleasing to God, through which we know that retribution is visited upon the impious. Moreover, [it is according to God's will] that they who have given their…