Scripture Study for

John’s apocalyptic vision of the opening of the seven seals presents a series of disasters brought upon the earth in the final days, as  God brings judgment on human and superhuman forces of evil and vindication for the servants of God. These visions are intended to give courage and hope to those undergoing persecution and even dying for their faith in Christ. Those who have been marked with the seal of the living God (as opposed to one of the seven seals)  will be spared the disasters befalling the natural and human world.  The number 144,000—not to be taken literally—is symbolic of the fullness of the number of servants. All will be saved. This number is indeed beyond counting and its diversity demonstrates the success of spreading the gospel and extending God’s reign on earth. All the saved join together with the angelic host to give praise and thanks to God in the heavenly liturgy. 

Up to the point of today’s reading, the First Letter of John has been developing the theme of “fellowship with God,” which means a sharing in God’s eternal life (through Christ). This fellowship is manifested in loving others, repentance, and avoiding sin. To be in fellowship with God means to be a child of God. This places us in the light, in truth and goodness, not in the darkness of moral depravity. The relationship is in place, and is safe, as long as we remain in fellowship with Christ. Those who have hope in the future  glory that they will share with Christ ensure that they are pure,  avoiding turning away from Christ and his commandment, which  in the Johannine literature is summed up in the phrase “Love one  another.” 

The royal road to eternal life, the kingdom of God, and  “blessedness,” happiness, and joy in this life is material and spiritual renunciation. Those who would be disciples of Jesus must lose their own lives (which means not just their physical lives, if necessary,  but especially their own wills, preferences, and “rights”) to gain life. This is what “poverty of spirit” means. Meekness, mercy, and peacemaking often go against our desire to strike back or get even,  natural tendencies when we feel we have been violated. Purity of heart, hunger and thirst for righteousness above everything else mean setting aside absolutely everything and everyone who separates us from God or draws us away from God’s will. Persecution and insult lead to physical and social pain for the sake of Christ and communion with him. Those who are able to give up absolutely everything for Christ find joy and blessedness in this life and in the life to come.