The Apocalypse of
Saint John
The definitive English translation of the Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser's monumental 17th-century interpretation.
A Continuous Prophecy
Composed in the mid-17th century, Bartholomew Holzhauser's commentary presents the Book of Revelation not merely as a vision of the end times, but as a map of the entire history of the Church across Seven Ages.
The Vision of the Son of Man and the Seven Churches
Holzhauser's commentary on the inscription, authority, and purpose of the Apocalypse, and on Saint John's vision of the Son of Man amid the seven golden candlesticks — Revelation 1.
Letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira
Holzhauser's commentary on the letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira, the types of the four first ages of the Church Militant — the Ages of Sowing, Irrigation, the Doctors, and Peace — Revelation 2:1–29.
Letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea
Holzhauser's commentary on the letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, types of the fifth, sixth, and seventh ages of the Church Militant — the Ages of Affliction, Consolation, and Desolation — Revelation 3:1–22.
On the Hierarchical Nature of the Church Militant
Holzhauser reveals the Church's hierarchical constitution as shown to Saint John: the apostolic throne, the four Evangelists as archchancellors, the twenty-four ancients as bishops worldwide, the sea of glass as Baptism, and the six wings of evangelical doctrine — Revelation 4:1–11.
The Book of Seven Seals and the Lamb Who Was Slain
Holzhauser expounds the sealed book held by God — the secrets of the Church through all ages — and the acclamation of the Lamb: why only Christ, the Lion of Judah, could open it, and the sevenfold canticle of adoration sung by angels, ancients, and all creation — Revelation 5:1–14.
The Opening of the Six Seals
Holzhauser opens Book Three with the six seals: the four horsemen of Apostolic mission, Nero's persecution, Jerusalem's fall, and Domitian's terror; the martyrs' cry beneath the altar; and the great earthquake of Diocletian's final, cruelest persecution — Revelation 6:1–17.