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The Angel of the Abyss and Locusts

Magius, c. 950

From the Morgan Beatus manuscript of the Commentary on the Apocalypse

Manuscript on parchment, 38.1 × 28.2 cm

The Pierpoint Morgan Library, New York

Here we will explore the curious phenomenon of the fear of the end of the world which has repeatedly appeared throughout the ages. All over the world and in every language, there has never been a more widely discussed subject.

As to the dogma “Credo Resurrectionem Carnis”, the addresses of the fathers of the Church before the council assembled in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, were, on the whole, in accord with the opinion expressed by the cardinal archbishop of Paris. The clause “et vitam setemam” was tacitly ignored in view of the possible discoveries in astronomy and psychology.

The Four Horsemen Appear at the Opening of the First Four Seals

Attributed to Stephanus Garsia Placidus, c. 1060

Illustration from the Beatus of Saint-Sever manuscript

Illumination on parchment

Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris

As it were, these addresses epitomised the history of the doctrine of the end of the world as held by the Christian Church throughout the centuries.

This history is interesting, for it is also the history of the human mind face to face with its own destiny, and we believe it of sufficient importance to devote ample attention to it.

Page from the Psalter of Blanche of Castile

c. 1230

Illuminated manuscript, 28 × 22 cm

Bibliothèque de l’Arsenal, Paris

The existence of a profound and tenacious faith is as old as the centuries, and it is a notable fact that all religions, irrespective of Christian dogma, have opened the same door from this mortal life upon the unknown which lies beyond, it is the door in the Divine Comedy by Dante, although the conceptions of paradise, hell, and purgatory peculiar to the Christian Church, are not universal.

John on Patmos Woken by the Angel

Illustration from “The Douce Apocalypse”, c. 1270

Illumination

University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Oxford

Zoroaster and the Zend-Avesta taught that the world would perish by fire. The same idea is found in the Epistle of St Peter. It seems that the traditions of Noah and of Deucalion, according to which the first great disaster to humanity came by flood, indicated that the second great disaster would be of an exactly opposite character.

The Angel Proclaims “Who is worthy?” – John Consoled by the Ancient

Illustration from “The Douce Apocalypse”, c. 1270

Illumination

University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Oxford

Among the Romans, Lucretius, Cicero, Virgil, and Ovid all also announce the future destruction of Earth by fire.

According to Jesus, the generation which he addressed would not die before the previously mentioned disaster occurred.

The Second Seal – The Red Horse

Illustration from “The Douce Apocalypse”, c. 1270

Illumination

University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Oxford

St Paul, the real founder of Christianity, believed deeply in the resurrection and the coming end of the world, making it a fundamental dogma of the new church. He referenced it eight or nine times in his first epistle to the Corinthians.

Unfortunately for the prophecy, Jesus’ disciples, whom he had assured would not die before his accession, died one after the other under the common law.

The Third Seal – The Black Horse

Illustration from “The Douce Apocalypse”, c. 1270

Illumination

University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Oxford

St Paul, who did not know Jesus personally, but was a staunch supporter of the fledgling Christian church, was believed to have lived until the Great Commission (Jesus’ appearance to his eleven disciples on Galilee). Naturally, however, they all died, and thus the end of the world, as predicted by the definitive coming of the Messiah, did not happen.

The Third Trumpet – A Burning Star Falls from the Heavens

Illustration from “The Douce Apocalypse”, c. 1270

Illumination

University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Oxford

Belief in the end of the world did not simply disappear, however. Believers decided to stop taking the prediction literally, seeking instead new interpretations. However, belief in the Gospel suffered as a result. We devoutly buried the dead, laid out in coffins with reverence rather than being burned by fire, and it was written on their tombs that they would rest there until the resurrection.

The Angel of the Sixth Seal and The Four Angels at the Four Corners of the Earth

Cimabue

Fresco

Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi, Assisi

Jesus would “soon” return to judge “the living and the dead”. The Christian word of recognition was Maran atha, “the Lord will come”.

The apostles Peter and Paul most likely died in the year 64 CE, during the horrible slaughter ordered by Nero after the burning of Rome, set on fire at his command and whose destruction he attributed to the Christians so that he might have a pretext for new persecutions.

The Locusts Riding

Illustration from “The Douce Apocalypse”, c. 1270

Illumination

University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Oxford

St John wrote his Apocalypse (The Book of Revelation) in the year 69 CE. The reign of Nero was a bloody one, and martyrdom seemed to be the natural consequence of a virtuous life. Prodigies appeared on every hand; there were comets, falling stars, eclipses, showers of blood, monsters, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and above all, there was the Jewish war and the destruction of Jerusalem.

The War in Heaven

Illustration from “The Douce Apocalypse”, c. 1270

Illumination

University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Oxford

Never, perhaps, were so many horrors, so much cruelty and madness, so many catastrophes, crowded into so short a period as in the years 64–69 CE. The little church of Christ was apparently dispersed. It was impossible to remain in Jerusalem.

The Dragon Delegates Power to the Beast Who Comes from the Sea

Illustration from “The Douce Apocalypse”, c. 1270

Illumination

University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Oxford

The horrors of the reign of terror of 1793 and of the Commune of 1871 were nothing in comparison with those of the Jewish civil war. The Jesus’ family was obliged to leave the Holy City and to seek safety in flight. False prophets appeared, thus verifying former prophecies. Vesuvius was preparing the terrible eruption of the year 79 CE, and already, in 63 CE, Pompeii had been destroyed by an earthquake.

The False Prophet Rises from the Earth, Calls Down Fire and Orders the Worship of the Beast

Illustration from “The Douce Apocalypse”, c. 1270

Illumination

University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Oxford

There was every indication that the end of the world was at hand. Nothing was wanting. The Apocalypse announced that Jesus would descend on a throne of clouds and the martyrs would rise first. The Angel of Mercy would await God’s command.

The Dragon, Who is Satan, Comes Forth Again

Illustration from “The Douce Apocalypse”, c. 1270

Illumination

University of Oxford, Bodleian Library, Oxford

But a calm followed the storm. The terrible Jewish war came to an end; Nero fell before Galba; under Vespasian and Titus, peace, in the year 71 CE succeeded war, and – the end of the world still did not come to pass.

Once more, it became necessary to reinterpret the words of the evangelists. The coming of Christ was put off until after the fall of the Roman Empire, and thus considerable margin was given to the commentator.

The Infernal Chaos around Satan

Atributted to Coppo di Marcovaldo, c. 1270

Mosaic

Battistero di San Giovanni, Florence

A firm belief in a final and even an imminent catastrophe persisted, but it was embedded in vague terms, which robbed the spirit as well as the letter of the prophecy of all precision. Still, the conviction remained.

St Augustine devotes the 20^th book of the City of God (426) to the regeneration of the world, the resurrection, the last judgement, and the New Jerusalem;

Last Judgement (tympanum, west portal, detail)

Gislebertus, c. 1120–1135

Cathédrale Saint-Lazare, Autun

in the 21^st book he describes the everlasting torments of hell-fire. A witness to the fall of Rome and the Empire, the Bishop of Carthage believed these events to be the first act of the drama. But the Kingdom of God would continue for a thousand more years before the rise of Satan.

Last Judgement (tympanum), Bourges Cathedral

c. 1270

Sculpture

Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges, Bourges

St Gregory, Bishop of Tours (573), the first historian of the Franks, began his history as follows:

As I am about to relate the wars of the kings with hostile nations, I feel impelled to declare my belief. The terror with which men await the end of the world decides me to chronicle the years already passed, that thus one may know exactly how many have elapsed since the beginning of the world.

Last Judgement, Christ Enthroned

c. 1270

Sculpture

Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges, Bourges

The saviour had come to deliver mankind. What was he waiting for, transportation to Heaven?

This Christian tradition was perpetuated year on year and century on century, despite nature’s evidence to the contrary.

The Demons Are Cast out of Arezzo (detail)

Giotto di Bondone, 1296–1297

Fresco

Basilica San Francesco d’Assisi, Assisi

Every catastrophe, earthquake, epidemic, famine, and flood, every phenomenon, eclipse, comet, storm, sudden darkness, and tempest, was regarded as the forerunner and herald of the final cataclysm.

The Last Judgement (detail)

Giotto di Bondone, 1302–1305

Fresco

Capella degli Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua