The Apocalypse: The Victory of the Lamb Once Slain

In today's weekly General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI continued to devote his catechesis to the Apostle John and his writings.  Today, he spoke of the Book of Revelation, also known as the "Apocalypse of St. John".  P.I.M.E. Asia News reports that those in attendance included pilgrims from Taiwan and Japan.  He said the book is about persecutions suffered by the Church throughout history, and the "victory of the Lamb," comforting Christians, especially those of Asia who were suffering persecution at the end of the first century.

Teresa Benedetta has a full translation online at Papa Ratzinger Forum, and there is another one at Zenit.  The Vatican website has a summary.  At the end of the address, the Holy Father offered a summary in English, including this excerpt:

"John’s central vision is that of the Lamb once slain, who now stands victoriously before God’s throne, sharing in the Father’s kingship and power (5:6ff.).  He alone is able to open the mysterious book closed with seven seals and to reveal, in the light of his own triumph over persecution and death, the ultimate meaning of history in God’s providential plan.

"The certain unfolding of God’s victory is seen in John’s visions of the Woman who gives birth to a Son destined to rule the nations (12:1ff.), the final defeat of the Dragon, and the heavenly Jerusalem, prepared as a bride adorned for the wedding feast (21:2ff).

"As his book draws to an end, John invites Christians of every time and place to trust in the victory of the Lamb and to hope for the coming of God’s Kingdom: "Come, Lord Jesus!" (22:20)."