Commentary on Revelation

Methodius of Olympus (260–311)

first begotten of the dead. For if the Christ is believed to be the first begotten of the dead, He is the first begotten of the dead as having risen in a glorified state before all others.

But Moses and Elias arose and appeared with this form of which you speak, before Christ suffered and rose. How then could Christ be celebrated by prophets and apostles as "the first begotten of the dead? "

Who, after the creation of the earth and the firmament, was formed out of clay? And how shall he be admitted to be "the tree of life "who was cast out for his transgression,

The tree of life which paradise once bore, now again the church has produced for all, even the ripe and comely fruit of faith. It is necessary that we bring such fruit when we come to the judgment seat of Christ, on the first day of the feast. For if we are without it we shall not be able to feast with God nor to have part, according to John, in the first resurrection. For the tree of life is wisdom first begotten of all. "She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her," says the prophet, "and happy is every one that retains her." "A tree planted by the waterside, that will bring forth its fruit in due season." That is…

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• More works by Methodius of Olympus

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