The genuineness of the authorship of the Apocalypse is solidly established from both the internal and external evidence.  St.  Justin quotes it (Dial 81) and according to Eusebius attributes it to St. John. Irenaeus writes a comentary on it and ascribes the book to St. John the Apostle …

St. John presents Antichrist in a two fold role … personal and political.  His idea of Antichrist is exactly that of St. Paul.  He is not an impersonal power but a man!

It is an inspired book because the Church has spoken infallibly, has placed this book on Canon, and proclaimed its’ inspiration.  It is no longer an open question.St. John draws imagery from all parts of creation.  The heavens lend a touch of sublimity to many truths revealed.  The sun enraps the woman, the moon serves as her pedestal and stars circle her head for a crown.

At other times the sun is dimmed with mystery, the moon turns to the color of blood and stars fall from heaven.  A meteor sweeps across the sky.  Lightnings and thunders terrify the people; .winds and hail flay the earth.

The Apocalypse reveals the outcome of all attacks on the Church.  Victory!

In accomodating himself to a human mind for the purpose of making new revelation or of completing old ones, the Holy spirit evidently leaves his instrument intact with all his natural and supernatural equipment of mind and will.  He leaves grace,intellect, will, memory, imagination, temperment, education and experience …true to the owner.

 

The Beast.  It is not so remarkable that St. John used the word ‘Beast’ for the creature rather than the word antichrist.  He is writing a prophetical book and by using the same term as Daniel, he puts his book in the same category.