15. Without are dogs, and sorcerers, and unchaste, and murderers, and servers of idols, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.
16. I Jesus have sent my angel, to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the root and stock of David, the bright and morning star.
6, 7. The angel who acted as guide for St. John in viewing the new Jerusalem, now assures him that these visions are true revelations of what the future holds in store for the Church. They are true because God Him self has revealed them to St. John through the ministry of the angel. In a former vision God commanded St. John to write for these words are most faithful and true." [1] Their accomplishment is near at hand, for has not our Lord said: "Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book"? The same warning is found in the opening words of the Apocalypse: Blessed is he that readeth, and heareth the words of this prophecy; and keepeth those things which are written in it; for the time is at hand"; their fulfillment was beginning already in the days of St. John. [2]
8, 9. Probably many of these visions were not committed to writing until St. John had returned to Ephesus where he could dictate them to his disciples as was the custom of the other Apostles. Hence he is careful to
