Kristaus įvaizdis Sergejaus Bulgakovo „Jono apokalipsėje“
THE FIGURE OF CHRIST IN SERGEY BULGAKOV’S COMMENTARY THE APOCALYPSE

Summary/Abstract: This article investigates one of the greatest twentieth century’s Orthodox Church theologian Sergey Bulgakov’s Christological notions on the book of Revelation to John. In the Orthodox Church, the Apocalypse and the Song of Songs are not read during liturgy officially; therefore, the Russian theologian’s study on the Christology of this book becomes especially valuable academically. Bulgakov had a unique apocalyptic vision of history according to which the history evolves in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. It is a fierce and constant fight between good and evil, between God and Satan. God, angels, and demons, living and dead people participate in such fight. The first fighting person is Christ. He does not resemble to the Son of God depicted in the Gospels; however, in the New Testament’s Apocalypse he is the protagonist gradually implementing heavenly kingdom in the world; and that is why the book itself begins with words - „The revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev 1,1). Depicted in the book apocalyptic personages, the action, and scenes in fact are a coded message of what is happening in the spiritual spheres of heavenly powers. A person cannot directly empirically experience and see this, so the metaphors, symbols, images, and signs of the book are necessary. If appropriately understood, the Apocalypse makes it possible to know God-self and the human being, and the destiny of the world and the Church better.

• Details
• Contents