we need 

A Bible 

you can trust.  That was Jerome’s job.  It is safe to say no two bibles were alike before Jerome so  it was his job to first find reliable copies of the books that belonged in the Bible before he could produce a reliable translation.  At that time it was not clear which ones belonged and that was especially true with the Apocalypse.  Before Jerome we don’t know what it looked like.  

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Jerome 

A Major Player 

in the 4th century and we have the letters to prove it.  Pope Damasus I asked Jerome for a new translation of the Bible and Augustine was upset about that.  There were already way too many versions of the Bible with way too many errors and according to Augustine the last thing they needed was another version of the Bible.  Jerome was not intimidated.  His Vulgate would become the official Bible of the Church when they needed it the most.  

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why the Apocalypse? 

A Good Question 

that needs an answer.  Many believe it doesn’t belong in the Bible.  They don’t think it was written by John the Apostle.  John Chrysostom was one of them but he was in Ephesus at the beginning of the fifth century and he had a chance to maybe look at the originals. Before this we do not know what the Apocalypse looked like.  At this time Jerome was finishing the Vulgate which would become the official Bible of the Church.  

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the Vulgate 

A Translation 

of the bible by Jerome.  Where did he get his copies?  We have no copies of the Apocalypse older than what is in the Vulgate.  Jerome had to rely on others for reliable copies.  We can only speculate but it must be consistent with historical records that somehow survived.  History is all we have so we must rely on being led to the right stuff.  Ask for directions.  

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not proof but 

A Reasonable Explanation 

for all the issues surrounding the Apocalypse.  When was it written?  Who wrote it?  Why was it written? John the Baptist was preparing the way for the first coming.  John the Apostle was told to prophesy again to the seven churches.  John Chrysostom convinced Jerome that the little book belonged in the bible.  And the rest is history.  Pay attention to history.   

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Jerome

A Critic 

of the commentary by Victorinus and took it upon himself to modify it.  What did he change and why did he change it??  His wealthy friend Paula and his travels resulted in an impressive collection of books for Jerome.  His letters show that he was a very important man at the beginning of the 5th century. It was a time when the bible was being defined.  
Watch for more pieces that fit.  Blessed is the one who looks.
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