CHRIST’S SECOND COMING

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

CHRIST’S SECOND COMING
By Saint Gregory Palamas

Our subject is Christ’s Second Coming, the terrifying Judgment, and the things that will then be mysteriously fulfilled, that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man" [1 Corinthians 2:9], the heart, that is, which has o share in the Divine Spirit. These things surpass both the human mind and reason as well as the senses. But although He Who teaches us of them is Himself All-Knowing and will judge the whole earth, He comes down to his listeners’ level and offers words suited to their capability. That is why lightning and clouds, trumpet and throne and the like are brought in, even though we look for new heavens and a new earth [cf. 2 Peter 3:13], in accordance with His own promise, for all that now exists will be changed.

If mere words, words adapted to our measure, can fill the soul of the prudent listener with trembling and awe, who will withstand when the reality is accomplished? What sort of lives ought we to be living in holiness and godliness, as we wait for the coming of the Day of God, that day on which, as the divine Peter the Apostle says, "the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" [2 Peter 3:12]. Before that, however, will be the grievous coming of the Antichrist to oppose and threaten the faith which, if it were not shortened, being allowed only for a brief time, there should no flesh be saved, as the Lord says in the Gospels [Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20]. So He exhorts His followers, "WATCH YE THEREFORE, AND PRAY ALWAYS, THAT YE MAY BE ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS THAT SHALL COME TO PASS, AND TO STAND BEFORE THE SON OF MAN" [Luke 21:36].

All these things are full of overwhelming horror, but worse still that these are threatened for those who waste their lives in unbelief, injustice and laziness. As the Lord says Himself, "THEN SHALL ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH MOURN" [Matthew 24:30]. The tribes of the earth ARE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT OBEY HIM WHO CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, WHO NEITHER KNOW THE HEAVENLY FATHER NOR CALL UPON HIM, AND DO NOT LIFT UP THEIR RACE TO HIM BY DEEDS THAT RESEMBLE HIS OWN. Again the Lord says, "FOR AS A SNARE SHALL IT COME ON ALL THEM THAT DWELL ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH" [Luke 21:35; Isaiah 24:17], meaning those nailed to the earth and earthly concerns by dissipation, drunkenness, self-indulgence and the cares of this life, wholly taken up with outwardly visible splendour, riches, glory and pleasure. The expression "FACE OF THE EARTH" refers to the earth’s apparent pleasantness, whereas by saying "them that dwell" He implies their continuing inward attachment. With these words He puts sinners who continue unrepentant to the end together with the godless, for as Prophet Isaiah foretold, "The lawless and the sinners shall burn together, and none shall quench them" [Isaiah 1:31]. "But our commonwealth is in heaven", says the Apostle, "from whence also we look for the Saviour" [Philippians 3:20]. The Lord said to His Disciples, "YOU ARE NOT OF THE WORLD" [John 15:19] and also, "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth near" [Luke 21:28].

Notice how those who live according to Christ ARE FILLED WITH INEFFABLE JOY AND COURAGE BY THE EVENTS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THESE, WHILE THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH ARE FILLED WITH SHAME, SUFFERING AND DEJECTION. As Saint Paul too proclaims, "God WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS TO THEM WHO BY PATIENT CONTINUANCE IN WELL DOING SEEK FOR GLORY AND HONOR AND IMMORTALITY ETERNAL LIFE: BUT UNTO THEM THAT OBEY EVIL, INDIGNATION, AND WRATH, TRIBULATION AND ANGUISH UPON EVERY SOUL OF MAN THAT DOETH EVIL” [Romans 2:6-9]. In the days of Noah, when evil had increased and held sway over nearly all the human race, there was a flood sent by God which wiped out everything living and kept safe only the righteous man and his family to start another world [cf. Genesis 6:5-9:2]. And after that God again cut off evil when it was rampant, in turn burning the Sodomites to ashes [cf. Genesis 19:1-28], drowning Pharaoh’s men in the seas in an extraordinary way [cf. Exodus 14:19-31], and destroying the shameless race of the Jews by famine, revolt, disease and bitter retribution [cf. Exodus 16:1-3; 17:1-4; 32:1ff].

Our Physician made use of harsh medicines and remedies for our sake, but nevertheless He did not disregard such as work pleasantly and agreeably. He raised up fathers, revealed Prophets, performed signs, gae the law and appointed Angels. Since these means were powerless against the irrepressible impetus of our wickedness, the Logos/Word of God Himself, the great Remedy for grave sins, bowed the heavens and came down. Having become like us in everything, though WITHOUT SIN [cf. Hebrews 4:15], He ABOLISHED SIN IN HIMSELF. BY GIVING US STRENGTH HE DULLED ITS STING, AND ON THE CROSS HE PUT TO SHAME ITS RULERS AND FELLOW-WORKERS, THAT THROUGH DEATH HE MIGHT DESTROY HIM THAT HAD THE POWER OF DEATH" [Hebrews 2:14]. [Source: Saint Gregory Palamas The Homilies]

(To be continued)

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George