Part 7

APOSTASY AND ANTICHRIST ACCORDING TO THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE CHURCH

THE THIRD PERIOD (The first two periods were discussed in parts 5 & 6)

(Exerted from a booklet published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY in 1992, no longer in print.)

The third period and the final activities of Antichrist will begin with the seizure of all world power into his own hands.  A condition of utter ruin of the nations of the earth from a great world war will greatly assist him in this.  The majority will see a worldwide administration under Antichrist as the only possible way to avoid new wars and to bring about a new, peaceful blossoming of mankind.

The word of God portrays Antichrist’s coming to world power in the following manner: on the face of the earth, devastated and ruined by war, “then kings shall arise’ (Dan. 7:24).  Seven of them will have “the same thoughts” as Antichrist and will “submit their power and authority to him: (Dan. 17:13).  The other three rulers will attempt to maintain their independence:  Antichrist will have to defeat them by military force (Dan. 7:8, 20, 24).

After Antichrist’s victory over the three “kingdoms”, removing the only obstacle in his path to world mastery, the book of Revelation portrays him in the form of a red beast, having ten horns (i.e. the ten kingdoms submitted to him) and seven heads (i.e. the seven rulers who voluntarily submitted themselves to him and act in the capacity of his representatives in their countries) (Rev. 13:1 from the interpretation of that verse by the Holy Fathers St. Irenaeus of Lyons and St. Cyril of Jerusalem).

Concerning the world wide power of Antichrist, the book of Revelation says: “And power was given him over all kindreds and tongues and nations” (13:7).  Although the usual human endeavors and means will have significance, the main source of his success will not stem from them.  “And his power shall be mighty, but it will not be his own power” (Dan. 8:24).  Antichrist will receive his authority and power from Satan.  “And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority” (Rev. 13:2).  Only by this constant satanic cooperation with him will it be possible to explain Antichrist’s unusual success in seizing power over the earth so quickly and his exceptional strength, which no human force will be able to resist or hinder. 

The general acknowledgement of Antichrist as worldwide ruler will occur simultaneously with the universal acknowledgement of him as the one spiritual leader of all religions.  Vladimir Soloviev in his last work, Three Conversations, expressed the opinion that Antichrist, having attained power, will gather some form of ecumenical council with representatives from all religions.  In this council (in Jerusalem) Antichrist will offer to unite all into one fold under one pastor.  He will turn his main attention to the Christians of all confessions, promising every sort of protection in return for their acknowledgement of his leadership.  St. Ephraim the Syrian writes, “ He will call himself the preacher and re-establisher of true knowledge of God.  Those not comprehending Christianity will see in him a representative and champion of the true religion and will join with him… and the children of worldly wisdom will hail his presentation… (Bp, Ignaty Brianchaninov).

It is very important to note that all the Holy Fathers consider the main cause of the rapid captivation of mankind by Antichrist to be the lack of spiritual understanding and its total submersion in worldly matters and ways.  [The secularization of Christianity and its consumerism mentality as represented in much of contemporary Christianity will prepare many to receive the Antichrist without discernment.] 

Part 6

APOSTASY AND ANTICHRIST ACCORDING TO THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE CHURCH

TWO PROPHETS

(Exerted from a booklet published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY in 1992, no longer in print.)

The efforts of Antichrist to pass himself off as the true Messiah, however, will meet with an unexpected and miraculous counter action in the persons of two Old Testament prophets.  The very two who, by the will of God, not having tasted death, were taken unto heaven until a certain time, will re-appear on earth before the end of the world in order to fulfill their mission and suffer death.  The names of these two holy prophets are Enoch and Elias.  The Lord will sent them into Jerusalem in order to give people in those last days a final and miraculous warning against the deception encompassing them.  Without hindrance they will proclaim the falsehood of Antichrist for three and a half years, the duration of his second period when he will be preparing himself for the seizure of world power.  No being able at that time to take leave of his appearance of meekness and benevolence even towards his enemies, Antichrist will not be able to hinder or take any sort of violent action against the prophet.

In the book of Revelation it is written, “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days clothed in sackcloth.  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.  These have power to shut the heaven so that it will not rain during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will.  And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them and shall overcome them and kill them” (Rev. 11:3-7).

In the book of the Prophet Malachi one of the witnesses is directly named: “Behold, I will send you Elias the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (4:5).

Despite the preaching of the two witnesses the majority of people, due to the nature of their own carnal minds, not only will fail to see the total fraud in the exterior behavior of Antichrist, but will surround him with their praise and glorification.  “When the nations and the peoples see such virtues and powers (in Antichrist,), all will have one thought – to pronounce him ruler, saying to each other: “Will another man so good and so truthful be found?’” (St. Ephraim the Syrian).

End of part 6

To be continued

Part 5

APOSTASY AND ANTICHRIST ACCORDING TO THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE CHURCH

THE EPOCH OF ANTICHRIST

(Exerted from a booklet published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY in 1992, no longer in print.)

The entire life and activity of Antichrist can be viewed in three periods:

THE FIRST PERIOD of Antichrist, from the day of his birth to the moment of his debut will pass in obscurity.  St. John Damascene says that, “Antichrist will be raised secretly”.

THE SECOND PERIOD of the life of Antichrist will be opened with his conspicuous entry into the role of universal teacher or “prophet”.  It is very possible that he will begin his activity under the conditions of a world war, when man, having endured all the horrors of it, will not see any way out of his calamitous blind alley, because all the means for the resolution of it will be in the hands of a secret society co-acting with Antichrist.  He will offer a plan for the successful resolution of the world crisis, based on social and political wisdom – the establishing of a uniform political and social structure over the whole world.

Having wearied of the agitation of war and crime, mankind, being spiritually blind, will not recognize this project as a cunning snare luring it into the most merciless, continued slavery.  To the contrary, man will hail Antichrist’s manifestations of great erudition, wisdom and genius.

Worldwide publicity of Antichrist as a genius thinker, a new leader and a saviour of all people will flash throughout all nations in the shortest period of time.  “Evil spirits dispersed over the universe will excite in men a universal, most exalted opinion of Antichrist; a general rapture and irresistible attraction to him,” says St. Ephraim the Syrian.  [These predictions were made long before TV and the Internet.]

During this period of his activity, Antichrist will not use any violent methods but will strive to win the confidence and affection of people by means of deceit and a hypocritical, theatrical mask of virtue. [Such predictions are very believable in view of the kind of deceit and gullibility that holds sway over our society at election times.]  He will, says Vladimire Soloviev, “throw a shining cover of good and truth over the mystery of iniquity.”  St. Ephraim states that he will come “in such a manner as to deceive all.  He will appear humble, meek, a hater (as he will say himself) of unrighteousness, shunning idols, showing a preference to piety, good, a lover of the poor, beautiful to the extreme, steadfast, affable to all and especially esteeming the Jewish people because the Jews will be awaiting their Messiah…He will take cunning measures to please everyone in order that the people will quickly come to love him; he will not accept gifts nor speak in anger nor show a gloomy appearance but with a decent exterior he will set about deceiving the world, until he is enthroned.”

From the richest ascetic experience of our great spiritual athletes, it is known to us that when the dark demon cannot vanquish the spiritual athlete, encountering his steadfast resistance, a more powerful devil comes in the image of “an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14).    This “angel of light” strives to instill sympathy and confidence towards himself into the spiritual athlete, thus luring him to his destruction.  Therefore, we are able to conceive how easily and quickly the radiant image of Antichrist will be able to attract general sympathy. 

The result of this deceit will be that, from mankind, there “will arise a demand for an invitation to Antichrist.  A voice of appeal will issue forth in human society, expressing the urgent need for a ‘genius of geniuses’, who would elevate material development and progress to a higher plane and bring about prosperity on earth” (Bishop Ignaty Brianchaninov).

The hypocrisy of Antichrist during this period will go so far that he will not only demonstrate tolerance toward  Christianity, but will even offer his readiness to patronize it.  Externally, he will strive to imitate Christ.  The majority of Christians, not being guided by the spiritual understanding of the Church, but rather by worldly wisdom, will not see through this deceit and will acknowledge Antichrist to be Christ in His second advent.

The monks of the Solovetsky Monastery have handed down an answer which Saint Zosima gave to his spiritual children who asked him how to recognize Antichrist when he comes.  The holy monk gave this precise reply, “When you hear that the Christ has come to the earth or has appeared on earth, then know that it is Antichrist.”  And this answer is also most precise: “The world of man will not recognize Antichrist; it will acknowledge him to be Christ, it will proclaim him as Christ… But it will be neither necessary nor even possible for men to give a report to each other of the coming of the Son of God.  He will appear suddenly; He will appear in His omnipotence to all men and the whole world at one time” (Bp. Ignaty Brianchaninov).

The Saviour Himself forewarned, “Then if any man shall say to you, ‘Lo here is Christ, or there’; do not believe it… Wherefore if they shall say unto you, ‘behold, he is in the desert’; do not go out: ‘behold, he is in the secret chambers’; do not believe it.  For as the lightning comes out of the east and flashes unto the west, so shall the coming of the Son of man be” (Mat. 24:23-27).

In order to deceive men, Antichrist will show forth many stupefying miracles.  His “coming”, says the Apostle Paul, “is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and false wonders” (2 Thes. 2:9).  And St. Cyril of Jerusalem adds, “Being the father of falsehood, he will deceive the imagination by means of false actions so that the multitude may think that they see a dead man raised who is not raised and lame men walking or blind men seeing when no cure has been wrought” (Catechetical Lectures).

All these measures of Antichrist – his teaching and fame as a genius, his false miracles and his whole hypocritical, theatrical life – will have one goal: to seize in his own hands all the power of the world over all people.  The attaining of popularity amongst the Jews will be the first stage on this road.  Antichrist will make every effort so that the Jews will acknowledge him as their promised Messiah.  He will succeed in completing the organization of the Jewish government and will set about realizing the age-old dream of the Jews – the restoration of the temple of Solomon.  After this “he will be constrained by men and will be proclaimed king and the multitudes of the Jewish people will love him; he will restore Jerusalem and will erect the temple for them” (Synaxarion, Triodion of the Fast).  [This has profound implications for the multitudes of Evangelicals who also anticipate the restoration of Jerusalem and the millennial reign of Christ on earth from Jerusalem.  This doctrine, known as Chiliasm, was condemned as heretical by the Church centuries ago.  It was this very materialistic and earthly kingdom understanding that caused the Jewish nation to reject Christ when he came saying my kingdom is not of this world.]              End of part 5 – to be continued

Part 4

APOSTASY AND ANTICHRIST ACCORDING TO THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE CHURCH

THE APPEARANCE OF ANTICHRIST

(Exerted from a booklet published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY in 1992, no longer in print.)

Throughout the history of the Church of Christ, there has appeared a multitude of opponents who have striven to destroy Christ’s faith: Nero, Valerian and others, Mohammed, all the false-teachers and heretics from Simon Magus to the present.  But in the last times, there will arise a special, infinitely more powerful opponent of Christ in the person of Antichrist.  This will be the last and mightiest battle of the devil against the Church.

The Day of the Lord, the final Judgment will not come until Antichrist is revealed.  Saint Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians said, “Let us turn, brethren, to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we shall all be gathered round him; do not become alarmed too soon by any prediction or rumor or any letter claiming to be from us, implying that the Day of the Lord has already arrived.  Never let anyone deceive you in any way.  That day will not come until the Great Apostasy has occurred and that man of sin, the inheritor of perdition, has appeared” (II Thes. 2:18).

St. Cyril of Jerusalem and other teachers of the Church refer the prophecy of Daniel (7:23-35) to Antichrist who has to come before the end of the world and who will be the ruler of the Jews.  Once he is received by the Jews, then he will show his true self and begin his struggle against Christ’s Church.  [This should be food for thought for those who are looking for a worldly kingdom of Christ on earth with headquarters in Jerusalem.] He will repudiate the Divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and will try to destroy His Church and Mysteries [Sacraments], replacing them with himself, claiming to be a god and demanding that people bow to him as God.

According to the teachings of the Holy Fathers, every moment in the life of Antichrist will be dominated by Satan.  This domination will appear even from his conception and birth.  The devil’s instrument, in the words of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, “In truth, will be born from a defiled maiden”, and St. John Damascene concludes: “The man (Antichrist) will be born of prostitution”.

The fathers Irenaeus, Hippolytus and Ambrose of Milan as well as the early Christian writers Jerome and Augustine, mention that Antichrist will be of the Jewish race from the tribe of Dan.  Antichrist will arrive (as St. Hippolytus says), born from a defiled woman, a supposed virgin from amongst the Jews, from the tribe of Dan.”

            1. In the prophecy of the patriarch Jacob concerning each of his sons who became the founders of the tribes of Israel, the fate of the posterity of Dan is portrayed in such a way as to relate to Antichrist: “Dan will be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path” (Gen. 49: 17).

            2. In the prophecy of Jeremiah: “The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come and have devoured the land and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein” (Jer. 8:16).

            3. In the prophecy of the Revelation, which enumerates the remnant of all the tribes of Israel which are sealed by the angel for salvation, the tribe of Dan is completely excluded (Rev. 7:4-8).

From the teachings of the Holy Fathers, we learn that Satan, in establishing Antichrist, will strive to give him all the appearances and signs of the coming of the Son of God on earth.   [Once again, this has fearful and profound implications for those who expect a worldly reign of Christ on earth from Jerusalem.]

Of course, the resemblances of Antichrist with Christ will be only external and, in essence, only illusory, for the whole life of Antichrist will be an obstinate revolt against Christ and His Church.   Since Christ was born of an all-pure virgin, Satan will bring forth his special instrument from an impure maid who appears as a maiden.  She will be filled with every vice and satanic filth.

Then, just as the Lord remained in obscurity until His thirtieth year, so Antichrist, one must suppose, will remain hidden until a like age.  As Christ began His saving work by preaching of His holy teaching and with miracles, so also will Antichrist begin his pernicious work by deceiving men with his false teaching, false hopes and false miracles.  As it was pleasing to the Lord to reveal Himself publicly as the Messiah by His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and into the temple, so Antichrist will reveal himself as the (false) Messiah expected by the Jews, the monarch of all the world, in his own triumphant ceremony of entering into Jerusalem and taking up his seat in the temple of Jerusalem, which by that time will be restored.

In his book, “The Last Days of the Earthly Life of Jesus Christ”, Archbishop Innokenty of Kherson states that Christ’s entry into Jerusalem was “a general declaration for all Jews that Jesus Christ is the true Messiah.  His own words, which He spoke before the gates of Jerusalem, serve as an indisputable testimony of this; ‘If you had known,’ He said, turning to the people, ‘even you at least in this your day, the things which belong unto your peace’ (Lk. 19:42).  On that day, with their rejection of the Messiah, the fate of the Israelite people as a whole was decided.”  [This was later confirmed in the words of the Savior when he addressed the people of Israel saying,  “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered you as a hen gathers her chicks, but ye would not.  Behold your house is left to you desolate.”  This does not preclude a large-scale conversion of Jews to Christ before the final day of judgment]

On that future day of the coming into Jerusalem of the false messiah, Antichrist, the fate of mankind contemporary with him will also be decided irreconcilably and eternally.  Blessed are those who, on that last day, will be able to recognize Antichrist as the servant of Satan.

Finally, just as the Lord revealed Himself to the world and accomplished His work as Prophet, King and High Priest, so also will Antichrist concentrate this threefold authority in his own hands and accomplish his pernicious work as the teacher of all mankind, as the monarch of a universal monarchy and as the supreme high priest of all religions, demanding worship of himself as a god.  [We can see how the stage is being set for all of this in the continuous movement of the world in the direction of one world government and one world religion that is essentially humanism. These movements include the United Nations, the European Union, the North American Union, the World Council of Churches, the World Council of Religions, and the Ecumenical movement in general.]

End of part 4

To be continued in part 5

Part 3

APOSTASY AND ANTICHRIST ACCORDING TO THE HOLY FATHERS OF THE CHURCH

THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THIS WORLD AND OF THE EARTHLY SOJOURN OF CHRIST’S CHURCH

(Exerted from a booklet published by Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY in 1992, no longer in print.)

According to the teaching of the Holy Scriptures and the holy Fathers of the Church, the end of the world and the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will be heralded by a great, visible spread of lawlessness and impiety amongst all peoples, the completion of the preaching of the Gospel throughout the world, including to the Jews in a restored Israel, extreme physical troubles and the coming of Antichrist and his struggle with Christ’s Holy Church.

The holy Apostles teach that in the very last times, the various ruinous heresies and false teachings will multiply and gather great strength while unbelief will increase.  Mankind as a whole will be morally deaf and blind and insensitive to everything that concerns salvation.  People will willingly believe any falsehood and reject Christ’s law.  Every possible vise and error will be accepted by the world at large.

Saint Paul, in his Epistle to the Thessalonians, says that when Antichrist appears, [there will be many antichrist spirits, movements and forerunners before the final man of sin is revealed] he will be allowed to entice many.  “…there will be all sorts of miracles and a deceptive show of signs  and wonders, and everything evil that can deceive those who are bound for destruction because they would not obey the truth which would have saved them.  The reason why God will send a power to delude them and make them believe what is untrue is to condemn all those who refused to believe in the truth and chose wickedness instead”  (II Thes, 2:10,12).

In his epistle to Timothy, the Apostle instructs, “You may be quite certain that in the last days there are going to be difficult times.  People will be self-centered and grasping; boastful, arrogant and rude; disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious; heartless and unappeasable; they will be slanderers, profligates, savages and enemies of everything that is good; they will be treacherous and reckless and demented by pride, preferring their own pleasure to God.  They will keep up the outward appearance of religion but will have rejected the inner power of it.  Have nothing to do with people like that” (II Tim. 3: 1-5).

Of course, all these vices have always been present in the world, but in the last days they will become the dominant characteristics of society.

End of Part 3

To be continued in part 4