013198

DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS

Zacharias 8:19-23 (3/7) The Reading at Vespers on the Friday of Cheesefare Week

Fasting V ~ The Age to Come: Zacharias 8:19-23 LXX, especially vs. 19: “...and love ye the truth and peace.” Hebrew prophecy, created by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, reveals the glory of God shining through in the face of Jesus Christ, but to discern the glory certain “ground rules” must be applied. One must know the fullness of Christ, stand within the believing, worshiping Church, be “a child of the Light and an heir of eternal good things,”[1] and, however difficult such may prove, one must put the Prophets’ words into practice. Then, lo, one naturally beholds the glory of God.

First, understand that the Prophets foresaw the Mystery of Christ in barest outline. God provided enough information concerning the Lord’s first and second coming that His ancient People learned to expect a “Messiah.” Now, those united to Christ Jesus - Jew and Gentile - have “...been given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God...” (Mk. 4:11), but they must “flesh out” the Gospel embedded in the prophecies. In completing what is read, the Faithful posses an advantage in the witness and wisdom of the Apostles and the Holy Fathers, and the intercessions of them all.

Second, much of Hebrew prophecy was written as poetry, and must, therefore, be read as such. Its imagery must be received through one’s heart as well as with one’s mind, read from within Holy Tradition, and understood with the aid of the Holy Spirit - if one hopes to know God’s truth.

Finally, the language of the Hebrew Prophets assumes the ethos, worship, and life of ancient Israel and Judah. However, since the coming of Christ, words such as “Israel, Jerusalem, and Zion” are now to be understood as the Church, which St. Paul makes clear (Rom. 9-11). The Body of the Faithful in Christ - the Church - is the true Israel of God (Rom. 11:23,24).

With these “ground rules” in mind, let us turn to the prophetic words of Zechariah, to verses that speak of the age to come, of God’s eternal Kingdom that will prevail following Christ’s Last and Great return in Judgment. They provide an eternal perspective for the coming Great Fast.

Notice, God speaks of four fasts practiced in ancient Israel in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months (Zach. 8:19). These ancient fasts were initiated as times of national mourning for Israel’s sins, iniquities that culminated in the futile uprising against the Babylonians, which resulted in the exile of Judah’s monarchy, the fall of Jerusalem, and the destruction of the Temple of Solomon. But Zechariah foresaw that one day God would restore and forgive and that the need for abject sorrow would end, after which the fasts would become feasts - times of celebration.

Let us be attentive! God is urging us Christians to fast in sorrowful repentance for our sins, to make efforts to change our ways, and to be aware that we soon will be joyously celebrating Pascha. Let our hearts be broken, right choices made, and our eyes turned toward Christ’s marriage supper (Rev. 19:9) where fasting always shall be feasting.

In the age to come, Jew and Gentile will worship and pray as one People, “ ...many peoples and many nations shall come to seek earnestly the face of the Lord ...” (Zach. 8:22). The incorporation of the nations into Israel, into the Church, began in Apostolic times (Gal 3:28). After two thousand years of including great numbers of earth’s Peoples into the Church, it is now largely Gentile, but one Holy People in Christ.

Why, then, do we have Fasts now? Why Great Lent, the Apostles’ fast, the Dormition Fast and the Nativity Fast? These seasons are gifts to help us prepare for our place in that great company of peoples from every nation who will walk in the Uncreated Light of the New Jerusalem in the age to come, when all tears and the need to fast will be wiped away (Rev. 21:4).

O Thou Who knowest the secrets of all hearts, prepare us through fasting to feast with Thee in Thine eternal and glorious banquet in the age to come.

Return to the March Calendar