DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
St. Matthew 24:3-35 (4/21) The Gospel at Vespers & the
Pre-Sanctified on Great & Holy Monday
Fair
Warnings: St. Matthew 24:3-35, especially vs. 35: “Heaven
and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” The Lord Jesus’
revelations in this Gospel are extensive.
Recognizing this, St. John Chrysostom addressed what Christ says here in
a series of three homilies. In
these sermons, the observant Archbishop notes a significant division in the
revelations that must not be overlooked to rightly understand what the Lord
discloses.
The first portion of the Lord’s teaching
(vss. 3-22) was given as a warning to first century Christians “of wars
in
In all the revelations, the Lord’s main
concern is for His beloved Church.
To the Faithful of the first century, He amply described what would -
and did - take place during the Jewish rebellion and the retaliation by
With respect to His second coming, He cautions
us - as every generation, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here
is the Christ! or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets
will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the
elect....For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so
also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (vss. 23,24,27). To every Christian and all men, the
Lord’s assurance does not vary: “Heaven and earth will pass away,
but My words will by no means pass away” (vs. 35).
Heed the Lord Jesus! Give close attention to what our Savior
and God says! Above all the Master
is cautioning us that deceivers will come along to present us with other
christs: “do not believe it” (vs. 23). As the Apostle Paul reminds every
Orthodox Christian: “...(as there are many gods and many lords), yet for
us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and
one Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom are all things, and through Whom we
live. However, there is not in
everyone that knowledge” (1 Cor. 8:5-7). Turn to the icons of our Lord in the temple
or at home. He alone is Sovereign
and God. Be good servants and wait
for Him!
Second, if anyone tries to lure you away from
the peace that our Orthodox Church gives in every Liturgy, resist the
temptation. Announcements, exciting
news: “‘He is in the desert!’ will be false. Do not go out! Do not believe it. Here is why: as the lightning comes from
the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man
be” (Mt. 24:26,27).
In every generation - and now especially -
decade by decade, year by year, people are making the news with solid
programs for deepening your spiritual life. What!? Such talk ignores the Holy Tradition
handed on to us, as if it were not alive and available today, this very moment,
in the
We have fair warnings in what the Holy Fathers
teach us: the cleansing of our souls, the preparation of our hearts for the
Bridal Chamber, the attainment of a worthy wedding garment.
Yea, I the Creator, rich in Godhead, came Myself
to serve poor Adam, whose likeness I took willingly, and to give Myself as a
Redemption for him, Who Am without suffering as to My Godhead. Let us praise the Lord....for in glory
He hath been glorified.