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

1 Thessalonians 2:14-19       (11/13)       Epistle for Friday of the Twenty-third Week after Pentecost

 

Between Now and Then: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-19, especially vs. 19: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”  In the Creed we say, “I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the Life of the world to come.”  As we speak those words we are confessing now - in the present moment.  Whenever the Lord returns, that will be then.  “Then many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to disgrace and everlasting shame” (Dan. 12:2).

Now there is suffering (1 Thess. 2:14).  Now hostility rages in the world, for there are men who “...do not please God and are contrary to all men...” (1 Thess. 2:15).  Then, “...in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, [He] 'will render to each one according to his deeds'...” (Rom. 2:5).  Now Satan hinders us (1 Thess. 2:18).  Then, according to the Lord’s true promise, “'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven'” (Lk. 10:18).

Between now and then, Christ calls us to embrace suffering, the world’s hostility, and every hindrance from Satan, never losing hope of being “...in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ...” at His coming (1 Thess. 2:19).  Now, while there is time, learn to attain this hope.

Now, notice how Saint Paul commends the Thessalonian Christians for imitating the “...churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 2:14).  He offers a pattern to follow in the time between now and the coming of the Kingdom of God: a model for our lives, thoughts, and actions by employing a glorious example from the Saints who were before us.

Those who are hostile to Orthodox Christianity abound.  We shall not lack many opportunities to strive with our fathers and mothers in the Faith.  For example: in the Acts we are told how the Sanhedrin threatened the Apostles Peter and John for preaching in the Temple after healing a lame man (Acts 3:1-4:22).  What did these Saints do?  With their fellow Christians, they considered the Prophet David’s question, “'Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things....against the Lord and against His Christ?'” (See Psalm 2:1).  Then, they prayed: “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak your word...” (Acts 4:25,26,29).  Now the world remains hostile to the Faith and would happily drown us in its smug wisdom and ways.  Follow the Apostles in prayer, that God would “...preserve...the Holy Orthodox Faith, and all Orthodox Christians, unto ages of ages”; and let us continue, wherever we are, to “...speak...that [all] may be saved...” (1 Thess 2:16).

Now, in the face of resistance to the Truth, and like the Saints of old, may we continue to wait upon God to deliver us from the hand of the wicked, even while the Lord delays His wrath and while men “...fill up the measure of their sins...” (1 Thess. 2:16).  Ever remember the words of Saint Makarios of Egypt: “Being bountiful and full of love, God awaits with great patience the repentance of every sinner, and He celebrates the return of the sinner with celestial rejoicing....”  God’s reason for delaying His wrath is to allow time for repentance by as many as will. Meanwhile, let us, as faithful witnesses to the true Life, love those who are resisting God.  May God use us fruitfully to turn the hearts of many and to save them from destroying themselves.

Finally, now remember that we are not alone in this struggle.  Even when Saint Paul was not present with the brethren in Thessalonica, he was present in heart and soul (vs. 17).  Let nothing separate us “...from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus...” (Rom. 8:39), nor cut us off from our brethren around the world in the Body of Christ.  We suffer together.  They stand closer to us than do any who oppose the Faith, despite physical distance between us.

Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

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