pruss@ria.ccs.uwo.ca (Alexander Pruss) (02/12/91)
Reflections paralleling Matthew 24,1-36; possibly interpreting it. Are not your troubles nothing to the passion of God? Then we must consider the word of God in the light of the passion of God, and not the troubles of man. Jesus prophesies his death and resurrection, for three days has he lain amongst the dead. Certainly many false prophets there shall be, and false followers of the Christ spreading lies instead of the truth, lies such as the lie that they know when He will come. There will be war, famine, pestilence and earthquakes. Did not the earth shake when Our Lord committed his spirit to the Father? Was it not war against the disciples? War against God was waged by the Pharisees who thought to destroy Jesus? Christians indeed were at this passion prosecuted and despised. Was not Peter himself threatened with death so much that thrice he lied? The chief priest did speak as a false prophet, telling men to crucify the Lord. Some seeing Jesus die would turn away from Faith, but those who in Faith endured his death would live forever. The time of death is long, for the killing of God is the most heinous act that man has ever done, and the dealing of death to the Immortal One would be long were it even one hour. The temple of Christ's body would be defiled by gentile Roman soldiers. In the darkness of God's death, many liers will speak that Jesus is dead and was but a man. Suddenly, as lightning, Jesus will return from the dead. Then angels will speak to men, the sign of the risen Lord shall be in the heavens as man raises up his eyes to see those angels blowing trumpet blasts to announce His resurrection. Man of all nations will hear and beat their breasts repenting. The Lord will be seen coming, seen resurrected from this desolation of war. But this is not the end, but the beginning of the end. This is near, but these are signs and not the end as is made clear `you will know he is near.' After these signs, which signs did indeed occur during the generation that lived then, at a time which is known only to the Father the Lord will come. Praise and glory be to the One Almighty God. -- Alexander Pruss pruss@uwo.ca // Internet PRUSS@UWOVAX // BITNET pruss@ria // uucp