Part 1
Christ said that we are truly moving towards the end. When will that happen? No one knows. Maybe in 1,000 years, maybe in 10,000, maybe 5,000,000—no one knows. And it shouldn’t concern us. Why shouldn’t it occupy our attention? First, because Christ told us that no one knows about the end of the world. Not a single saint knows. Only God knows, but He hasn’t revealed it to anyone. And I can tell you for sure about what’s being spread online now, that the end of the world will come in 2012—it will not come in 2012.1 It may come in other years perhaps—in 2011, in 2013, in 2015, but not in 2012. The Lord will not allow false prophecies to be fulfilled. We can sleep peacefully in 2012—the world will not end then.
However, there is another end—our own. It will happen for sure, and soon enough. Our years are numbered, and life has a limit. You’re fifty now—you’ll have another twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty years, and that’s it. We must take for granted that there will be an end to our lives and the end of the world. They’re coming. What’s it important to think about? Not about the timing, but about how you’ll meet and receive this end, and that this end is not really the end of life, but your entry into eternity.
It would be good for us to reflect upon how we’ll walk this path and what our relationship with Christ will be like in eternity. If we think about it, we’ll stop hoping that we’ll amount to something. All this is transitory. And your earthly journey will come to an end. There will be no one left on earth who knows you, who remembers you. Only God remembers us. Only God remembers us all. At funerals, we say, “Memory eternal.” It’s not about us, humans. It’s nonsense when people say, “You did so much, and we’ll remember you forever!” You yourself will depart tomorrow, then I’ll follow after you. And how will you remember him? I don’t like these empty words.
I usually can’t stand listening to the speeches given at funerals. I fumble with my staff and pray to the Theotokos, “That’s enough, Most Holy Theotokos!” People say so many stupid things… Some kind of theater, playing with someone else’s pain. You can just say a few words of comfort without causing all this chaos. Unfortunately, we’ve turned this into a theater. God remembers man. God will always hold you in his memory. And when we sing: “May your memory be eternal, fathers and brothers worthy of blessedness and everlasting memory,” it means you’ll always remain in God’s memory.
When God remembers you, it means you exist, that you’re alive, that you’re the likeness of God, that your spirit and your soul repose in God. When God doesn’t want to remember you, doesn’t want to see you (not because He doesn’t want to, but because your soul has renounced Him, rejected the love of God, severed its connection with God, and renounced the eternal memory of God), it’s unfortunate for you. The Lord speaks about this in the Gospels. Try to spend the few years allotted to you on earth with dignity before God, so you can pass through the gates of eternity and stand before God pure, repentant, united with the grace of God, living in God, and having conquered death; so that you overcome corruption, overcome despair, so you don’t live far from God, but live eternally with Him. This is God’s victory over death, victory over corruption. This is our personal end.
But the Lord also told us about the end of the world because there will be Christians living in those times. The Lord told us about the signs that will precede the end. He told us about this end in the Gospel and the Revelation of John through images and symbols. But He didn’t reveal this to us so that we would panic and lose sleep at night, seeing locusts coming at us, and all those visions that were revealed to the Apostle John. He wanted to leave us a very important message: “Fear not, God will win in the end.” No matter what happens, God will win. At times it will seem as though the Antichrist is winning, that the false prophets are winning. God will allow them to do what they want without restricting their freedom, as much as our inaction and malice will allow them to do so.
The Lord will bring an end to all things not to punish us, but to give humanity a fresh start in the eternal Kingdom. This new beginning will restore everything to its original state and recreate mankind in the image of God. Those who love the Lord will live with Him in a new Heaven and Earth free from pain and sorrow, where Christ reigns supreme. Despite the turmoil and false prophets of the end times, we are urged not to fear but to keep our focus on the coming of Christ, the true King. The true prophets of God operate within the Church, guided by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and do not seek recognition or fame. While some may desire the gift of clairvoyance, true humility lies in accepting the gifts God has given us for the benefit of the Church, rather than for personal gain. Salvation is offered to all, regardless of any prophetic abilities, as the true path to redemption lies in humility and virtue. After humbling myself, repenting, changing my way of thinking, and asking the Lord for salvation, I realized the importance of humility. Our holy fathers-ascetics emphasized that humility saves us, not gifts. If we have talents but lack humility, they can lead to destruction through vanity and pride. The story of a possessed woman highlights how pride can be implanted in us by the devil, leading to disastrous consequences.
Our vanity and pride are so great that the Lord, out of His love, may withhold His gifts from us to prevent our downfall. It is essential to recognize the prophets by their humility and belonging to the Church. True dignity lies in the eternal Kingdom of God, not in the fleeting pleasures of this world. Ultimately, the final word about each of us will come from God, and that is the most important judgment.
The book of Revelation teaches us important lessons about seeking Christ, remaining faithful, and avoiding deception in the face of future events. It is crucial to focus on preparing ourselves spiritually rather than speculating about the end times. The key is to keep our minds and eyes fixed on Christ amidst the chaos of the world.
Today, do you see what is unfolding in the world? When I was in second grade, I read the book of Revelation and was perplexed. I questioned whether God would allow so much evil and destruction. I wondered if God would bring about the end of the world as described in the book. Seeking answers, I approached our parish priest, a wise and good man. He reassured me, explaining that it is not God who will bring about destruction, but rather humanity with its actions. He emphasized that we have the power to destroy the world with the weapons and technology at our disposal. The priest’s words resonated with me, highlighting the importance of recognizing our own role in the world’s fate. The current events and challenges we face today reflect the warnings foretold in ancient texts, reminding us of the peace that comes from being in God’s presence.
I recall a nun from the Monastery of St. Herakleidios, Sister Christodouli, who faced her own mortality with grace and faith. As she neared the end of her life, she displayed a sense of peace and readiness to meet her maker. Her unwavering faith and devotion to God served as a source of inspiration for those around her, demonstrating the power of faith in overcoming fear and uncertainty.
Sister Christodouli’s unwavering faith in the face of death serves as a testament to the transformative power of Christ’s presence in our lives. Despite the challenges and uncertainties we may face, having faith in God can bring a sense of peace and reassurance. Trusting in God’s plan and relinquishing our worries allows us to experience true peace and joy in our daily lives.
Death is a natural part of life, but with Christ by our side, we can face it with courage and acceptance. Sister Christodouli’s peaceful passing serves as a reminder that with God’s presence, even death can be faced with grace and tranquility.
As we navigate through the challenges and uncertainties of life, let us remember that God is always with us, guiding and protecting us. By placing our trust in Him, we can find peace and joy in every moment, knowing that He is in control of our lives and the world around us.
In our next discussion, we will delve into the text of the book of Revelation. Despite its complexity, we will strive to understand its message and significance. Let us approach it with an open mind and a heart filled with faith and hope.