Signs of the Times

By Hieromonk Seraphim Rose

[written 1978]
In the following talk 1 Fr Seraphim speaks to !s from almost twenty years ago" an# yet his
wor#s are $!ite rele%ant to o!r times as we approa&h the en# of the se&on# millenni!m
'ltho!gh some of the in#i%i#!al e(amples he gi%es are now #ate#" there are now e%en more
e(treme e(amples of the same phenomena of whi&h he speaks 's always" he h!m)les his
!n#erstan#ing )efore the Holy S&ript!res an# their interpretation )y the *rtho#o( Holy
Fathers" an# th!s his tea&hing a)o!t the times remains timeless" free of the intelle&t!al
fashions an# pre+!#i&es of this worl# 's time goes on" the *rtho#o( worl#,%iew from whi&h
he re&ei%e# his wis#om will )e&ome e%er more ne&essary for the spirit!al s!r%i%al of tr!e
-hristians
1 .H/ ST01/ TH2 SI34S *F TH2 TI52S6
TH2 S0B72-T of this talk is wat&hing for the signs of the times First of all" we ha%e to
know what it is meant )y the phrase 8signs of the times8 This e(pression &omes straight from
the 3ospel" from the wor#s of o!r Sa%io!r in 5atthew 19:; -hrist tells the <harisees an#
Sa##!&ees who &ame to Him" 8/e &an #is&ern the fa&e of the sky"8 that is" tell what the
weather will )e= 8)!t &an ye not #is&ern the signs of the times68 In other wor#s" He>s telling
them that this has nothing to #o with s&ien&e" or with knowing o!r pla&e in the worl#" or
anything of the sort It>s a religio!s $!estion .e st!#y the signs of the times in or#er to )e
a)le to re&ogni?e -hrist
1!ring the time of -hrist" the <harisees an# Sa##!&ees #i# not st!#y the signs of the times in
or#er to see that -hrist ha# &ome" that the Son of 3o# was alrea#y on earth There were
alrea#y signs that they sho!l# ha%e re&ogni?e# For e(ample" in the )ook of 1aniel in the *l#
Testament" there is a prophe&y &on&erning the se%enty weeks of years" whi&h means that the
5essiah was to &ome a)o!t @9A years from the time of 1aniel Those 7ews who rea# their
)ooks %ery &aref!lly knew e(a&tly what this was all a)o!t" an# at a)o!t the time that -hrist
&ame they knew that it was time for the messiah
B!t this is an o!twar# sign 5ore importantly" the <harisees an# Sa##!&ees sho!l# ha%e )een
wat&hing for the inwar# signs If their hearts ha# )een right with 3o#" an# if they ha# not
)een merely trying to f!lfill the o!twar# &omman#ment of the law" their hearts wo!l# ha%e
respon#e# an# re&ogni?e# 3o# in the flesh when He &ame 'n# many of the 7ews #i#Bthe
apostles" the #is&iples" an# many others
This same passage in the 19th &hapter of St 5atthew speaks f!rther a)o!t signs *!r Cor#
tol# the 7ews" 8'n e%il an# a#!ltero!s generation seeketh after a sign" an# there shall no sign
)e gi%en !nto it" )!t the sign of the prophet 7onah8 The e%ents of the *l# Testament &ontain
prefig!rations of e%ents in the 4ew Testament .hen 7onah was three #ays in the )elly of the
whale" this was a prefig!ation of o!r Cor#>s )eing three #ays in the tom) 'n# this signBthe
sign of 7onah,was gi%en to the people of -hrist>s time
*!r Cor# was telling the <harisees an# Sa##!&ees that an e%il an# a#!ltero!s generation
seeks for spe&ta&!lar e%ents" that is" fire &oming #own from hea%en" or the Romans )eing
&hase# away" angels manifesting themsel%es an# )anishing the foreign go%ernment of the
Romans" an# things of that sort -hrist tol# them this kin# of sign wo!l# not )e gi%en 'n
e%il an# a#!ltero!s generation seeks after this" )!t those who are p!re of heart seek rather
something more spirit!al 'n# the one sign that is gi%en to them is the sign of 7onah *f
&o!rse" it is a great thing that a man sho!l# )e three #ays in the gra%e an# the rise !p" )eing
3o#
Th!s" from o!r Sa%ior>s wor#s" we know that we are not to wat&h for spe&ta&!lar signs" )!t
we are rather to look inwar#ly for spirit!al signs 'lso" we are to wat&h for those things
whi&h a&&or#ing to S&ript!re m!st &ome to pass
D TH2 SI34S 3IE24 0S B/ -HRIST
.e *rtho#o( -hristians ha%e alrea#y re&ogni?e# an# a&&epte# the signs of -hrist>s First
-oming The %ery fa&t that we>re *rtho#o( -hristians means that we>%e #one this .e know
what these signs mean: for e(ample" the sign of 7onah" the @9A years of 1aniel" an# many
other things whi&h o!r Cor# f!lfille# *!r *rtho#o( 1i%ine ser%i&es are fille# with *l#
Testament prophe&ies whi&h were f!lfille# in the &oming of -hrist These we all see an#
re&ogni?eBit all seems &lear B!t now we ha%e to look for #ifferent kin#s of signs" that is"
the signs of the Se&on# -oming of -hrist The whole tea&hing a)o!t the Se&on# -oming of
-hrist an# the signs whi&h will pre&e#e it is set forth in se%eral pla&es in the 3ospels"
espe&ially in the D@th &hapter of St 5atthew St 5ark an# St C!ke also ha%e &hapters a)o!t
this
This &hapter of St 5atthew tells of how o!r Cor# #eparte# from the Temple" an# how his
#is&iples &ame to him to show him the )!il#ings of the Temple *f &o!rse" in those #ays the
Temple was the &enter of worship 2%ery 7ew ha# to &ome to the Temple at least at <as&ha"
the <asso%er" for this alone was where 3o# &o!l# )e worshippe# in the right way
*!r Cor# looke# at the Temple an# tol# His #is&iples" 8See ye not all these things6 Eerily I
say !nto yo!: There shall not )e left here one stone !pon another" that shall not )e thrown
#own8 To tell a )elie%ing 7ew at that time that the whole Temple is to )e thrown #own" that
nothing is to )e left of it" is like saying it>s the en# of the worl#" )e&a!se the Temple is
pre&isely the pla&e where 3o# is s!ppose# to )e worshippe# How are yo! going to worship
3o# if there>s no Temple6 So these wor#s of o!r Sa%ior ma#e the #is&iples start thinking
a)o!t the en# of the worl# They imme#iately sai#" 8Tell !s" when shall these things )e6 an#
what shall )e the sign of Thy &oming" an# of the en# of the worl#68 In other wor#s" they
alrea#y knew that He was going to &ome again an# that this wo!l# )e )o!n# !p with the en#
of the worl#
Then o!r Cor# gi%es a whole set of signs whi&h are to &ome to pass )efore He &omes again
First of all He says" 8Take hee# that no man lea# yo! astray For many shall &ome in 5y
name saying" >I am -hrist>= an# shall lea# man astray8 That is" many false -hrists will &ome
This we>%e alrea#y seen thro!gho!t the history of the -h!r&h: those who ha%e risen !p
against the -h!r&h" those who ha%e preten#e# to )e 3o#" preten#e# to )e -hrist
Se&on#ly" in the ne(t %erse He says" 8/e shall hear of wars an# r!mors of wars Se that ye )e
not tro!)le#" for these things m!st &ome to pass" )!t the en# is not yet8 *f &o!rse" from the
%ery )eginning of the -hristian era there ha%e )een wars an# r!mors of wars" an# e%en more
so in o!r time 84ation shall rise against nation" an# king#om against king#om= an# there
shall )e famines" an# pestilen&es" an# earth$!ake in #i%erse pla&es8 'gain" wars" then
famines" earth$!akes 'n# He says" 8'll these things are the )eginning of tri)!lation8
Then &omes the ne(t sign" whi&h is perse&!tions 8Then shall they #eli%er yo! !p !nto
tri)!lation" an# shall kill yo!" an# ye shall )e hate# of all nations for 5y name>s sake8 So"
first we ha%e false -hrists" then wars" r!mors of wars" famines" earth$!akes" perse&!tionsB
an# then a %ery important sign for o!r times &on&erning the growing &ol# of lo%e: 8Be&a!se
ini$!ity shall )e m!ltiplie#" the lo%e of many shall wa( &ol#8 This is the most #ea#ly of all
the signs" )e&a!se the sign of -hristians" as St 7ohn the Theologian tells !s" is that they ha%e
lo%e for ea&h other .hen this lo%e grows &ol#" this means that e%en the -hristians are
)eginning to lose -hristianity
Then another sign" in the ne(t %erse of the D@th &hapter: 8This gospel of the king#om shall )e
prea&he# in the whole worl# for a testimony !nto all the nation" an# then shall the en# &ome8
This sign of the 3ospel )eing prea&he# !nto all the nations we see a)o!t !s now The 3ospel
itself is pro#!&e# in h!n#re#s of lang!ages now to almost all the tri)es of the earth" an#
*rtho#o( -hristianity is )eing prea&he# in almost e%ery &o!ntry of the worl# In 'fri&a there
are great missions: in 0gan#a" Fenya" Tan?ania" the -ongo" an# sprea#ing o!t from there
The a more #iffi&!lt pla&e: o!r Cor# speaks &on&erning the a)omination of #esolation whi&h
is spoke of )y 1aniel the prophet 8.hen yo! see the a)omination of #esolation stan#ing in
the holy pla&e Glet him that rea#eth !n#erstan#H8 That is" yo!>re s!ppose# to !n#erstan# this
from something else This is another sign It is &on&erne#" of &o!rse" with the Temple in
7er!salem an# some kin# of #ese&ration of it
Then" in the D1st %erse" there is the sign of great tri)!lation: 8Then shall )e great tri)!lation
s!&h as has not )een from the )eginning of the worl# !ntil now" nor e%er shall )e8 That is" it
will )e the worst an# most #iffi&!lt time of s!ffering in the whole history of the worl# /o!
&an rea# history )ooks an# fin# that there ha%e )een many times in the history of the worl#
when there was great s!ffering If yo! rea# a)o!t what happene# to the 7ews when 7er!salem
was taken after the #eath of -hrist" yo! will fin# that s!&h s!ffering as went on then was
!nparallele# In other pla&es there has )een almost as m!&h s!ffering 'n# yet the great
tri)!lation at the %ery en# will )e m!&h worse *f &o!rse" it will )e worl#wi#e an# in%ol%e
e%eryone" not +!st one people" an# will )e something of a %ery impressi%e &hara&ter It will )e
&alle# 8s!&h tri)!lation that the worl# has ne%er seen8
7!st after this time" something e%en worse )egins to &ome Eerse D9 rea#s: 8Imme#iately
after the tri)!lation of those #ays" the s!n shall )e #arkene# an# the moon shall not gi%e her
light" an# the stars shall fall from hea%en" an# the powers of the hea%ens shall )e shaken8
S!&h an e%ent" of &o!rse" has ne%er )een )efore" an# this o)%io!sly refers to the time +!st at
the en# of the worl#" when the whole of &reation prepares to )e annihilate# in or#er to )e
refashione#
Finally" the ne(t %erse: 8'n# then shall appear the sign of the Son of 5an in hea%en"8 that is"
the sign of the -ross will appear in the sky 8'n# then shall all the tri)es of the earth mo!rn"
an# they shall see the Son of 5an &oming on the &lo!#s of hea%en with power an# great
glory8 That is" the %ery &oming of -hrist shall )e in the hea%ens with the sign of the -rossB
an# that is the %ery en# of e%erything
'fter telling all this a)o!t the signs of the en#" o!r Cor# gi%es a final &omman#" saying"
8.at&h" therefore" for yo! know not on what #ay yo!r Cor# &ometh Therefore" )e also
rea#y" for in an ho!r that yo! think not" the Son of 5an &ometh8
'll this is in the D@th &hapter of the 3ospel of St 5atthew B!t all this" for anyone not
thoro!ghly a&$!ainte# with S&ript!res an# the writings of Holy Fathers" almost raises more
$!estion than it sol%es .e m!st !n#erstan# what is the meaning of all these prophe&ies How
&an we know when they are really )eing f!lfille#6 'n# how &an we a%oi# false
interpretations6B)e&a!se there are many false -hrists" false prophets" false prophe&ies" false
interpretations How &an we know what is the tr!e interpretation an# what are the tr!e signs
of the times6 If yo! look a)o!t yo! an# go to any religio!s )ookstore" yo! will see shel%es
&ontaining many )ooks of &ommentaries on the Book of Re%elation GThe 'po&alypseH" )ooks
with interpretations a)o!t the &oming en# of the worl# In fa&t many -hristians who are not
*rtho#o( ha%e a %ery #efinite feeling that these are the last times" )!t they all gi%e
interpretations )ase# !pon their own opinions
; TH2 B'SIS F*R 0412RST'41I43 TH2 SI34S
The first thing we m!st ha%e if we are going to ha%e the tr!e interpretation of the signs of the
times is something we &an &all )asi& *rtho#o( knowle#ge That is" knowle#ge of the Holy
S&ript!re" )oth the *l# an# 4ew Testaments Gan# not +!st a&&or#ing to the way it seems" )!t
a&&or#ing to the way the -h!r&h has interprete# itH= knowle#ge of the writings of Holy
Fathers= knowle#ge of -h!r&h history= an# awareness of the #ifferent kin# of heresies an#
errors whi&h ha%e atta&ke# the -h!r&h>s tr!e !n#erstan#ing of #ogma an# espe&ially of the
last times If we #o not ha%e a gro!n#ing in so!r&es s!&h as these" we will fin# o!rsel%es
&onf!se# an# !nprepare# That is pre&isely what o!r Cor# tells !s: to )e rea#y" to )e
prepare# 0nless we ha%e this )asi& knowle#ge" we will not )e prepare# an# we will
misinterpret the signs of the times
' few years ago a )ook was printe# in 2nglish whi&h has )e&ome a fantasti& )estseller for a
religio!s )ook It has sol# o%er ten million &opies in 'meri&a It>s &alle# The Cate 3reat
<lanet 2arth )y Hal Cin#sey" a <rotestant 2%angeli&al in Te(as In a rather s!perfi&ial style he
gi%es his interpretation of the signs of the times He )elie%es it>s the last times we are li%ing in
now He )elie%es that e%erywhere aro!n# !s there are )eing f!lfille# these signs whi&h o!r
Cor# talke# a)o!t If yo! rea# this )ook" yo! fin# that sometimes he gets something more or
less &orre&t a&&or#ing to o!r *rtho#o( !n#erstan#ing" sometimes he is totally off" an#
sometimes he is partly wrong" partly right It>s as tho!gh he>s +!st g!essing" )e&a!se he rea#s
the S&ript!re a&&or#ing to his own !n#erstan#ing He has no )asi& *rtho#o( -hristian
knowle#ge" no )a&kgro!n# in the tr!e knowle#ge of the S&ript!res an# the Holy Fathers
Therefore" if yo! rea# this )ook serio!sly" yo! will fin# that yo! )e&ome %ery &onf!se# /o!
#on>t know what to )elie%e any more He talks" for e(ample" a)o!t a millenni!m whi&h is
s!ppose# to &ome )efore the en# of the worl# He talks a)o!t the rapt!re" when -hristians are
s!ppose#ly gathere# !p into the hea%ens )efore the en# of the worl#" an# then wat&h how the
people s!ffer #own )elow He talks a)o!t the )!il#ing of the Temple in 7er!salem as tho!gh
this is a goo# thing" as tho!ght this is preparing for -hrist>s &oming
If yo! rea# s!&h )ooks as this Gthere are many other )ooks like it= this one happens to )e a
)estseller )e&a!se the a!thor &a!ght the imagination of people +!st at one parti&!lar timeH"
an# if yo! take them all as tr!th" yo! will fin# that instea# of re&ogni?ing -hristBwhi&h is
the whole reason for o!r !n#erstan#ing a)o!t the signs of the timesByo! will )e a&&epting
'nti&hrist
Take" for e(ample" the %ery $!estion of the Temple in 7er!salem It is tr!e" a&&or#ing to
*rtho#o( prophe&ies" that the Temple will )e re)!ilt in 7er!salem If yo! look at people like
Hal Cin#sey" or e%en the F!n#amentalist -arl 5&Intire" they are also talking a)o!t the
)!il#ing of the Temple" )!t they>re talking a)o!t it as tho!gh we are )!il#ing it in or#er for
-hrist to &ome )a&k an# reign o%er the worl# for a tho!san# years .hat they are talking
a)o!t is the &oming of 'nti&hrist The millenni!m" a&&or#ing to the <rotestant interpretation"
as )eing a spe&ial tho!san#,year reign at the en# of the worl#" is a&t!ally the reign of
'nti&hrist In fa&t" there ha%e alrea#y )een people who ha%e arisen an# pro&laime# their
tho!san#,year king#om whi&h is going to last !ntil the en# of the worl# The last one was
'#olf Hitler This is )ase# !pon the same kin# of &hiliasti& i#ea: that is" interpreting the
millenni!m in a worl#ly sense The a&t!al tho!san# years of the 'po&alypse is the life in the
-h!r&h whi&h is now" that is" the life of 3ra&e= an# anyone who li%es it sees that" &ompare#
to the people o!tsi#e" it is in#ee# hea%en on earth B!t this is not the en# This is o!r
preparation for the tr!e king#om of 3o# whi&h has no en#
There are many )ooks of )asi& *rtho#o( knowle#ge now a%aila)le Those who are serio!sly
&on&erne# a)o!t st!#ying the signs of the times sho!l# first )e %ery well %erse# in some of
these )ooks" an# they sho!l# )e rea#ing them" serio!sly st!#ying them" an# ha%ing them as
#aily foo# The )est )ooks to rea# are not someone>s interpretation of Re%elation Gthe Book
of 'po&alypseH" )e&a!se right now there>s not really any *rtho#o( interpretation of this in
2nglishD
The )est )ooks are the )asi& spirit!al te(t)ooks First of all there are )asi& te(ts of *rtho#o(
#ogmas" the %ario!s &ate&hisms *ne of the )est is the eighth,&ent!ry work of St 7ohn
1amas&ene" *n the *rtho#o( Faith" whi&h goes thro!gh the whole of the &ate&hism 'n e%en
earlier one is St -yril of 7er!salem>s -ate&heti&al Ce&t!res" that is" le&t!res prepare# for
people a)o!t to )e )apti?e#" whi&h goes thro!gh the whole -ree# an# tells what the -h!r&h
)elie%es There are many similar )ooks of &ate&hism" )oth in an&ient times an# in more
mo#ern times 5ore re&ently we ha%e the &ate&hisms in R!ssian of 5etropolitan <laton an#
5etropolitan <hilaret" whi&h are a little shorter an# simpler
Then there is a #ifferent kin# of )ook: &ommentaries on Holy S&ript!res There are not too
many of these in 2nglish ; )!t we #o ha%e some of the &ommentaries of St 7ohn
-hrysostom This area is a little )it weak in 2nglish" )e&a!se there are many goo# )ooks in
R!ssian whi&h are not in 2nglish yet" in&l!#ing more re&ent )ooks of &ommentaries on the
S&ript!res" e%en on the 'po&alypse 'r&h)ishop '%erky>s )ooks are %ery goo#" )!t they>re
+!st )eing p!t into 2nglish now 3o# willing" )efore too long" they will )e o!t@
Then" )esi#es these two kin#s of )ooksB)asi& &ate&hism an# &ommentaries on S&ript!reB
there are all the )ooks on *rtho#o( spirit!al life These in&l!#e theCa!sia& History Gwhi&h
tells a)o!t how the monks li%e# in 2gypt" an# how they fo!ght spirit!allyH" the 1ialog!es of
St 3regory of Rome" the Ci%es of Saints" The Ca##er of St 7ohn" the Homilies of St
5a&ari!s the 3reat" the )ooks of St 7ohn -assian" the <hilokalia" 0nseen .arfare an# St
7ohn of Fronsta#t>s 5y Cife in -hrist These )ooks #eal with )asi& *rtho#o( spirit!al life"
spirit!al str!ggle" how to #is&ern the wiles of the #emons" how not to fall into #e&eption 'll
of them gi%e a )asi& fo!n#ation )y whi&h to !n#erstan# the signs of the times
Then there are the works of more re&ent writers who are in the same patristi& spirit as the
an&ient Holy Fathers The main e(amples are the two great writers of 19th,&ent!ry R!ssia"
Bishop Theophan the Re&l!se an# Bishop Ignati!s Brian&hanino% Iwhose works are now
&oming o!t gra#!ally in 2nglish Bishop Ignati!s> )ook The 'rena an# %ario!s arti&les )y
Bishop Theophan are in 2nglish9 These two writers are %ery important )e&a!se they transmit
the patristi& tea&hing #own to o!r times They ha%e alrea#y e(plaine# many $!estions whi&h
arise &on&erning how to !n#erstan# the Holy Fathers For e(ample" the new *rtho#o( .or#
has a whole te(t of Bishop Ignati!s on the toll,ho!ses whi&h the so!l meets after #eath
Sometimes" in rea#ing the Holy Fathers" one has $!estions on s!&h s!)+e&ts an# #oesn>t $!ite
know how to !n#erstan# what the an&ient Fathers say" an# these more re&ent Father e(plain
these te(ts
There are the histories of the -h!r&h" whi&h tell of 3o#>s re%elation to men an# how 3o# a&ts
with regar# to men It is %ery instr!&ti%e to rea# the stories of the *l# Testament" )e&a!se
e(a&tly the same things repeat themsel%es in the 4ew Testament Then one sho!l# rea#"
along with he 4ew Testament" the histories of the 4ew Testament -h!r&h For e(ample"
there>s a po&ket)ook of 2!se)i!s> History of the -h!r&h" whi&h tra&es the history of the
-h!r&h #own thro!gh the first three &ent!ries" written from an *rtho#o( -hristian point of
%iew7 It>s %ery important to see what early -h!r&h writers saw was important in the history
of the -h!r&h: the martyrs" the apostles" an# so forth
So all these #ifferent kin#s of writings help to prepare !s with )asi& -hristian knowle#ge" that
is" &ate&hisms" &ommentaries on S&ript!re" )ooks on spirit!al life" more re&ent patristi& )ooks
in this same spirit" an# histories of the -h!r&h Before we #o too m!&h rea#ing a)o!t what
spe&ifi&ally the signs of the times mean" we sho!l# ha%e a )asi& )a&kgro!n# in all of these
&ategories of )ooks 'll of them prepare one to !n#erstan# something a)o!t the signs of the
times *n&e one has )eg!n to prepare oneself like this" it is not merely a matter of a##ing
knowle#ge !p in one>s hea# an# )eing a)le to repeat )y heart &ertain phrases" to ha%e e(a&tly
the right interpretation of a Bi)le %erse" or anything of the sort
@ S<IRIT0'C 1IS-2R4524T
The most important thing that one a&$!ires thro!gh rea#ing s!&h )asi& *rtho#o( literat!re as
this is a %irt!e whi&h is &alle# #is&ernment .hen we &ome to two phenomena whi&h seem to
)e e(a&tly alike or %ery similar to ea&h other" the %irt!e of #is&ernment allows !s to see whi&h
of them is tr!e an# whi&h is false: that is" whi&h has the spirit of -hrist an# whi&h might ha%e
the spirit of 'nti&hrist
The %ery nat!re of 'nti&hrist" who is to )e the last great worl# r!ler an# the last great
opponent of -hrist" is to )e anti,-hristBan# 8anti8 means not merely 8against"8 )!t also 8in
imitation of" in pla&e of8 The 'nti&hrist" as all the Holy Fathers say in their writings a)o!t
him" is to )e someone who imitates -hrist" that is" tires to fool people )y looking as tho!gh
he is -hrist &ome )a&k to earth Therefore" if one has a %ery %ag!e notion of -hristianity or
rea#s the S&ript!res p!rely from one>s own opinions Gan# one>s opinions &ome from the air"
an# the air is not -hristian now" )!t anti,-hristianH" then one will &ome to %ery anti,-hristian
&on&l!sions Seeing the fig!re of 'nti&hrist" one will )e foole# into thinking that it is -hrist
.e &an gi%e a few e(amples of how the %irt!e of #is&ernment &an help !s to !n#erstan# some
fairly &ompli&ate# phenomena *ne s!&h phenomenon is the &harismati& mo%ement There is
a 3reek priest" Fr 2!se)i!s Stephano! in In#iana" who is sprea#ing this mo%ement in the
*rtho#o( -h!r&h He has a rather large n!m)er of followers an# sympathi?ers He>s e%en
)een to 3ree&e an# is going again soon" an# there too people are sometimes $!ite
o%erwhelme# )y him
*ne &an see that part of the reason for his s!&&ess is that he &omes from an *rtho#o( &h!r&h
atmosphere in whi&h people" )eing )orn *rtho#o(" go to *rtho#o( &h!r&h" re&ei%e
sa&raments" an# take the whole thing for grante# Sin&e it )e&omes with them a matter of
ha)it" they #o not !n#erstan# that the whole meaning of the -h!r&h is to ha%e -hrist in the
heart" )!t that one &an go thro!gh the whole of *rtho#o( -h!r&h life witho!t ha%ing one>s
heart awakene# In that &ase" one is +!st like the pagans In fa&t" one is more responsi)le than
the pagans The pagans ha%e ne%er hear# of -hrist" while the person who is *rtho#o( an#
#oes not know what spirit!al life is simply has not yet awakene# to -hrist
This is the kin# of atmosphere from whi&h Fr 2!se)i!s &omes Seeing that this is a spirit!al
#ea#nessBan# it>s $!ite tr!e that m!&h of what is in the *rtho#o( -h!r&h is spirit!ally #ea#
Bhe wants to make it &ome to life B!t the tro!)le is that he himself )elongs to the same
spirit In fa&t" yo! %ery sel#om see that he rea#s the )asi& *rtho#o( )ooks He pi&ks one or
two that seem to agree with his point of %iew" )!t he #oes not ha%e a thoro!gh gro!n#ing in
the *rtho#o( so!r&es He #oe snot think that they are the most important things to )e
rea#ing
If yo! look #eeply at what he an# other people in the &harismati& mo%ement are sayingBan#
o!r )ook The Religion of the F!t!re goes into #etail on this s!)+e&tByo! see that what they
&all a spirit!al re%i%al an# a spirit!al life is a&t!ally what more re&ent Fathers like Bishop
Ignati!s Brian&hanino% &aref!lly #es&ri)e# as #e&eption" that is" a kin# of fe%er of the )loo#
whi&h makes it look as tho!gh one is )eing spirit!al when a&t!ally one is not e%en grasping
spirit!al reality at all In fa&t" it>s as #ifferent from tr!e -hristian life" whi&h is refle&te# in
these %ery )asi& *rtho#o( )ooks" as hea%en is from earth
J!ite apart from the #etails of how they pray an# what kin# of phenomena manifest
themsel%es at their ser%i&es" yo! &an see that the %ery )asi& i#ea whi&h Fr 2!se)i!s an# these
&harismati&s ha%e is a false i#ea /ester#ay we re&ei%e# an iss!e of Fr 2!se)i!s> maga?ine"
Cogos There he talks a)o!t the great o!tpo!ring of the Holy Spirit in the last times preparing
for the &oming of -hrist 'll -hristians are s!ppose# to )e renewe#" to re&ei%e the Holy
Spirit" to )e speaking in tong!es This prepares for the &oming of -hrist" an# there will )e a
great spirit!al o!tpo!ring )efore -hrist &omes
If yo! rea# the S&ript!res &aref!lly" witho!t p!tting yo!r pre+!#i&es into them" e%en witho!t
the patristi& &ommentaries yo! will see that nowhere is anything sai# a)o!t a great spirit!al
o!tpo!ring at the en# of the worl# -hrist Himself says the &ontrary First he gi%es His
tea&hing &on&erning how we sho!l# pray an# ha%e faith an# not )e faint He presents the
e(ample of the woman who goes to the +!#ge an# keeps )egging him to inter&e#e in her &ase"
an# He tells !s that this is how we sho!l# &ontin!e to pray an# pray an# pray !ntil 3o# hears
!s an# gi%es to !s This is a %ery soli# e(ample a)o!t praying Then He says" 84e%ertheless8
Gthat is" #espite the fa&t that I>%e gi%en yo! this tea&hing an# this is the way to prayH"
8ne%ertheless" when the Son of 5an &omes" will He fin# faith on the earth68 In other wor#s"
#espite the fa&t yo!>%e )een gi%en all this" there will )e pra&ti&ally no one left who is a
-hristian at the en# of the worl# 8.ill He fin# faith on the earth68 means He will fin#
almost no one left There will not )e flo&ks of people who are praying an# inspire# with the
Holy Spirit at the en# of time 'll Holy Fathers who speak a)o!t this s!)+e&t speak a)o!t the
great terri)le times at the en#" an# say that those who are tr!e -hristians will )e hi##en away
an# will not e%en )e %isi)le to the worl# Those who are %isi)le to the worl# will not )e the
tr!e -hristians
To#ay there are tremen#o!s &harismati& re%i%als at 4otre 1ame 0ni%ersity" an# in 7er!salem
there is e%ery year now a &harismati& &onferen&e on the Holy Spirit Si(ty" se%enty tho!san#
people &ome together an# pray an# raise !p their han#s" an# they all speak in tong!es It
looks as tho!gh the time of the 'postles has &ome )a&k" )!t if yo! look at what goes on
there" yo! see it>s not the right spirit= it>s a #ifferent spirit
Therefore" when Fr 2!se)i!s speaks a)o!t St Symeon the 4ew Theologian" an# a)o!t how
yo! m!st know .ho the Holy Spirit is an# re&ei%e Him &ons&io!sly" this is fine" this is goo#
tea&hingB)!t if yo! ha%e the wrong spirit" that tea&hing #oes not apply 'n# this is not the
right spirit There are many signs e%i#ent that it is a #ifferent spirit an# not the Spirit of 3o#
Here is one &ase where" if yo! ha%e #is&ernment from )asi& -hristian knowle#ge" yo! &an
look at a phenomenon whi&h &laims to )e apostoli& an# +!st like the times of the early -h!r&h
preparing for -hrist>s Se&on# -oming" an# if yo! look &losely yo! &an see it is not the same
thing In fa&t" if anything" it>s +!st like those who want to )!il# the Temple for -hrist They>re
)!il#ing for 'nti&hrist= it>s totally the opposite
'gain" yo! &an see how #is&ernment ena)les !s to e%al!ate other phenomena whi&h may not
)e i#enti&al with *rtho#o( phenomenon" )!t are new things .hen yo! first look at them"
yo! won#er what they are all a)o!t This is &hara&teristi& of intelle&t!al fashions: something
gets into the air" e%ery)o#y gra)s it )e&a!se the times are ripe for it" an# then e%ery)o#y
)egins to talk a)o!t it an# it )e&omes the fashion of the times 4o)o#y $!ite knows how= it>s
+!st that e%ery)o#y was rea#y for it" an# all of a s!##en some)o#y mentione# it an# it )egan
to &ir&!late e%erywhere
I TH2 1IST*RTI*4 *F -HRISTI'4 2J0'CIT/
.e ha%e one parti&!lar i#ea right now that>s taking possession of people: the so,&alle# i#ea of
women>s li)eration This takes the form of women priestesses in the 'ngli&an -h!r&h" an#
also in the -atholi& -h!r&h" whi&h is preparing for it now
*f &o!rse" if yo! look at this serio!sly" sit #own an# think a)o!t it" an# yo! rea# what St
<a!l says a)o!t women an# so forth" yo! ha%e no pro)lems It>s all %ery &lear that this is
some kin# of &ra?y new i#ea B!t it is also %ery interesting to look at this more #eeply an#
see where it &omes fromBwhy is there s!&h an i#ea" what is it" what>s )ehin# it6B)e&a!se if
yo! !n#erstan# the strategy of the #e%il" yo!>re a little )etter e$!ippe# to fight against it
This parti&!lar i#ea of women>s li)eration &an )e tra&e# )a&k at least two h!n#re# years *f
&o!rse" yo! &an go )a&k e%en )efore that" )!t its present from goes )a&k at least two h!n#re#
years" to the forer!nners of Farl 5ar(" the early So&ialists These So&ialists were talking
a)o!t a great new !topian age whi&h is going to &ome when all the #istin&tions of &lass an#
ra&e an# religion an# so forth are a)olishe# There will )e a great new so&iety" they sai#"
when e%ery)o#y is e$!al This i#ea" of &o!rse" was )ase# originally !pon -hristianity" )!t it
#istorte# -hristianity" an# amo!nte# to its opposite
There was a parti&!lar philosopher in -hina in the late nineteenth &ent!ry who )ro!ght this
philosophy to its logi&al &on&l!sion" as far as it &o!l# go His name is F>ang /!,.ei G18I8,
19D7H He>s not parti&!larly interesting e(&ept as he in&arnates this philosophy of the age" this
spirit of the times He was a&t!ally one of the forer!nners of 5ao Tse,T!ng an# the takeo%er
of -hina )y the &omm!nists He )ase# his i#eas not only on #istorte# -hristianity" whi&h he
took from the li)erals an# <rotestants in the .est" )!t also on B!##hist i#eas He &ame !p
with the i#ea of a !topia whi&h was to &ome into )eing" I think" in the D1st &ent!ry a&&or#ing
to his prophe&ies In this !topia" all ranks of so&iety" all religio!s #ifferen&es" an# all other
kin#s of #ifferen&es whi&h affe&t so&ial inter&o!rse will )e a)olishe# 2%eryone will sleep in
#ormitories an# eat in &ommon halls 'n# then with his B!##hist i#eas he )egan to go
)eyon# this He sai# that all #istin&tions )etween the se(es wo!l# )e a)olishe# *n&e
mankin# is !nite#" there>s not reason to halt thereBthis mo%ement m!st go on f!rther There
m!st )e an a)olition )etween man an# animals 'nimals also will &ome into this king#om"
an# on&e yo! ha%e animalsK The B!##hists are also %ery respe&tf!l to %egeta)les an# plants=
therefore" the whole %egeta)le king#om has to &ome into this para#ise" an# in the en# the
inanimate worl#" also So" at the %ery en# of the worl#" where will )e an a)sol!te !topia of all
kin#s of )eings who ha%e somehow )e&ome intermingle# with ea&h other" an# e%ery)o#y>s
a)sol!tely e$!al
*f &o!rse" yo! rea# a)o!t this an# yo! say the man m!st )e &ra?y B!t if yo! look #eeply"
yo! see that this is &oming from a #eep #esire to ha%e some kin# of happiness on earth 4o
pagan philosophy" howe%er" gi%es happiness= no man,ma#e philosophy gi%es happiness *nly
-hristianity gi%es hope for a king#om whi&h is not of this worl# The i#ea to ha%e a perfe&t
king#om &omes from -hristianity" )!t sin&e the early So&ialists #i# not )elie%e in the other
worl# or in 3o#" they #reame# of making this king#om in this worl# That is what
&omm!nism is all a)o!t
.e see what happens" of &o!rse" when this i#ea is p!t into pra&ti&e /o! ha%e the e(periment
of the Fren&h Re%ol!tion" whi&h ha# apparently goo# i#easBli)erty" e$!ality" fraternityBor
the Bolshe%ik Re%ol!tion" or in more re&ent times the %ario!s other &omm!nist re%ol!tions
Cast of all yo! ha%e -am)o#ia" a poor little &o!ntry whi&h for three years s!ffere# a)sol!te
&omm!nism an# fo!n# that at least one,fo!rth of its pop!lation was e(terminate# )e&a!se it
#i#n>t fit 2%eryone who ha# more than a high,s&hool e#!&ation ha# to )e eliminate#"
e%eryone who tho!ght for himself" an# so forth 4ow the regime has )een o%erthrown )y
people who are a little less r!thless" )!t there>s nothing m!&h to &heer a)o!t
This shows that on&e yo! try to p!t these i#eas into operation" yo! get" not para#ise on earth"
)!t more like hell on earth In fa&t" the whole e(periment in R!ssia for the last si(ty years has
)een a proof of this" that there is no para#ise on earth" e(&ept in the -h!r&h of -hrist" with
s!fferings8 *!r Cor# prophesie# that alrea#y in this life we wo!l# re&ei%e )a&k a
h!n#re#fol# what we gi%e" )!t it m!st )e with perse&!tions an# s!fferings Those who wish
to ha%e this happiness on earth witho!t s!ffering an# perse&!tions" an# witho!t e%en
)elie%ing in 3o#" make hell on earth
9 8-HRISTI'48 I4T2R2ST I4 0F*S
' se&on# e(ample of a new phenomenon" whi&h at first sight one #oesn>t know what to make
of" is the now %ery &ommon phenomenon of 0F*s" flying sa!&ers
There is a parti&!lar <rotestant e%angelist" the a)o%e,mentione# -arl 5&Intire" who is
e(tremely stri&t an# righteo!s an# %ery Bi)le,)elie%ing He has a ra#io program" the
Twentieth,-ent!ry Reformation" an# a newspaper He is a)sol!tely !prightByo! ha%e to
separate from all people who are in apostasyBan# his i#eas are %ery ni&e He>s anti,
&omm!nist He &alls Billy 3raham an apostate" together with e%eryone who #e%iates from the
stri&t line of what he thinks is right From this point of %iew he>s %ery stri&t" an# yet yo! see
the strangest things i his philosophy For e(ample" he>s )!il#ing himself the Temple of
7er!salem" in Flori#a He has a mo#el of the Temple" an# he wants to )!il# it so as to make it
&ompete with 1isneyworl# <eople will &ome an# pay to see the great Temple whi&h is soon
going to )e )!ilt for -hrist to &ome to earth This is s!ppose# to pro%i#e a goo# opport!nity
to witness -hristianity
He goes in for the flying sa!&ers" also In e%ery iss!e of his newspaper there>s a little &ol!mn
&alle# 80F* -ol!mn"8 an# there they talk" to one>s great astonishment" a)o!t all the
won#erf!l" positi%e things whi&h these flying sa!&ers are #oing They gi%e &onferen&es an#
make mo%ies a)o!t them
7!st re&ently there ha%e )een se%eral <rotestant )ooks a)o!t 0F*s" showing $!ite &learly that
they>re #emons The person who writes the &ol!mn in this newspaper got !pset a)o!t this"
an# sai# that some people say that these )eings are #emons" )!t we &an pro%e they aren>t He
says that may)e a &o!ple of them are #emons" )!t most of them aren>t He &ites a re&ent &ase
in whi&h some family in the 5i#west saw a flying sa!&er The flying sa!&er &ame #own"
lan#e#" an# the family saw insi#e little menBthey>re !s!ally fo!r an# half feet tall or soB
an# they sang 8Hallel!+ah8 They stoppe# an# looke# an# then they flew away= I g!ess they
#i#n>t talk to them any more 'n# that set the family to thinking= they )egan to think
8Hallel!+ah8= they )egan to think a)o!t -hristianity= they looke# in their Bi)les" an# they
finally en#e# !p going to a F!n#amentalist &h!r&h an# )eing &on%erte# to -hristianity
Therefore" he says" these )eings m!st )e some kin# of people who are helping 3o#>s plan to
make the worl# -hristian )e&a!se they sai# 8Hallel!+ah8
*f &o!rse" if yo! rea# Bishop Ignati!s Brian&hanino%" yo! will know a)o!t all the #e&eptions
whi&h the #emons perpetrate: the #emons 8pray8 for yo!" the #emons make mira&les" they
pro#!&e the most won#erf!l phenomena" they )ring people to &h!r&h" they #o anything yo!
want" as long as they keep yo! in this #e&eption 'n# when the time &omes" they will
s!##enly p!ll their tri&ks on yo! So these people" who ha%e )een &on%erte# to some kin# of
-hristianity )y these so,&alle# o!ter,spa&e )eings" are waiting for the ne(t time they will
&ome= an# the ne(t time their message may ha%e to #o with -hrist &oming to earth again
soon" or something of the sort It>s o)%io!s that this is all the work of #emons That is" where
it>s real Sometimes it>s +!st imagination" )!t when it>s real this kin# of thing o)%io!sly &omes
form #emons
This is %ery elementary If yo! rea# any te(t of the early Fathers" any of the earlyCi%es of
Saints or the Ca!sia& History" yo! fin# many &ases where )eings s!##enly appear 4owa#ays
they appear in spa&eships )e&a!se that>s how the #emons ha%e a#apte# themsel%es to the
people of the times= )!t if yo! !n#erstan# how spirit!al #e&eption works an# what kin# of
wiles the #e%il has" then yo! ha%e no pro)lems in !n#erstan#ing what>s going on with these
flying sa!&ers 'n# yet this person who writes the 0F* &ol!mn is an a)sol!tely stri&t
F!n#amentalist -hristian He is looking" a&t!ally for new re%elations to &ome from )eings
from o!ter spa&e
7 .H/ .2 50ST H'E2 '4 *RTH*1*L .*RC1,EI2.
So" to repeat the first point: we wat&h the signs of the times in or#er to re&ogni?e -hrist when
He &omes" )e&a!se there ha%e )een many false -hrists" many more false -hrists will &ome"
an# at the %ery en# of the worl# there will finally &ome one who is &alle# 'nti&hrist The
'nti&hrist will !nite all those who are #e&ei%e# into thinking he is -hrist" an# this will
in&l!#e all those whose interpretation of -hristianity has gone off *ften yo! &an look at
some people who &onfess -hristianity" an# it seems that many of their i#eas are &orre&tBthey
go a&&or#ing to the Bi)le Then yo! look here an# there" an# yo! see that here>s a mistake"
there>s a mistake
7!st re&ently Fr 1imitry 1!#ko" in the little newspaper he p!ts o!t" sai# there &ame t him
someone who &laime# to )e -hristian 's he )egan to talk to him" he )egan to feel that this
person wasn>t *rtho#o(" an# he sai#" 8.hat &onfession are yo!68 8*h" that>s not important
.e>re all -hristians The only important thing is that we )e -hristians8 He sai#" 8.ell" no"
no" we ha%e to )e more pre&ise than than that For e(ample" if yo!>re a Baptist an# I>m an
*rtho#o(" I )elie%e that we ha%e the Cor#>s Bo#y an# Bloo#" an# yo! #on>t8 .e m!st )e
pre&ise )e&a!se there are many #ifferen&es It>s goo# to ha%e the attit!#e: I ha%e respe&t for
yo!" an# I won>t interfere with yo!r faith" )!t nonetheless there>s a tr!e way of )elie%ing an#
there are ways whi&h go away from the tr!th I m!st )e a&&or#ing to the tr!th
In the same way we &an see that many people who are not *rtho#o( ha%e many goo# things
a)o!t them" an# then they go off in some respe&t In the en# it>s !p to 3o# to +!#ge" not to !s
B!t we &an see what will happen if all these little ways people go off now are pro+e&te# into
the last times" if people still )elie%e that way when the last times &ome These mistakes &a!se
people" when they see 'nti&hrist" to think that he is -hrist There are %ery many se&ts now
whi&h )elie%e that -hrist is &oming to r!le for a tho!san# years form the Temple in
7er!salem Therefore" when the 7ews start )!il#ing the Temple" these se&ts will only re+oi&e
)e&a!se" to them" this is the sign of -hrist>s &oming *n the &ontrary" we know that this isn>t
he sign of the 'nti&hrist &oming" )e&a!se -hrist will no more &ome ot the Temple The
Temple has )een #estroye# -hrist &omes only at the en# of the worl# to )egin the eternal
king#om of hea%en The only one who will &ome to the Temple is 'nti&hrist
So" this is why the &orre&t *rtho#o( -hristian !n#erstan#ing an# preparation )ase# !pon this
!n#erstan#ing are a)sol!tely ne&essary The &loser we get to the %ery last times" the more
in#ispensa)le this !n#erstan#ing an# preparation are
8 ' C**F 'T S<2-IFI- SI34S
4ow let !s look for +!st a moment at some of the signs in o!r times that the Se&on# -oming
of -hrist" pre&e#e# )y the &oming of 'nti&hrist" is &lose -on&erning the prophe&ies set forth
in the D@th &hapter of St 5atthewBfirst of all" the false &hrists who will &ome" then the
wars" famines" earth$!akes" perse&!tionsBit is #iffi&!lt to +!#ge" )e&a!se all these things
ha%e )een happening for almost two tho!san# years now It>s tr!e that they are now an a
)igger s&ale than e%er )efore" )!t it is also tr!e that they &an )e m!&h worse yet These signs
are the )eginning of signs" an# are not yet so se%ere that we &an say we are right in the %ery
last #ays
*ne sign" howe%er" is %ery interesting an# %ery in#i&ati%e of o!r times" that that is that -hrist
is now #epi&te# on the stage In pre%io!s times it was ne%er allowe# that -hrist sho!l# )e
#epi&te# on the stage" )e&a!se an a&tor gi%es his own h!man interpretation" an# -hrist is
3o# In *rtho#o(y there is perhaps no parti&!lar &anon a)o!t this" )!t the whole *rtho#o(
-hristian o!tlook is against it= an# any <rotestant or -atholi& !ntil the last few years wo!l#
ha%e )een horrifie# at the i#ea of some a&tor playing the part of -hrist 4ow this has )e&ome
&ommon" an# not only in religio!s &onte(ts" )!t in &onte(ts whi&h are far from religio!s
3o#spell" 7es!s -hrist S!perstar" an# so forth: all these are a&t!ally )lasphemo!s paro#ies
whi&h present -hrist in se&!lar form for people to see9 This is %ery symptomati& of o!r
times )e&a!se it presents e%en to !n)elie%ing people an image of -hrist so that when
'nti&hrist &omes they will say" 8'ha" I saw on the stage something like that /es" that m!st
)e it8
9 TH2 3R*.I43 -*C1 *F C*E2
'nother %ery symptomati& sign of o!r times is the ne(t one mentione# in this &hapter of
5atthew: that the lo%e of many grows &ol# This seems to )e a #efinite &hara&teristi& of o!r
times" to a $!ite greater #egree than at any time in past history *ne &an see this in what &an
)e &alle# nihilism <eople &ommit &rimes for no parti&!lar reason" not for gain )!t +!st for a
thrill )e&a!se they #o not ha%e 3o# insi#e them In all kin#s of pla&es now" one &an see the
la&k of normal h!man relationships in families" whi&h pro#!&es &ol# people It is this kin# of
people who" in a totalitarian so&iety" are !se# as sla%e #ri%es" working in the &on&entration
&amps an# so forth
Re&ently we ha# the trage#y in 7onestown" whi&h was &ompose# of 'meri&an &iti?ens The
people there were i#ealists who #e%ote# themsel%es !tterly to a &a!se 'ltho!gh it>s &ome o!t
now that it was a&t!ally a &omm!nist &omm!ne" still the people were s!ppose# to )e
-hristians The lea#er was a minister of the so,&alle# -h!r&h of -hrist" one of the mainline
#enominations 'n# yet these people" s!ppose#ly ha%ing some awareness of 3o# an#
-hristianity" &ol#ly kille# ea&h other Those who #rank an# a#ministere# the poison to their
&hil#ren #i# so with &alm fa&es There>s no pro)lem: that>s +!st yo!r #!ty" that>s what yo!>re
tol# to #o This kin# of &ol#ness is what -hrist is talking a)o!t 'ny kin# of normal h!man
warmth has )een a)olishe# )e&a!se -hrist has gone o!t of the heart= 3o# is gone This is a
frightf!l sign of o!r times In fa&t" they %ery thing that happene# in 7onestown is a warning
)e&a!se it looks as tho!gh m!&h worse things are going to &ome This is satan>s work" $!ite
o)%io!sly
7!st a year or two )efore that o&&!rre#" we hear# of what happene# in -am)o#ia ' small
party of menBsome ten or twenty altogetherBtook a whole &o!ntry in their han#s an# kille#
off at least two million people $!ite r!thlessly" )ase# on some a)stra&t i#eas .e>re going to
get )a&k to the &o!ntry" they sai#= therefore" e%ery)o#y is to lea%e the &ities If yo! &an>t
lea%e the &ity" yo! #ie <eople in the hospitals ha# to go from their operating ta)les" an# if
they &o!l#n>t go" they #ie#Bthey were shot an# left in a #it&h -orpses were pile# !p in the
&itiesBit was frightf!l
This was the same kin# of thing as what o&&!rre# in 7onestown: &ol#ness )ase# !pon the i#ea
Bwhi&h looks i#ealisti&Bof )rining &omm!nism to earth It t!rns o!t that 1ostoye%sky was
right In his )ook The <ossesse#" written in the 187As" there was a R!ssian &hara&ter name#
Shigalo%" a theoreti&ian" who ha# an a)sol!te theory of how &omm!nism &o!l# &ome to
earth He )elie%e# that the i#eal state !pon earth will )e tr!e &omm!nism
0nfort!nately" he sai#" in or#er to make si(ty million people happy" yo! ha%e to kill a
h!n#re# million people B!t those si(ty million people will )e happier than anyone else has
e%er )een happy" an# the h!n#re# million people will )e like fertili?er for the f!t!re worl#
para#ise It so happens that in R!ssia there ha%e )een e(a&tly a h!n#re# million people
missing sin&e 1917" of whi&h at least si(ty million were kille# )y the So%iets themsel%es
So this sign is %ery" %ery present in o!r times: that lo%e grows &ol# This o&&!rs among
-hristians also" not +!st in the worl# at large
Then another sign" whi&h in o!r times has rea&he# greater #imensions than e%ery )efore" is
that the 3ospel is )eing prea&he# in the whole worl# This" of &o!rse" is tr!e in that the %ery
te(t of the 3ospel is )eing sprea# in almost all the lang!ages whi&h are spoken on the earth
nowBat least a tho!san# lang!ages" I think 5oreo%er" the *rtho#o( 3ospel is )eing
prea&he# all o%er 'fri&a now .e sen# o!r maga?ines to 0gan#a an# Fenya" an# re&ei%e
letters )a&kB%ery to!&hing letters from yo!ng 'fri&an )oys who are &on%erts to *rtho#o(y
They ha%e the !tmost respe&t for their )ishop= they go to seminary It>s o)%io!s that a %ery
*rtho#o( feeling is )eing gi%en to these people in 'fri&a They are %ery simple people
*rtho#o(y #oes not ha%e to )e &ompli&ate# if there are %ery simple people to prea&h the
3ospel to It>s only when others &ome in to &hallenge it an# to say that the S&ript!re means
something else" trying to gi%e o%er,literal interpretation whi&h mean #oing away with priests
an# )ishops" et&" that the people )egin to get mi(e# !p If they>re prea&he# the *rtho#o(
3ospel" simple people respon# now in the same way that they>%e always respon#e# in the
past The pro)lem is" rather" with &ompli&ate# people
1A TH2 T25<C2 I4 72R0S'C25
Then there is the sign of the a)omination of #esolation an# all that relates to the Temple in
7er!salem For the first time in history" this has now )e&ome a possi)ility The re)!il#ing of
the Temple was trie# only on&e )efore" in the fo!rth &ent!ry Fnowing a)o!t this is a %ery
goo# e(ample of how rea#ing -h!r&h history enlightens one .e &an fin# se%eral so!r&es
a)o!t it from the fo!rth &ent!ry: St -yril mentions it" as #o se%eral of the -h!r&h historians
at that time 7!lian the 'postate" )e&a!se he ha# s!&h a passion to o%erthrow -hristianity"
#e&i#e# that" sin&e -hrist ha# prophesie# that not one stone of the Temple wo!l# )e left on
the other" if he re)!ilt the Temple" he wo!l# pro%e that -hrist was an impostor" an# therefore
paganism &o!l# )e restore# So he #eli)erately in%ite# the 7ews )a&k to 7er!salem" an# they
)egan )!il#ing the Temple with the )lessing of 7!lian the 'postate They wo!l# )!il# a little
in the #aytime" an# the ne(t morning they wo!l# &ome an# all the stones wo!l# )e on the
gro!n# They trie# again an# )alls of fire )egan to &ome o!t of the earth 'll the historians
agree on this In fa&t" mo#ern rationalist historians" )e&a!se they see that they &annot #eny the
te(ts an# that something #i# a&t!ally happen" )egin to say things like" 8They m!st ha%e str!&k
oil"8 or 8There were !n#ergro!n# gas fl!es8 It was o)%io!sly a mira&le of 3o# to keep the
Temple from )eing )!ilt" )e&a!se it was not the timeBthe Temple is to )e )!ilt only at the
%ery en# of the worl# 'nyway" they finally faile# in their attempt an# ga%e !p the operation
*f the few stones that remaine#" not one was left on the other So the prophe&y was f!lfille#
in the time of 7!lian the 'postate
B!t now" sin&e 1997" the site where the Temple was )efore is now in the han#s of the 7ews
Therefore for the first time" it )e&omes $!ite possi)le that the Temple &o!l# )e )!ilt The
only thing interfering is the great mos$!e whi&h the 5oslems ha%e there If that>s #estroye#"
there will pro)a)ly )e a war
*nly sin&e 19@8 has there )een a separate state of 7ews in the Holy Can# It is to the
!n)elie%ing 7ews that the 'nti&hrist will &ome He will &ome first to the 7ews an# then to the
whole worl# thro!gh the 7ews= an# only as this is happening will the faithf!l remnant of 7ews
finally )e &on%erte# to -hristianity in the %ery last times
So this sign of the Temple is a %ery )ig one .hen we see the Temple )eing )!ilt" then we
know that the time is at han#" )e&a!se that is #efinitely one of the signs of the %ery en# So
far" of &o!rse" it>s not )eing )!ilt" )!t there are all kin#s of r!mors that plans ha%e )een lai#"
that stones are )eing gathere#" et& It>s o)%io!s that the 7ews are thinking a)o!t it
11 *TH2R SI34S
'nother sign is the fa&t that when 'nti&hrist &omes he is to )e the r!ler of the worl#" an# only
in o!r times has it )een a pra&ti&al reality that one man &an r!le the entire worl# all worl#
empires !p !ntil now ha%e )een only o%er part of the earth" an# )efore mo#ern
&omm!ni&ations it was impossi)le for one man to r!le the entire worl#
F!rthermore" with in&rease# &omm!ni&ations" with atomi& )om)s an# more a#%an&e#
weapons" the possi)ility of a worl#wi#e tri)!lation now )e&omes m!&h greater than e%er
)efore It>s o)%io!s that the ne(t war will )e the most #estr!&ti%e in the history of mankin#"
an# pro)a)ly will &a!se" in its first few #ays" more #amage than all the wars in history
Besi#es atomi& weapons" there are %ario!s )a&teriologi&al weapons for sprea#ing plag!es
among people" poisono!s gases an# all kin#s of fantasti& things whi&h in an all,o!t war &o!l#
&ome into play
'lso" the fa&t that all the peoples of the worl# are )o!n# !p more with ea&h other means that
when some great &atastrophe &omes to one &o!ntryBa #epression" or something of the sortB
then all the rest of the worl# will )e affe&te# This we alrea#y saw in the 19;As when there
was a 3reat 1epression in 'meri&a an# it sprea# to the rest of 2!rope In the f!t!re it>s
o)%io!s that something m!&h worse &an o&&!r If one &o!ntry )egins to star%e" or if the &rops
fail one year in -ana#a" '!stralia" 'meri&a an# R!ssiaBall those fo!r great &o!ntries whi&h
s!pply whatB+!st imagine how the whole worl# is going to s!ffer
1D ' .'R4I43 T* TH*S2 'TTR'-T21 T*
3C**5 '41 1**5
'll these signs of the times are %ery negati%e They are signs that they worl# is &ollapsing"
that the en# of the worl# is at han# an# that the 'nti&hrist is a)o!t to &ome It>s %ery easy to
look at all these negati%e signs of the times an# get into s!&h a moo# that we look only for
negati%e things In fa&t" one &an #e%elop a whole personalityBa negati%e kin# of personality
B)ase# on this
.hene%er some new news item &omes in" one says" 8'ha" yes of &o!rse" that>s the way it is"
an# it>s going to get worse8 The ne(t one &omes in an# one says" 8/es" yes" it>s o)%io!s that>s
what>s going to happen" an# now it>s going to )e worse than that8 2%erything one looks at is
seen merely as a negati%e f!lfillment of the horri)le times
It>s tr!e that we ha%e to )e aware of these things an# not )e !n#!ly optimisti& a)o!t
&ontemporary e%ents" )e&a!se the news in o!r times is sel#om goo# 't the same time"
howe%er" we ha%e to keep in min# the whole p!rpose of o!r wat&hing the signs of the times
.e wat&h the signs of the times not +!st so we &an see a)o!t when 'nti&hrist is going to
&ome That>s rather a se&on#ary thing .e wat&h the signs of the times so we &an know when
-hrist is going to &ome That is a %ery f!n#amental thing we ha%e to keep in min# so we #o
not get o%erwhelme# )y gloom" #epression" or stay to o!rsel%es" storing !p foo# for the great
&alamity That>s not a %ery wise thing .e ha%e to )e" rather" all the more -hristian" that is"
thinking a)o!t other people" trying to help others If we o!rsel%es are &ol# an# gloomy an#
pessimisti&" we are parti&ipating in this &ol#ness whi&h is a sign of the en# .e ha%e to
o!rsel%es )e warm an# helping ea&h other o!t That>s the sign of -hristianity
If yo! look at history Gin fa&t" this is another goo# reason for rea#ing -h!r&h historyH" yo! see
that thro!gho!t the whole history of mankin#" thro!gho!t the *l# Testament" the 4ew
Testament an# all the -hristian king#oms afterwar#sBan# if yo! look at the pagan worl#"
the same storyBthere>s a &ontin!al time of s!fferings .here -hristians are in%ol%e# there
are trials an# perse&!tions" an# thro!gh all of these -hristians ha%e attaine# the king#om of
hea%en
Therefore" when the time of the perse&!tions &ome" we are s!ppose# to re+oi&e There was a
goo# little in&i#ent relate# in Fr 1imitry 1!#ko>s little newspaper ' woman in R!ssia was
p!t in a psy&hiatri& &lini& for making the sign of the -ross in the wrong pla&e or for wearing a
&ross" or something like that Fr 1imitry an# his spirit!al &hil#ren tra%ele# to 5os&ow" went
to the &lini&" ma#e an appointment an# talke# to the #o&tor" an# they finally pers!a#e# him
that she sho!l#n>t )e there Fr 1imitry says" 8They>re a&t!ally afrai# of !s" )e&a!se when yo!
press them a)o!t it" they say they ha%en>t really got any law )y whi&h they &an keep her
there8 So finally they agree# to let her go" after she ha# )een there for a week .hen she was
there they ga%e her %ario!s #r!gs an# 8ino&!lations"8 trying to )reak her #own an# get ri# of
her religion .hen she &ame o!t she was a little shaken !p She sat #own on a )en&h
somepla&e o!tsi#e the &lini& an# )egan to talk 8/o! know"8 she sai#" 8when I was there an#
they were treating me so awf!l" I felt &alm )e&a!se I felt there was Someone there prote&ting
me= )!t as soon as I got o!t here" all of a s!##en I>m afrai# 4ow I>m all !pset an# s&are# that
they are going to &ome after me again" that the se&ret poli&e are looking right aro!n# the
&orner8 It>s o)%io!s why this is so .hen yo!>re in &on#itions of perse&!tion" -hrist is with
yo! )e&a!se yo!>re s!ffering for Him 'n# when yo!>re o!tsi#e" then there>s the !n&ertainty
of whether yo! might not get )a&k into that &on#ition /o! )egin to go )a&k to yo!r own
h!man !n#erstan#ing .hen yo!>re there yo! ha%e nothing else to rely on" so yo! ha%e to
ha%e -hrist If yo! ha%en>t got -hrist" yo! ha%e nothing .hen yo!>re o!tsi#e" yo! )egin to
&al&!late an# to tr!st yo!rself" an# then yo! lose -hrist
4otes
1 ' talk gi%en at St Herman>s .omen>s> &onferen&e in Re##ing" -alifornia" in the s!mmer
of 198A This talk" whi&h has ne%er )efore appeare# in print" was trans&ri)e# from the tape
ar&hi%es of the St Herman Brotherhoo# Fr Seraphim ga%e another talk on the same s!)+e&t
in 5ay of 1981" at the 0ni%ersity of -alifornia" Santa -r!? That talk" entitle# 8Signs of the
-oming of the 2n# of the .orl#"8 is a%aila)le on &assette tape
D Fr Seraphim ga%e this talk )efore the p!)li&ation of his translation of 'r&h)ishop
'%erky>s -ommentary on the 'po&alypse" first in The *rtho#o( .or#" an# later as a separate
)ook
; Sin&e Fr Seraphim>s repose" *rtho#o( -ommentaries on the S&ript!res )y St -yril of
'le(an#ria an# St Theophyla&t the B!lgarian ha%e )een p!)lishe#
@ In a##ition to translating the whole of 'r&h)ishop '%erky>s -ommentary on the
'po&alypse" Fr Seraphim translate# some portions of his -ommentary on the 3ospels an#
epistles
I Cater &anoni?e# )y the -h!r&h in R!ssia
9 St Ignati!s> )ook *n the <rayer of 7es!s is also in 2nglish Sin&e Fr Seraphim>s repose"
his Brotherhoo# has p!)lishe# three )ooks )y St Theophan in 2nglish: The Spirit!al
Cife" The <ath to Sal%ation" an# Fin#ling the 1i%ine Spark
7 2!se)i!s li%e# in the @th &ent!ry
8 -f 5ark 1A:;A
9 The mo%ie The Cast Temptation of -hrist" whi&h &ame o!t se%eral years after Fr
Seraphim>s repose" is more )lasphemo!s than e%en these e(amples
Reprinte# from The *rtho#o( .or#
Eol ;@" 4os ;,@ GDAA,DA1H 5ay,'!g!st" 1998
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