St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

 

PARISH PRIEST:

Current news items that consist of natural disasters, wars between countries, ethnic skirmishes and world unrest have led some church leaders to believe we are in the end times. We as Orthodox Christians must be aware that it is not for us to determine when the end times are, but rather, we should be constantly vigilant. Father Anthony Coniaras, in his book introducing the Orthodox Church mentions the six events that will occur before the second coming of Christ: (1) the preaching of the Gospel to all nations (Matt. 24:14); (2) the return of Israel to Christ (Rom. 11:25-26); (3) the coming of Elijah and Enoch in the last days (Rev. 11); (4) the appearance of the Antichrist; (5) the mass apostacy, or falling away from the true Christian faith led by false teachers (Matt. 24:4-5); and (6) wars, revolutions, famines and earthquakes (Matt. 24:6-8).

Bishop Kallistos Ware comments on the six events preceding the second coming of Christ. "Scripture and Tradition speak to us repeatedly about the Second Coming. They give us no grounds for supposing that, through a steady advance in 'civilization,' the world will gradually grow better and better until mankind succeeds in establishing God's kingdom on earth. .... The brief reign of Antichrist will be abruptly terminated by the Second Coming of the Lord, this time not in a hidden way, as at His birth in Bethlehem, but 'sitting on the right hand of power.' (Matt. 26:64) So the course of history will be brought to a sudden and dramatic end, through a direct intervention through the divine realm." Ware, The Orthodox Way.

Father Anthony Coniaris goes on to say "despite these six signs we have no exact timetable from God regarding the Second Coming of Jesus." The Gospel according to Matthew states "but of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.... Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Matt. 24:36,42) The Apostle Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians in Chapter 5:2, says that he will come "as a thief in the night." The Gospel according to Luke states "you must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Luke 12:40)

We must always be ready for the Second Coming of our Lord. Our entire lives must be a preparation for that day. It is not for us to determine when the day will happen, but rather to be ever vigilant and ever aware that we must lead a life of goodness. Do not allow yourselves to be frightened by doomsday naysayers. Always remember that the Lord is in control of our lives, and once you come to that realization, there really is nothing to fear.

My hope and prayer for all of you, as we begin the Ecclesiastical New Year, is to trust in the Lord that He will guide and guard you always.

In Christ's Service,
Fr. Stelios Sitaras

read the August 2006 message