Tuesday, June 12, 2012

St. Cyprian of Carthage: Take Heart in the End Times

From the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew 24: 7, 8 (NLT):

The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.

Those who fight for GOD, having been placed in the heavenly army, should hope for the things prophesied. Since the LORD told us these things would come, we won't tremble at the storms and whirlwinds of the world and will have no cause for alarm. The encouragement of HIS foreseeing WORD instructs, teaches, prepares, and strengthens the people of HIS Church to endure the things to come. HE predicted that wars, famines, earthquakes, and plagues would arise everywhere. For fear that an unexpected and new evil should shake us, HE previously warned us that suffering would increase more and more in the last times. The Kingdom of GOD, beloved, is almost at hand. The reward of life, the rejoicing of eternal salvation, and the eternal joy and obtaining of Paradise are coming now with the passing away of the world. Already, heavenly things are taking the place of earthly, great things and small, and eternal things of things that fade away. What room is there here for anxiety and concern? Who, in the midst of these things, is trembling and sad except those without hope and faith? For it is those who aren't willing to go to CHRIST who fear death. It is those who don't believe that they are about to reign with CHRIST who aren't willing to go to CHRIST. --St. Cyprian of Carthage

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