PREDICTION OF OUR FUTURE:
PROPHET DANIEL AND APOSTLE JOHN THE DIVINE. L.R.
PROPHET DANIEL AND APOSTLE JOHN THE DIVINE. L.R.
THE LIGHT EPOCH IS AHEAD, BUT THE WAY TO THIS WILL BE DIFFICULT
Approach of millenary verge has heaved the wave of apocalyptic expectations. In this connection it is not surprisingly the increase of interest to ancient prophecies. The famous Nostradamus prediction, which by direct text pointed at 1999 year, was interpreted as coming some "Great Monarch", by the way from... the planet Mars! As if he ought to help humankind to settle all the muddles. However, if to believe the Bible, the saving will come not from Mars, but with Christ through His Church. The Revelation of John the Divine (Apocalypse) is prophesying a great and joyful event: it will the ascending the throne of Jesus Christ in this world. All the tragic and gloomy things are connected with the despaired tryings of dark and powerfull forces to prevent their defeat. Are there some indications in Bible, when all this events will occur? The counting of time is pointed in the book of prophet Daniel:
"From the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times." Dan. 9:25
So we have two dates: 49 and 434 years - second number means the duration of Christ Kingdom on earth. In John Revelation it is named "millenium". In the end of it - the last rebellion of the forces of evil and then the judgement Day of world. The main contents of John Revelation - about first 49 years after "commandment to restore", and then 7 years the most strenuous struggle (Dan. 9: 27).
What indeed means this "commandment"?
The creation the Israel in 1948, the conquest of Jerusalem in 1966 or the legislative affirmation of this annexation 1980? Which of these moments is the start of counting of apocalyptic time?
There is the characteristic vagueness of Divine prophesies, which hedges the human freedom: the interpretation have several variants and may be doing without compulsion.
It may be that the apocalypse clock is not turned on for the present and the moment which is the beginning of count , will be other event, the most important mystically - the decision about restoring the Jerusalem Temple. Who and under which circumstances will take this decision, who will really rebuild the Temple, all this is vague for the present.
This Temple is described in Bible by lofty words: "holy place", "sanctuary of might", "God temple" - but "the beast, who is emerging from sea", will capture it for three years and half year.
There are a lot of indications that near 2000 or in a short time after this, some important things will occur, however that will be not the end, but only the start of apocalypse epoch.
The world history by such interpretation acquires the sense and goal - it is directed to the Christ kingdom on the earth. The christian Monarchy was the pre-image of it, although not perfect; the most significant spiritual and social movements of last millenary were connected, directly or indirectly, with looking for this kingdom.
However, by which different modes it was comprehended!
If to take the spiritual origins of main political forces of our time: democracy, communism and fascism - it turn out that these all are fed by the energies of these expectations, which are increasing to the extent that times and deadlines are approaching. The aspiration to the Divine Kingdom on earth creates the spiritual axis of the Russian history, starting from Prince Vladimir and all the Kiev period. The most grievous breaking had been survived in the end of XV century, when the orthodox Kingdom (Byzantium) had been ruined, but Christ coming which was expected in 1492 year (7000 years from Adam creation, according to Bible chronology) had not occured.
There are the convincing proofs to assert that Sergius of Radonezh and all his followers laboured to build the Holy Russia, being inspired by hope of near Christ kingdom. The reviving of this joyful apocalypticism and creative spirit of Sergius epoch - it is a great, may be the only hope on future. But the tragedy of history is that several centuries for the normal development of orthodox culture was almost lost. Is it possible to make up for lost time?
The wrong opinion exists that the II Ecumenical Council had condemned the teaching about the Christ kingdom on the earth. What indeed was condemned, only the teaching of Apollinarius from Laodikea, who was asserting that the Son is less than Father, because the kingdom of Son is temporal whereas the kingdom of Father is eternal. This objection will be eliminated if there will not Jesus himself at the head of "Millenary" Kingdom, but His faithful minister - the christian king. According to prophesies the name of this king will Michael and he will by some especially close mode connected with the Michael-Archangel. It is namely he who will recieve the authority in 49 years "from the going forth of the commandment to restore Jerusalem".
The spiritual contents of forthcoming holy epoch - the recovering from the consequenses of sin (i.e. the coming off from God), preparing to the common resurrection of dead and the transfiguration of cosmos, starting from our earth. The God doesn't make anything without participation of man but for the great deals the humankind needs the sufficient time.
The communist revolution in Russia and fascist revolution - in Germany ("Millenary reich") were the most global tries to intercept the initiative and to build on earth the another kingdom. The nearer this epoch the higher the intensity of the struggle of dark forces against God.
The forces of evil which have a feud with one another, only once and on short time will unite together - against the young Prince Michael, who will attract the hearts by the Christ love. The leading force will the fascism, connected with ancient, god-fighting tradition of Atlantis. But the most terribly thing will that the normal, usual human societies may be drawn into this criminal trespassing union. What testifies to such a possibility, it is the complicity of west democracies as to Stalin so to Hitler. The preparing of such global union is the same
"mystery of iniquity", about which apostle Paul speaks (2 Thes. 2:7).
Moscow will the saint Michael city , which will become in this time the spiritual centre of the world - so are stating some prophecies. From here he will "hold back" the forces of evil, hindering their rebellion against God. Namely here, however, a main blow will be struck. The
"great apostasy" will occur, people will betray Michael and during the short time the authority will be captured by "the man of sin, the son of perdition" (2 Thes. 2:3), who will be supported by the forces of revived mystical fascism. The book of Apocalypse (Revelation) designates him by the name "Beast", but church literature - by the name "Antichrist".
Those who will remain faithful to Jesus Christ and Michael, and will not worship Antichrist, in Revelation of John are named "New Israel": it is the new people, which is gathered from all the peoples of earth not by blood, but by spirit. The "beheaded" martyrs will resurrect and will become the nearest assistants of King Michael in the settling of earth after troubles endured. This is "first resurrection", pre-image of the resurrection all-embracing.
Jesus Christ, Who is unchangeable as God, but is eternally growing as Man, He is waiting that we will follow Him in this creative growth.
The liberation of Russia opens the way for Jesus Christ to ascend the throne. However our faith is for the present too weak or blind, meanwhile the forces of evil continue to act.
Prophet Daniel and Apostle John the Divine have predicted the light future.
But the way to the light will be difficult.
Lev Regelson. "Science and Religion" 1992, №3
Approach of millenary verge has heaved the wave of apocalyptic expectations. In this connection it is not surprisingly the increase of interest to ancient prophecies. The famous Nostradamus prediction, which by direct text pointed at 1999 year, was interpreted as coming some "Great Monarch", by the way from... the planet Mars! As if he ought to help humankind to settle all the muddles. However, if to believe the Bible, the saving will come not from Mars, but with Christ through His Church. The Revelation of John the Divine (Apocalypse) is prophesying a great and joyful event: it will the ascending the throne of Jesus Christ in this world. All the tragic and gloomy things are connected with the despaired tryings of dark and powerfull forces to prevent their defeat. Are there some indications in Bible, when all this events will occur? The counting of time is pointed in the book of prophet Daniel:
"From the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times." Dan. 9:25
So we have two dates: 49 and 434 years - second number means the duration of Christ Kingdom on earth. In John Revelation it is named "millenium". In the end of it - the last rebellion of the forces of evil and then the judgement Day of world. The main contents of John Revelation - about first 49 years after "commandment to restore", and then 7 years the most strenuous struggle (Dan. 9: 27).
What indeed means this "commandment"?
The creation the Israel in 1948, the conquest of Jerusalem in 1966 or the legislative affirmation of this annexation 1980? Which of these moments is the start of counting of apocalyptic time?
There is the characteristic vagueness of Divine prophesies, which hedges the human freedom: the interpretation have several variants and may be doing without compulsion.
It may be that the apocalypse clock is not turned on for the present and the moment which is the beginning of count , will be other event, the most important mystically - the decision about restoring the Jerusalem Temple. Who and under which circumstances will take this decision, who will really rebuild the Temple, all this is vague for the present.
This Temple is described in Bible by lofty words: "holy place", "sanctuary of might", "God temple" - but "the beast, who is emerging from sea", will capture it for three years and half year.
There are a lot of indications that near 2000 or in a short time after this, some important things will occur, however that will be not the end, but only the start of apocalypse epoch.
The world history by such interpretation acquires the sense and goal - it is directed to the Christ kingdom on the earth. The christian Monarchy was the pre-image of it, although not perfect; the most significant spiritual and social movements of last millenary were connected, directly or indirectly, with looking for this kingdom.
However, by which different modes it was comprehended!
If to take the spiritual origins of main political forces of our time: democracy, communism and fascism - it turn out that these all are fed by the energies of these expectations, which are increasing to the extent that times and deadlines are approaching. The aspiration to the Divine Kingdom on earth creates the spiritual axis of the Russian history, starting from Prince Vladimir and all the Kiev period. The most grievous breaking had been survived in the end of XV century, when the orthodox Kingdom (Byzantium) had been ruined, but Christ coming which was expected in 1492 year (7000 years from Adam creation, according to Bible chronology) had not occured.
There are the convincing proofs to assert that Sergius of Radonezh and all his followers laboured to build the Holy Russia, being inspired by hope of near Christ kingdom. The reviving of this joyful apocalypticism and creative spirit of Sergius epoch - it is a great, may be the only hope on future. But the tragedy of history is that several centuries for the normal development of orthodox culture was almost lost. Is it possible to make up for lost time?
The wrong opinion exists that the II Ecumenical Council had condemned the teaching about the Christ kingdom on the earth. What indeed was condemned, only the teaching of Apollinarius from Laodikea, who was asserting that the Son is less than Father, because the kingdom of Son is temporal whereas the kingdom of Father is eternal. This objection will be eliminated if there will not Jesus himself at the head of "Millenary" Kingdom, but His faithful minister - the christian king. According to prophesies the name of this king will Michael and he will by some especially close mode connected with the Michael-Archangel. It is namely he who will recieve the authority in 49 years "from the going forth of the commandment to restore Jerusalem".
The spiritual contents of forthcoming holy epoch - the recovering from the consequenses of sin (i.e. the coming off from God), preparing to the common resurrection of dead and the transfiguration of cosmos, starting from our earth. The God doesn't make anything without participation of man but for the great deals the humankind needs the sufficient time.
The communist revolution in Russia and fascist revolution - in Germany ("Millenary reich") were the most global tries to intercept the initiative and to build on earth the another kingdom. The nearer this epoch the higher the intensity of the struggle of dark forces against God.
The forces of evil which have a feud with one another, only once and on short time will unite together - against the young Prince Michael, who will attract the hearts by the Christ love. The leading force will the fascism, connected with ancient, god-fighting tradition of Atlantis. But the most terribly thing will that the normal, usual human societies may be drawn into this criminal trespassing union. What testifies to such a possibility, it is the complicity of west democracies as to Stalin so to Hitler. The preparing of such global union is the same
"mystery of iniquity", about which apostle Paul speaks (2 Thes. 2:7).
Moscow will the saint Michael city , which will become in this time the spiritual centre of the world - so are stating some prophecies. From here he will "hold back" the forces of evil, hindering their rebellion against God. Namely here, however, a main blow will be struck. The
"great apostasy" will occur, people will betray Michael and during the short time the authority will be captured by "the man of sin, the son of perdition" (2 Thes. 2:3), who will be supported by the forces of revived mystical fascism. The book of Apocalypse (Revelation) designates him by the name "Beast", but church literature - by the name "Antichrist".
Those who will remain faithful to Jesus Christ and Michael, and will not worship Antichrist, in Revelation of John are named "New Israel": it is the new people, which is gathered from all the peoples of earth not by blood, but by spirit. The "beheaded" martyrs will resurrect and will become the nearest assistants of King Michael in the settling of earth after troubles endured. This is "first resurrection", pre-image of the resurrection all-embracing.
Jesus Christ, Who is unchangeable as God, but is eternally growing as Man, He is waiting that we will follow Him in this creative growth.
The liberation of Russia opens the way for Jesus Christ to ascend the throne. However our faith is for the present too weak or blind, meanwhile the forces of evil continue to act.
Prophet Daniel and Apostle John the Divine have predicted the light future.
But the way to the light will be difficult.
Lev Regelson. "Science and Religion" 1992, №3