SAINT IGNACE Brianchaninov
Introduction
The Holy Gospel says that the Pharisees, dissatisfied with the miracles of the Lord demanded of him a special miracle, a sign from heaven (Mark 8.1). The requirement of such a sign, indicating a strange approach to the signs and miracles, has been repeated more than once, so that the Lord could say, "why this generation seeks she a sign? "(Mark 8:12). The Sadducees were associated with the application of the Pharisees, though their belief was very different. The desire for a sign from heaven was sometimes expressed by the people too, and this even after the miraculous multiplication of five loaves that fed the multitude of five thousand men present, besides women and children. Eyewitnesses to the miracle that had taken part in the meal, asked the Lord: "What sign can you show, we can see and believe in You? ... Our fathers ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven for food " (John 6.30-31).
The miraculous and admirable loaves from the hands of the Savior appeared to them bland. It was accomplished quietly, with holy humility that characterizes all actions of the God-Man, but the people looking for entertainment, indeed. He needed to feel the sky covered with clouds threatening, to hear the thunder, see the lightning tearing the sky, and the bread falling from the sky.
In the same spirit, the chief priests and the elders demanded a miracle from the Lord while He stood freely on the Cross. They laughed with the scribes, saying that he had saved others and that he was not able to save himself. If he was really King of Israel, why not come down on the spot of the Cross so that we believed in Him? (Mt.27 0.41 to 42) They accepted the Lord as the miracles of miracles, but in order to denigrate and deny the divine mercy, demanding a sign of their own invention, which, if done , had nullified the arrival on earth of the God-Man, and prevented the redemption of mankind.
Herod is also part of those who wanted to see the Lord work a miracle which had satisfied his own curiosity, boundless effrontery. He wanted a sign, as expected a pleasant entertainment and, not having obtained, he mocked the Lord, to afford at least that part of pleasure.
So what does this general requirement for a sign from heaven, expressed by people with such disparate intentions, but who share their deep disdain for the miracle drugs of the Lord? Such a requirement merely denounce the views of carnal reasoning against miracles. What, then, that the carnal reasoning? It is an approach to God and spiritual things as fallen human nature, not according to the Word of God. Mistrust and hostility toward God that characterize are particularly evident in the requirement of a miracle. Distracted false wisdom in miracles will even deny and reject the miracles performed by Christ in his unspeakable goodness. And yet, He has indeed accomplished these miracles because He is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God (1Cor.1, 24)
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was a serious sin, inspired by the spirit carnal, as to require a miracle from the Lord. Upon hearing this request insolent and profane the Lord in spirit sighed deeply and said: why this generation seeks Does a sign? Verily I say unto you, no sign shall be given to this generation. And he left them, went into the boat and went (Marc8 0.12 to 13).
There is great joy in heaven one sinner who repents, and instead, there is sadness when a man falls into sin and refuse to repent (Luc15, 10 ). In contemplating the infinite goodness of God towards of mankind and His desire to see all men saved, Saint Macarius the Great has been said that our most holy God, although qu'impassible, experiences a sort of divine punishment to see the man destroy himself. Such penalty, which is beyond our understanding, is not foreign to the Spirit of God who comes to make His home in us, interceding Himself for us with inexpressible groanings (Rom.8, 26). is this sentence has proven the Son of God and heard the request of a miracle, requires both arrogant and unreasonable. Sigh so in Spirit, He said: why this generation seeks Does a sign? (Mark 8:12) is how God responds to demand a sign of hostility. How deep sorrow we feel here in this question, the sentence of God! It reflects the confusion caused by the folly and impertinence of the application. Those who submitted this request have lost hope of salvation, since their application was contrary to the Spirit of Him who provides salvation.
The Lord leaves those who persistently linked together in the bonds of human fallacies, without desiring healing. He abandons themselves, their destructive and deliberate choice: And he left them (Marc8, 13).
A death does not feel his condition and the carnal mind does not feel his spiritual death. Unable to see his own ruin, she does not know how she needs to Life. His conception of life is wrong, she still denied and denies the true Life, that is to say God.
Is this a sign from heaven can have any interest ? Those who require, of course, he found an interest. But first, can we say that such a sign is always a sign from God? The Holy Scripture does not show us that way.
The expression "sign from heaven" is unclear, both for people at the time of Christ, or those of today. Those who are not accustomed to seeing science "heaven" as the airline industry. Thus, the sun, moon and stars are commonly placed in the "sky" when they float in space beyond the atmosphere. The rain, thunder and lightning are commonly referred a "manifestation of heaven," then it would be more logical to involve them in the ground, they occur in Earth's atmosphere.
Holy Scripture relates that under the action of the devil, fire fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants of Job (Job1, 16). It is clear that this fire was formed in the air just like lightning.
Simon Magus breathtaking miracles spiritually blind people, so much so that the power of Satan was confused with the great power of God (Actes8, 10). Simon surprised especially idolatrous Roman quand, au cours d’une grande manifestation publique, il se déclara dieu, prétendit qu’il allait s’élever dans les airs, et le fit réellement ! (Selon les écrits de Saint Siméon Métaphraste qui tire ses sources des premiers chroniqueurs chrétiens).
C’est un terrible malheur de ne pas connaître Dieu de façon véritable et de confondre Ses oeuvres avec celles du démon. Juste avant le Second Avènement du Christ, quand le Christianisme, la connaissance spirituelle, et le discernement seront réduits à l’extrême, on verra se lever de faux Christs, de faux prophètes, et il y aura de grands signs and wonders, and this point to mislead even the elect if that were possible (Mt.24, 24). The antichrist himself generously poured his miracles on people, surprising and satisfying carnal and ignorant minds. It will give them the signs of heaven they are looking hungrily. His coming to him, Wicked, was marked by the influence of satan, all kinds of works of power and signs and lying wonders, like all the deceptions of evil, to address those who are doomed to destruction for not allowed the love of truth that would have resulted in his being saved. That is why God sends them a power that leads them astray, leads them to believe the lie, so that all are condemned those who refuse the truth, and sided with the evil (2 Thess. 2, 9 - 12). Ignorant and carnal minds, seeing the miracles will not come back to reason. Because of the affinity of their minds with the spirit of miracles, they immediately accept their blindness in the activity of Satan by taking a great manifestation of God's power. The antéchirst will be accepted quickly, without reflection. People do not understand that miracles have no reasonable purpose or blessed, no real meaning, they are alien to the truth, full of lies and monstrous, malicious, absurd, designed to surprise, to deceive and seduce by effects wizards, empty and stupid.
Do we not surprised that the miracles of Antichrist are accepted without question and with delight by the apostates of Christianity, who are the enemies of truth and God. They are preparing themselves to accept an open and active the messenger and instrument of Satan, his teachings and actions, and to come into spiritual contact with him at the time. This should give us thoughtful and sad to know that miracles and works of the Antichrist will cause difficulties for the elect of God themselves. The reason for the strong influence of the Antichrist is on men to seek in its hypocrisy and corruption of hell, in the elaborate camouflage of his most evil acts in his insolence without restraint or modesty in cooperation prolific minds fallen, and finally in its ability to perform true, but drugs miracles. The human mind is unable to conceive a man so bad as the antichrist. It is impossible for the human heart, even sinful, to believe that evil can reach the level that will actually reach with the Antichrist. This will go forward with a bang, like all his predecessors and prototypes, he pretend preacher and restorer of the true knowledge of God. Christians without discernment will see it as a representative of the true religion, and join him. He will present himself as the awaited Messiah, and followers of carnal wisdom will rush to meet him, proclaiming his glory, his power, his genius, and will soon not to make him a god they will become disciples.
the Antichrist will show himself humble, full of love and all virtues. Those who accept it as such and will submit to Him as the supreme good, are those who adhere to the truth of fallen humanity, and refuse to dismiss it for that of the Gospel.
The Antichrist will present humanity with an economy based on uplifting the welfare and prosperity. It will offer honors, riches, luxury, entertainment, comfort, equipment, and celebrations. Those who seek earthly things will accept it as their master. He will reveal Himself to humanity by cunning tricks, theatrical, showing off drug miracles, unexplained by science. It will generate fear through the prodigious outpouring of miracles. It will give satisfaction to the wise of this world, the superstitious, and confound the human science. The men, led by the false light of fallen nature, alienated by the lack of guidance from the Light of God, will be seduced by this charmer into submission (Apocalypse13, 8).
The signs of the antichrist will be seen first in the air, because that's where Satan exercised his influence mainly (Eph.2, 2 & 6.12). They will act on our sight, charming and deceiving. St. John the Theologian, contemplating the events leading up to the end of the world, says in the book of the Apocalypse that the antichrist will do great things, like making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of men (Ap 13:13). The Scriptures see this as the greatest signs of the antichrist. This will be a magnificent and terrible. The signs of the antichrist will support his conduct cunning. They seduce the majority of men who follow him. Opponents of the antichrist will be considered as rebels, enemies of the common good and order, they will be subject to open persecution, torture, and executions.
Evil spirits, sent around the world will arouse men think highly of the antichrist, a kind of universal ecstasy, irresistible attraction. The Scriptures repeatedly mention the violence and cruelty of the last persecution against Christians. They attribute this to be scary what Antichrist, a name well-defined and characteristic beast (Ap.13, 1), the same way that the fallen archangel is called the dragon (Gen.3, 1; Ap.12, 3 ). These names represent well the two enemies of God. One acts secretly, and the other openly. The beast, like all animals, it brings in a wide range of cruelty: the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion (Ap.13, 2), the dragon gave him his power, his throne and great authority (Ap.13, 2).
A terrible event befall the saints: the cunning and hypocrisy of the dreaded persecutor increase in order to deceive and seduce them. Refined, inventive and cunning are the persecutions and constraints. The unlimited fill the place of the persecutor elected in a very difficult situation. Their small numbers appear insignificant to mankind, and their views will be considered negligible. They will support the general disdain, hatred, slander and oppression. The violent death will be their lot. Only a special assistance of divine grace their will stand before God's enemy, and confess the Lord Jesus before him and before men.
The reason for this speech was to remind us to comment on the request of the Pharisees and Sadducees, who demanded a sign from the Lord of heaven, that is to say a miracle of a character similar to those of the future antichrist. The fact that such kind of miracle has been requested explains the reaction of the Lord. Before such a petition, the God-man expresses his chagrin, and categorically refused to give them satisfaction. Plus He did not wish to remain more those who had helped make such a request. He left them. On another occasion, his response was even more incisive: An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign, no sign shall be given except the sign of Jonah (Mt.16, 4). "This generation" refers to all those who require a sign the same spirit as that described above. They are called "adulterous generation" because they came in spiritual communication with Satan, breaking their relationship with God. Moreover, despite having acknowledged the miracles of the God-Man, they pretend not to see them. Sulking and cursing the miracles of God, they call a miracle according to their sad state of mind. The request for a sign from heaven is not so much the application of a miracle, a mockery. She mocks the miracles already performed by the God-Man. It betrays an ignorance and perverted vision of miracles. The signs of the prophet Jonas, as the Savior Himself says (Mt.12, 40), are the signs that accompany His passion and resurrection. At the Lord's death were given the true signs of heaven! The sun, the sight of the crucified Lord, darkened at noonday darkness over the whole earth for three hours ; The temple veil was torn from top to bottom through the middle, the earth shook, the rocks were split, tombs were opened, many saints resurrected and appeared in the holy city (Luc23, 45 & MT27, 45, 51-53).
At the Resurrection, there was another earthquake. An angel of light came down from heaven on the Holy Sepulchre to witness the Resurrection, petrifying the soldiers who had been placed there by those who sought signs from heaven (Mt.28; 2,3,11-15). These same soldiers spoke of Christ's resurrection to the Jews to the Sanhedrin. The latter, who had yet received their sign from heaven that n'exprimèrent hatred and disdain for it, as in respect of all miracles before the God-Man. They devoted themselves to bribe the soldiers and to hide the divine miracle through deception.
now proceed to examine the miracles performed by our Lord Jesus Christ. They are a divine gift offered to mankind. This gift was not offered by necessity, but only out of kindness and mercy. Men should have treated him with great reverence and utmost caution, because the One who is none other than God became man for our salvation. The gift was indeed a testimony of great price.
Man is entirely free to accept his salvation. Similarly, it is entirely free to accept the miracles of Christ, discuss their authenticity and quality, and draw conclusions about his choice of Him who made. Recognition and acceptance of the Redeemer is the result of a free and positive choice, not an act done with light, precipitation, or coercion. The miracles of Christ had a purpose. Can répéter à leur propos ce que le Seigneur a dit à l’Apôtre Thomas : « Approche tes doigts, et vois Mes mains; approche ta main, et mets-la dans Mon côté, et ne sois pas incrédule mais croyant ! » (Jn.20,27) Les miracles du Christ étaient tangibles, accessibles aux gens simples. Ils n’avaient rien de mystérieux. Ils ne pouvaient pas laisser les gens perplexes et incapables de décider s’ils étaient vraiment des miracles, ou des effets. Les morts étaient ressuscités, les malades incurables étaient guéris, les lépreux étaient purifiés, les aveugles de naissance recouvraient la vue et les muets la parole, la nourriture était instantanément multipliée pour nourrir ceux qui étaient dans le besoin, les vagues de la mer et le vent étaient calmés sur une simple parole, ceux que l’orage menaçait de mort étaient sauvés, les filets des pêcheurs qui avaient longtemps peiné en vain étaient remplis d’un seul coup, et tout cela devant la voix discrète du Seigneur. Les miracles du Dieu-Homme avaient de nombreux témoins, et même des personnes hostiles, ou inattentives, ou ne recherchant qu’un aide physique. Les miracles étaient indéniables. Les ennemis les plus envieux du Seigneur ne les niaient pas, même s’ils cherchaient à les rabaisser par une interprétation blasphématoire, ou par tout autre artifice suggested by their cunning and malicious. The Lord's miracles were neither vain nor arrogant. None of them was done in order to put themselves forward. All were covered by the cloak of humility. Bless his benefits offered to suffering humanity expressed the omnipotence of the Creator on the spiritual and earthly creatures. They proved that God is completely trustworthy, that He took upon Himself humanity, appearing as a man among men.
noted that one of the miracles of the Lord is a mystical sense, and was not done for the benefit any particular person, but for the benefit of all humanity. This is the miracle of the barren fig tree which had leaves that were withered (Marc11; 13,14,20). This tree is mentioned in the story of the fall (Gen.3, 7) as one of the trees of Paradise. Its leaves were used to hide the nakedness of our forefathers, nudity they had not noticed before sin, and sin revealed to them. It could be that the forbidden fruit in Paradise was the fig. The Lord found no fruit on the fig. He sought the fruit before the time, allowing its flesh to express a final desire for food, which recalls the false desire of our ancestors. The Lord brought upon him this desire, like all the weaknesses of humanity, in order to destroy him too. Finding no fruit, he rejected the leaves, and destroyed the very existence of the tree, just as another tree, the tree of the Cross, began to be developed as an instrument of salvation to the humanity. A tree, a tool for the destruction of humanity, was destroyed by order of the Saviour of men. This mystical miracle is accomplished only in the presence of the Holy Apostles, the disciples of the teaching mystical. It is done immediately before the coming of the God-Man in the agony of His suffering for humanity, before the elevation on the Cross.
The miracles of the Lord had a purpose and meaning holy saint. They were in themselves of great benefit in carrying out the divine plan, and served in addition to testimony and evidence in an act of kindness much higher. Which? In becoming man, the Lord gave to mankind an eternal present, spiritual and without price: the hello, purification of sins, the resurrection and eternal death .
The word of the Lord and His life was the realization of this universal. The Lord has led a life totally alien to sin, perfectly holy (Jn.8, 46). His word was power (Marc1, 42). The men had fallen into the darkness of the carnal mind, their hearts and their minds were blinded. They needed an act of condescension special, he had a witness available to their senses, he should be given to the minds and hearts invigorating knowledge through the senses, since these spirits and the hearts of die eternal death after death natural.
Miracles are awarded to support the word of God. So that man can understand and accept the spiritual gift that only spiritual eyes can perceive, the Lord added this spiritual gift and a gift like eternal, but temporary, and physical healing of diseases of the body.
Sin is the cause of all human diseases, whether physical or spiritual, it is the cause of death, temporary and eternal death. By showing his power on the physical consequences of sin in the human body, the Lord has shown His power over sin itself. The carnal mind does not perceive the spiritual diseases, or eternal death, but she sees and accepts the illness of the body, which impress and interest at the highest point. The Lord took care of all patients with a single word. On a single order, he raised the dead, cast out evil spirits and showed his power. He showed the power of God over man, sin, the fallen spirits, and it showed all this openly to our senses, our carnal mind. The carnal mind, seeing and touching this power could and should logically have recognized the power of God over sin, not only in the relationship between sin and the body, but also in the relationship of sin with the soul itself, and deduce the power of God on the soul.
Some miracles of the Lord, like the resurrection of the dead, show the unlimited power of God on the body and soul. The body regains its integrity, the soul is returned to him, although already in the spirit world. She is reminded of that world and united with the body she had been separated forever. The man received signs inside him, not outside. He has received proof of salvation itself, not remotely. The testimony of the eternal salvation of the soul and the body was granted temporary hello across the body of disease and death. A just and pious observation of the miracles of Lord shows their divine reason.
The requirement for a sign from heaven is quite meaningless. Although the power of the Lord has rarely exceeded the limits of man to dwell on the natural elements, this happened too. And this in order to show that the power of the Lord in all of nature is nothing but the infinite power of God. These miracles of nature rounded out those who were made to humanity so that humanity can clarify the meaning of the work which she attributed to him who would erase our sins. The Lord came to earth for the salvation of man , His concerns were so focused on man, the most perfect creatures, created in His image, His temple reasonable. The earth, a place of exile, suffering and passage, and the whole material creation, Despite its vastness, were left unattended by Him. And if some miracles were performed on the subject, it was always for human needs.
is the meaning of the miracles performed by the Lord and His apostles. Moreover, the Lord their clearly expressed. Let us remember that once, the multitude gathered in a house where was the Lord. This house was full and the crowd pressed the point that it became impossible to enter. That's when a paralytic was brought, who could not leave his bed. Those who supported it, seeing the crowd, went through the roof, forming an opening in the ceiling to power down the paralytic before the Lord. Seeing this act of faith, the merciful Lord spoke to the paralytic, saying son, your sins are forgiven! In the assembly were sitting a few scribes, who knew the Law to the letter, and, sick with envy towards the God-Man, thought immediately that blasphemy had been uttered. Why does this man blaspheme so? Who can forgive sins but God alone? And He who knows the secrets of all hearts told them Why reason ye and in your hearts? What it easier to say, your sins are forgiven, or, Arise, take your mat and walk? But you can know that the Son of man hath power to forgive sins on earth, I say unto thee, Arise, take up your pallet, and enters your house! (Marc2 0.2 to 11). Say without proof that "your sins are forgiven", that the scope of a hypocrite or a deceiver. But the paralytic was healed on the spot. He regained his strength, took his mat and walked in front of all this assistance. This miracle shows the goodness and wisdom divine. It begins with the spiritual gift offered to the patient with the Lord, Don invisible: the forgiveness of sins. This donation was the occasion of an involuntary confession of Jewish scholars: only God can grant forgiveness of sins. The Lord, responding to their thoughts, gives further testimony about Himself: He shows them that He is God. And finally, the gift and the evidence are sealed with a spiritual gift and physical evidence: the immediate and complete healing of the sick.
The Evangelist Saint Mark, in concluding his Gospel, the Apostles relates that, after Ascension of the Lord went forth and preached everywhere the word, while the Lord worked with them, confirming the message by signs (Marc16, 20).
This thought is expressed again by the same Apostles in prayer before God after they raised the threats of the Sanhedrin, who forbade them to teach and act in the name of Jesus: Now Lord, look at these threats and grant that Thy servants may boldly proclaim Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done in the name of Your Holy Son Jesus! (Act.4 0.29 to 30)
signs of God were thus granted to attend the Word of God. They testified to the power and truth of the Word (Luc4, 36). But the key is the word. The signs are useless where the word is accepted as the reliability of the Word is understood. The signs are only condescension toward human weakness.
Words act in a way, and signs of another. The words act directly on the intelligence and heart, signs act on the intelligence and heart through the senses. The effects of the Word are stronger, more powerful, more definitive evidence that the effects.
When words and signs act together, despite signs the effect goes unnoticed because of the abundant power of the Word. This is clear in the Gospel. Nicodemus was influenced by the signs, and he has acknowledged that a preacher in the Lord sent by God (Jn.3, 2). The Apostle Peter was influenced by the Word and he confessed Christ as Lord and Son of God: You have the words of eternal life, and we believe and we're sure you are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Jn.6 0.68 to 69). St. Peter was an eyewitness of many miracles of the Lord. The multiplication of five loaves that fed a large crowd had just been accomplished by the Lord, but the Apostle, in his confession, remained silent on miracles, and spoke only of the power of words. The same thing happened with the two disciples who conversed with the Lord on the road to Emmaus without recognizing it. Arriving at home, they recognized in the breaking of bread, and once they recognized the Lord, he becomes invisible. They said nothing of the miracle drug, their attention remains focused on the words Do our hearts not burn within us, when He spoke to us on the road, opening to us the scriptures? (Luc24, 32)
The God-Man has blessed those who believe without having seen the miracles (Jn.20, 29). He also expressed sympathy for those who, dissatisfied with the Word, need miracles If you see signs and wonders, you will not believe , He said to Capernaum (Jn.4, 48)
So! Worthy of sympathy are those who forsake the Word and seek the consolidation in miracles. This need arises, however, the predominance of the carnal mind, ignorance, a way of life offered to corruption and sin, lack of practice in the study of God's law and virtues that please God, inability of the soul to feel the Holy Spirit, to perceive the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Word. The signs are designated to further convince the faith and bring to those who still have a carnal mind, who are concerned about things of this world. Immersed in the affairs of this life, the soul still chained to the earth and its concerns, little able to understand the merits of the word, the Word merciful attracts them to the salvation given by the Word through tangible signs that are gaining in hardware through the senses, drawing the soul to lower the Word savior and everything powerful. Those who believe in the miracles are a lower category of believers. When a spiritual teaching, high and holy is offered, many interpret their idea (Jn.6, 60) and do not wish to seek the explanation of God's words, although they are spirit and life. They are led by the superficial evidence of their hearts, and often go away (Jn.6, 66).
Neither the signs nor the words of the God-man acts positively on the Jewish high priests, the scribes, the Pharisees, Sadducees, though with the exception of the latter, they might know the letter of the law. Strangers to God and full of enmity towards him because of their sinfulness (common to all humanity), they moved voluntarily in this state because of their high opinion of themselves, their desire to lead this life on finding success in a way that the Gospel proscribed.
They did not want to hear the Son of God speak to them. They did not listen to His words as they should. They did not listen carefully, they only retained what they thought necessary to give a misinterpretation of his speech and accused. And so they developed a hatred for the very words of Him whom they hated. Why do you not understand My speech? This is because you can not even hear my words! (Jn.8, 43), the Savior said to His enemies who rejected so stubborn and obstinate the salvation offered to them. Why do not you understand my teaching? Why do you not accept my words that you heal? ... Because you can not even listen to my words, this will be unsustainable. Being the child of lying and acting accordingly, you do not believe me. And because I tell you the truth, you do not believe me (Jn.8, 45) Whoever is of God hears God's words. You're not listening because you are not of God (Jn.8, 47). If I do not the works of My Father, do not believe me. But if I do, even if you do not believe me, believe my works, so you can know and believe that the Father is in Me and that I am in Him (Jn.10 0.37 to 38). And these words, which were yet in them the divine truth were spoken in vain, despite the fullness of the story (Jn.8, 14). In vain were performed miracles, who brought the fullness of the evidence so tangible and obvious that the enemies of God-Man, despite their desire and effort to deny him, could not help but recognize them (Jn.9, 24) .
same means that made the effect on those who do not know the law, or were unfamiliar with it, and passing their lives in the earthly concerns voluntarily dismiss without divine law, had no influence on those who knew the law in detail and to the letter, and disavowed by their lives voluntarily (Jn.5 7.19 & 0.46 to 47 ). Whatever the ineffable mercy of God has done for the salvation of mankind was made. The Savior said clearly: If I had not come and if I had not mentioned them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me, hates My Father also. If I had not done among them works that no one else has , they would have no sin, but now they have seen and hated both Me that My Father (Jn.15 0.22 to 24).
Christianity was brought to us in such perfection that there is no possible justification for those who ignore it. The reason of ignorance is only the will to ignore. Just as the sun shines in heaven, Christianity also shines. He who shuts his eyes to save his blindness to the credit of his own will and not that of the absence of light.
The reason for the denial of the God-Man by humanity is to be found in the man himself. In man is also the acceptance of the Antichrist. I came in the Name of My Father and you do not receive Me. If a another comes in his own name, you will receive (Jn.5, 43) Those who deny Christ and those who accept the Antichrist are the same, although we are talking about the Antichrist as d one person to come. The denial of Christ comes from the mind of man, and this same spirit that accepts the antichrist. Them that did Christ are counted once in the ranks of those who accept the Antichrist although they lived on the land centuries before the arrival of the latter. They have done the most heinous act: the murder of God. But a crime is not analogous to deicide to wait from the time of the Antichrist. The spirit of these men were once full of enmity against Christ and the spirit of those who will join the Antichrist will be too, although a large amount of time between them, since we are now approaching the end of the second millennium.
And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ came into the flesh is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard it coming, which is already now in the world (1Jn.4, 3) Theologian says. Those who are led by the spirit of the antichrist deny Christ, they accept the antichrist in spirit, they come into union with him, they abide in spirit to him, they offer worship and confess as God . And for this reason God will send them a grand illusion, (that is to say that God's will) so he will believe a lie : What are all those damned who believed not the truth, and who took pleasure not to walk uprightly! (2Thes.2 0.11 to 12) God is righteous in His judgments. All this will satisfy the human spirit and acknowledge both. The antichrist will come in time. His coming will be preceded by an apostasy of the Christian faith by almost all men. This apostasy prepare humanity to accept it in mind. The mood of the human spirit will generate a request, an invitation of the antichrist, a sympathy for him as a serious disease generates envy of a poisoned drink. The invitation is pronounced! A secret voice is heard in society, expressing an urgent need for the genius of geniuses, who could raise the material development and material success at the highest level, which would bring upon the earth such as welfare and sky land would become superfluous man. The Antichrist will be the logical result, fair and natural to the moral and spiritual followed by all men.
And yet, the Incarnate God of miracles brought the greatest material blessings that mankind can imagine. What blessing could be more valuable than the return of the dead to life? What a blessing could be more valuable than the healing of an incurable disease, making the life of a man like a slow death? Yet despite the benefits, holiness and spiritual significance of these miracles of Christ, they were only giving time. To put it precisely, we should call them signs. They were the signs of the Word of eternal salvation. Those who have been resurrected by the God-Man is finally dead in their time, they were gratified that an extension of their earthly life, they do not receive this life forever. Healed by the God-Man, they fell sick again and died. Their health has been given only for a while, not forever. The temporal and material benefits have been discharged as a sign of eternal and spiritual benefits so that people can believe in the existence of these invisible and accept donations. These signs were delivered from the abyss of ignorance and sensuality and led them to faith. Faith implies the knowledge of eternal blessings and provokes the desire to acquire them. With the help of wonderful signs, the Apostles spread Christianity throughout the world. These signs were a clear and powerful evidence of Christianity to the nations without education to those who still lived in spiritual ignorance and barbarism. When faith was planted everywhere, the Word was planted, and signs ceased, since they had accomplished their mission. They ceased to act everywhere. Only a chosen few of God could do them from time to time. St. John Chrysostom, Church Father and author of the fourth and fifth centuries, reports that already in his time, signs of Grace stopped, sauf à quelques endroits, en particulier chez les moines, qui en sont en quelque sorte les dépositaires. Par la suite, ces dépositaires devinrent plus rares. Les Saints Pères ont fait des prédictions sur les derniers temps, quand ces dépositaires n’existeront plus.
« Pourquoi, demandent certains, n’y a-t-il plus de signes aujourd’hui ? Voici ma réponse, écoutez-la bien, parce que j’ai déjà entendu cette question souvent, même régulièrement, et venant de nombreuses personnes. Pourquoi est-ce qu’à l’époque, tous ceux qui recevaient le baptême se mettaient à parler foreign languages, and now? Why the grace of miracles is she now removed to men? God does so not to cover us with shame but we give even greater honor. In what sense? I'll explain. People in those days spirits were slow, they had only to turn away from idols. " Their spirit was carnal and heavy, they were immersed in the material and equipment available, they could not conceive the existence of intangibles. They knew not the meaning of spiritual grace, knowing that everything is accepted by faith alone, and for this reason, they received the signs. Among the spiritual gifts, some are invisible and accepted by faith alone, others are linked to a tangible sign, intended to engender faith among the infidels. For example, the forgiveness of sins is a spiritual gift invisible: our eyes do not see how our sins are cleansed. The soul is purified, but remains invisible to the body. So the forgiveness of sins is a spiritual gift, invisible to the body. The ability to speak foreign languages, also part of the action of the Spirit, that Spirit is a sign, accessible to the senses, and can be easily observed by the unbelievers. An invisible action accomplished in the soul becomes visible through the external language, which can be heard. For this reason, Paul said: The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man the benefit of all (1Cor.12, 7). And so I did not need signs. Why? because I learned to believe in the grace of God without the signs. An unbeliever needs proof, but I'm a believer, and I do not need proof or evidence. I do not speak in tongues, but I know I am cleansed of my sins. Previously, it was not believed until it has received a sign. The signs were given as evidence of faith. They were given not to believers but to unbelievers, so that they become believers. As St. Paul says: a sign not for believers, but for those who do not believe (1Cor.14, 22) "(First Homily of Saint John Chrysostom on Pentecost)
If signs were absolutely necessary, they would continue. The word remains, and the signs have participated in its installation. The Word has spread, she ruled, it embraced the whole universe. It is fully explained by the Fathers of the Church an accessible, easy to understand. It is absolutely necessary, it also brings eternal blessings, it accomplishes the salvation of man. It brings the Kingdom of Heaven, it contains signs wittiest and most high God (Ps.118: 18) The word of the Lord lasts forever (1Pi.1, 25). Life is in the Word and the Word is life (Jn.1, 4). She gives birth to eternal life for those who died, giving them the depths of his bowels all holy life. Those who hear the Word and put it into practice are are born again, not of corruptible seed, but a imperishable seed, the Word of God, who lives and lasts for eternity (1Pi.1, 23) To understand the meaning of the word, we must accomplish. The evangelical commandments put into practice immediately begin to transform, to change, to vivify the man, his thinking, feelings of her heart, and even his body. for the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword that separates and divides the same soul and spirit ...... and probe the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hb.4, 12)
The Word God contains within itself its own witness. In the same way that the miracles that heal, it acts in man himself, and this action shows itself. That's the sign the greatest! is a spiritual sign, which, once granted to man, meets all these needs hello and renders the material signs. A Christian who does not know the attributes of the Word, is denounced as cold towards him, ignoring the Word of God, or in sole possession of the knowledge of the dead letter.
