THEOSISGregory the Great
From the wicked, their light shall be taken away Job 38:15. When individuals reject the truth, they forfeit their understanding of the Law forever, and while they claim to possess the Law, they are blinded by their own pride in their knowledge. It is written, “Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not” Psalm 68:24. Additionally, it is written, “Let them not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts” Isaiah 6:10. Furthermore, Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind” John 9:39. Therefore, such individuals boast of fulfilling the Law while opposing its Author; it is fittingly stated: “And the bold hand shall be broken” Job 38:15.
This bold hand shall certainly be shattered when the proud acts of the Law are rebuked through the proclamation of grace by faith, as it is said, “For by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before Him; for by the law sin is known” Romans 3:20. However, these words can also be interpreted differently. The Scriptures may refer to the Church as “the earth,” where the Lord both holds and shakes the ends of the earth in allowing His Church to endure severe persecution, particularly through the arrival of the Antichrist, yet He does not forsake her. Sometimes the Lord maintains peace within this earth, and at other times He permits it to be shaken by trials. When it is stated, “Thou hast held and shaken the ends of the earth,” it is pertinent to ask, “And hast shaken the wicked from it?” For Paul affirms, “There are many in her who say, ‘They say they know God, but in deeds they deny it, being vile and rebellious and incapable of any good work’” Titus 1:16. Thus, the Lord expels the wicked from her, for those who are rooted in sin eventually succumb to blatant unbelief, becoming part of the harvest of tares, driven by temptation. Though they may currently conceal their true selves amidst the Church under the guise of faith, they will assuredly be bundled with the tares for judgment.
It is aptly stated, “The seal shall be restored as the clay.” This suggests that those who presently appear as “the seal” within the Church will ultimately be revealed as “clay” for all to see; they do not deceive the judgment of men regarding their religious practices, but truthfully serve the interests of worldly possessions. The term “seal” typically signifies faith, while “clay” denotes iniquity. The younger son who returned to his father after squandering his inheritance received a ring as a symbol of his reinstatement Luke 15:22. Gentiles, upon returning to God through repentance after losing their immortality, are marked by the seal of faith. The Bridegroom has also said to the Church: “Put me as a seal upon thy heart” Song of Songs 8:6. A seal is placed with the intention that it remains unbroken by any malicious thief. The Bridegroom is recognized as a seal on the heart, safeguarding the mystery of faith to protect our thoughts from being corrupted by temptation through the adversary who wishes to disrupt the faith. In contrast, “clay” signifies worldly corruption, as testified by the Psalmist: “He brought me out of the pit of poverty and deepest clay” Psalm 39:3. Many who are tainted by worldly filth may claim to possess the seal of heavenly faith when they enter the Church, yet fail to abandon their wicked actions, revealing their true selves when the opportunity arises. Thus, it is rightly said, the seal will be restored as clay; those we presently see as faithful may later be deemed foes of the faith. Under temptation, they appear as “the seal,” but certainly will transform into “clay.” It is also aptly noted that they must ultimately be restored, as their rejected lifestyles will testify against them while their consciences awaken in contradiction to their professed faith. Therefore, it is asserted: “and fit as a garment.”
The holy Church, at this time, is as if clothed in numerous garments, reflecting the many believers amongst her, who adorn her with their reverence. When the Gentiles were revealed to her, the Lord, through the prophet, declared: “I live! - saith the Lord, ‘Thou shalt be clothed with them all as with a garment’” Isaiah 49:18. However, presently she is clothed outwardly by many who pose as faithful, but when persecution strikes, she will stand naked and exposed; hence it is rightly said: “and she herself will stand as a garment.” The term “stand” refers here to those persisting in sin. It is written, “and shall not stand in the way of sinners” Psalm 1:1. Any libertine stands as a garment, indicating his unstable nature. A garment, when worn, stretches to fit the body, indicating outward appearance, but once removed, becomes wrinkled and discarded; consequently, every individual who departs from the stability of the Holy Church resembles a once-beautiful garment which is now crumpled and forsaken. If “stands” denotes duration, every profligate living temporarily in this life appears as a garment. The prophet also states, “and all of them, like a garment, shall fray, and like a garment Thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed” Psalm 101:27. Thus, the thoughts veiled in allegory are now articulated plainly: “From the wicked their light shall be taken away.”
Let the light of God not shine upon those who cloak their wickedness with faith. Neglecting to live according to the truth of faith, they outwardly honor it, seeking glory in this life while pretending it is for the sake of their religious observance; they derive this light from faith, which grants them favor in the eyes of men. Yet, there exists those who, despite genuinely believing in the eternal truths they hear, contradict their professed faith through sinful actions. They too possess light amidst darkness, for while they act wickedly, they hold a correct view of God, illuminated by divine radiance, preventing them from remaining in darkness. When earthly desires surpass heavenly ones, prioritizing the visible over the invisible, the time of persecution leads them to abandon their semblance of faith. This reality becomes even more evident when the very embodiment of wickedness arises during the final persecution against the Holy Church, attacking her with unbridled ferocity. At this moment, hearts will be laid bare; everything hidden will be revealed, exposing those who now profess holiness but harbor wickedness within, whereupon they will fall into disgrace, losing the light of faith they once seemed to possess.
In light of this, it is crucial for all to reflect deeply within their hearts, fearing the dire consequences of their actions lest they join the ranks of the wicked when God’s stern judgment is rendered. Yet, one must not naively assume they will be spared such a fall, thinking they will navigate the storm of turmoil unscathed. How many have remained oblivious to such temptations, while being ensnared in their midst? Cain did not witness the times of Antichrist, yet became an archetype of his spirit. Judas was ignorant of the flames of persecution, yet succumbed to its pressures and the allure of greed. Simon, distanced from the era of Antichrist, sought miracles driven by pride Acts 8:19-20. Thus, the wicked body unifies with its head, limb by limb, even without mutual awareness, bound together by sinful deeds. Pergamus did not possess knowledge of Balaam’s teachings, yet, post wickedness, he received divine rebuke, “But I have a little against thee, because thou hast there holden the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to lead the children of Israel into seduction, that they should eat idolatrous things and commit adultery” Revelation 2:14.
Both the Thyatiran Church and Jezebel’s actions were separated by time and space; however, her unholy life pleased others, and the angel testified, “I have a little against thee, because thou allowest the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and lead my servants astray, to commit adultery, and to eat idolatrous things” Revelation 2:20. Thus, those who imitate Jezebel by indulgence in vice demonstrate a cosmic connection, regardless of differing times or places. Each unrighteous individual lives on through his immoral successors, and the architect of iniquity, though not yet present, is evident in those who do his will. This is underscored by John, who states, “And now many antichrists have appeared” 1 John 2:18, for these evildoers are members of his body, having been birthed into wickedness and retaining allegiance to it. Paul further states, “And now ye know that it is not permitted to be revealed to him in due season. For the mystery of iniquity is already at work” 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, asserting that the Antichrist will eventually manifest, as he currently enacts hidden deeds within the hearts of the unrighteous.
Consider the hidden transgressions: one man secretly envies his brother, looking to exploit any chance to usurp him. Of another, it is written, “but by the envy of the devil death entered into the world” Wisdom 2:24. Another, convinced of his immense stature, seeks to elevate himself above all, as expressed, “on everything high he looks boldly; he is king over all the sons of pride” Job 41:26. Another seeks worldly power, not to serve others but to dominate them, as reflected in, “Who said, I will ascend into heaven, above the stars of God I will exalt my throne, and I will sit on a mountain in the hosts of gods on the edge of the north, I will ascend to the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High?” Isaiah 14:13-14. Only the Most High reigns over all without being subordinate to anyone. The devil, seeking to usurp authority, desired to elevate himself, refusing subservience to God’s appointed rule.
Various factors might lead certain individuals to be deemed unbelievers, despite their presence within the Church. I observe some who are so swayed by authority that they unhesitatingly deny the truth concerning their neighbor, succumbing to pressure. Who embodies the Truth if not the One who declared, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life?” John 14:6. John the Baptist did not waver when queried about his testimony of Christ but endured martyrdom for the sake of the truth itself; for in Christ resides the Truth, and thus, he went to his death for Christ. Consider a man who capitulates to the views of a powerful individual, sacrificing truth to avoid suffering, even momentarily. I ask, how will such a person endure severe chastisement if they have already disregarded Christ under verbal torment? Although he may still appear a Christian to the world, if God were to judge him fairly, he would no longer qualify as one.
There are those appointed in teaching positions, responsible for both comforting and correcting those engaged in wickedness, who fear incurring the wrath of powerful figures and thus shrink from rebuke. What is one, regardless of title, who, seeing a wolf approach, flees? They flee in silence, a silence indicating betrayal of divine grace, favoring temporal acclaim instead. As it is appropriately stated, “They loved more the glory of men than the glory of God” John 12:43. Such actions are condemned, and regardless of whether they escape public scrutiny, they deny Christ through their omission of truth. Presently, there is no scarcity of temptations from Antichrist within the Church. Hence, let no one perceive the impending time of persecution as unique; the Antichrist’s work thrives among the wicked, as he currently is surreptitiously fostering sin in their hearts. Despite many appearing secure in the Church and presenting false identities, they will ultimately be revealed in the presence of the Just Judge.