The Lord addressed the nature of such inquiries that stem from a worldly perspective, typical of those who are ensnared in sin and preoccupied with worldly concerns and pleasures. The God-man responded, saying, "The kingdom of God will not come with observation; the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21). This implies a call to abandon a carnal and sinful existence, to engage in repentance, and to align oneself with the teachings of the Gospel. In doing so, one cleanses and adorns their spiritual temple, inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell within and complete this sanctification. It is in such a temple that God’s spiritual, though invisible, kingdom resides in a manner that is entirely perceivable by the believers.
A person who harbors the kingdom of God within can discern the signs of Christ's return and recognize and resist the Antichrist. Conversely, those who do not have this inner kingdom will not recognize the Antichrist and will unknowingly follow him, remaining oblivious to the approaching end of the world and the glorious return of Christ. No earthly teaching can replace the inner transformation that is necessary for true understanding; such enlightenment comes solely from God. The one who possesses the kingdom of God is guided by the Holy Spirit, who leads them into all truth (John 16:13), sheltering them from deception that masquerades as truth.
A wise monk insightfully observed that many will be misled by the Antichrist, revering him as a powerful god. In contrast, those filled with divine insight will discern truth through sincere faith. For those who are spiritually attuned, the presence of the deceiver will be apparent, while those whose lives focus solely on earthly matters will find it incomprehensible, often dismissing the truth speaker in disdain. Humanity, ensnared by its worldly wisdom, will largely deny the reality of Christ's second coming. As it is written, "There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking according to their own lusts, saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?'" (2 Pet. 3:3-4).
When the Pharisees turned away, the Lord warned His disciples that a sign of the end times would be an overwhelming materialism. People would become forgetful of God, heaven, and eternity, pursuing fleeting earthly gains as if they could secure everlasting comfort here. This misguided focus is folly, as death serves as a constant reminder of our creation for eternity, emphasizing that our primary concerns should be for the everlasting rather than the transient. The insanity of prioritizing earthly concerns will manifest in society, validating divine prophecy. "As it was in the days of Noah," the Lord said, "so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man" (Luke 17:26).
In those days preceding His return, mankind will engage in ordinary activities—eating, drinking, marrying—unaware of the coming judgment, just as in the times of Noah and Lot, when indulgence in vice flourished. The licentious behavior stems from a departure from God, leading souls to prioritize earthly ambitions over spiritual salvation. Those who neglect to seek God and their spiritual welfare, absorbed in worldly matters, risk corrupting their very essence. As a result, they become estranged from God and fall deeper into sin.
Mankind will emerge from this moral decay, embracing depravity as the norm. As the Apostle Paul warned, "For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good" (2 Tim. 3:2-5). Sin will reach an apex, disguised in a semblance of godliness, leaving many unaware of their moral and spiritual decline. The Jewish people in Christ's time failed to recognize this, misled by empty religious practices that bore no true life or faith.
In times of material prosperity, humanity will boast of its achievements, blinding itself to its moral failures and rejecting spiritual growth. Their euphoric state will lead to unexpected calamity, as expressed in the scripture: "For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them" (1 Thess. 5:3). This unforeseen end will arrive unannounced, a stark reality for a world engrossed in earthly pleasures, as stated, "the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night" (1 Thess. 5:2). The Lord characterized His return as “night,” reminding that spiritual blindness will characterize those who reject their divine purpose.
As false dreams capture humanity, they become ensnared in a fleeting existence devoid of eternal significance, exhausting their spirits in pursuit of ephemeral comfort. This deceptive dream lures them throughout their earthly journey, betraying them in the end, leaving them unprepared for eternity and hostile to its spiritual treasures. For such individuals, the afterlife offers only the abyss of hell, reserved for those who fail to embrace their divine calling.
The elders in the Solovetsky monastery recount the sage advice of Monk Zosima, who cautioned that when men proclaim Christ's presence on earth, it signifies the arrival of the Antichrist. His words ring true, for the world will mistake the Antichrist for the true Christ, eagerly heralding his arrival. Thus, the rising fervor over Christ's expected return will indicate the Antichrist's presence and impending actions.
Building on these truths, our Lord forewarned His disciples, "If anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it" (Matthew 24:23-27; Luke 17:23-24). Christ’s return will not require man's promotion; rather, He will come in glory, unexpectedly and universally. Those questioning the possibility of His simultaneous appearance for all should remember that He, by His divine will, fashioned the world, and through that same omnipotence can reveal Himself to humanity at once. St. John Damascene affirmed, "The Lord will come from heaven in the same manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).
The Lord cautioned us with these solemn words: "Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly" (Luke 21:34-35). This divine exhortation forbids the indulgence of earthly desires, which can mislead one from focusing on eternity and lead into sin. In hearts devoid of God's presence, passions invade, ushering in moral decay and spiritual ignorance.
Like a net, the Lord’s coming will ensnare those engaged in sinful living, who are intellectually and spiritually intoxicated. This snare will ensconce all of humanity, making escape impossible. Understanding this, let us remain vigilant and prayerful, humbly seeking God's grace to cultivate the Kingdom within ourselves. By adhering to divine intentions, we can break free from the bondage of sin and the deceptions of the world. With hope and assurance of salvation, we can stand before the just Judge, who will determine our eternal fate. Amen.
THEOSIS