Thus, how is it that those who reside in this Jerusalem will not be moved for eternity? It is because there is another Jerusalem, one of which you often hear. She is our mother, for whom we yearn and grieve during our earthly journey, hoping to return to her. In that heavenly realm, its residents will never be disturbed. However, those who inhabited the earthly Jerusalem were displaced, first in spirit and then through exile. In their hardened hearts, they condemned the very King of the heavenly Jerusalem. Spiritually outside, they locked their King behind closed doors, casting Him out of their city and crucifying Him outside (John 19:17-18). He, in turn, expelled them from His eternal city, the mother of us all, which is in Heaven.
What is this Jerusalem? The Psalmist offers a brief description: "Mountains stand round about Jerusalem" (Psalm 123:2). Is it remarkable that we live in a city encircled by mountains? Do we not understand what mountains represent? Those we cherish are not mere earth formations, but the high mountains — the heralds of truth, whether angels, apostles, or prophets. They surround Jerusalem, forming a protective wall. The Scriptures continually speak of these admirable mountains, the very ones we sing about: "I lift up my eyes to the mountains; whence comes my help?" because in this life, our help comes from the Word of God. The mountains receive peace, while the hills receive righteousness: it is said not that they create peace, but rather that they receive it. The Lord is the source of that peace. Thus, uplift your gaze to these mountains for help, for your assistance comes from the Lord, who created heaven and earth. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit expresses: "Thou lightest them marvelously from Thy everlasting mountains." It is not the mountains that illuminate, but the Lord who enlightens them from His eternal heights, for through these everlasting peaks, He brings forth the Gospel, lighting our way.
To clarify what these mountains represent in relation to Jerusalem, it can be observed that the Scriptures seldom mention these good mountains without simultaneously referencing the Lord, ensuring that our hope rests not on the mountains themselves, but on Him who gives their light. When He dwells in those mountains — in the saints — He encircles His people and fortifies them, so they remain unshaken forever. Conversely, when the Scriptures speak of evil mountains, the Lord is notably absent. Such mountains signify powerful yet wicked souls. Let us not be misled, brethren; heresies stem not from insignificant souls but from mighty individuals. The authors of heresies are invariably distinguished figures, mighty in stature while being wicked — mountains that cannot receive peace, since they draw only conflict from their father, the devil. Therefore, we must be wary of such treacherous mountains. People may come and proclaim great heroes among us — Donatus, Maximian, and Photinus, as well as Arius, whose names are infamous. All are mountains, but those that lead to destruction.
Instead, we should cherish the mountains where the Lord resides. Such mountains will also love you, as long as your hope is not placed in them. Consider, brethren, the mountains of God, as spoken of in the other passage: "Your righteousness is like the mountains of God." Not their righteousness, but yours. Hear, great mountain that is the Apostle, expressing: "That I may be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ" (Philippians 3:9). Yet those who elevate themselves as mountains through their own righteousness — like certain Jews or Pharisees — are admonished for failing to grasp the righteousness of God and trying to establish their own, rejecting God's righteousness (Romans 10:3). However, those who yield themselves to Him are lifted up, for as they bend low, they rise; as they embrace humility, they become large; and by their capability for holiness, they receive abundant peace, nourishing the hills with grace.
Thus, be cautious even toward those beloved mountains. How grand a mountain was Paul! Can anyone equal him? We are discussing a person’s greatness. Finding such grace is not an easy task! Yet he admonished those who might place their trust in him: "Was Paul crucified for you?" (1 Corinthians 1:13). Instead, lift your eyes to the mountains from whence your help comes: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6). So too do the mountains encircle Jerusalem, and just as the mountains surround the city, the Lord encompasses His people now and forever. If the mountains stand firm, and the Lord envelops His people, then He binds them together in a bond of love and peace, ensuring that those who hope in the Lord, like Mount Zion, will remain steadfast forever.
The Lord will not allow the rod of the wicked to govern the righteous’ portion, lest the righteous stretch forth their hands against evil (Psalm 123:3). Indeed, presently the righteous may endure suffering, while sometimes the unrighteous may oppress them. This may occur when the unrighteous achieve worldly honors, becoming judges or kings; God allows this to discipline His people because it is essential for them to experience honor relative to their power. God has arranged His Church such that every authority in the world commands respect, occasionally even from those holier than themselves. For instance, the primary social dynamic is that of master and servant, which exists in nearly every household. We have masters and servants; distinct titles yet one humanity. The Apostle instructs servants to obey their earthly masters, acknowledging a higher Master in the spirit. That Master is eternal, while these earthly masters are but temporary. As you traverse life, remember that becoming a Christian doesn’t grant license to disdain servitude. By Christ’s call to serve others, you serve Him, who commands such. He instructs: "Servants, be obedient to your masters according to the flesh" (Ephesians 6:5). Indeed, He has not liberated men from servitude, but rather from bad masters. Consider how much the wealthy owe to Christ for providing for them! Therefore, if you have an unbelieving servant and Christ converts him, do not tell him to abandon his master, for now he knows his true Lord. Though his master may be unjust, righteous service to an unjust master still bears worth. Christ did not say to forsake him, but rather: “Serve him,” adding to affirm the servant’s duty: “Serve as I have served.” Christ served the unworthy for our sakes.
Furthermore, if the Lord of heaven and earth, through whom all things were made, condescended to serve those who have fiercely persecuted Him, offering mercy, how much more should we not shy away from serving even unjust masters with sincerity, goodwill, and love? Observe how the best serve the least deserving — albeit for a time. Heed the distinctions I make regarding masters and servants, as well as authorities and sovereigns of this world. Some powers may fear God, others may not. Julian was an apostate, ungodly man and an idolater, yet Christian soldiers served under his rule. They acknowledged only the true God when they committed themselves to Christ. While they complied with his orders in military matters, they did not obey in idol worship, demonstrating their distinction between their eternal and temporal Lords.
Will the wicked ever dominate the righteous permanently? No, it shall not be so. The presence of the wicked may weigh upon the righteous for a season, but it will not endure indefinitely. A time will come when Christ, in His glory, will gather all nations before Him (Matthew 25:32-33). There you shall see many servants among the sheep and many masters among the goats; additionally, many masters among the sheep and many servants among the goats. It is essential to note that not all servants are virtuous, nor all masters malevolent; there are righteous masters and unrighteous ones. While the faithful servants endure under wicked rulers, their patience shall not be in vain. God will not permit the rod of the wicked to remain upon the righteous’ portion. Why? To prevent the righteous from turning against the wicked and to prepare them for their eternal inheritance.
Thus, the Psalmist concludes: "Do good, O Lord, with a good and faithful heart" (Psalm 124:4). This reflects the intent of those who are upright in spirit — those who prefer God's will to their own. Those who yearn to follow God must seek Him beforehand, not ahead of Him, finding goodness in all His ways, whether through chastening or comfort. As the Apostle affirms: "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28).
Hence, the Psalmist promptly adds: "As for those who have turned away, the Lord will lead them to be swept away with those who commit iniquity" (Psalm 124:5). These are the ones whose actions they have followed, indulging in present pleasures without believing in future judgments. What of those who are righteous within and steadfast? Let us now consider our inheritance, for we are children of God. What will we inherit and what do we call our homeland? Peace. By this, we greet you, proclaim peace, and acknowledge the mountains and little hills as reflections of righteousness. Christ, our peace, has made one people from many, dismantling the divisions that separated us (Ephesians 2:14). Being sons means we seek an inheritance called peace. Those who despise peace, however, are disinherited. Unity is essential; those who do not seek peace are not true heirs. Peace belongs to the godly, to those whom God has chosen.
Since Christ, the Son of God, embodies peace, He came to gather His own and separate them from the wicked — from those who despise Jerusalem, the embodiment of peace, seeking to disturb unity and disbelieve in true peace while promoting a false façade. When they offer peace, they lie, and when they listen, they invite deception. To whom do they say, peace to you? To those they alienate from the peace that surrounds the world. And when it is said, "And with your spirit," it is directed at those who harbor discord. For if peace resided in their hearts, would they not cherish unity and renounce strife? Thus, speaking falsehoods, they hear falsehoods in return. Let us instead speak the truth and listen to the truth. Let us be Israel and embrace peace, for Jerusalem symbolizes peace, and we are Israel; peace belongs to Israel.
THEOSIS