If any man have an ear, let him hear.
ει τις εχει ους ακουσατω
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The ideology of paganism bitterly drove Christianity out of every province of every state in all times. The disciples of Christ were ready for this (cf. Mt 10:23). Yet a time will come when no genuine Christians remain. St Andrew says: "The beast will use evil authority over every tribe and tongue, but he will rule only those whose names are not written in the book of life."
He will be marked by blasphemy and by every kind of violence against those who do not submit to him, that is, against the saints. "He will open his mouth for blasphemy against God," saying, for example, that He is not the one true God.
He will blaspheme the name of God, that is, His nature and attributes. He will say, for example, that He is not almighty, not holy, and the like. He will open blasphemous lips against His dwelling, that is, against the holy Church of the Lord.
In Scripture, the Church is also called the dwelling or temple of God (1 Cor 3:16-17). He will even spew blasphemy against those who dwell in heaven, that is, against those who have departed in piety and faith in Christ.
So broad and shameless a torrent of blasphemous speeches and judgments of the Antichrist will pour forth upon the earth.
The God-inspired seer of mysteries also observes that it will be given to him to wage war against the saints and to overcome them. From these words it is evident that, despite the universal corruption and unbelief of men before the end of the world, the Antichrist will not find sympathy for his words and deeds in all men.
Although "all who dwell on the earth will worship him," this means only those "whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Against this remnant of holy and pious men he will arm himself with every violence.
It will be given to him to overcome them. This does not mean, of course, that they will submit to him or pass over to his side. It means that, for a time, he will commit his violence against them unhindered and unpunished.
Only their bodies, not their souls, will be for a time in the power of the Antichrist. The saints will defend themselves by patience and faith alone, until righteous retribution overtakes both the Antichrist himself and all his accomplices.
"He who kills with the sword must himself be killed," the seer of mysteries observes on this point. "Here," that is, by this truth, "are the patience and the faith of the saints."
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 5 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS