Who among us can adequately extol the infinite and transcendent nature of the Spirit or Truth and truly reveal the purity and clarity of His divine revelation? Who can rightly unveil the folly and impudence of the ungodly? For there is nothing clearer and simpler than these declarations, nothing more illuminating than the light of truth that exceeds the brightness of the sun—there is no need for elaborate interpretations or convoluted reflections, nor for intricate expressions to elucidate the quoted words. The simplicity, honesty, and evident nature of the prophet's speech resist multiple interpretations, and yet many, after rigorous inquiry, twist the meaning, abandoning truth in their pursuit of personal gain, which is the behavior of those ensnared by worldly desires and the malign influence of evil spirits. What will those who have closed their spiritual eyes and deafened their ears to the voice of the Divine Spirit comprehend? Those afflicted by such blindness and apathy are indeed foolish and ignorant; the blind can see, and the deaf can hear. Who is so lost in their corruption that they cannot discern the divine brilliance of the words that have shone forth to us? Who would ignore the voices of God that resound powerfully and clearly proclaim the complete downfall of idols, save for those enveloped in the darkness of worldly insensitivity? Even if people chose silence, the very stones, moved by the undeniable truth, would cry out. Yet it seems that moral insensitivity has taken such hold of them that it surpasses even the hardness of stone. How will they defend their stance? Will they cling to their opinions, or in their futile attempt to resist, contrive a clever opposition to the truth? But who would even consider engaging in such a contest? Where would they seek a tribunal to present their case? What skill could those adept in oratory display that would quickly surface evidence? What arguments woven with deceitful charm and intent could sway the discerning? What force could logical proofs, which draw necessary conclusions from acknowledged premises, possess? Who among astute mediators or judges, equipped to thoughtfully examine arguments, would adjudicate favorably towards their ungodly fabrications? No one would be so naive as to defend clear words when the unfolding events vividly affirm their authenticity. No assistance will come from anywhere to uphold their erroneous and godless positions. By choosing the fleeting pleasures of this life over a righteous existence, they have foolishly condemned themselves to everlasting disgrace. Anyone determined to live a godly life would reject such reasoning and dismiss entirely such thoughts. Let them first listen to the Gospel pronouncements regarding when, how, and with whom the obliteration of idolatry was achieved, provided they are willing to embrace them. The one who abolished idols, vanquished error, liberated us from darkness, and granted us the knowledge of truth—Christ our Lord and God—speaks in prayer to the Father, saying: “Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify Thee: as Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given him. And this is eternal life, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:1-3). Furthermore, He declares, “I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest me out of the world” (John 17:6). And again: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21). What can be clearer than these sacred utterances concerning the knowledge of God? Has the illusion not been dispelled? Has the reign of demons not been brought to an end? Is the deception of idols not eradicated? Has the power of evil not been dissolved? Who could possibly be so blind and foolish as not to acknowledge this truth? “That they may know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” This voice has rejuvenated human nature, purified the atmosphere, opened heaven’s gates, granted us access to the divine sanctuary, made humanity companions of angels, and reconciled us, who were once estranged from God due to sin, to the Father. He will manifest God’s name through man. To this, we must also add: “I will consume the idols from the earth, and they shall not be remembered.” If indeed the words of the Savior ring true, revealing the knowledge of God and His name and marking the demise of idols—because Truth cannot deceive—it is apparent that those who oppose Him are inspired by a contrary spirit. Consequently, let the minister of the Gospel, who resonates with this prophet inspired by the same Spirit, affirm the rejection of idolatry as he writes to the Corinthians: “We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one” (1 Cor. 8:4). This assertion he continuously seeks to assert. However, to avoid conflicting with observable realities, particularly since godless individuals and lunatics possess images they miscall gods, he adds: “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many), but to us there is but one God, the Father” (1 Cor. 8:5). They possess no true power; they are mere stones, wood, and depictions of demons. People, amazed not only by the majesty of celestial bodies but also foolishly venerating the sun, moon, and stars, as well as some infamous men and demons on earth, were led astray by the superstitions of pagans and barbarians. We, however, with unwavering faith, recognize the one true God in essence: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—the Honorable and Life-giving Trinity, adored and exalted. Apart from these, no other God exists, nor will ever exist. Consequently, we affirm that an idol is nothing, just as we declare that idol sacrifices are nothing in the world. Hence, the names of idols are consequently eradicated from the earth, as a wise saying from ancient times proclaims, “For idols were of old, and shall be for ever” (Prem. 14:13). But now, when He who liberated us from idols has come, when will there be idols? What do those who invoke idols today think? If they argue that these prophetic words were fulfilled in the Jews, they should realize they have been fulfilled even more in the Christians. Just as the Jewish faith surpassed the pagans' superstitions, our faith exceeds theirs in nobility and grandeur. The law stands as a bridge between our spiritual worship and the idolatry of the unfaithful. If the pagans and barbarians, devoid of God’s illuminating knowledge and steeped in the worship of foul spirits, truly believed in their crazed thoughts, then countless virtuous martyrs of Christ endured immeasurable sufferings battling against idol delusions—struggles that, absent divine intervention, would have overwhelmed human nature. With divine grace and strength, they triumphed, raising the victorious banners of glory over the enemy, boldly dismantling altars and temples effortlessly, thereby justly receiving imperishable crowns from God, the giver of rewards. What shall we say of these remarkable and glorious figures, who, embracing asceticism, found such pursuits more gratifying than worldly pleasures and comforts, achieving extraordinary signs and miracles? How many retreated to remote places, distancing themselves from worldly distractions, enduring the harshness of the desert, living as if incorporeal and striving valiantly for the angelic lifestyle, illuminating the world with their deeds? By whose name did they heal ailments beyond human capacity for curing? By whose name did they expel demons effortlessly? Was it by offering sacrifices to idols, or rather by invoking the one true God, beseeching Him for support in their endeavors? It is clear they accomplished these feats by the power and grace of Him who acts, who bestows authority, and who instructed His disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand; heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils” (Mt. 10:7); and “In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” (Mk. 16:17). The objections from those opposing the truth are predictable. It isn't difficult for these individuals, who foolishly attempt to discredit the Son and adopt the same mindset as the Pharisees, to assert that the saints performed miracles in the name of the prince of demons. Since they, possessing unfathomable minds (Rom. 1:28) and speaking against what ought not to be spoken, are mired in absurd reasoning, they shall justly hear: “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?” (Mt. 12:34). If Beelzebub is the master of the house, how much more so his household (Matt. 10:25), as the Savior proclaimed. How can the same individuals be honored as masters and simultaneously persecuted and reviled as unworthy slaves? Truly, thus should the kingdom of darkness turn upon itself. Their rejection of the Gospel narrative illustrates their denial of the truth of divine life and the accounts of the saints chronicled in holy scriptures. Yet, if they consider the prophetic assertions credible—something even the Devil would not dispute—they must provide proof of when and where such prophecies were fulfilled. Should they fixate on the future, envisioning another Christ to come, they will find themselves misled and in despair. With the arrival of the God of all creation, who proclaimed the kingdom of heaven, the delusion of polytheism has been dismantled, and one Lord, God, and King is worshiped and glorified above all, as this divine prophet states, and none of sound mind would challenge him: “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (Zechariah 14:9). Idolatry has been thoroughly extinguished, and it is clear how and why: through the advent of Him who foretold, “I will consume the names of idols from the earth, and they shall be no more remembered,” when the grace of the saving cross shone forth and divine proclamation spread everywhere. Have not all idols been evicted, vanquished, and consigned to oblivion? If they persist, let them show themselves—where are they, who possesses them? If they do not exist—and they certainly do not—why do the detractors and false accusers unjustly blame Christians for things they never did or thought? But if these detractors are indeed consumed by delusion and superstition, let the unrighteous shame themselves, for the Church of God remains pure and above reproach. The idols lie silent, and verily, silence and deep obscurity are what they rightfully deserve. O, if only these impious individuals would remain mute like those idols!
THEOSIS