Четверг

(1 John 1:8–2:6; Mark 13:31–14:2) What the Apostle led us to yesterday, the Gospel now directly instills in us. “See, watch, pray; for you do not know when this time will come” (Mark 13:33). “Watch therefore... lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping” (Mark 13:35–36). We must wait, and every moment keep in mind that the Lord is about to appear and shine like lightning from one end of the Universe to the other. Others think that this waiting for the Lord can be replaced by waiting for death. Good and this or at least this. But the expectation of the Lord’s coming is one thing, and the expectation of death is another. A different thought about both; different and a feeling born under the influence of one and another thought. Wait for the Day of the Lord, on which everything will end in irrevocability. After death there will still be a time of unresolved state; and the day of the Lord will distribute everything forever and seal it so that you don’t expect any change. Waiting, you say. And still wait. And still wait. But this, you say, will poison all the joys. It will not poison, but will only expel from the order of your life such joys that illegally use this name. You will still rejoice, but only in the Lord. And you can wait for the Lord with such joy, and if the Lord finds you in this joy, he will not punish you, but praise you. You might be interested in: