About God-Humanity. Bride of the Lamb. Part III

Part I • Part II • Part III The work offered to the reader’s attention represents the third and final part of a theological trilogy dedicated to revealing the fundamental truth of Christianity about God-manhood. According to the general plan, as it was conceived about ten years ago, its first and second parts are devoted to the divine nature: the Lamb of God, 1933, and the Comforter, 1935, - Christology and pneumatology, while the third and last part is devoted to humanity. Here we examine different aspects of created existence, from its natural and fallen state to its glorified and transformed state. Thus, the theme of this work is the doctrine of the Church, ecclesiology, understood in all its breadth and depth, as sophiology. It is necessarily included in eschatology, as the final part of the entire teaching about God-manhood, containing its most general and final truths. To that extent, it is the most important and responsible part of the entire work on God-manhood. This is also the case for the compiler, who is now submitting it for church discussion. A few words about the external destinies of this book. By 1939 it was completely ready for printing. However, there was a long break in its publication, filled with the greatest upheavals in the life of the whole world. The trials of these years, personal and general, naturally served as a vital test for me of the beliefs that find expression here. In this regard, I must say that I have no hesitation in publishing this book as originally written. Only as a final “Amen” did I add Addenda. The latter, although they partially contain repetitions of what has already been said, seem to me necessary precisely as such a confirmation of this confession of faith. And what else can I say? The truths contained in the revelation of God-manhood, in particular in its eschatological revelation, are so unshakable and universal that even the most stunning events of world history, which we are now witnessing, pale before them, seem to be destroyed in their otological significance, since we comprehend them in the light of the Future. And this Coming is the appearance of the Church in power and glory, together with the transfiguration of creation. The heart and soul, the personal focus of creation is the Virgin Mother, “Wife and Bride of the Lamb,” she is also “the Holy City – Heavenly Jerusalem – descending from heaven from God,” “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2), “the tabernacle of God with men” (3). And the harm in the face of this Coming One must cry out again and again in your heart with a prayerful cry of faith, love and hope: “And the Spirit and the Bride say: come! And let the one who heard say: come!... The one who witnesses this says: yes, come quickly! Amen. Hey, come, Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22, 17, 20). Sergievskoe Podvorye in Paris.