Two
advents of Christ have been announced: the one, in which He is set forth as
suffering, inglorious, dishonored, and crucified; but the other, in which He
shall come from heaven with glory, when the man of apostasy, who speaks strange
things against the Most High, shall venture to do unlawful deeds on the earth
against us the Christians, who, having learned the true worship of God from the
law, and the word which went forth from Jerusalem by means of the apostles of
Jesus, have fled for safety to the God of Jacob and God of Israel; and we who
were filled with war, and mutual slaughter, and every wickedness, have each
through the whole earth changed our warlike weapons,— our swords into
ploughshares, and our spears into implements of tillage, —and we cultivate
piety, righteousness, philanthropy, faith, and hope, which we have from the
Father Himself through Him who was crucified. ...
Now it is
evident that no one can terrify or subdue us who have believed in Jesus over
all the world. For it is plain that, though beheaded, and crucified, and thrown
to wild beasts, and chains, and fire, and all other kinds of torture, we do not
give up our confession; but the more such things happen, the more do others and
in larger numbers become faithful, and worshippers of God through the name of
Jesus. For just as if one should cut away the fruit-bearing parts of a vine, it
grows up again, and yields other branches flourishing and fruitful; even so the
same thing happens with us. For the vine planted by God and Christ the Savior
is His people. But the rest of the prophecy shall be fulfilled at His second
coming.
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