On the dread judgment of God, truly coming and approaching

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying: Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said: Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me: It is done! I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. (Rev. 21, 1-7).

I greet you, dear brethren, with a new and unusual greeting: congratulations on a new heaven and a new earth! Do not be surprised and do not say that it is too early to greet us with what does not yet exist. But the word of God is true, and the mystery-seer John speaks of a new heaven and a new earth as of something real, for the former heaven and former earth have passed. Heaven and earth will pass away, says the Lord, but My words will never pass away (Matt. 24:35). Look at how the world is nearing its end; look at what is going on in the world: everywhere there is a lack of faith; everywhere our All-Merciful Creator is being disparaged; everywhere our Creator is being blasphemed; everywhere there is insolent doubt, unbelief, and disobedience; everywhere in the world there are armaments and threats of war; in many places in Russia and other countries there is acute hunger; everywhere are threats of death and killings; everywhere there is misappropriation of funds and looting of private property; everywhere there is a loss of striving for lofty spiritual interests, because practically the entire intelligent world has lost faith in the immortality of the soul and its eternal ideals, or a striving for the God-like perfection that the Lord talked about: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (Matt. 5:48); everywhere there is only a desire for the satisfaction of carnal passions, a greed for gain and enrichment by predatory means, wholesale alcoholism, disrespect of marital unions. Look and judge for yourself: the world has become totally depraved and needs a decisive renovation, as formerly through the worldwide deluge.

The end times have come, of which the Apostle Peter says: “In the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say: What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created. The ones that think so, – continues the Apostle, – do not know that God made the heavens long ago by the word of His command, and He brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. And thus the ancient world was destroyed with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. But you must not forget this one thing, my beloved: a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will be set on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, my beloved, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. So, my beloved, being forewarned of this, be on guard, so as not to be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to Him, both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3, 3-18).

  Saint John of Kronstadt