Signs of the End of Age
The Coming of the Son of Man
“And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Today is the last Sunday of the Coptic Year, the short month of El-Nasi, and we read from Matthew 24:3-35. Like last Sunday’s reading in (Mark 13:3-37), Christ reveals to His disciples the signs of the end. However, today on the threshold of a new year, we will turn our eyes to the end, the Second Coming of Christ.
In today’s passage, the Lord unveils to His disciples the signs of the end. Christ begins by describing the sorrows that precede His coming: “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (vv. 6). Additionally, He warns us multiple time about false christs and false prophets; for example, “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray,” (vv. 5) and “for false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (vv. 24). It is also interesting to note that He said to His disciples that at the end times “because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (vv. 12).
Although these descriptions are frightening, Christ directs our attention to hope: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (vv. 13). Later, He promises: “He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (vv. 31). For those who are faithful to Him, His coming is not for destruction but for gathering, rest, and salvation. Therefore, as much as there will be chaos on Earth and punishment for those who are far away from God, there will be relief and peace to those who follow God’s will.
In the structure of this Gospel, Christ deliberately begins with the fearful and ends with comfort. As St. John Chrysostom notes: “He puts the mournful things first, and then the good things, that in this way also He may comfort and refresh them” (Homily 76 on Matthew (Chrysostom) ). St. Cyril of Jerusalem likewise warns us not to be deceived by appearances: “The devil imitates the works of the Lord, that by resemblance he may deceive the simple. Therefore let us not believe only because of signs, but examine the life and doctrine of those who work them” (Catechetical Lectures 15).
This same message is repeated in our prayers life of the Church. In the Midnight Prayer of the Agpeya (First Watch), we hear in the Gospel reading: “Behold, the Bridegroom is coming at midnight; blessed is the servant whom He finds watching” (Matthew 25:6 NKJV). And in every Divine Liturgy, we proclaim our faith in His coming again to judge the living and the dead (The Creed)
Therefore, as this Coptic year comes to a close, the Church reminds us that inasmuch as the end times is a time of mourning, let us also remember it is a time of rest for those who truly know Him. Hence, Let us remain steadfast in love, watchful in prayer, and faithful until the end, that we may be reunited with Him in His kingdom.
Sources
- Bible, English Standard Version and NKJV
- Catena Bible, Church Father Commentaries
- St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 76
- St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 15
- Agpeya: Midnight Prayer, First Watch (Matthew 25:6)
- Coptic Liturgy: Divine Liturgy Creed