A GLOOMY PORTRAIT OF DESTRUCTION Again came Bildad’s turn to speak; and his second talk, like that of Eliphaz, came more cruel and harsh. With Job’s complaint of his misery, that his days have turned into night and darkness, and that he is everywhere surrounded by snares, Bildad found his chance to reconfirm his evil. ‘Job’ probably erred, when his severe anguish made him long for death, for the grave to become his father, and for the worms to become his mother and sister; By such attitude, he was destroying his soul; instead of believing in God, who can move the mountains (4). Bildad the Shuhite did not add anything new to his previous talk, other than providing more clarifying examples to confirm his view about the destiny of the wicked, and presenting the following portrait of the wicked, which, according to him, applies to ‘Job’, whom he believed to be as haughty: He has no light to illuminate his house; or a flame to keep it warm (5 – 6). He is indecisive; loses his way, because of the darkness of his faults (7). He runs around like an animal, to be cast into a net, and to fall into trap (8 – 10). Terror chases him wherever he goes (11 – 13). He is uprooted from the shelter of his tent; is devoured by sickness; and is delivered to the king of death (14). Strangers will dwell in his tent; Or will perish by brimstone like Sodom and Gomorrah (15). He and his household will be uprooted, roots and branches; and will violently pass away from the light of this world to the darkness of death (16 – 19). His destiny in this world is frightening. 1- Accusing ‘Job’ of haughtiness 1 – 4 2- The light of the wicked will be put out 5 – 6 3- The wicked will lose their way 7 4- The wicked will fall into snares 8 - 10 5 Terror will prevail over the wicked 11 – 13 6- The wicked will be uprooted from the shelter of their tents 14 – 15 7- The memory of the wicked is cut off from the earth 16 – 17 8- An utter destruction for the wicked 18 – 21 1- ACCUSING ‘JOB’ OF HAUGHTINESS: “Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: How long will you put an end to words? Gain understanding, And afterward we will speak” (Job 18: 1 - 2). By this, Bildad aims an arrow at Job’s heart; accusing him of uttering nonsense with no understanding; And together with ‘Job’ he probably Includes Eliphaz and Zophar, or others who might have defended ‘Job’ every now and then. Bildad got fed up of hearing vain words; once his turn came to talk, and assuming that wisdom is only confined to him, he cruelly, and with no compassion whatsoever, poured out all his frustration. With such an attitude in mind, the apostle advises us, saying: “Let every man be swift to hear, and slow to speak” (James 1: 19). 2 In the days of his prosperity, ‘Job’, as a wise man, respected by everyone, used to have the final decisive word; Now, however, he, together with those on his side, are commanded not to speak, before gaining understanding! When you look at those who were preoccupied with judging him, and muting his tongue, you will realize that they were not be giving him comfort, but ridicule and mockery! In their envy, they count his silence as disgrace and utter foolishness St. John Chrysostom In the writings of Pope Gregory the Great, the text came as: “Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: ‘To what extent will you go on putting forth and spreading your words on large scale? You should first gain understanding, Then let us speak’” (1- 2). In most of his commentary on the book of ‘Job’, this father believes that ‘Job’ symbolizes the holy church, and his friends symbolize her opponent heretics. Here, he presents Bildad – as a representative of the heretics – providing two charges against the church: the first that her views are not original; and the second, is that she has no understanding! Her thoughts, having not been appreciated in all eras, and having abided to the living faith with no licentiousness; the church was always accused of being arrogant, haughty, and hard-headed; And having rejected the corrupt views, she was always accused of being narrow-minded, and not contemporary, unable to comprehend what goes on around her! In a commentary by St. Jerome on the words of the apostle Paul: “… fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind” (Ephesians 2: 3); he says: [There is a difference between the sin of the flesh and that of the mind: A sin of the flesh is to be licentious, without shame, and act as a tool to realize its lusts; Whereas the sin of the mind concerns teaching against the Truth, and descending to the level of heretics1]. The same way, all heretics assume that the holy church, not understanding some of the issues adopted by them, wrongly accuse them of being haughty.; Bildad, while confirming that the blessed ‘Job’ is broken by pride, and proclaiming that he “spreads his words on a large scale”; Bildad, himself, carries a sign of his own haughtiness; and being puffed up, counts the blessed ‘Job’ as uttering things that he does not understand. Pope Gregory the Great Whatever are the charges against the church, she would never cease to strive until she brings all believers to the unity of faith, which is counted by the apostle Paul as maturity or reaching perfection: “… till we all come to the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4: 13-14). Commenting on this phrase, St. John Chrysostom, says: [Maturity, is when we reach the unity of faith; namely, when we become partners in the one faith; when we all become one; when we are all committed to the same covenant2]. “Why are we counted as beasts, and regarded as stupid in your sight?” (Job 18: 3). ‘Job’ has indeed called his friends ‘mockers’ (Job 17: 2); and portrayed them as being with no wisdom and compassion; But he never called them animals or beasts 1 Epistle to the Ephesians, 1:2:1. 2 Homilies on the Ephesians, 1:4:13. 3 as claimed by Bildad here. Bildad was offended by Job’s admonition, and counted it as a grave insult, which should be countered by one more grave and cruel! “Why should we keep silent before you as beasts?” (LXX). It is you, Bildad, who has the spirit of a beast, and bows your head toward the ground! Your thoughts are definitely not sound, and are unbefitting to true men, but to those mentioned by David: “Man, though in honor, does not remain; he is like beast that perish” (Psalm 49: 12). Realizing that he is not able to respond with reason to ‘Job’, Bildad resorted to insults. He wrongly counted Job’s words to the adversary (the Devil), as being directed against God; And accordingly, And so was not ashamed to revile the blessed man. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem The same way, all heretics doubt that the holy church despises them; so did Bildad, when he said: “Why are we counted as beasts, and regarded as stupid in your sight?” (3). It is only natural for man to assume that the things he does, would probably be done to him; Despising the ways of good people, they believe they are equally despised by them … When the church try to convince the heretics that what they believe is not reasonable, they assume that the church is looking at them as beasts. Pope Gregory the Great “You who tear yourself in anger, Shall the earth be forsaken for you? Or shall the rock be removed from its place?” (Job 18: 4). Bildad was so overwhelmed with anger to count ‘Job’ as a wild beast; Probably intending to respond to Job’s charge against God, saying: “He has torn me in His wrath, and hated me”(Job 16: 9); he says to him: [Do not blame God, as though He has torn you in His wrath; It is you who tears yourself in your anger]. Bildad furthermore, accuses ‘Job’ with arrogantly trying to ordain in God’s place: “Shall the earth be forsaken (deserted) for your sake?”; As though he wishes all the laws of nature to be changed for his sake alone; … As though the world would not be here without him; … Or as though, if he perishes, all the world would perish; and the earth would be forsaken, together with him]. Some believe that Bildad is rebuking ‘Job’, saying that: He should either admit that he is evil, and is worthy of what have dwelt upon him; Or should assume that God has forsaken His divine care, and has deserted the earth; that the Rock of ages has been removed from His place! Mockingly, the heretics speak to the church, the same way Bildad here speaks to ‘Job’. It is as though they say to her: [do you think you are alone, the ark of salvation; and that without you, no one will enjoy the divine salvation… What you proclaim is nothing but a kind of foolishness and false pride!]. Pope Gregory the Great comments on this text, saying: [The heretics count the strong feelings of good ordinance or the spiritual grace of the holy preaching, not as a good virtue, but as the foolishness of wrath … “Shall the earth be forsaken for you?” (Job18: 4) … While the catholic holy church proclaims that God is not to be worshipped except through her; confirming that all those outside her will not be saved; The heretics, on the other hand, trusting that they could be saved, even without entering into her range, confirm that the divine help would reach them wherever they are… 4 “Or shall the rock be removed from its place?” The heretics call those who, according to them, by their exalted thoughts, stand among the human race, boasting of being teachers, ‘rocks’… But the holy church presents her to gather together those who have gone astray, to enter into the bosom of sound faith. What could that be, but “removing the rock from its place?” Those who have before, taken the position of stubbornness, holding fast to wrong concepts? Thus Bildad symbolizes the heretics, who thought highly of themselves as leading a happy life; and haughtily considered themselves above the strikes that have dwelt upon the blessed ‘Job’]. It was not possible for ‘Rahab’ or her household, to enjoy salvation, if they go outside the doors of the house on which the scarlet cord is bound; As there is no salvation outside the church redeedmed by the blood of Christ. ‘Rahab’ represents the church; the scarlet cord symbolizes the blood of Christ; And those inside the house are the only ones who are saved. Whoever wishes to be saved should come to this house, where the blood of Christ is the sign of redemption … No one should deceive himself; … No one would be saved outside this house; namely outside the church1. The scholar Origen Do you think you would be able to withstand and go on living, if you go out to establish for yourselves separate houses; when it was said to ‘Rahab: “… Bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. So it shall be, that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless” 2 (Joshua 2: 18, 19). In this, the secret was proclaimed, that whoever wishes to live and to escape the perdition of this world, should gather together in one house, namely, in the church. Whereas, if anyone, after getting this grace, forsakes the church, and gets outside her door, his blood shall be on his head, and he will be responsible for the perdition of his soul. This was clarified by the apostle Paul, urging us to avoid the heretics (Romans 16; 17) 3. Whoever stays outside the church, would be out of the camp of Christ4. Whoever is not inside the church of Christ, would not be a Christian5. How could anyone be with Christ, if he is not inside His Bride – His church6?! Who does not have the church as His mother; would not have God as his Father7. St. Cyprian 2- THE LIGHT OF THE WICKED WILL BE PUT OUT: “The light of the wicked indeed goes out, and the flame of his fire does not shine” (Job 18: 5). 1 Homilies on Josh., 3. 2 Unity of the Church, 8; Epistle 75:4. 3 Unity of the Church, 8; Epistle 75:4. 4 Epistle 40 to Cornelius. 5 Epistle 43 to Antonius. 6 Epistle 42 to Cornelius. 7 Unity of the Church, 6. 5 Although what Bildad say here sounds truthful, yet it does not promptly materialize, in a seen and public way. By saying the word “indeed”, Bildad refers to the great grief that Job is suffering, and under which he is falling. He is , as though, saying to him: [What you say is right, and what you are going through is only natural, and befitting for a wicked man … So do not marvel that the little light you once had, has utterly gone out!]. By the light of the wicked, he probably means the wealth and joy he had before the tribulations came upon him; “the light of his own fire, and the spark he has kindled” (See Isaiah 50: 11); and not the eternal light of the Sun of Righteousness, the unquenchable light of the Lord. ‘Job’ talks of the days of his prosperity, when “the lamp of the Lord shone upon his head” (Job 29: 3); about which the Psalmist David also says: “You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness” (Psalm 18: 28). On another aspect, the righteous ‘Job’, expressing his great suffering says: “How often is the lamp of the wicked put out?” (Job 21: 17); And Solomon says: “Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in deep darkness” (Proverbs 20: 20); “The lamp of the wicked will be put out” (Proverbs 24: 20); and:”The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out” (Proverbs 13: 9). While the Lord Christ Himself refers to the deprivation of the kingdom of God, the kingdom of the light, through entering into the outer darkness; namely, Hades (Matthew 8: 12; 22: 13). “The light of the wicked indeed goes out, and the flame of his fire does not shine” (5). If, by this, Bildad means the present life, he would be wrong; As the light is often seen shining in the life of the wicked; while the darkness of disgrace and poverty covers that of the righteous. Because “The light of the wicked indeed goes out”; when the happiness of the present life comes to an end, together with the life itself; So it was befitting to add: “The flame of his fire does not shine”. For every wicked, there is “the flame of his fire”, ignited in his heart by the various temporary lusts, and the numerous fantasies of the world. Yet, it is a fire without flame, that emits no light, and does not shine in their wickedness; unlike that of the righteous who also have own flame of fire, that illuminates with splendor through their good deeds. Pope Gregory the Great The devil cannot shine; And even if he does, his light is fake, As he is the prince of darkness; who may appear as an angel of light to deceive mankind, and to bring them into the kingdom of darkness. So are the wicked who persist on their rebellion; they would not be able to shine; because they offer what are theirs and their father, the devil; namely, the darkness. Defining the Lord Christ as “The true Light” (John 1; 9); He is also “unapproachable” (1 Timothy 6:16), by vanity. As far as our life is concerned, we know that it is necessary for our life to be enlightened by the rays of the True Light.Virtues are the rays of the “Sun of righteousness” (Malachi 3: 20); that are emitted for our enlightenment, through which we renounce the works of darkness (2 Corinthians 4: 2). By doing everything in the light, we would, ourselves, become light, that shines on others (Matthew 5: 15, 16); as this is the feature of light1. 1 On Perfection. 6 St. Gregory of Nyssa Satan never aims his arrows in daylight; lest they would be seen; as everything done in light, are proclaimed by light1. The heretics do not have Christ, the Truth, on their lips; not being in their hearts They promise something on their lips, while they mean something else in their hearts; They utter piety, and conceal evil; They talk about Christ, and hide the anti- Christ. Knowing that they would not get along with their deceit, if they reveal the anti-Christ, they only present the light, so as to hide the darkness; by the light they lead to the darkness2. St. Jerome “The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp beside him is put out” (Job 18: 6). Here, he means the tent of the soul (2 Corinthians 5: 1); namely the body, which would completely corrupt, and become darkness. If the tent is the body, having its lamp put out refers to death; as “When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes” (Proverbs 11: 7) The wicked assume that life is in the enjoyment of carnal lusts, and pleasures; and that deprivation from them is a loss of life. They see it as their light, without which they would be like dwellers of gloomy tombs. Yet, what they consider as light will soon turn into darkness; and what they assume as a lamp, will soon be put out. This is the light and the lamp of the wicked; whereas, for the true believers, it is the Word of God which scatters the darkness; and sets out of the believers, a true light in the Lord. 3- THE WICKED WILL LOSE THEIR WAY: “The steps of his strength are shortened, and his own counsel casts him down” (Job 18: 7). Dedicating all his energies, and giving every effort for the sake of thinking about temporal things, and not caring for eternal blessings; the days of the wicked become like a shadow; his steps are shortened; his counsels turn into his own enemies; he will come out of life empty-handed; and will lose the true eternal life. “His own counsel casts him down” (7). Every wicked man, having temporal things as the goal of his counsel, and turning the eternal aside; would practice oppression, and despise righteousness. But, once the divine Judge of both the righteous and the oppressors comes, He will cast down the wicked by his own counsel. As his choice of things was through evil intention, he would be cast into the darkness of eternal woe. Pope Gregory the Great ‘Love’ of this world is like a harlot, who, by her beauty, seduces those who fall for her. Whoever is possessed by the love of this world, and falls in its nets, cannot liberate him out of its bosom, until his soul is utterly taken over. When the world deprives man of everything, then ultimately casts him away from his dwelling place on the day of his death; only then, can he realize that he was indeed deceived3! 1 On Ps. 91 (90), homily 68. 2 On Ps. 5, homily 2. 3 Ascetical Homilies, 37. 7 The closer man gets to this world, on the way of his life, the deeper the roots of love of material things, go down in him; Because of them, He would perpetually become worried and disturbed; would fight others for their sake; and would be captivated by certain friendships … Let us then, my friends, remember that, … Let us, as much as possible, not care for things, here in this world; so as to be gradually drawn towards the things to come. We would not have the strength to cast away our carnal desires, if we do not manage, through looking at God, to control ourselves, a bit by bit1. St. (Mar.) Isaac, the Syrian If “the form of this world is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7; 31); all what belong to it would indeed come to an end; … Everything will pass away; … Every day, the world would grow older and older2! Father Ambroseaster 4- THE WICKED WILL FALL INTO SNARES: “For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks into a snare” (Job 18: 8). As the wrong ways of the wicked lead him to evil, all his strong projects and his mighty efforts would fail, and he would not consummate his goals. The more efforts he puts into his counsel, the deeper he becomes entangled in the nets and the sooner would be his perdition. “He puts his feet in the net, and walks into its snares” (8). Whoever puts his feet in a net would not be able to get them out except by seeking the grace of God. Whoever allows himself to fall into a sinful habit would not be able to bring him up when he intends to do; and when he tries to set himself free, he would find himself more shackled and entangled in the threads of its net, and would not be able to walk away from it. It often happens that someone is led astray by the pleasures of this world, to realize eventually that the glories of the honors he has got, are of no true value, and are not worthwhile; … He would then realize, in the true light, the mighty bonds by which he is shackled; We would not even realize that we are shackled, in a sound concept, except when we strive to get liberated, and try hard to lift up our feet … Pope Gregory the Great Many fathers of the church, like St. Macarios the Great, confirm that sin carries its corruption in itself; The wicked who persist on his evil, would perish as a natural fruit of the evil that realizes the corruption. The wicked does not need someone to confront him; because what he does would bring him up to bitterness and death. He would end up drinking from the same cup that he filled for himself; unless he casts it away through the enjoyment of the fellowship with his Savior, and his serious strife through his holy will in the Lord. The longer you stay in what concerns the dust, the sooner you will ultimately turn into it. Therefore, it is befitting for you to change; to transform; and to become heavenly3. 1 Additional Homilies, 2. 2 Commentary on Paul’s Epistles (1 Cor. 7:31). 3 Homilies on Genesis, 9. 8 The scholar Origen We have all turned into a lump of mire; a lump of sin. And, having lost our reward through sin; In the absence of God’s mercy, We, as sinners, would only deserve eternal perdition. Whoever, in such a lump, could dare to ask God, ‘Why did you create me this way?’ If you really wish to know these things, you should not be mire, but rather a son of God, through the mercy of Him who gives the believers in His name, and the power to become children of God1. By sin, we indeed slide into death. Where there is law, sin would be more serious than without it. Anyway, through grace, we can, strongly, without difficulty, and with our free will, consummate what the law dictates. We would no longer be slaves to the law through fear, but friends and servants of righteousness through love2. St. Augustine Whoever eats and drinks sin, would fall into its snares; would have his will dissolved and weakened; and would turn into its humiliated slave; unable to set himself free, but his thirst for it grows more and more. We should not marvel at this, as whoever takes drugs, the longer he does, the deeper entangled in their snares he would be; and the stronger his longing for them would become. There are many who wrongly assume that practicing sin would provide them with so much bitterness that would motivate them to strive to escape from them on their own. This logic is not sound; As whoever taste sin, while realizing its perdition, he would desire it more and more, on the expense of his inner joy and his eternal glory. Sin is like fire that consumes man and destroys his will; he would no longer be capable of setting himself free from it, unless supported by the exalted grace of God. “The net takes him by the heel, and a snare takes hold of him” (Job 18: 9). The wicked, who persists on his wickedness, and on not returning to God, would never escape from drinking from the bitterness of the cup of evil, and from cropping its deadly fruits. That is what the Holy Book sometimes calls ‘the divine wrath’, or the realization of the ‘divine justice’. That is the interpretation of treasuring the freedom of will; as by choosing evil through his own free will, man would keep its fruit for himself. “The Lord knows how to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2: 9). In the Septuagint version it came as: “The nets would take hold of him, and those thirsty for his perdition would get stronger” (9 LXX). “The thirsty (for his perdition) would strongly flare against him3” (9). Once our old enemy catches someone alive in the nets of sin, he thirsts for his death. This phrase would also be understood in a different way:: Falling into sin, someone with a wicked mind may intend to seek, through superficial thought, how to escape from its nets; Yet, out of fear of people’s threats or rebukes, he would chose to die eternally, rather than to suffer temporary tribulations. By that, he would deliver himself completely to the ways of evil, when he sees himself already shackled. … The sinner would despair his return; and by that same despair, he would more violently burn in the lusts of this world; the heat of lust would greatly intensify inside him; and 1 Questions, 68:3. 2 Questions, 66. 3 التزمت بالنصوص الواردة في كتابات البابا غریغوریوس كما هي. 9 his mind, fallen in the nets of past sins, would flare toward more bitter rebellion. That is why it is added: “And the thirsty would strongly flare against him”. He who suffers from ‘dropsy’, the more he drinks, the thirstier he becomes. It is the same way with the greedy, whose greed grows with the growth of his wealth! Pope Gregory the Great “A noose is hidden for him on the ground, and a trap for him in the road” (Job 18: 10) The deceitful devil would never stop fighting mankind by several ways; hiding his nooses and snares on the ways treaded on by men. His war is secret and full of deceit, and he would never despair from opposing the ministers and people; old and young; women and men; virgins and married; rich and poor; sick and healthy; … He would use for each one the war that suits him. Yet, by looking towards the Heavenly, the Grantor of conquest, we would not fear his crafty and deceitful ways. “Their nooses are hidden on the ground, and their traps are all on the road” (10 LXX). It is a fact, that Satan hides his nooses on the ground, in such a way to trap those who live according to the wisdom of this world (1 Corinthians 3: 9), and according to the lusts of men (1 Peter 4: 2; 2 Peter 1: 4). The devil intending to catch and captivate men would catch the righteous by his self-righteousness and the greedy by his greed. David prophesies: “The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside” (Psalm140: 5) Even Bildad, who happened to utter the truth in his previous phrases, started to lie in those to follow. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem Our enemy will have his nooses carefully hidden on the ground. In executing his plots, while motivating the longing of the human mind toward the earthly gains, he conceals the snare of sin, to entangle the mind completely … After studying the personal tendency and the favorite sins of everyone, he puts a diversity of sins before his face; To those with a gentle and a joyful nature, he suggests the licentiousness and vain glory; whereas to those with violent nature, he suggests pride and viciousness. Pope Gregory the Great We have warned you against the deceit of the evil spirits, who strive to hold you as slaves and servants; and sometimes even use visions and apparitions in dreams, to submit all those who fail to practice strong efforts for sake of the salvation of their souls. The Word incites us to keep away from the devil, and to follow the living God alone by His Son. We, who have for so long been sunken in adultery, are now accepting only purity. We, who used the ways of magic, are now dedicating ourselves to the good living God. We, whose only interest has been to gain wealth, now bring all we have to become public possession for everyone in need. We, who for so long, have hated and destroyed those who differ from us in behavior or race; Now, since Christ came, are living together in peace and harmony. Today, we pray for our enemies, and try to provoke those who vainly hate us, to listen to the good principles and commandments of Christ, wish for them to share 10 with us the same joyful hope, in order to gain the reward granted by the Almighty God1. Justine, the martyr Satan always works hard, even when facing the danger of losing his battle2. Satan can destroy even under the appearance of piety; not only through leading his victim to adultery; but, on the contrary, through leading him to exaggerated grief that goes with the repentance on adultery! Although it is his befitting work to acquire us through sin; Yet it would be a shame on us, if he does it through our repentance; As repentance is our weapon and not his3. St. John Chrysostom It would not be enough for us to recognize the plans of the devil, but we should also ridicule them. In this we should follow the lead of the apostle Paul, who did recognize the plots of Satan, not to get preoccupied by them, but to avoid falling into his nets4. St. Dedymus the Blind Seeking to draw the miserable souls to fall into his nets, and to turn them away from worshipping the true God, there is “No wonder that Satan transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11: 14). He does that to test those who are in need to be tested, or to deceive those who deserve to be deceived5. Yet, the great mercies of God are alone capable of saving man from wrongly understanding the true nature of the evil spirits, and from seeing them as good angels; and saving him from the unutterable deadly troubles and losses that result from such Satanic deceits6. St. Augustine 5- TERRORWILL PREVAIL OVER THEWICKED: “Terrors frighten him on every side, and drive him to his feet” (Job 18: 11). He talks here about the destruction kept for the wicked in the other world, and that would dwell upon them as well in the present one. The destruction that would dwell over his heart, to shake his whole being, and reaches down to his feet that become incapable of carrying him; that would come because of his feeling of guilt; as an advance payment of the horrors that he will suffer after his death. Everything around the wicked would terrify him, “He flees when no one pursues” (Proverbs 28: 1); as he is actually pursued, not by what is outside, but by what is inside him. “’There is no peace’, says the Lord, ‘for the wicked’” (Isaiah 48: 22). “The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace” (Isaiah 59: 8). “They have also healed the hurt of My people, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’, when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6: 14; 8: 11) 1 Apology, 1:14. 2 Homilies on Corinthians, 43:5. 3 Homilies on Corinthians, 4:5. 4 Pauline Commentary from the Greek Church, on 2 Cor. 2:11. 5 City of God, 10:10. 6 City of God, 19:9. 11 “We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and there was trouble” (Jeremiah 8: 15). “Because they have seduced My people, saying; ‘Peace!’, when there is no peace and one builds a boundary wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar” (Ezekiel 13: 10). “’that is, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her when there is no peace’, says the Lord God”(Ezekiel 13: 16). And now, those who do not keep the feast … are coming to days of grief, and not of joy; as “’There is no peace’, says the Lord, for the wicked (Isaiah 48: 22). And, according to the wisdom: “Joy and happiness are taken away from their mouths” 1. Because, what is meant by the feast, but ministering the soul?! And what is this ministry, but the perpetual prayer, and thanksgiving to God?! The non-thankful, are truly denied the subsequent joy and rejoice, which is taken away from their mouths; that is why the divine word, does not allow for them to be in peace (Isaiah 48: 22); but they would be in grief and pain2. St. Athanasius the apostolic “Terrors will frighten him on every side”; Imagining that everyone are against him, he struggles against everyone. Pope Gregory the Great “His strength is starved, and destruction is ready at his side” (Job 18: 12). The wicked does not feel fulfilled; as what he thinks is the source of his fulfillment – his wealth, honor, or strength, etc. would bring him to shame and to feeling of void. Beside this inner famine, “the wicked would be brought to desolation, as in a moment!” (Psalm 73: 19) In the writings of Pope Gregory the Great, it came as “His strength would be stricken with hunger, and his ribs would be invaded by famine” (12)… According to Pope Gregory the Great, man is formed of a soul and a body; The soul represents the strong element, while the body represents the weak one. Giving the leadership to the body and its lusts, the wicked however strong he may look – is actually weak; having lost his inner strength, and inner fulfillment; and living in weakness, famine, and void. The spiritual man, on the other hand, giving the leadership to the soul, and being sanctified by the Spirit of God, he lives by the spirit of strength and the inner fulfillment, needing nothing. Every man is formed of a soul and a body; as though of strength and weakness. Because of being built of an element of a rational spirit, he is properly called strong; While, as far as the element of his physical being is concerned, he is weak. Thus man’s strength is in his soul, capable of opposing the evil tendencies he faces; as expressed by the blessed ‘Job’ in the words: “You prevail forever against him, and he passes on” (Job 14: 20); Man, by the rational soul, would eternally live; Whereas the strength of the wicked would be stricken by hunger, as his soul is not sustained by any inner nourishment; as expressed by the words of God: “I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8: 11). 1 Paschal Letters, 2. 2 Paschal Letters, 3. 12 It is well added: “His ribs will be invaded by famine” … One’s ribs are the senses of his mind, floating around his hidden thoughts. Famine would invade his ribs, when all the spiritual nourishment is taken away; the senses of the mind are weakened, and would be incapable of controlling or protecting its thoughts. Pope Gregory the Great One may think of the people of Israel as being rich, having the adoption as the children of God, the divine worship, the promises, and the fathers. But they have actually become poor because of their sins against the Lord; and on account that they killed the Bread of life1. “But those woo seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing” (Ps. 34: 10). St. Basil the Great When Joseph was thirty years old, he was set free of the shackles, got to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, and became the ruler of Egypt. In the years of fulfillment he gathered the wheat, to distribute it in the days of famine. I believe that Joseph’s age of thirty, was a symbol of that of the Savior, the second Joseph, who gathered, not the same wheat the first Joseph gathered in Egypt, but another kind of wheat, to distribute it, to confront, “not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, but of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8: 11) 2. The scholar Origen “It devours patches of his skin; the firstborn of death devours his limbs” (Job 18: 13). Death approaches the wicked to devour his body members; namely, to eat them up and bring them to corruption; whereas, as far as the righteous are concerned, death sets for them the eternal glory, where the body shares them with the soul. In the writings of Pope Gregory the Great, this text came as: “The beauty of his skin is taken away from him, and the firstborn of death devours his arms”. What is the beauty of his skin but the temporal glory, which, being a beauty on an outer skin, and not deep inside, is devoured and taken away? Whereas, concerning the righteous, it is said in the psalms of David: “The royal daughter is all glorious within” (Psalm 45: 13); and in the prophet Zechariah: “I will be the glory in her midst” (Zechariah 2: 5). Beside taking away the temporal glory, death dwells on the human soul that forsakes God, the source of her life and resurrection; Spiritual death would devour her limbs; namely, make her helpless to do any work. “The beauty of his skin” is the temporary glory he desires; which is nothing more than a beauty over the outer skin. And what is death, but the sin that devours the inner life of the soul? About which it is written: “Blessed and holy is He who has part in the first resurrection” (Revelation 20: 6). By this resurrection, man would, later on, enjoy a joyful resurrection in his body; he who in this life, would rise again from the death of his soul. Pope Gregory the Great “The royal daughter is all glorious within” (Psalm 45: 13). Moving up to the level of the mind, he would discover the beauty of the soul3. 1 Homilies on Ps. 33:7. 2 Homilies on Luke, 28:5. 3 On Ps. 45. 13 St. John Chrysostom 6- THE WICKED WILL BE UPROOTED FROM THE SHELTER OF THEIR TENTS: “He is uprooted from the shelter of his tents, and they parade him before the king of terrors” (Job 18: 14). He who lives in this world for the sake of the body and its lusts, would even lose this same body; namely this tent; And death would come upon him, not as a joyful crossing over to heaven, but as “the king of terrors”. Everything, over which he depended as his master, would be taken away from him, even his tent. His soul would be separated from the tent of his body, which would have no more support; the way it was said to the rich fool: “Your soul will be required of you” (Luke 12; 20). In the writings of Pope Gregory the great, it came as: “His trust in his tent will be taken away, and death as a king would tread upon him”. He believes that death refers here to Satan to whom the wicked delivers his soul, and submits as a king; and refers as well to the sin that humiliates the wicked and enslaves him. Death here refers to the devil, the enemy of the human race, who brought on them death, through a certain agent of the enemy, about whom St. John says: “whose name was death” (Revelation 6: 8). Death would tread as a king over the wicked on the day of his departure from this world; Death that previously deceived him by smooth seductions, will ultimately carry him to punishment, and will violently bring him down, shackled in the chains of his own evil doings. And here as well, as death acquires the lost heart of the sinner; and at the same time it provides it with the feeling of pleasure, it treads over it, as though with the feet of his overwhelming authority. But, if we understand death, not as the devil, but as the sin, whose fruit is death on the Day of Judgment, Death indeed would tread as a king over the mind of him who gives no resistance to its seduction. The temptation of sin could never be far from someone in this life; yet resisting the temptation of sin is something, but being enslaved by its authority is something else. Therefore, it is aid about the wicked, who does not resist the seductions of sin, and does not fear submission to its authority: “Death as a king will tread over him”; against that same death, the apostle Paul used to warn his disciples, saying: “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body” (Romans 6: 12). Pope Gregory the Great Those who live in pleasure would fear death, while those in sorrow would long for it to depart soon. The rich would fear death, while the poor would desire it to find in it comfort from their misery. The strong are terrified when they think of it, while the sick would look forward to find in it comfort from their sufferings1. Father Aphrahat He who loves the earthly lusts, would never dare to think of being with Christ after his departure; and would not be able to say: “I am a stranger on this earth”; Whereas he who says: “Do not hide Your commandments from me” is a saint … 1 Demonstration 22 Of Death and the Latter Times, 8. 14 That is why the prophet seeks from God to reveal to him the greatness of his commandments for the heavenly life1. The scholar Origen He fears death, he who is not born of the water and the Spirit, as he will be delivered to the fire of Hades. He fears death, he who did not experience the cross of Christ and His passion. He fears death, he who, after death, would anticipate another death. He fears death, he, for whom the eternal fire and the limitless punishment wait. He fears death, he who seeks a benefit of postponing his death, to delay his sighs and moans2. Cyprian, the martyr “They dwell in his tent who are none of his; Brimstone is scattered on his habitation” (Job 18: 15). God created man to be the subject of His love, of His compassion, of His rich grace, and of His goodness. But in case man persists on rejecting the attachment to God, Curse would dwell upon his tent, when his body, as well as his soul, become a dwelling place for the devil, who takes by force what is not his; Man would turn into a land for the devil that receives brimstone and fire, like Sodom and Gomorrrah, instead of being a holy temple of God. St. Macarios the Great believes that the inner man, would either be a land dwelt by God as His sanctuary, or occupied by the devil as his own. By ‘land’ here he means (a dwelling place) or a (habitation). “Brimstone is scattered on his habitation” (15). What is brimstone but the fuel that feeds the fire, which emits a horrible smell? It is to be understood as the carnal sin; that filling the mind with evil thoughts, like some kind of smell of corruption, would flare in it an eternal fire. While the cloud of its horrible smell infiltrate into the lost soul, it would act like a fuel for its perdition; hence it is described as brimstone. The history of the Holy Book gives us an example of this, in telling how the Lord rained fire and brimstone on Sodom (Genesis 19: 14) The wicked man, through slothfulness with his body, on which he should have authority, would be incessantly preoccupied with evil thoughts, that keep him from producing the fruit of any good work; which is well expressed in the words: “His roots are dried out below, and his branch withers above” (16). Pope Gregory the Great There is a land inhabited by beasts; and another (land) in the air where birds live and fly; and in case they chose to walk on earth, they would be caught by hunters; and fish have as well their own (land) which is the sea water. Thus (land) here means the habitat where creatures are born, live, feed, reproduce, and find its pleasure and comfort; whether on land, in the air, on in water. In a similar way, there is a (land) for the devil, a dwelling place where the hosts of darkness and the spirits of evil move and find comfort. And there is as well a (land) of light, of the Godhead, where the hosts of angels and holy spirits roam, land, and find comfort. . 1 القمص تادرس یعقوب ملطي: المزمور المئة والتاسع عشر ( 118 ) غنى كلمة الله ولذتها، 1996 2 Treatise 7 On the Mortality, 14. 15 The carnal eyes can neither see nor touch the dark (land), nor that of the light; namely, that of the Godhead; … Whereas, for the spirituals, both (lands) are revealed to the eyes of their hearts1. St. Macarios the Great We should know that we would become (land) for them (the devils), when our souls receive their evil and dark thoughts; and when our bodies where we dwell, be the stage where they become visible2. St. Anthony the Great Do not be in the company of the adversaries; lest the legion of devils dwell in your house. Beware of the envious; because he is an incarnate devil3. The spiritual elder – John El-Deliaty It is obvious that the evil spirits could not find their way into the bodies of those they possess, unless they first manage to reign over their minds and thoughts, taking away from them the fear of God, and the meditation in Him. In this way, having no divine immunity, they can dare to approach them as though, put them in chains, then find for themselves a place in them to dwell, as though they have the right of possession on them4. Father Cyrinus Some believe that when ‘Bildad’ heard about the fire that came down from heaven and consumed Job’s servants and his flocks of sheep, he counted ‘job’ as someone whose evil reached the level of that of Sodom and Gomorrah, and was worthy of God’s fire and wrath to devour what he had unjustly possessed. The beauty of virtues of a pious man would not change by abnormal tribulation. The health he earns by his prayers would not be taken away from his tent (his body), as long as he is rich in practicing good works. And even if his riches go away, he stays shining by the splendor of righteousness through his perseverance. “His exaltation would be scattered by brimstone”. That is exactly what happened to the sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah; and what the other wicked would expect in this world and the coming one. Father Hesychius of Jerusalem 7- THE MEMORY OF THE WICKED IS CUT OFF FROM THE EARTH: “His roots are dried out below, and his brances wither above” (Job 18: 16). When man, through his persistence on wickedness, loses the riches of the exalted grace of God, he becomes as though deprived of his roots; namely, of his blessed fathers. He would be like a tree whose roots are dried out below, and became without life; He would also lose his descendants, like a tree whose branches wither above, and become without fruits. This is what happened to many wicked persons, like ‘Rehoboam’, ‘Baasha’, and ‘Ahab’, who had no living descendants. . 1 عظة 4:14 2 الرسالة السادسة. 3 رسالة 2:21 ا رجع ترجمة الأب سلیم دكاش الیسوعي. . 4 مناظ ا رت یوحنا كاسیان مع مشاهیر آباء البریة، 24:7 16 As far as we are concerned, even if our roots are dried out below, yet the Lord Christ presented Himself as a ‘Root’ that floods our inner selves with His divine life, and refreshes our branches to bear the fruits of His Holy Spirit; namely, “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5: 22, 23). In the writings of Pope Gregory the Great, the text came as: “His roots are dried out below, and his crop gets corrupt above”. What would we understand by the term “roots”, hidden from sight, that produce branches above, obvious to all, but the unseen thoughts in the heart, that produce seen practices “crop”? …. The wicked man concentrates his thoughts in the lowly things, and disregards seeking the pleasures of the green eternal ones . … “He lets his roots dry out below, and his crop corrupt above”. … His perseverance is counted as naught in the sight of heaven, even if he is seems good in the sight of man. … We should then, send good thoughts down here on earth, to become, one day, worthy of getting the fruits of our good works, as an eternal reward. Pope Gregory the Great “The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the land” (Job 18: 17). Nothing preoccupies the mind of Satan like vain glory; because of which he rebelled against God and fell; and goes on fighting to reign forever on the hearts and thoughts of mankind. The children of Satan, following his lead, seek the temporal glory, and present every human effort, assuming that the world will hold their name and memory forever along history. But as evil wipes out the name of the wicked from the book of life in heaven, his honor is buried in dust, and his name would bear nothing but despise even on earth “He would have no name on the land”. He would get here the advance payment of the eternal shame and disgrace which he will confront on the great day of the Lord, according to the words of Solomon: “The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot” (Proverbs 10: 7). About the wicked it is said: “The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins; their cities have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished” (Psalm9: 6). “For He who avenges blood is mindful of them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted” (Psalm 9: 12). “The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth” (Psalm 34: 16). “Let them be before the Lord continually, and may his memory be cut off from the earth” (Psalm 109: 15). “The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, they have no more reward, and even the memory of them is lost” (Ecclesiastes 9: 5). “They will become dishonored corpses, and an outrage among the dead forever; because He will dash them speechless to the ground, and shake them from the foundations; ; they will be left utterly dry and barren, and they will suffer anguish, and the memory of them will perish” (Wisdom of Solomon). “He removes some of them and destroys them, and erases the memory of them from the earth” (Sirach 10: 17). And about the righteous it is said: 17 “His memory will not disappear, and his name will live through all generations” (Sirach 39: 9). “May their memory be blessed; May their bones send forth new life from where they lie” (Sirach 11, 12). “The memory of Nehemiah also is lasting; he raised our fallen walls, and set up gates and bars, and rebuilt our ruined houses” (Sirach 49: 13) “The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no more name in public places” (17 LXX). It is obvious that this concerns those whom the Lord Christ designated by saying: “will be cast out into outer darkness” (Matthew 8: 12; 25: 30); those who partake of the wedding banquet, wearing dirty attire, and about whom the king says: “Bind him hand and foot, take him away and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 22: 13, 14). “and has no more name”; As the wicked are cast out of the land of the righteous, and their memory will be blotted out from mankind (Deuteronomy 32: 26); About whom David also sang on his guitar, saying: “Their memory has perished forever” (Psalm 9: 6). Father Hesychius of Jerusalem “The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no more name in the streets”. It is befitting for us to notice that by this, ‘Bildad referred to Satan, the prince of all the wicked, who, at the end of time will himself enter into the vessel of perdition called by the name ‘the anti-Christ’; And who, even now, strives and seeks to put his name everywhere and on everyone, through the glory of vain commendation and temporal haughtiness. Therefore, I wish these words are understood by every wicked person, and particularly by the prince of the wicked himself. Pope Gregory the Great 8- AN UTTER DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED: “He is driven out from light into darkness, and chased out of the world” (Job 18: 18). The wicked is driven out from what he thinks as light in this world, on account of the comfort he enjoys, into the darkness of the grave, then into the outer darkness, where “he shall never see light” (Psalm 49: 19), and shall never have hope. He is driven from the pleasures of this world, the same way his early parents Adam and Eve were driven out of paradise. He is driven out from the secret chamber of the heavenly Groom, where he has no place, and stays eternally in the outer darkness. “You blot out their name forever and ever” (Psalm 9: 5). You destroy them completely, uproot them, and wipe up their memory. As a sign of God’s care, He does not do this in secret; but in order to mend the ways of people through the tribulations of others, He refers to the publicity of the devastation that will dwell upon them1. St. John Chrysostom “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open on their cries” (Psalm 34: 15). You may say: I have cried out to Him, yet I am still suffering. 1 On, Ps. 9. 18 When you are passing through tribulation, you should hold fast to His ways until He listens. Being a divine Physician, He would go on cutting off the corruption, and would not lift His hand until He finishes His job of purifying you. A physician who heeds the cries of his patient, and stops his surgery before it is finished, is actually cruel physician. And a mother who goes on giving her child a bath for his own good despite his continuous cries and tears; Is not a cruel mother? The same way, God, full of love and compassion, although He may seem sometimes as though He does not listen; He will not stop caring until He heals us. The wicked may say: I shall go on doing evil, and will always feel secure, because God’s eyes are not on me, but on the righteous! But being aware of the thoughts of men, it is said: “The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth” (Psalm 34: 16) 1. St. Augustine “He drives him out from light into darkness” (18). When man falls under eternal judgment because of his love of gaining the honors in the present life. Pope Gregory the Great Bildad and his friends assumed that Job’s name would be cut off from the earth, on account of his assumed wickedness; the same way, the Jews intended for the name of Jesus by crucifying Him, to be replaced with that of Barabas the thief. But it was their name which was cut off, while that of Jesus remained and shall remain forever glorified. What was intended against ‘Job’ and the Lord Christ, is still intended against the church; Yet the church will remain the holy bride, testifying by her life to the exalted riches of God’s grace, and enjoying the fellowship of His glory forever. “He has neither son nor posterity among his people, or any remaining in his dwelling” (Job 18: 19). The spiritual man, as a living witness to the gospel of Christ, acquires many children as posterity in the Lord. The apostle John calls those to whom he ministers “My children”; and the apostle Paul speaks about his disciple ‘Onesimus’, “whom I have begotten while in my chains” (Philemon 10). While the wicked, on the other hand, even if he has numerous children, according to the flesh, yet he would be with no son or grandson to inherit his wealth, nor to carry his name or memory. Pope Gregory the Great believes that these words would not apply to the righteous ‘Job’, but to the evil devil, as well as to the anti-Christ, who assumes that he reigns on the whole world. It would also apply to all the wicked, like the traitor ‘Judas’ who betrayed his Lord for his love of silver; on whom it is written in the book of Psalms: “Let his habitation be desolate, and let no one live in it”; and, “Let another take his office” (Acts 1: 20). “The enemies have vanished in everlasting ruins” (Psalm 9: 6). “May their camp be a desolation, let no one live in their tents” (Psalm 69: 25). “He has neither son nor posterity among his people, nor any remaining in his dwelling” (19); As it is written that the Lord Jesus: “Will consume him with the breath of His mouth and destroy him with the brightness of His coming” (Thessalonians 2: 8). Thus, as his evil would come to an end, at the same time together with the end of the world, “He will have no posterity among his people”, 1 On Ps. 34. (33). 19 being driven, together with his people, on the same level, to punishment. All the wicked who walk in wickedness according to his evil counsel, would, together with their ruler (Satan), be stricken by the splendor of the coming of the Lord, with an eternal desolation; and would have no posterity in the world. The just Judge would bring to an end his wickedness, together with that of the world. We know that these words concern the anti-Christ, when we read the following words added to them: “They of the west are appalled at their fate, and horror seizes those of the east” (20). Pope Gregory the Great “Strangers would also dwell in his tents” (LXX 19). The blessings of the coming age are set for all, if they choose to walk along the paths of the Lord (Psalm 25: 10); The mansions there are set for all (John 14: 2-3), if they intend to be alert. Yet it may happen that they get open to embrace (the demons), who do not walk along the paths of the Lord, whence it is said: “Strangers would also dwell in his tents”; Meaning that those who walk along the paths of the Lord should keep away from the wicked (the evil spirits). Father Hesychius of Jerusalem “They of the west are appalled at their fate, and horror seizes those of the east” (Job 18: 20). Seeing how the curse would dwell upon the wicked, and how he would fall into a bitter and sudden change, not expected by anyone, nor heard of by those succeeding (of the west), or preceding him (of the east), they, in astonishment would cry out, saying: “How awesome are Your works, O Lord” (Psalm 66: 3). The element of suddenness of what would dwell upon the wicked on the Day of Judgment, astonishes the righteous, both those preceding and contemporary to him; as it is impossible to describe the extent of their suffering. The same could be said about the glory set for the righteous, who no human mind can imagine. Speaking about the wicked here, he probably means the worst of them; namely, the ant-Christ, who would appear as a king with authority, who would have control on the whole world, and to whom many peoples would submit, Yet, he would suddenly collapse when God sends help to His church, and devastation would dwell upon him. “They of the west are appalled at their fate, and horror seizes those of the east” (20); when Satan would be released to stand with so much evil against the righteous, that horror seizes the hearts of the elect, according to what is written: “So as to deceive, if possible, even the elect” Matthew 24: 24). Not that the elect will fall, but, because of the horrible circumstances, horror would seize their hearts. Pope Gregory the Great “Those succeeding him would sigh in their depths for his sake; and astonishment would seize those preceding” (20). ‘Bildad’ calls those who, through repentance, are worthy of getting their wages at the eleventh hour (Matthew 20: 9), the ’succeeding”; those who truly sigh over the wicked, wondering in themselves, why did they not, as well, covet the spiritual prosperity through repentance! “And astonishment would seize those preceding”; Who from the beginning enjoyed God’s commandments. Meaning, how, even at the end of time, they (the wicked) have not heeded God’s commandments! 20 Father Hesychius of Jerusalem “Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him who does not know God” (Job 18: 21). That is what will befall on the dwellings of the wicked: destruction, devastation, and misery “In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God” (2 Thessalonians 1: 8). What are the dwellings of the wicked, who persisted on not knowing God, but the eternal Hades? St. Hippolytus in his article, ‘Against Plato, on the cause of the Universe’, he says: [All souls after death, are led by guardian angels; The wicked souls, who are worthy of temporary punishment on their wickedness1, as an advance payment for the eternal punishment that awaits them, are led to hell, a spacious dark place, where they stay until the day of resurrection, close to the lake of fire – namely Hades – see its flames, smell its smoke, and become terrorized by the judgment to come2. The righteous, on the other hand, are led to another place of more splendor and joy, called “the bosom of Abraham”, where the enjoy the fellowship with the angels, and the fathers Patriarchs, and rejoice in anticipation of the reward to come3]. St. John Chrysostom did not intend to speak about the location of Hades, other than that it is “out of this world” 4; But spoke in some detail about its curses, saying in one of his sermons: [It is a sea of fire; not a sea with the dimensions we are familiar with, but greater and more violent; with strange waves of fire. A great pit full of horrible flames coming out on all sides, like fierce wild animals. There, no one can resist, and, from there, no one can escape. There, the gentle face of Christ, the Grantor of peace, is not seen anywhere. As it is with those fierce convicts, condemned to work in mines, which cannot anymore see their families, but only their guards; so it will be there! And much worse! Those in the mines can anytime, raise a petition to the ruler seeking amnesty, which they eventually could have; But there in Hades, there is nothing of the sort. From there, they will never come out, but will forever stay suffering such inexpressible torture5]. Again he says that fire in Hades would emit no light; and would not finish the condemned, but perpetually consume them6. Their bodies would turn to noncorruption, and would suffer forever7. St. John Chrysostom believes that in Hades, although there are different grades of suffering, depending on the extent of sins8, yet all the condemned would be there eternally9. He also believes that God has set Hades with the intention of not casting anyone in it10! There is no way for Hades to be a fiction11! 1 PG 10:796 F. 2 PG 10:797B-C. 3 Ibid A 13-B10. 4 In Rom. hom. 31:4. 5 In Matt. hom. 43 (44):4; cf. In Hebr. hom.31:4. 6 Ad Theod. Laps 1:10; In Hebr. hom. 1:4. 7 Ad Theod. Laps. 8 In Matt. hom. 75 (76):5. 9 In 1 Cor. 23:4; In 2 Cor. 10:4; In 2 Thes. 3:1. 10 In Ps 7:12. 11 In 1 Thes. hom.; cf. 2 Cor. 10:4; In 2 Thes. 3:1. 21 Suffering there are not intended just to realize the divine justice, but to provoke men, still living, to repent and keep away from sinning1. If God is keen on correcting our paths, on keeping us away from sin, and on sparing us such a horrible destiny; It is then obvious that there is definitely a punishment for the sinners, and a reward for the righteous2. St. John Chrysostom I wonder how is it possible for anyone to take the probability of fire on the day of judgment so lightly! How could they fear the heat of a furnace, and not be terrified of the fire of Hades! Why are they still so senseless and mindless? Why are their hearts so delinquent3?! St. Augustine “It is the place of them who do not know God?” (LXX 21). Who are such people? And how could they be that ignorant? To them, the Only-begotten Son clearly says: “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels; For I was hungry and you gave me no food; I was thirsty and you gave me no drink” (Matthew 25: 41, 42). Yet, you could not doubt that ‘Bildad’ did understand that; as the natural law proclaims it as an ordinance of God. Anyone who soundly receives the natural law in his life, knows for sure what the righteous and the wicked would expect; and knows that those who pretend not to know, could not offer such an excuse before the great awesome Judge. Yet ‘Bildad’ is worthy of blame and contempt, on account that, together with his knowledge of what concern the wicked, he, in a shameful way included ‘Job’ in them. By that he acts like those who call the adulterers as chaste; the greedy as righteous; and the hypocrites as humble! As for us, we should discern between the good and bad; And, while honoring the righteous, and glorifying God, we should also, at the same time, sanctify our words and purify our hearts, and zealously dedicate our bodies and the temples of our souls to God, who gets pleasure in honoring His ministers; To Him is the glory to the age of ages, Amen. St. Hesychius of Jerusalem The gnashing of teeth (as described by the Lord in the everlasting fire), is not gnashing of physical teeth; so are also the worms. But he, who does not repent and be purified from his sins, would be consumed by his own fire, and be devoured by the worms (of his deeds). That is why Isaiah wrote, saying: “Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled” (Isaiah 50: 11). It is the fire and the worms resulting from sin that stab one’s mind and heart, and devour his conscience4. “Those are certainly the dwellings of the wicked; and that is truly the place of him who does not know God” (21); about whom, he already said: “He is driven out from light into darkness; and chased out of the world” (18). That is how the wicked, in every deceitful thing they do, would expect; Those who boasts now that 1 Cf. In 1 Tim hom. 15:3. 2 In Rom. hom. 31:4. 3 Sermon 362:9. 4 The Faith of the Early Fathers Vol 2, p.163. 22 they do not know God; who thinks themselves happy here, in the fake light of the righteous, and who strive to acquire for themselves the title ‘righteous’. As they are actually occupying the place of others; they will eventually be brought to their true place, in the everlasting fire, as a fruit of their iniquity. Pope Gregory the Great 23 AN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF ‘JOB’ 18 YOU ARE MY LIFE; WITHOUT YOU I HAVE NO LIFE! My God, You are the everlasting life. You shed light on my depths, to turn me into light for the world. Without you, my lamp is extinguished. My dwelling place would turn into a grave. And I would lose every heat and life. Lead my soul; as You are the Way. Without You I would stumble in the darkness; and I would fall and never stand again. By You I set forth to heaven. I would securely walk the journey of my life. You are the Truth; In You I set forth to the true knowledge. Without You I would walk like a lost beast. Or like an irrational animal. I would fall into the nets of the devil; and would become his laughing stock. Set me free off the snares of the enemy. To become like a sparrow that sets forth out of a broken snare. And flies to complete freedom. You are the ‘Life’ Without You, death would possess me. It would devour me, with no escape. I would live as though in an unbearable hell. Come O ‘Life’! Fill my depths with your peace. You are my treasure and my riches. When I acquire You, Everything would be within my hands. I would feel no need. And no temptation would break me. You are my Father. You count me as Your son. I approach You to find You in my depths. You are never far from me. Who can separate me from You? Finally, Let me acquire You, O Holy One. Then evil would escape from me. And the enemy would find no place in me. Let me experience the advance payment of Your heavens. My God, You are everything to me. You are my Light that scatters my darkness. You are my strong Leader. You are the irresistible Truth. You are the secret of my salvation. You are my treasure and riches that no one can take away from me. You are my heavenly Father, who embraces me in His bosom.
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