“About the fate of the world, the City, and the coming of the last days”
Saint Andrew the Fool-for-Christ, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, spoke to his disciple Epiphanius about the things that were to come upon the earth in the last days. His words, full of divine fire and lamentation, reveal both the fall of the world and its renewal in the light of Christ.
1. The Beginning of Sorrows
The Saint said:
“My beloved child, before the end of time, much sorrow will come upon the world. The Church will be shaken; the faithful will grow cold; love will vanish from many hearts. False shepherds will arise who will serve the rulers of darkness and not the flock of Christ.”
“Many will be led astray by false doctrines, and the truth will be trampled underfoot. Men will become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, and sin will be praised as virtue. The earth will be filled with pride and injustice, and the Lord’s name will be blasphemed openly.”
2. The Rise of the Pious King
“But,” said the Saint, “do not despair. For the Lord will not leave His people comfortless. When evil seems to triumph and faith is mocked, a pious king will arise by the will of God — humble, merciful, and righteous.”
“He will restore the Church to her former beauty, and the Orthodox faith will shine brighter than ever before. Under his rule, peace and justice will flourish, the poor will be fed, and the name of Christ will be glorified throughout the world.”
“This king will not come from the proud or the mighty, but from the humble and the unknown. God Himself will raise him up when the time is right, and he will confound the wisdom of the powerful.”
3. The Glory of Orthodoxy and the Return to Faith
“In those days,” continued Saint Andrew, “Orthodoxy will be glorified. The holy temples will be restored, the divine services will be celebrated with reverence, and many who had fallen away will return to the true faith.”
“God will reveal His miracles again through His Church, and even the unbelievers will marvel. A great spiritual awakening will take place before the final darkness — a time of repentance, grace, and divine mercy.”
“Then shall be fulfilled the word of the Lord: ‘This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.’”
4. The Coming of Deception and the Antichrist
“But after this brief light,” warned the Saint, “darkness will return, fiercer than before. The world will again be filled with deceit, and the hearts of men will grow hard. Then will appear the one whom the Scriptures call the Lawless One, the Antichrist.”
“He will come with false peace and lying wonders. He will promise unity and safety, but in truth he will bring slavery and death. Many will follow him, deceived by his signs, for they will have lost the discernment of the Spirit.”
“The righteous will be persecuted, the holy icons desecrated, and the divine liturgies forbidden. The world will bow to a false light, but the faithful remnant will remain steadfast in prayer and fasting.”
5. The Great Tribulation
“Then shall great tribulations come upon all nations — wars, earthquakes, famine, and bloodshed. Brother shall rise against brother, and kingdoms shall fall. The City beloved of God (Constantinople) shall be shaken, and its fate will be a sign to the world.”
“Many will seek refuge, but there will be none; only those who cling to the Cross will be saved. The heavens will be darkened, and men’s hearts will fail them for fear.”
“Yet even in those dreadful days, God will not forsake His chosen ones. Angels will guard the faithful, and the prayers of the saints will strengthen the weak.”
6. The Judgment and the Renewal
“After these things,” said Saint Andrew, “the Lord Himself will appear in glory. The false king shall be cast down, and his followers shall perish with him. The earth will be renewed by fire, and the righteous shall shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.”
“Blessed are those who endure until the end! For they shall see the glory of Christ, and their tears shall be turned into joy. The wicked shall be confounded, but the humble shall inherit the new creation.”
“Then there will be one flock and one Shepherd — Christ our true God — and His Kingdom shall have no end.”
7. The Final Exhortation
Saint Andrew concluded:
“Therefore, my beloved, do not be deceived by the glitter of this world. Keep the Orthodox faith pure and unshaken. Confess Christ before men, even if it costs you your life. The Lord will reward those who persevere in truth and humility.”
“For the time is near when faith will be tested as gold in the fire. Hold fast to prayer, repentance, and love, for these are the weapons of the saints. And remember: the triumph of evil is but for a moment — the triumph of Christ is eternal.”
✝️
Epilogue
This sacred prophecy, preserved through the centuries, calls the faithful to vigilance and repentance.
Saint Andrew the Fool-for-Christ, though despised by men, spoke words of eternal wisdom: that darkness shall not overcome the light, and that Christ’s truth will reign forever — even in the darkest hour of human history.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment