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Explanation for:
Matthew
24
:
39
And they knew not till the flood came, and took them all away; so also shall the coming of the Son of man be.
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"To further reinforce the notion that Christ was not unaware of the day of His crucifixion, we can turn our attention to His addition of yet another sign regarding His return: “For as in the days before the flood they ate, drank, married and were given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and thought nothing of it, until the flood came and destroyed them all, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24:38-39). The Lord articulated this to illustrate that His return would arrive abruptly and without warning, while most were engrossed in their pleasures. The Apostle Paul expresses a similar sentiment when he states, “when they say, ‘Peace and safety,’ then suddenly the plague will overtake them” (1 Thess. 5:3), further elaborating this notion by likening it to the suddenness of birth pains striking a pregnant woman. \\n\\nThis leads us to question how Christ can say, “after the tribulation of those days” (Matt. 24:29). If there are indeed comforts, “peace and safety,” as Paul notes, how can Christ also refer to “after the tribulation of those days”? When there is joy, how can there be tribulation? Here, we are referring to the pleasures and illusions of peace that can only be entertained by those who are spiritually unaware. It is important to note that the apostle does not say, “When there shall be peace,” but rather, “when they shall say, Peace and safety,” highlighting their insensitivity akin to those in Noah's time, who continued in their enjoyment despite impending disaster, while the righteous mourned in sorrow. \\n\\nConsequently, it is clear that with the advent of the Antichrist, shameful indulgences will proliferate among the wicked, alongside those who have lost hope in their salvation, leading to excess and debauchery. Christ’s example is aptly applicable to the current situation. Similarly, in Noah's days, when the ark was being prepared, the populace remained in disbelief and nonchalance, indulging themselves in pleasure despite being warned of imminent peril. The arrival of the Antichrist will precede a culmination of events, after which divine judgment will bring forth unparalleled suffering, while those lost in indulgence will remain oblivious to the disasters looming ahead. Just as “the agony of childbirth befalls her that is in the womb,” as stated by the Apostle, so too will these dreadful and unavoidable calamities come upon them.\\n\\nWhy did Christ refrain from referencing the ruin that overcame the people of Sodom? He aimed to illustrate a global catastrophe, one similarly ignored in its foretelling. Many failed to accept the warnings of what was to come, prompting Christ to remind them of past occurrences to instill fear and reflection in their hearts. He simultaneously indicates that His actions in past events hold relevance to the current circumstances."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The inquiry arises regarding the scripture that states, \\"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places; yet this is the beginning of sorrows.\\" It is now predicted that these occurrences, which signal a time of tranquility, are about to unfold. To clarify this, we must consider the words of the Apostle, recognizing that after the turmoil of wars, conflicts, harmful plagues, famine, earthquakes, and other calamities that devastate humanity, there will be a temporary period of peace that hints at a complete harmony. This anticipated peace aims to strengthen the faith of believers, or at least, with the cessation of tribulations, they may hold onto the hope that the Judge is imminent. Indeed, as the Apostle Paul asserts, \\"When they say, ‘Peace and safety,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them, just as the pains of childbirth come upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.\\""},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Observe the precision with which He prophesies all events leading to His return, indicating His awareness of that day and hour, yet remaining silent for a profound purpose. For a thorough understanding, refer to the tenth chapter in Gregory the Theologian's Second Discourse on the Son, where an insightful explanation is provided."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The exact moment of Christ's return, including the specific day and hour, is known only to the Father; even the angels in heaven are unaware. Humanity will continue to live as they currently do, much like in the time of Noah, indulging in eating, drinking, and marrying, oblivious to the impending end. In Noah's time, people were completely unprepared for the judgment that ultimately came when Noah entered the ark and the flood swept them away. Similarly, at the return of the Son of Man, many will disregard the necessity to account for their lives before God. Therefore, be vigilant, so that your hearts do not become burdened by excess and anxiety over life's challenges, lest that day unexpectedly overtake you. It will arrive suddenly, like a snare, upon all who reside on the earth (Luke 21:34-35)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"They were indifferent, and some even mocked the preparations for the ark, until the flood arrived and consumed them all. This will be the scenario at the arrival of the Son of Man, reflecting the same indulgence, the same extravagance, the same disbelief, and the same moral decay. In the days of Lot, people engaged in eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building; but the day Lot departed from Sodom, fire and brimstone fell from the sky and annihilated them. Similarly, it will be when the Son of Man reveals Himself. St. Chrysostom noted that this illustrates how suddenly and unexpectedly Christ will return, occurring when the majority of humanity is lost in pleasure. The Apostle Paul echoes this, stating that while they proclaim ‘Peace and safety,’ sudden destruction will seize them (1 Thess. 5:3). To clarify this unexpectedness, he likens it to the pains of childbirth. \\n\\nHow then can Christ say, \\"After the tribulation of those days\\"? If there are pleasures, peace, and security at that time, as Paul suggests, why does the Lord reference tribulation? In times of joy, where is the tribulation? Only those devoid of awareness will experience pleasure and peace. Thus, Paul did not say simply, \\"When there is peace,\\" but rather, \\"When they say, ‘Peace and safety,’\\" to highlight their lack of understanding. Even in Noah's time, the wicked were engrossed in their pleasures while the righteous lived in heartache and sorrow. Therefore, it is clear that when the Antichrist appears, unrestrained indulgence will abound among the wicked and the hopeless: gluttony and debauchery will prevail. Just as people disregarded the warnings while the ark was being constructed, oblivious to the impending disaster, so too will they remain unmoved by the future appearance of the Antichrist and the end of the world that will follow, leading to punishment and profound suffering. Those steeped in vice will remain untroubled by these impending calamities. Consequently, as a woman in labor suffers, so too will these foes face unavoidable and dire tribulations. Thus, Christ provides a new sign of His coming, indicating that from the collection of these signs, it is clear He knew of that day. What then is this sign?"},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"They did not consider, as a result of their disbelief and negligence; those who were aware of the foretold flood should have reflected on these matters. Just as some mocked the building of the ark until the waters arrived and brought ruin to all, so too do some now scoff at the messages regarding the end times. Yet, the Lord declares, the day of judgment will come unexpectedly."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The timing of the arrival of the Son of Man remains a mystery, thus believers must remain spiritually vigilant: watch, watch, and pray: for the hour is unknown. To emphasize the importance of this spiritual attentiveness in the hearts of His disciples, the Lord shared a parable, portraying Himself as a master departing from His household, which represents the Church, to return to His Father in heaven. He then signifies His eventual return to His servants to evaluate the responsibilities assigned to them. A master leaving his home grants authority and assigns tasks to his servants while instructing the doorkeeper to remain alert. This call to spiritual vigilance is a timeless directive for all followers of Christ until the culmination of days: I say unto you, I say unto all, watch. This encapsulates the Lord's imperative. Be mindful, lest your hearts become burdened with excess and worldly distractions, so that the day might unexpectedly envelop you, like a trap that ensnares all who dwell upon the earth: remain watchful, praying at all moments, so that you may be equipped to escape all these trials and stand before the Son of Man. The Lord disclosed essential truths to guide them in prudence, alerting them not to be swept away by rampant indulgence. Just as in the days of Noah, so will the coming of the Son of Man be: before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and pursuing their desires, up until the day Noah entered the ark, and they remained unaware until the floods came and carried everything away: this will be how the coming of the Son of Man will unfold. In that time, there will be two in the field: one will be taken, and the other will be left; two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken, and one will be left. The Lord had earlier cautioned His disciples about the suddenness of His arrival for judgment, indicating not only the night but also the coming events (Luke 17:26-30, 35-36). In reiterating this prophecy, He urged His faithful followers to remain perpetually alert in anticipation of the day of reckoning: 'Watch, for you do not know at what hour your Lord will come.' To illustrate further the necessity of remaining vigilant for His return and the dire repercussions of negligence in the crucial endeavor of soul's salvation, the Lord recalled the teaching regarding the servants awaiting the arrival of their master, which He had previously articulated (Luke 12:39, 40, 42-46)."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The inquiry from the disciples revolved around two topics: the timing and signs signaling the end of Jerusalem and the world, as well as the second coming of Christ. Until now, the Lord had addressed the latter part of their inquiry. He then begins to clarify the timing of the foretold events. He instructs them to recognize the proximity of the end through the signs to come, similar to how they would know summer is near by observing the tender and leafy branches of the fig tree. Furthermore, He specifies when His prophecy will be realized: “This generation shall not pass away, saith He, until all these things be fulfilled,” indicating that these events would indeed commence, which was seen with the destruction of Jerusalem occurring four decades later, in 70 AD. Ultimately, the Lord emphasizes the certainty of His foretelling, asserting that heaven and earth could be destroyed rather than His words remain unfulfilled. After outlining the general onset of the fulfillment of His prophecies, the Lord also states: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” He warns that mankind will be surprised by that final day, just as Noah’s contemporaries were caught off guard by the flood, and as an unexpected assault catches one of two workers while leaving the other unscathed."},{"author-name":"Nekrasow A.A. Prof.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"And perceived nothing.\\" - They did not comprehend or recognize the truth."},{"author-name":"Innocentius of Kherson","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d18072d36d1a976dd2c_Innocentius%20of%20Kherson.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The words of Jesus exuded a profound and mysterious divine grandeur. Each listener sensed that they were receiving much more than a mere warning, realizing that both heaven and earth were poised to shift in order to fulfill His words. The God-Man continued, stating that concerning the final day and hour of the entire world, it is known to no one—not even the angels in heaven nor the Son Himself—but only the Father. For your edification, we can say that at the arrival of the Son of Man, it will mirror the conditions of Noah's days: as people were eating, drinking, and marrying right up until the moment Noah entered the ark, they remained oblivious to the impending judgment. Just as in those days, the coming of the Son of Man will catch many unaware, with the same indifference, indulgence, and immorality prevailing. The Lord further explained the abruptness of that day, noting that two individuals might be in a field: one would be taken, while the other would be left; similarly, two women would be at the mill, one taken and the other remaining. In light of such unpredictability, each person must remain vigilant, ensuring that their hearts are not burdened by excess or the cares of this life. For that day will arrive unexpectedly, like a snare that will entangle all who dwell on the earth. Thus, everyone should act as a homeowner would if he knew that a thief would arrive at an unpredictable hour—he would remain awake, guarding against intrusion. All the more, we must stay alert, as the Son of Man will come on a day when people least expect it."}]}
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