ACC ~ John 5 v43

HIS COMING IN THE NAME OF THE LORD

EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA: Holy Scripture records that this prophecy [1] was fulfilled when our Lord and Savior Christ entered Jerusalem…. And the words “blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord” explain the words that follow: “The Lord is God and has appeared to us.” [2] It was, then, one and the same Lord God who appeared to them, that is to say, the Word of God. It is he who is therefore blessed, because he came among people in the name of the Lord his Father who sent him. It was therefore to reprove the Jews who disbelieved in him that he said, “I came in the name of my Father, and you received me not. But if one comes in his own name, him will you receive.” So the Holy Spirit suitably addressed the opening verses of the psalm not to the Jewish people but to all the nations. PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 6.8.2-3. [3]

[1] Ps 117-118 (116-117 LXX).

[2] Ps 118:27 (117:27 LXX).

[3] POG 2:8*. See also Proof of the Gospel 9.18 (POG 2:189).

ANTICHRIST RECEIVED MORE READILY THAN CHRIST

HILARY OF POITIERS: Jesus comes in the name of the Father, that is, he is not himself the Father and yet is in the same divine nature as the Father. For as Son and God it is natural for him to come in the name of the Father. But then, when another comes in the same name [ironically] he is the one they will receive. And he is one from whom people will expect glory and to whom they will give glory in return, though he will pretend to have come in the name of the Father. By this, doubtless, is signified the antichrist, glorying in his false use of the Father’s name. He is the one they will glorify, and they will be glorified by him. But the glory of him who alone is God they will not seek. ON THE TRINITY 9.22. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 9:162*. See also Irenaeus Against Heresies 5.25.4 (ANF 1:554).

THOSE WHO FOLLOW ANTICHRIST ACT ACCORDING TO INCLINATION

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: I [Jesus says] refer what I say and do to the Father, because my glory is the glory of my Father. Therefore I lead you to the Father and do not offer a pretext for your unbelief. But he [i.e., antichrist] will come and will not mention the Father. Instead he will do all his works for his own glory. He will tell everyone that he is god by showing himself to be great and admirable before all. And then you will take refuge in him, and you will stay firm in your resolve without resorting to the pretext of your love for God or the intervention of the Father. And from all that you do now and you will do then, it is evident that you act according to your inclination to evil. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 2.5.43. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:128.