ACC ~ Mark 13 v24 - 27

OVERVIEW:

The various inspired texts on the final judgment must be read for their meaning rather than for a specific chronology (VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM). The final coming of light will overwhelm the light of the stars (BEDE). When the pillars of heaven shake, everything in creation becomes vulnerable (GREGORY THAUMATURGUS, BEDE). Even the most faithful will be shaken in the tribulation (AMBROSE). Even amid this calamity, God is restoring the brokenness of humanity, broken in Adam’s fall, by gathering from the whole world the new humanity in Christ. If we resist his first coming, we will tremble at his second (AUGUSTINE). The coming Son of Man will judge the nations and fulfill the longings of the saints (TERTULLIAN). He will come with power in his own body and in the risen bodies of the faithful (AUGUSTINE).

13:24a | After That Tribulation

NO SPECIFIC CHRONOLOGY

VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM: We must not inordinately fix upon the chronology of what is said in Scripture, because frequently the Holy Spirit, [1] having spoken of the end of the last times, then returns again to address a previous time, and fills up what had before been left unsaid. Nor must we look for a specific chronology in apocalyptic visions, [2] but rather follow the meaning of those things which are prophesied. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 7. [3]

[1] In inspiring the sacred text.

[2] Cf. Mt 24:36; Mk 13:32.

[3] PL 5:331; ANF 7:352*.

13:24b | The Moon Will Not Give Its Light

AS PERSECUTION MOUNTS

AMBROSE: As in its monthly eclipse, the moon, by reason of the earth coming between it and the sun, disappears from view, so likewise the holy church, when the vices of the flesh stand in the way of the celestial light, can no longer borrow the splendor of its divine light from the sun of Christ. … Also the stars, that is, leaders surrounded by the praise of their fellow Christians, shall fall, as the bitterness of persecution mounts up. COMMENTARY ON LUKE 10. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0143, 10.358; SSGF 1:4.

13:25a | The Stars Will Be Falling

THE FAITHFUL SHAKEN

AUGUSTINE: When impious persecutors rage beyond measure, and when the fortune of this world seems to smile upon them and fear leaves them and they say: “Peace and security,” then the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be moved, when many who seemed to shine brilliantly with grace will yield to the persecutors and will fall, and even the strongest of the faithful will be shaken. LETTER 199, TO HESYCHIUS 39. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0262, 199.57.11.278.7; FC 30:388.

WHEN THE TRUE LIGHT MAKES STARS SEEM DARK

BEDE: The stars at the day of judgment will seem to be dark, not by any failure of their own luster, but in consequence of the increase of the true light throwing them into the shade. EXPOSITION ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK 4.13.24. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 1355, 4.13.211; CCL 120:600; GMI 338.

13:25b | The Powers in the Heavens Will Be Shaken

THE COMING OF THE SON

TERTULLIAN: If you examine this whole passage of Scripture from the inquiry of the disciples down to the parable of the fig tree, [1] you will find that it makes sense at every point in connection with the coming of the Son of Man. He will bring both sorrow and joy. The Son of Man is coming in the midst of both calamities and promises, both the grief of nations and the longing of the saints. He is the common element in both. He who is common to both will end the one by inflicting judgment on the nations, and will commence the other by fulfilling the longings of the saints. AGAINST MARCION 4.39. [2]

[1] Mk 13:3-31.

[2] AEG 5:147-48**; Cetedoc 0014, 4.556.23; cf. ANF 3:416. The coming of the Son of Man stands at the juncture of historical catastrophe and intense joy, judging the nations and fulfilling the longings of the saints.

FLIGHT INTO DARKNESS

GREGORY THAUMATURGUS: The powers above—the angels guarding the universe—will be put into action in that storm and tumult of all things. Powerful men will stop. Laboring women will also stop and flee into the dark places of their houses. ON ECCLESIASTES 12. [1]

[1] TLG 2063.006, 1016.34-39; Gregory Thaumaturgus, Gregory’s Ecclesiastes, ed. J. Jarick (Atlanta, Ga.: Scholars Press, 1990), p. 291*.

THE PILLARS SHAKE

BEDE: What wonder is it, that human beings should be troubled at this judgment, the sight of which makes the very angelic powers tremble? What will the upper parts of the house do when the pillars underneath begin to shake? EXPOSITION ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK 4.13.25. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 1355, 4.13.211; GMI 338*.

13:26 | Son of Man Coming in the Clouds

WITH GREAT MAJESTY

AUGUSTINE: This could be taken in two ways: one, that he will come in the church as in a cloud, as he continues to come now according to his word: “Hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” [1] He comes with great power and majesty because his greater power and majesty will appear in the saints to whom he will give great power, so that they may not be overcome by such persecution. The other way in which he will come will be in his body in which he sits at the right hand of the Father, [2] in which, also, he died and rose again and ascended into heaven. LETTER 199, TO HESYCHIUS 41. [3]

[1] Mt 26:64.

[2] Mk 16:19; Rom 8:34; Col 3:1.

[3] Cetedoc 0262, 199.57.11.279.15; FC 30:389.

TREMBLING AT HIS SECOND COMING

AUGUSTINE: In his last advent he will come in the clouds to judge the quick and the dead, [1] just as he preached of clouds in his first voice which sounded forth in the gospel: “They will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” [2] What is “then”? Will not the Lord come again in later times, when all the peoples of the earth shall lament? He came first in preaching, and filled the whole wide world. Let us not resist his first coming, that we may not tremble at his second. ON THE PSALMS 96.14. [3]

[1] Cf. Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5.

[2] Mt 24:30; Mk 13:26; Lk 21:27.

[3] Cetedoc 0283, 39.95.14.7; NPNF 1 8:474.

13:27 | He Will Gather His Elect from the Four Winds

THE GATHERING OF ALL THE ELECT FROM THE WHOLE WORLD

AUGUSTINE: That he will gather his elect from the four winds means from the whole world. [1] For Adam himself, as I have shown, signifies in Greek the whole world, with the four letters (A, D, A, M). As the Greeks think of these matters, the four quarters of the world have these initial letters, Anatole (east), Dysis (west), Arktos (north), and Mesembria (south). Adam after the fall has been scattered over the whole world. [2] He was in one place, but fell, and as if crushed in tiny pieces, his progeny filled the whole world. But the mercy of God is gathering together the fragments from every side and is forging them together by the fire of love, and making one what was pulverized. That incomparable artist knew just how to do this. So let no one despair. This indeed is a great work of art. But reflect upon who the artist is. The very one who made shall restore. The one who formed shall reform. Where finally shall we come to know righteousness and truth? He will gather together his elect with him to the judgment, and the rest will be separated out. [3] ON THE PSALMS 96.15. [4]

[1] Cf. Mt 24:31; Mk 13:27.

[2] Cf. Gen 3:1-24.

[3] Cf. Mt 25:32.

[4] Cetedoc 0283, 39.95.15.4; NPNF 1 8:474-75**; cf. Tractate on John 10.12.2; FC 78:223.