ACC ~ Mark 13 v33a

THE COMING JUDGMENT

TERTULLIAN: How useless is the advice of those simplistic moralists who teach that after death rewards and punishments fall with lighter weight! That is, if any judgment at all awaits the soul! Rather it ought to be assumed that judgment will be weightier at the end of life than during it. For nothing is more telling and complete than that which comes at the very end. So no judgment could be more complete than God’s. Accordingly, God’s judgment will be incomparably radical and comprehensive, because it will be pronounced at the very last, in an eternal irrevocable sentence, both of punishment and of consolation. Then souls will not conveniently dissolve into senselessness, but will return into their own proper bodies. All this occurs once for all, on “that day, too, of which the Father only knows,” [1] in order that a full trial be made of faith, and of faith’s concerned sincerity which awaits in trembling expectation, keeping her gaze ever fixed on that day, in her perpetual ignorance of when it will arrive, daily trembling at that for which she yet daily hopes. ON THE SOUL 33. [2]

[1] Mt 24:36; Mk 13:32.

[2] Cetedoc 0017, 33.72; ANF 3:215**; cf. AEG 5:164. Faith remains calm in watching for the day of which it remains ignorant and confident even in trembling daily for that for which it daily hopes.

DAILY READINESS

ATHANASIUS: The end of all things is concealed from us. For in the end of all is the end of each, and in the end of each is the end of all [on the last day]. Whereas this time is uncertain and always in prospect, we may advance day by day as if summoned, reaching forward to the things before us and forgetting the things behind. [1] For who, if they knew the day of the end, would not disregard the interval? But if ignorant, would they not be more ready day by day? It was on this account that the Savior said: “Watch; for you do not know when the time will come.” [2] FOUR DISCOURSES AGAINST THE ARIANS 3.49. [3]

[1] Phil 3:13.

[2] Mt 25:13; Mk 13:33.

[3] NPNF 2 4:420-21*; TLG 2035.042, 26.428.14-26.