ACC ~ Matthew 24 v24

FALSE CHRISTS WILL ARISE

EPIPHANIUS THE LATIN: We are warned by the Lord so that if anyone were to come to us falsely in his name, none of us would believe in such a person, having already been prepared. Henceforth how great will be the signs by which the faith of the elect is demonstrated! But whoever builds his house on the rock, that is, establishes his faith on Christ, cannot be destroyed by winds or rains. The rock represents Christ, the floods are the kings, and the winds are the kings’ orders to persecute the servants of God. [1]

The holy reading continues: “False Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders so that even the elect would be led into error, if possible. Behold, I have told you.” You see then, beloved, what great love the Lord displays toward us. He carefully instructs each one of us individually regarding the future so that even if we see all these signs come to pass (having been forewarned by him) we will be wise to the enemy and accept nothing contrary to Christ and the catholic faith. In the Acts of the Apostles, Simon declared himself to be the power of God. [2] Likewise, in the last days, the antichrist will declare himself to be God, as the apostle says, “Thus he will sit in the temple of God, calling himself God … whom the Lord Jesus Christ will kill with the breath of his mouth.” [3] The day of judgment will come upon the antichrist also, and the Lord will kill him with the sword of his mouth. INTERPRETATION OF THE GOSPELS 33. [4]

[1] Mt 7:24-25.

[2] Acts 8:19.

[3] 2 Thess 2:4-8.

[4] PL Supp 3:883.

THE ELECT

INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW: “That they might lead even the elect into error, if possible.” Scripture doesn’t say “that they might deceive even the elect, if possible,” but that they might “lead them into error.” Commonly, when the saints encounter hidden works of the devil under the appearance of goodness, they cannot understand the enemy’s boundless treachery. They are troubled in their hearts and scandalized, asking, “What is happening here?” Yet they are not easily convinced to believe him, for even if their human reason is overcome, they stand firm by faith.

Scripture says “if possible” in order to show the greatness of the signs. How prodigious those signs must have been to deceive even the elect! Yet they were not deceived, because those whom God has preordained to life cannot die. The power of God was shown forth when he forewarned the faithful about these signs for the sake of their salvation. Nevertheless these matters are best understood with regard to the rise of the heresies. False Christs are the false truths of the heresies, and false prophets are preachers of false truths. Their signs consist in doing the same things falsely which the faithful do truthfully. They remain chaste and observe the fasts and practice mercy and fulfill every rule of the church. Do not the devil’s signs appear most deceptive when you see him doing the works of God? HOMILY 49. [1]

[1] PG 56:916.