ACC ~ Matthew 24 v29

THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED

INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW: “The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.” Either on account of the undeserved persecution suffered by the saints, for even worse crimes committed by the wicked or to show forth the wrath of God in the last days while the wicked are still living upon the earth, a taste of the infernal darkness will be given. Whatever the reason, it is fitting that a night should intervene between the two days, for a new day of resurrection is about to be born. The days will be separated lest there seem to be one nature belonging both to this world and to the next. For we die in carnal bodies, but we will be raised in spiritual bodies. [1] The day of darkness then serves as a sort of death, indicating that something new will be born. Or it could be that the night represents evil and the daytime righteousness. HOMILY 49. [2]

[1] 1 Cor 15:44.

[2] PG 56:918.

A GREAT CHANGE WILL COME

CHRYSOSTOM: The sun shall be darkened, not destroyed. It will be overcome by the light of God’s presence. The stars shall fall, for what shall be the need of them thereafter, if there is no night? And “the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” For a great change had come to pass. When the stars were made, they trembled and marveled. When the stars were made, all angels praised the Lord with a loud voice. [1] Much more upon seeing all things in course of final change, and their fellow servants giving account, and the whole world standing by that awful judgment seat, and all those who had lived from Adam until his coming having an account demanded of them of all that they did, wouldn’t you expect the powers of the heavens to tremble and be shaken? THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 76.3. [2]

[1] Job 38:7 LXX.

[2] PG 58:698; NPNF 1 10:459.

THE RECAPITULATION OF CREATION

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: How will they not shudder with fear? For heaven and earth are transformed for the sake of God’s own discretion (to speak something accurately about such things requires more than one word). The sun and the moon will be darkened, and the stars will fall like flowers. Their very nature is again changed by the One who created them, just as he wills, and the heavenly bodies will be thrown into disorder. For as humanity is renewed the whole creation, which had been created for the sake of humanity, is recapitulated and restored. FRAGMENT 271. [1]

[1] MKGK 245.