Homily on the Last Judgement
By St. John of Kronstadt
(Delivered in 1907)
By St. John of Kronstadt
(Delivered in 1907)
"I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, who will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead" (7th article of the Symbol of Faith).
Who is speaking? Every Christian speaks thus. But if every Christian, then, without a doubt, myself and each of you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, do you sincerely believe that Jesus Christ, the righteous Judge of all earthly beings, will come to judge all people. the living and the dead, who will all come to life either for eternal blessedness or for eternal condemnation? Are you ready to meet the universal Judge and answer at the terrible Judgment of Christ for every deed and word? Do you have good deeds? Why ask? From the life and actions of Christians it is clearly evident that they have forgotten about the righteous Judge, about the terrible judgment, about eternal life, and with each passing day they are rushing headlong toward eternal destruction, which they do not even imagine. They hasten to receive their consolation on earth, in order to lose it forever in heaven. That is the concern, how to kill precious time, how to spend it pleasantly, but no one cares about spending it with benefit for the soul, to prepare for the outcome of their affairs (Proverbs 24:27).
Our earthly joys are almost uninterrupted. Many of us live as if we will never have to die and give an account of our lives. What does this mean? Is it not because we think that we will repent only before death and receive complete forgiveness? Of course, God does not reject those who come to Him at the eleventh hour, that is, who turn to Him with all their hearts. But if your heart has been far from God for the greatest part of your life, do you think that it can easily be moved to God, to arouse in it feelings of repentance before death? No, brethren, a Christian death is a reward for true Christians. Repent, if possible, throughout your entire life, and you will be met by a peaceful end with sincere repentance.
Therefore, prepare for the judgment, the terrible judgment, the righteous judgment, the only and final judgment, after which there will be either eternal blessedness or endless torment. Do not be surprised that I speak so decisively: after all, we are very close to the eternal fire, and perhaps "this night your soul will be exacted from you by many" (Luke 12:20); and you are in hell, in torment ... in this flame. Therefore, prepare for the judgment from this day on: do good deeds while it lasts. The night of death will come, "when no one can work" (John 9:4). We have labored long enough in vanity. It is time to look at the poor soul with the eyes of trial. Visit the church, sigh over your sins; await with her in fear the great day of judgment. The Church constantly thinks about the judgment: morning, afternoon, and evening. Every day, sooner or later, she reminds her children of this great day that will decide the fate of the entire human race, and the thoughts of her children are occupied with what pleasantly turns their heads for a few minutes, gladdens their hearts, passionate for earthly joys. The Lord, the Truth, the Life, thunders with His voice about His Judgment, which is sure to take place, commands us to "watch and pray" in spirit at all times (Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36), so that we may be worthy to avoid the terrible fate of the condemned. The Apostles assure us that "the Judge is standing at the door" (James 5:9), but we, it seems, do not want to hear about it. Others think and even say: "What a terrible judgment! The Lord is merciful, He will have mercy; after all, we sin more out of weakness than out of malice, that only the merciful will obtain mercy (Matt. 5:7); that judgment without mercy will come to him who has shown no mercy (James 2:13). Where are your works of mercy, when it is evident that you care only for yourselves?
Brethren! God forbid that anyone should appear where the rich man was, who rejoiced brightly every day. But if we should appear there, it will be too late for us to ask for a drop of water to cool our tongues, and it will be too late for us to warn our relatives, lest they also should come there (Luke 16:19–31).
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man will come" (Matthew 25:13). Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
