Attacks on the Church will pass and Christ will triumph
What does belief in Parousia give me?
The certainty of Parousia gives me a completely different attitude towards the course of history. Seeing that there are historical situations hostile to the Christian faith, I know that they will pass away. Seeing that churches are emptying, the confessionals are torn down - I know that this situation is temporary, because God's power is in no way affected by the fact that faith is weakening today. And Christ's triumph is absolutely certain. In the pages of the Gospels, we read the question that Christ asked his disciples: When I come, will I find faith in the world? The disciples did not have strong faith right away, but prayed very wisely: Lord, increase our faith!
They understood that the mere knowledge of the Son of God - in their case very personal - was not enough. Did all the disciples immediately believed that Jesus was the Messiah? It seems to me that not everyone believed at once, but they certainly understood that they must ask for deep faith. Every person needs deep faith.
What else gives me faith in Parousia? I think that thanks to it I got peace of mind, but not necessarily nerves. Having gained the certainty of Parousia, man remains nervous and changeable. But if I reach deeper into my consciousness, I can clearly see there the absolute certainty of Parousia. It is sometimes covered with doubts, fears, but certainty once given has not been taken away from me. I know that the course of history is only temporary, and that Christ's triumph, the triumph of faith, is complete and sure. This certainty is timeless.
If it was dated, you could say we still have 200 or 120 years to go. We would start to count down the time and decide that we can still fool around. Therefore, the timelessness of Parousia gives a very deep spiritual peace to the one who has received it. Maybe someone will now ask how to get it? You have to pray for it. A symbolic vision is not necessary. The mere gift of certainty is enough. If a person prays for Parousia, he will be sure that there will be happiness and goodness in the world. And the certainty of the existence of Parousia is a great strength of consolation, given by God Himself.
The experience of Parousia is also very creative. It positions a man and strengthens his faith. Having the certainty of Parousia, man looks at evil differently. He sees it as evil, but it is already defeated in his consciousness. That is, the modern believer in Parousia sees that evil is no longer a force that cannot be overcome but believes that evil will be replaced by unimaginable divine happiness, order and justice for all mankind.
Belief in Parousia is a gift of God; therefore, it gives peace - divine peace. A person may still be nervous, changeable, or depressed, but deep down he will be calm. The depth of the human spirit is independent of the nerves.
Does belief in Parousia give strength to survive?
In the event of a crisis, it can be used. But belief in Parousia is not on the surface like belief in the existence of God - you know that God exists. On the other hand, the belief in Parousia is hidden in God's plans. Even Christ doesn't know when the Parousia will be. Only Heavenly Father will know about it.
How are we to pray for a Parousia?
Maranatha - Come Lord Jesus. These are the last words of the Apocalypse of St. John. The answer is: I will come soon.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george