[1] 1 Tim 6:20-21 “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”
“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”[1]
Modernism embodies a rather sly and sophisticated religion that recognizes the truth of Holy Scripture, but in some respects denies the full truth of it.
One might not believe in Darwin[2], but often we have difficulty in believing in the global flood. We are taken in with radioactive dating and grammar school geological foundation. But we are called to believe everything the Scriptures say are perfectly and completely true and have good reason to believe – including scientific. More blessed are those who do not see and believe.
Though as Scripture says the Earth is of old, there IS a flood, there IS a garden, there IS an Adam and there IS an Eve and even terrible sinners have hard factual scientific material and mathematical reasons to believe. The manifest IS, is found in the Orthodox Church where the eternal and temporal are respected and preserved. Baptism IS the flood manifest in our time. It IS Jesus weeping in our time and we are weeping in Him for our sins. The Church IS the garden. Adam and Eve are again in the garden by the merits of the New Adam Jesus Christ and the New Eve Holy Mary, the Mother of God who reveals her Son.
Yet these literal truths lived out now have their manifestations in what preceded them as recorded by Moses. They happened despite what modern sophists say. The math is crystal clear. The science is clear.
We do not need visions, with the spiritually poor intellect and mind, one can reason these things out and there is a need to articulate them. Roman Catholic traditionalist intellects go back to Vatican I to find their rest, but the disease, the slow temporal poison of the Filioque improperly restrained and defined, has caused the western Church to enter the causal path that decays to errors manifold in faithlessness. The western Church in its temporal error projected the eternal procession of the Holy Spirit to the Son when the Son did not do so. The temporal experience of receiving the Holy Spirit as a practical temporal means through the Incarnate Son, was projected onto the eternal experience of the Son who explicitly said the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. This is the eternal procession, and even western Saints, like Padre Pio going back to joint Saints such as Holy Pope Saint Martin I and Saint Maximus the Confessor recognized this and were clear in their articulation.
In the West there is a temporal error and falling away from the fullness of truth and it manifests itself in various ways, and the scientific sophistication and intellectualism put onto the Christian faith is part of that excess – to fail to restrain oneself from projecting a speculation based on temporal contemporary experience, and extrapolating it in time or to the eternal where only God is the witness. James was very clear, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.”
What Moses said is truth, and what Jesus says is truth, and Jesus continues to say the Truth if we listen to Him and receive Him. There is evidence for the world-wide flood. It actually makes geological sense when viewed dispassionately. And the reality of Moses words are/were manifest in many ways in the Church. The truth of the allegory is found in the literal and the literal is ever realized in the presence of the eternal. Saint Thomas Aquinas said something rather similar about allegory resting on literal true events.
Such faith goes to the precision with which people treat the words of the Holy Gospels in the “educated” west. This goes to using the words Jesus used for the proceeding of the Holy Spirit. For the God-man knows the eternal and He said the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father; as the Father demanded during the Transfiguration, “While he [Peter] yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”[3]
And further Peter later emphasized:
Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that ye take heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.[4]
A lack of precision to deviate from the actual words of the Gospels or to doubt the truth of what Moses said, causes all sorts of problems. Those problems, rooted in vainglory, selfishness, passions, disobedience and wishful thinking in lust and luxury embodies the heresy of “modernism.” And this was foretold, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts…”[5]
Jesus speaks of eternity that He Himself knows for He is Divine. In John 16, Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit in causal time, for Jesus is Incarnate man, fully human and fully Divine. In humanity He entered the age, in Divinity He speaks of Eternity. “I believe all the Son of God has spoken; There is nothing truer than this word of Truth.”[6] Or as an Anglican hymn goes, “whatsoever the Truth has spoken, that for Truth I hold.”
This being the case, western Catholics should use the Truth’s words as the Second Great Ecumenical Council, and the eighth Ecumenical Council of 879 AD which they accepted as Ecumenical for two hundred years, or clarify their teachings. One should have respect to the Father and His property. But the inheritance of the Father who is Christ was taken[7], and the prodigal west has lavishly spent it on the world as the Lord Himself foretold.[8] So the temporal error of projecting the reception of the Holy Spirit in the world has been projected to the next world, and with that error one presumes to spend the Spiritual inheritance as one pleases, rather than in accordance with the benefit of the spiritual household.
The Orthodox celebrate seven Ecumenical Councils, while the western Catholics presume to make councils Ecumenical by themselves and forget what the Lady at Fatima demanded, that ALL THE BISHOPS consecrate Russia, which would require a truly Ecumenical Council. The west reverted to the eighth council of 869 AD over the 879 AD council as the eighth, and have slandered Saint Photius the Great ever since the Frankish Papacy was fully established in 1076 AD. It is not lost, even to Vatican II theologians, that the most profound changes to the Western Catholic Church occurred between 1075 and 1175 so much so, that a person from a century earlier would not recognize the Church. And of course with Vatican II, which sealed the Frankish claims of Vatican I, that change is beyond all recognition.
To summarize, the error of adding “and the Son” to the creed without teaching the distinction between the temporal and eternal, is an error of authority. It is an error of time. It is an error of respect. It is an error of faithlessness to the Lord’s words in Holy Scripture. It is an error that causes all the deviations and errors we see in Popes of late, who blatantly and foolishly honored idols. It is an error of the prodigal son. It is an error that causes spiritual starvation. It is an error that seals bad ecclesiology and lack of faith in the literal scriptures, leading to apostasy. It is an error that denudes the faith, for the proper covering is the lamb and lamb skin and not fig leaves, figurative as they are[9]. It is a shaking of the heavens itself, and the western Churches are falling from the heavens before our very eyes in these times, turning to ash. It is an error where one choses the world and the things of this world over God and His foolishness, such as the truth that the Earth is established, its shall never be moved forever!
And here, let us consider a vision of the Orthodox Priest, Saint John Kronstadt in January 1901, when 19th Century science should have been dead:
After evening prayers I laid down to rest a little in my dimly lit cell since I was fatigued. Hanging before the icon of the Mother of God was my lit lampada. Not more than a half hour had passed when I heard soft rustle. Someone touched my left shoulder, and in tender voice said to me, ‘Arise servant of God John and follow the will of God!’
I arose and saw near the window glorious starets (elder) with frosty grey hair, wearing a black mantia, and holding staff in his hand. He looked at me tenderly, and I could scarcely keep from falling because of my great fear. My hands and feet trembled, and I wanted to speak, but my tongue would not obey me. The starets made the sign of the cross over me, and calm and joy soon came over me. Then I made the sign of the cross myself. He then pointed to the western wall of my cell with his staff in order that I should notice a certain spot. The starets had inscribed on the wall the following numbers: 1913, 1914, 1917, 1922, 1924, and 1934.
Suddenly the wall vanished, and I walked with the starets toward a green field and saw a mass of crosses-thousands standing as grave markers. They were wooden, clay, or gold. I asked the starets, ‘What are these crosses for’ He softly answered, “These crosses are for those who suffered and were murdered for their faith in Christ and for the Word of God and have become martyrs!”
And so we continued to walk. Suddenly I saw an entire river of blood and asked the starets, ‘What is the meaning of this blood? How much has been spilled?’ The starets looked around and replied, This is the blood of true Christians!’ The starets then pointed to some clouds, and I saw mass of burning white lamps. They began to fall to the ground one after another by the tens and by the hundreds. During their descent they grew dim and turned to ashes. The starets then said to me, ‘Look!’ I saw on a cloud seven burning lamps. I asked, ‘What is the meaning of the burning lamps which fell to the ground’ He said, Those are the churches of God which have fallen into heresy, but these seven lamps on the clouds are the seven Catholic and Apostolic Churches which will remain until the end of the world!’
The starets then pointed high into the air and I saw and heard angels singing, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth!’ Then a large crowd of people with candles in their hands rushed by with joy on their shining faces. They were archbishops, monks, nuns, groups of laymen, young adults, and even children and babies. I asked the wonderworking starets, ‘What is the meaning of these people’ He responded, These are all the people who suffered for the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church, for the holy icons at the hands of the wicked destroyers.’ I then asked the great starets if I could sit down next to them. The starets said, ‘It is too early for you to suffer, so joining them would not be blessed by God!’
Again I saw a large group of infants who had suffered for Christ under Herod[10] and had received crowns from the Heavenly King. We walked further and went into large church. I wanted to make the sign of the cross, but the starets said, ‘It is not necessary to cross yourself because this is a place of abomination and desolation!’ The church was very gloomy. On the altar was a star and a Gospel book with stars. Candles made of tar were burning and crackling like firewood. The chalice was standing there covered by strong stench. There was prosphora with stars. A priest stood before the altar with face like pitch and woman was under the altar covered in red with a star on her lips and she screamed and laughed throughout the church saying, ‘I am free!’ I thought Oh, Lord, how awful! The people, like madmen, began to run around the altar, scream, whistle, and clap their hands. Then they began to sing lecherous songs. Suddenly lightning flashed, frightening thunderbolt resounded, the earth trembled, and the church collapsed, sending the woman, the people, the priest, and the rest into the abyss. I thought Oh Lord, how awful, save us!
The starets saw what had happened as did I. I asked, ‘Father, tell me, what is the meaning of this frightening church?’ He responded, These are the earthly people, heretics who have abandoned the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church and recognized the newly innovated church which God has not blessed. In this church they do not fast, do not attend services, and do not receive Holy Communion!’ I was frightened and said, The Lord has pity on us, but curses those with death!’ The starets interrupted me and said, ‘Do not mourn, but just pray!’ Then I saw a throng of people, each of whom had a star on his lips and was terribly exhausted from thirst, walking here and there. They saw us and yelled loudly, ‘Holy Fathers, pray for us. It is very hard for us because we ourselves cannot. Our Fathers and Mothers did not teach us the Law of God. ‘We do not even have the name of Christ, and we have received no peace. We rejected the Holy Spirit and the sign of the cross!’ They began to cry.
I followed after the starets. ‘Look!’ he said pointing with his hand. I saw a mountain of human corpses stained in blood. I was very frightened, and I asked the starets, ‘What is the meaning of these dead bodies?’ He replied, These are people who lived the monastic life, were rejected by the Antichrist, and did not receive his seal. They suffered for their faith in Christ and the Apostolic Church and received martyrs crowns dying for Christ. Pray for these servants of God!’
Without warning the starets turned to the north and pointed with his hand. I saw an imperial palace, around which dogs were running. Wild beasts and scorpions were roaring and charging and baring their teeth. And I saw the Tsar sitting on a throne. His face was pale and masculine. He was reciting the Jesus Prayer. Suddenly he fell like a dead man. His crown fell. The wild beasts, dogs, and scorpions trampled on the anointed Sovereign. I was frightened and cried bitterly. The starets took me by my right shoulder. I saw a figure shrouded in white – it was Nicholas II. On his head was a wreath of green leaves, and his face was white and somewhat bloodied. He wore a gold cross around his neck and was quietly whispering a prayer. And then he said to me with tears, ‘Pray for me, Fr. John. Tell all Orthodox Christians that I, the Tsar-martyr, died manfully for my faith in Christ and the Orthodox Church. Tell the Holy Fathers that they should serve a Panachida for me, a sinner, but there will be no grave for me!’
Soon everything became hidden in the fog. I cried bitterly praying for the Tsar-martyr. My hands and feet trembled from fear. The starets said, :Look! Then I saw a throng of people scattered about the land who had died from starvation while others were eating grass and vegetation. Dogs were devouring the bodies of the dead, and the stench was terrible. I thought, Oh Lord, these people had no faith. From their lips they expelled blasphemy, and for this they received God’s anger.
I also saw an entire mountain of books and among the books worms were crawling emitting a terrible stench. I asked the starets, ‘What was the meaning of these books?’ He said, These books are the Godlessness and blasphemy which will infect all Christians with heretical teachings!’ Then the starets touched his staff to some of the books, and they ignited into flames. The wind scattered the ashes. Further on, I saw a church around which was a large pile of prayer intentions for the departed. I bent over and wanted to read them, but the starets said, These prayer requests for the dead have been lying here for many years, and the priests have forgotten about them. They are never going to read them, but the dead will ask someone to pray for them!’ I asked, ‘Who, will they get to pray for them?’ The starets answered: ‘The Angels will pray for them!’
We proceeded further, and the starets quickened the pace so that I could hardly keep up with him. ‘Look!’ he said. I saw a large crowd of people being persecuted by demons who were beating them with stakes, pitchforks, and hooks. I asked the starets, ‘What is the meaning of these people?’ He answered, These are the ones who renounced their faith and left the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church and accepted the new innovative church. This group represents priests, monks, nuns, and laymen who renounced their vows or marriage, and engaged in drinking and all sorts of blasphemy and slander. All of these have terrible faces and a terrible stench comes from their mouths. The demons beat them, driving them into the terrible abyss, from where hell fire comes forth. ‘ I was terribly frightened. I made the sign of the cross while praying, Lord deliver us from such a fate!
I then saw a group of people, both old and young, all of whom were terribly dressed, and who were raising a large, five pointed star. On each corner were twelve demons and in the middle was Satan himself with terrifying horns and a straw head. He emitted a noxious foam onto the people while pronouncing these words, ‘Arise you accursed ones with the seal of [Antichrist] Suddenly many demons appeared with branding irons and on all the people they placed the seal: on their lips, above the elbow and on their right hands. I asked the starets, ‘What is the meaning of this?’ He responded, This is the mark of the Antichrist!’ I made the sign of the cross and followed after the starets.
He suddenly stopped and pointed to the east with his hand. I saw a large gathering of people with joyous faces carrying crosses and candles in their hands. In their midst stood a large altar as white as snow. On the altar was the cross and the Holy Gospel and over the altar was the vosduch with golden imperial crown on which was written in golden letter, ‘For the short term.’ Patriarchs, bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and laymen stood around the altar. They were all singing, ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace on Earth’ Out of great joy I made the sign of the cross and praised God. Suddenly the starets waved his cross upwards three times, and I saw mountain of corpses covered in human blood and above them Angels were flying. They were taking the souls of those murdered for the Word of God to heaven while they sang, Alleluia!’ I observed all this and cried loudly.
The starets took me by the hand and forbade me to cry. ‘What is pleasing to God is that Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered and shed His precious blood for us. Such ones will become martyrs who do not accept the seal of the antichrist, and all who shed their blood will receive heavenly crowns.’ The starets then prayed for these servants of God and pointed to the east as the words of the Prophet Daniel came true, ‘Abomination of desolation.’ Finally, I saw the cupola of Jerusalem. Above it was a star. Within the church millions of people thronged and still many more were trying to enter inside. I wanted to make the sign of the cross, but the starets grabbed my hand and said, ‘Here is the abomination of desolation!’
So we entered into the church, and it was full of people. I saw an altar on which tallow candles were burning. On the altar was a king in red, blazing, porphyry. On his head was a golden crown with a star. I asked the starets, ‘Who is this?’ He replied, ‘The Antichrist!’ He was very tall with eyes like fire, black eyebrows, a wedge-shaped beard, a ferocious, cunning, evil, and terrible face. He alone was on the altar and he reached his hands out to the people. He had claws as those of a tiger for hands and he shouted, ‘I am King. I am God. I am the Leader. He who does not have my seal will be put to death.’ All the people fell down and worshipped him, and he began to place his seal on their lips and on their hands in order that they should receive some bread and not die from hunger and thirst.
Around the Antichrist his servants were leading several people whose hands were bound as they had not bowed down to worship him. They said, “We are Christians, and we all believe in our Lord Jesus Christ!’ The Antichrist ripped off their heads in a flash and Christian blood began to flow A child was then led to the altar of the Antichrist to worship him, but he boldly proclaimed, ‘I am a Christian and believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, but you are a minister, a servant of Satan!’ ‘Death to him!’ exclaimed the Antichrist. Others who accepted the seal of the Antichrist fell down and worshipped him. Suddenly roar of thunder resounded and thousand lightning flashes began to sparkle. Arrows began to strike the servants of the Antichrist. Then a large flaming arrow flashed by and hit the Antichrist himself on the head. As he waved his hand, his crown fell and was crushed into the ground. Then millions of birds flew in and perched on the servants of the Antichrist.
I felt the starets take me by the hand. We walked further on, and I again saw much Christian blood. It was here that I remembered the words of Saint John the Theologian in the book of Revelation that blood would ‘be up to the horse’s bridle.’ I thought, Oh my God, save us! At that time I saw Angels flying and singing, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord of Sabaoth!’ The starets looked back and went on to say, ‘Do not grieve, for soon, very soon, will come the end of the world! Pray to the Lord. God be merciful to His servants!’ Time was drawing near to close. He pointed to the east, fell to his knees and began to pray So I prayed with him. Then the starets began to quickly depart from the earth to the heights of heaven. As he did so I remembered that I did not know his name, so cried out loudly, ‘Father, what is your name?’ He tenderly replied, ‘Seraphim of Sarov!’
That is what ‘saw, and this is what ‘ have recorded for Orthodox Christians. A large bell rang above my head, and I heard the sound and arose from bed. ‘Lord, bless and help me through the prayers of the great starets! You have enlightened me, the sinful servant, the priest John of Kronstadt.”
[1] John 5:46-47
[2] Unlike the vast majority of people who talk about his book and theory, I read most of the mind numbingly boring book but skimmed/perused the last chapters. The first prepositional phrase in the title is deceptive. The second title sounds like Mein Kampf, and the rest of it goes to hell from there.
[3] Matthew 17:5
[4] II Peter 1:15-21
[5] II Peter 3:3
[6] From Adoro te devote, Thomas Aquinas
[7] Matthew 16:22-28
[8] Luke 15:11-32
[9] Genesis 3:7-21, … the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them
[10] Globally, 1.5 Billion abortions since 1980. Russia was the world leader in ushering in abortion as ‘birth control’ with the Communist revolution, and the ideology spread world-wide. Even the Soviets eventually realized they were destroying themselves, but they could not stem the tide in their own nation once the floodgate opened.
The Two Pillars 