The Abomination of Desolation - St. Marys Coptic Orthodox Church
The Abomination of Desolation - St. Marys Coptic Orthodox Church
The Abomination of Desolation - St. Marys Coptic Orthodox Church
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166<br />
DAY OF THE LORD<br />
enough about the fallacy <strong>of</strong> “eternal security” or “assured salvation.”<br />
THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH:<br />
God promised us a new heaven and a new earth, in which He will<br />
live forever with His elect, in eternal happiness. God will restore the<br />
world and all the creation into the happy state in which He had created<br />
it, before the fall <strong>of</strong> Adam and Eve brought a curse on the earth. (Gen<br />
3:17) God’s new creation is called the New (or Heavenly) Jerusalem.<br />
Many passages <strong>of</strong> the Bible speak about this new world:<br />
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall<br />
not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for<br />
ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing,<br />
and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my<br />
people: and the voice <strong>of</strong> weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the<br />
voice <strong>of</strong> crying. (Isa 65:17-19)<br />
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a<br />
new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (IIPet 3:13)<br />
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the<br />
first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Rev 21:1)<br />
What these verses tell us is a new creation, a new heaven and earth, in<br />
which God will dwell with His people, His elect, those who had pleased<br />
Him since the beginning. We are told that there will be joy, no more<br />
weeping or crying. <strong>The</strong>re will be sin no more, for righteousness shall<br />
dwell in the new world. <strong>The</strong> Book <strong>of</strong> Revelation tells us that the sea<br />
will be no more, for the sea in Apocalyptic language symbolizes sin.<br />
That is why Revelation 13, tells us that the Beast (Antichrist,<br />
<strong>Abomination</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Desolation</strong>) will come out <strong>of</strong> the sea which symbolizes<br />
sin. Note that <strong>St</strong>. Paul calls him “that man <strong>of</strong> sin.” (II <strong>The</strong>s 2:3) <strong>The</strong><br />
theme <strong>of</strong> joy and lack <strong>of</strong> sorrow is further emphasized for us in Isaiah<br />
35:10:<br />
And the ransomed <strong>of</strong> the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with<br />
songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and<br />
gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
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