On the Signs of the Times
Regarding the events of the End, as described in the Apocalypse, someone once asked St. Paisios, Elder, how soon will these events take place? His reply is very informative, and shows a fundamental difference from how so many think about "the signs of the times". He replied, They are delayed because of you and because of me, so we may be able to acquire a good spiritual state. God is being patient, because if they were to occur now you and I would be lost. (Note that this is a direct reflection of St. Peter's words, that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, which were also given in answer to a similar question, "Where are the signs of his coming?") The Elder continued, "Nowhere in the teaching of Christ is there a specific reference to time. However, Sacred Scripture does say that the signs of the times will warn us of their coming. We must always be ready and shall see them when the time nears. The di