Collected Works, Volume 2

It is written about the Israelites: "They despised the land they desired, they did not believe His word" (Psalm 105:24). Thus the rich and glorious, having joined in the blessings of this world, humiliate that great supper and do not believe in the Lord who calls them there. Wherefore it is written in the Apostle: See, brethren, who ye are that have been called: few of you are wise according to the flesh, not many strong, not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong; and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the despised things, and the things that were not, in order to abolish the things that mattered, so that no flesh should boast before God (1 Cor. 1:26-29). The poor and the poor, and the lean and despised of this world, are more willing to listen to the calling voice of the Lord, and they go to that supper, for they have few of the good things of this world. The love of honor, glory, wealth, sweets and luxury of this world blinds the eyes of the soul and does not allow us to see eternal blessings. And what a person does not see, he does not want.

Oh, if man saw the blessings of the future, he would strive for them no less than a deer to the springs of water! (Psalm 41:2). But for all lovers of this world, darkness, like a veil, lies on the eyes of the soul, and therefore they do not see those blessings. And he who turns to the Lord with a pure heart, then this veil is removed (2 Corinthians 3:16), and with the eye of faith he sees those blessings and diligently seeks them.

A Christian, rich and poor, glorious and poor! Let us turn from the world to the Lord, and our eyes will be opened, and let us hurry to that supper, let us believe the word of God, by which He calls us. We are called by God to great, heavenly, eternal and ineffable blessings, why do we set our heart to those who are nothing in themselves, and soon leave them? It is not in vain that the Apostle exhorts us: "Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world" (1 John 2:15) and so on. And again: If you have risen with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God; Set your mind on things above, and not on earthly things (Col. 3:1-2), for the love of this world stumbles our feet and does not allow us to go to that glorious supper.

Christian! Leave the goods of this world, and there we will receive all and incomparably better blessings, which eye has not seen, ear has not heard, and has not entered into the heart of man (1 Cor. 2:9). Be firmly convinced of these blessings, and without fail, I tell you the truth, despising the world, you will seek them with all diligence.

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It happens in this world that when all those invited to the supper are assembled, then the host who called them leads them into the decorated chamber prepared for the supper, and so they all sit down in their seats. So it will be with those who are called to the heavenly supper and come to it. Then the King of Heaven, to those who have heard His call and come to Him to supper, will say: "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34). And they shall go with triumph and gladness into His most glorious, heavenly, not made with hands, eternal and royal chamber, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 8:11). Then the prophetic word will be fulfilled: "And the Lord will bring them back, and they will come to Zion with joy; and everlasting joy is upon their heads; for praise and gladness and joy shall receive them over their heads; sickness, sorrow, and sighing will be removed (Isaiah 35:10).

Christians! Let us now listen to the voice of the Lord, and let us turn to the Lord with all our hearts and repent, that we may then hear His most sweet voice: Come, you who are blessed, and so on.

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Those who sit and feast at the noble supper of this world are dressed in bright and beautiful clothes. So it will be at that most glorious and glorious heavenly supper. There those who recline will be clothed in the robe of salvation and the garments of gladness, they will be clothed in garments of gold (Psalm 44:10, 14), clothed in fine linen and bright linen. And it was given to her, that is, to the Church, to be clothed in fine linen, pure and bright; and fine linen is the righteousness of the saints, says St. John in his Revelation (Rev. 19:8). This was also shown by Christ, our Saviour, by the glorification of His holy Body on Mount Tabor, where His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white like light (Matt. 17:2). There, the bodies of the saints of God will also be conformed to the glorified Body of Christ, of which the holy Apostle assures us: "But our dwelling is in heaven, whence we also await the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body, so that it may be conformed to His glorious Body, by the power by which He works and subdues all things to Himself" (Phil. 3:20-21). And Christ Himself says: "Then shall the righteous shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt. 13:43).

Christian! Let us also pray to Christ the Giver of Light, and may He give us the radiant robe of justification, and let us sit down with His elect at this supper. "I behold Thy palace, O my Saviour, adorned, and have no garments, that I may enter into it: enlighten the garment of my soul, O Giver of Light, and save me."

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