Epistle Reading: 2 Peter 3:1-18
Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of
which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),
that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before
by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord
and Savior,
knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days,
walking according to their own lusts,
and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since
the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the
beginning of creation."
For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the
heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,
by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded
with water.
But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in
store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and
perdition of ungodly men.
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the
Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count
slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should
perish but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,
in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements
will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it
will be burned up.
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the
elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be
diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
and account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;
as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has
written to you,
as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these
things, in which are some things hard to understand, which those who are
untaught and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the
rest of the Scriptures.
You therefore, beloved, since you know these things
beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being
led away with the error of the wicked;
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Mark 13:24-31
"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be
darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
"the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in heaven will
be shaken.
"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with
great power and glory.
"And then He will send His angels, and gather together His
elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest
part of heaven.
"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch
has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is
near.
"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that
it is near, at the very doors.
"Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means
pass away till all these things take place.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no
means pass away.
Saints and Feasts
No Fast; Holy Father Auxentius of the Mountain; Cyril, Equal-to-the-Apostles & Teacher of the Slavs; Nicholas the New Martyr of Corinth
