After what has been said, it is right for you to understand this, to set it as the beginning of what has not yet been said, and to marvel greatly: since the Savior came among us, idolatry has not continued to increase; what remains is diminishing and gradually ceasing. Greek wisdom no longer advances, and what remains of it is disappearing. Demons no longer deceive by apparitions, oracles, and magic; even if they merely dare to try, they are put to shame by the sign of the Cross.
In short, see how the Savior’s teaching increases everywhere, while all idolatry and everything opposed to the faith of Christ diminish, grow weaker, and fall day by day. Seeing this, worship the Savior who is over all, the mighty Word of God, and condemn the things that He is diminishing and causing to disappear.
Just as darkness no longer has power when the sun is present, and whatever remains is driven away, so with the coming of the divine manifestation of the Word of God, the darkness of idols no longer has power, and every part of the world is illuminated by His teaching.
Suppose a king is reigning in a certain country but is not seen there because he remains inside his own house. Some disorderly men may take advantage of his withdrawal and proclaim themselves kings. Each puts on the appearance of royalty and deceives simple people as though he were king. People are misled by the title because they hear that there is a king but do not see him, especially since they cannot enter the house. But when the true king comes out and appears, the impostors are exposed by his presence, and those who see the true king abandon the men who had deceived them.
So too, formerly demons and human beings deceived others by taking divine honor for themselves. But when the Word of God appeared in a body and made His own Father known to us, the deception of demons disappeared and ceased. People, turning their eyes to the true God, the Word of the Father, abandon the idols and come to know the true God.
This is a sign that Christ is the Word of God and the Power of God. For when human things pass away while the word of Christ remains, it is clear to everyone that what passes away is temporary, but He who remains is God, the true Son of God, His only-begotten Word.