Let these few words be our offering to you, lover of Christ, as an elementary sketch and outline of the faith according to Christ and of His divine manifestation to us. Taking these things as a starting point, when you encounter the writings of Scripture and apply your mind to them sincerely, you will learn from them more fully and clearly the precise meaning of what has been said.
For these things were spoken and written from God through men who spoke of God. We learned from teachers who were familiar with the Scriptures and who also became witnesses to Christ’s divinity, and we now pass what we learned on to your eagerness for knowledge.
From the Scriptures you will learn also of His second manifestation to us, glorious and divine indeed, when He shall come not in lowliness but in His proper glory, no longer in humiliation but in majesty, no longer to suffer but to bestow on us all the fruit of His cross—the resurrection and incorruptibility. No longer will He then be judged, but rather will Himself be Judge, judging each and all according to their deeds done in the body, whether good or ill. Then for the good is laid up the heavenly kingdom, but for those that practice evil outer darkness and the eternal fire.
So also the Lord Himself says, "I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man seated on the right hand of power, coming on the clouds of heaven in the glory of the Father."
For that Day we have one of His own sayings to prepare us, "Get ready and watch, for you know not the hour in which He comes" And blessed Paul says, "We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive according as he practiced in the body, whether good or ill."