The True King Has Come Out

This, then, after all we have said so far, is what you should realize, take as the sum of what we have already stated, and marvel at greatly: since the Savior came among us, idolatry not only has stopped increasing, but what there was of it is shrinking and gradually coming to an end. Not only does the wisdom of the Greeks no longer advance, but what there is of it is now fading away. And the demons, far from cheating anyone any more by illusions, prophecies and magic arts, are put to shame by the sign of the cross if they so much as dare to try. To sum the matter up: see how the Savior’s teaching is growing everywhere, while all idolatry and everything opposed to the faith of Christ is dwindling daily, losing power and falling. And seeing this, worship the Savior, “who is above all” and mighty, God the Word; and condemn those who are being defeated and done away with by him. [a]

For as darkness no longer prevails when the sun has come, and if any is still left anywhere it is driven away, so now that the divine appearing of the Word of God has come, the darkness of the idols prevails no more, and every part of the world in every direction is lit up by his teaching. Think of a king who reigns in some country but does not appear, keeping to his own house. Often some disorderly people take advantage of his seclusion and proclaim themselves. Each of them, by playing the part, passes himself off as king to simple people, and so people are led astray by the name, hearing that there is a king but not seeing him, if for no other reason, because they cannot enter the house. But when the real king comes out and appears, the disorderly impostors are exposed by his presence, and people, seeing the real king, abandon those who led them astray before. In the same way, the evil spirits used to deceive people, clothing themselves with God’s honor. But when the Word of God appeared in a body and made his own Father known to us, then at last the deceit of the evil spirits was done away and stopped, while people, turning their eyes to the true God, the Word of the Father, are abandoning the idols and now coming to know the true God.

Now this is a proof that Christ is God the Word and the Power of God. For while human things come to an end and the Word of Christ abides, it is clear to every eye that what comes to an end is temporary, but that he who abides is God, and the true Son of God, his only Word.