The City of God · Chapter
Of the hidden time of the final persecution explained
Augustine discusses the unknowable timing of the final persecution by Antichrist, which Christ will end with His presence.
What happens
Augustine discusses the unknowable timing of the final persecution by Antichrist, which Christ will end with His presence. He criticizes those who attempt to calculate the remaining years of the world, citing Christ's statement that the times are known only to the Father. He also refutes pagan claims that the Christian religion would last only 365 years due to Peter's supposed magic, arguing that such beliefs are absurd and that the true power behind Christianity is divine grace.
Themes in this chapter
Eschatology and the Last Things
The chapter focuses on the final persecution by Antichrist and Christ's return, emphasizing the unknowability of the timing.
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
Augustine contrasts pagan superstition with divine grace, arguing that love for Christ comes from grace, not magic.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author of the chapter, discussing the hidden time of the final persecution and refuting pagan claims.
- Jesus Christ
Referred to as the one who will end the final persecution and who told the disciples that the times are known only to the Father.
- Antichrist
The figure who will lead the final persecution, to be slain by Christ.
- Peter
Mentioned in the context of pagan claims that he used magic to ensure the worship of Christ for 365 years.
Key passages
“Truly Jesus Himself shall extinguish by His presence that last persecution which is to be made by Antichrist.”
Christ will personally end the final persecution led by Antichrist when He returns.
Augustine asserts Christ's direct intervention in eschatological events.
“It is not for you to know the times, which the Father hath put in His own power.”
The timing of the end is known only to God the Father, not to humans.
Augustine cites Jesus' words to emphasize the futility of calculating the end times.
“If Peter the enchanter made the world so love Christ, what did Christ the innocent do to make Peter so love Him?”
If Peter's supposed magic caused the world to love Christ, then what did Christ do to make Peter love Him so deeply?
Augustine uses rhetorical questioning to expose the absurdity of pagan claims about Peter's magic.