Irenaeus — Against Heresies Against Heresies, V.28 (St. Irenaeus)

The distinction to be made between the righteous and the wicked. The future apostasy in the time of Antichrist, and the end of the world.

1. Inasmuch, then, as in this world ( αἰῶνι ) some persons go to the light, and by faith unite themselves with God , but others shun the light, and separate themselves from God , the Word of God comes preparing a fit habitation for both. For those indeed who are in the light, that they may derive enjoyment from it, and from the good things contained in it; but for those in darkness, that they may partake in its calamities. And on this account He says, that those upon the right hand are called into the kingdom of heaven , but that those on the left He will send into eternal fire for they have deprived themselves of all good.

2. And for this reason the apostle says: Because they received not the love of God , that they might be saved, therefore God shall also send them the operation of error , that they may believe a lie , that they all may be judged who have not believed the truth , but consented to unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 For when he ( Antichrist ) has come, and of his own accord concentrates in his own person the apostasy , and accomplishes whatever he shall do according to his own will and choice, sitting also in the temple of God , so that his dupes may adore him as the Christ; wherefore also shall he deservedly be cast into the lake of fire: Revelation 19:20 [this will happen according to divine appointment], God by His prescience foreseeing all this, and at the proper time sending such a man , that they may believe a lie , that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth , but consented to unrighteousness; whose coming John has thus described in the Apocalypse: And the beast which I had seen was like a leopard, and his feet as of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon conferred his own power upon him, and his throne, and great might. And one of his heads was as it were slain unto death; and his deadly wound was healed, and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon because he gave power to the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like this beast, and who is able to make war with him? And there was…

3. For in as many days as this world was made, in so many thousand years shall it be concluded. And for this reason the Scripture says: Thus the heaven and the earth were finished, and all their adornment. And God brought to a conclusion upon the sixth day the works that He had made; and God rested upon the seventh day from all His works. Genesis 2:2 This is an account of the things formerly created, as also it is a prophecy of what is to come. For the day of the Lord is as a thousand years; 2 Peter 3:8 and in six days created things were completed: it is evident, therefore, that they will come to an end at the sixth thousand year.