We at the ages’ end pass the sword and take the denarius first

There is therefore no stumbling-block in the passage, but all things have been written wondrously and have been understood by those to whom God may reveal them. And we who have come upon the completion of the ages have something extra. What extra? If we are released from here, becoming good and excellent, not bringing on ourselves the burdens of sin, we too will pass through the flaming sword and will not go down into the country where those who slept before his presence were waiting for Christ; but we will pass through, harmed in nothing by the flaming sword.

And each one’s work—of what sort it is—the fire itself will test. If someone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved thus, as through fire. We will therefore pass through; and we have something more, and we cannot, having lived well, depart badly. The ancients did not say—nor the patriarchs nor the prophets—what we can if we live well: “For it is better to depart and to be with Christ.” Therefore, having something more in this way and much gain in having come upon the completion of the ages, we receive the denarius first; for hear the parable—that beginning he gave the denarius from the last; but the first thought they would receive something more. You therefore first—you who came last—receive the wages from the householder in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be the glory and the might unto the ages of the ages.

Amen.