By the same pathway which brought ruin, humanity is brought salvation. 5,2-3 and 1 Apol. They place obstacles before the good and persecute them. In short, their sad and perverse mission consists in drawing man into a plan of perdition and death. 61-67 and Dial.
Baptism is presented as an illumination and a regeneration cf.
In this way the Mass is extended into life. Millenarianism means that God s plan will be brought to perfection in this world, too, in a provisional stage prior to the last judgement. All history will be brought to a conclusion by the resurrection and last judgement. This is a factor truly capable of transforming man s life, and a sure proof of the truth of the Christian religion. The holiness of Christians is expressed in a behaviour imbued with charity, high ethical standards in the sexual and matrimonial life, and by patience and serene courage in the face of suffering, as exemplified by the martyrs.