In preparing the world for such events, the Church calls people to repentance and allegiance to the coming King through incorporation into the assembly that already acknowledges Him as such. But many in the churches themselves need to be “brought to the good sense of the upright”142 as prescribed in the gospels by the Baptist, the Messiah and JHWE before them: “Learn to do good, seek justice, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow: ‘come now and let us reason together’, says JHWE; though your sins be as scarlet they shall become as white as snow"143. Likewise, the Baptist prophet, believing the Kingdom and final judgement to be at hand, whilst calling people to receive forgiveness through baptism, insisted they must then go on to pursue righteousness, the fruit of 136 Lk1:14-17
137 Jn1:21
138 Mal3:1-5
139 Phil4:3
140 First epistle of Clement chap. 23
141 Justin Martyr dialogue with Trypho chap. 49 (ignore editors’ heading – read text which entirely contradicts it)
142 Lk1:17
143 Is1:17-18
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repentance. They should share their food and raiment with the needy; be honest in business and be content with their wages144. Clearly, Jesus had been quite content with John’s preaching145 and was later delighted with tax collector Zacchaeus when he declared he would pay back those he had swindled: “Today salvation has come to this house”146. Should anyone remain in doubt, such is the nature of repentance.