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Objection 1: It would seem that this cleansing will not be effected
by fire. For since fire is a part of the world, it needs to be
cleansed like the other parts. Now, the same thing should not be both
cleanser and cleansed. Therefore it would seem that the cleansing will
not be by fire.
Objection 2: Further, just as fire has a cleansing virtue so has
water. Since then all things are not capable of being cleansed by
fire, and some need to be cleansed by water---which distinction is
moreover observed by the Old Law---it would seem that fire will not
at any rate cleanse all things.
Objection 3: Further, this cleansing would seem to consist in
purifying the parts of the world by separating them from one another.
Now the separation of the parts of the world from one another at the
world's beginning was effected by God's power alone, for the work of
distinction was carried out by that power: wherefore Anaxagoras
asserted that the separation was effected by the act of the intellect
which moves all things (cf. Aristotle, Phys. viii, 9).
Therefore it would seem that at the end of the world the cleansing will
be done immediately by God and not by fire.
On the contrary, It is written (Ps. 49:3): "A fire shall
burn before Him, and a mighty tempest shall be around Him"; and
afterwards in reference to the judgment (Ps. 49:4): "He shall
call heaven from above, and the earth to judge His people."
Therefore it would seem that the final cleansing of the world will be
by means of fire.
Further, it is written (2 Pt. 3:12): "The heavens being on
fire will be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with the burning
heat." Therefore this cleansing will be effected by fire.
I answer that, As stated above (Article 1) this cleansing of the
world will remove from it the stain contracted from sin, and the
impurity resulting from mixture, and will be a disposition to the
perfection of glory; and consequently in this threefold respect it will
be most fitting for it to be effected by fire. First, because since
fire is the most noble of the elements, its natural properties are more
like the properties of glory, and this is especially clear in regard to
light. Secondly, because fire, on account of the efficacy of its
active virtue, is not as susceptible as the other elements to the
admixture of a foreign matter. Thirdly, because the sphere of fire is
far removed from our abode; nor are we so familiar with the use of fire
as with that of earth, water, and air, so that it is not so liable to
depreciation. Moreover, it is most efficacious in cleansing and in
separating by a process of rarefaction.
Reply to Objection 1: Fire is not employed by us in its proper
matter (since thus it is far removed from us), but only in a foreign
matter: and in this respect it will be possible for the world to be
cleansed by fire as existing in its pure state. But in so far as it
has an admixture of some foreign matter it will be possible for it to be
cleansed; and thus it will be cleanser and cleansed under different
aspects. and this is not unreasonable.
Reply to Objection 2: The first cleansing of the world by the
deluge regarded only the stain of sin. Now the sin which was most
prevalent then was the sin of concupiscence, and consequently it was
fitting that the cleansing should be by means of its contrary, namely
water. But the second cleansing regards both the stain of sin and the
impurity of mixture, and in respect of both it is more fitting for it
to be effected by fire than by water. For the power of water tends to
unite rather than to separate; wherefore the natural impurity of the
elements could not be removed by water as by fire. Moreover, at the
end of the world the prevalent sin will be that of tepidity, as though
the world were already growing old, because then, according to Mt.
24:12, "the charity of many shall grow cold," and consequently
the cleansing will then be fittingly effected by fire. Nor is there
any thing that cannot in some way be cleansed by fire: some things,
however, cannot be cleansed by fire without being destroyed
themselves, such as cloths and wooden vessels, and these the Law
ordered to be cleansed with water; yet all these things will be finally
destroyed by fire.
Reply to Objection 3: By the work of distinction things received
different forms whereby they are distinct from one another: and
consequently this could only be done by Him Who is the author of
nature. But by the final cleansing things will be restored to the
purity wherein they were created, wherefore created nature will be able
to minister to its Creator to this effect; and for this reason is a
creature employed as a minister, that it is ennobled thereby.
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