Epistle to Diognetus
Chapter 7: The Revelation of Christ
For, as I said, this was not just a mere earthly invention given to them, nor is it simply a human system of opinion that they believe is right to preserve so carefully. Nor has it been a dispensation of merely human mysteries entrusted to them. Instead, it is truly God Himself, who is almighty, the Creator of all things and invisible, who has sent from heaven and placed among men the truth and the holy and incomprehensible Word, establishing Him firmly in their hearts.
He did not send a servant, or angel, or ruler, or any of those who have power over earthly things, or anyone to whom the governance of heavenly things has been given. Instead, He sent the very Creator and Fashioner of all things—by whom He made the heavens and enclosed the sea within its bounds—whose commands all the stars faithfully follow—from whom the sun has received its daily course to observe—whom the moon obeys, commanded to shine at night, and whom the stars also obey, following the moon in her course.
By whom all things have been arranged and placed within their limits, and to whom all are subject—the heavens and what is therein, the earth and what is therein, the sea and what is therein—fire, air, and the abyss—the things in the heights, the things in the depths, and what lies between. This messenger He sent to them. Was it, then, as one might think, for the purpose of exercising tyranny, or of inspiring fear and terror? By no means, but under the influence of clemency and meekness.
Just as a king sends his son, who is also a king, so He sent Him; as God He sent Him; as to men He sent Him; as a Savior He sent Him, seeking to persuade, not to compel us; for violence has no place in God's character. As calling us He sent Him, not as vengefully pursuing us; as loving us He sent Him, not as judging us. For He will send Him again to judge us, and who shall endure His appearing? … Do you not see them facing wild beasts, that they might be persuaded to deny the Lord, yet they are not overcome? Do you not see that the more of them are punished, the greater the number of the rest becomes? This does not seem to be the work of man; this is the power of God; these are the evidences of His manifestation.