Did Someone mention Irenaeus?
Against Hereies Book V Chapter 25
1. In the previous books I have set forth the causes for which
God permitted these things to be made, and have pointed out that all such have been created for the benefit of that
human nature which is saved, ripening for
immortality that which is [possessed] of its own
free will and its own power, and preparing and rendering it more adapted for
eternal subjection to
God. And therefore the creation is suited to [the wants of] man; for man was not made for its sake, but creation for the sake of man. Those nations however, who did not of themselves raise up their eyes unto heaven, nor returned thanks to their Maker, nor wished to behold the light of
truth, but who were like blind mice concealed in the depths of
ignorance, the word
justly reckons as waste water from a sink, and as the turning-weight of a balance— in fact, as nothing;
Isaiah 40:15 so far useful and serviceable to the just, as stubble conduces towards the growth of the wheat, and its straw, by means of combustion, serves for working gold.
And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be.
Matthew 24:21 For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption.
you should read the rest of what Irenaeus had to say...
on dealing with either expectancy or imminency
Irenaeus: Against Heresies, Book V, XXX
"Moreover, another danger, by no means trifling, shall overtake those who
falsely presume that they know the name of Antichrist. For if these men
assume one [number], when this [Antichrist] shall come having another,
they will be easily led away by him, as supposing him not to be the
expected one, who must be guarded against. These men, therefore,
ought to learn [what really is the state of the case], and go back to the
true number of the name, that they be not reckoned among false
prophets. But, knowing the sure number declared by Scripture, that is, six
hundred sixty and six, let them await, in the first place, the division of the
kingdom into ten; then, in the next place, when these kings are reigning,
and beginning to set their affairs in order, and advance their kingdom, [let
them learn] to acknowledge that he who shall come claiming the
kingdom for himself, and shall terrify those men of whom we have been
speaking, having a name containing the aforesaid number, is truly the
abomination of desolation. ... It is therefore more certain, and less
hazardous, to await the fulfillment of the prophecy, than to be making
surmises, and casting about for any names that may present themselves,
inasmuch as many names can be found possessing the number
mentioned; and the same question will, after all, remain unsolved. ... But
he indicates the number of the name now, that when this man comes we
may avoid him, being aware who he is: ... But when this Antichrist shall
have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six
months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come
from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and
those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous
the times of the kingdom, that is, the rest, the hallowed seventh day; and
restoring to Abraham the promised inheritance, in which kingdom the
Lord declared, that many coming from the east and from the west should
sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
he believed in the "Six Day Theory" which precluded imminence
Irenaeus: Against Heresies V. XXVIII, 3
"For in as many days as this world was made, in so many thousand years
shall it be concluded. And for this reason the Scripture says: "Thus the
heaven and the earth were finished, and all their adornment. And God
brought to a conclusion upon the sixth day the works that He had made;
and God rested upon the seventh day from all His works." This is an
account of the things formerly created, as also it is a prophecy of what is
to come. For the day of the Lord is as a thousand years; and in six days
created things were completed: it is evident, therefore, that they will
come to an end at the sixth thousand year."
he believed the church would be persecuted by Antichrist
Irenaeus: Against Heresies V, XXVI, 1
"In a still clearer light has John, in the Apocalypse, indicated to the Lord's
disciples what shall happen in the last times, and concerning the ten kings
who shall then arise, ... These have one mind, and give their strength and
power to the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb
shall overcome them, because He is the Lord of lords, and King of kings. ...
And they shall lay Babylon waste, and burn her with fire, and shall give
their kingdom to the beast, and put the church to flight. After that they
shall be destroyed by the coming of our Lord."
Irenaeus: Against Heresies V, XXX, 2, 4
"But he indicates the number of the name now, that when this man
comes we may avoid him, being aware of who he is:... But when this
Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for
three years and six months, and sit in the temple in Jerusalem; and then
the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father,
sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but
bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom, that is, the rest, the
hallowed seventh day; and restoring to Abraham the promised
inheritance, in which kingdom the Lord declared, that "many coming from
the east and from the west should sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob."
Irenaeus: Against Heresies V, XXXV, 1
"For all these and other words were unquestionably spoken in reference to
the resurrection of the just, which takes place after the coming of
Antichrist, and the destruction of all nations under his rule; in [the times of]
which [resurrection] the righteous shall reign on the earth, waxing stronger
by the sight of the Lord: and through Him they shall become accustomed
to partake in the glory of God the Father, and shall enjoy in the kingdom
intercourse and communion with the holy angels, and union with spiritual
beings; and those whom the Lord shall find in the flesh, awaiting Him from
heaven, and who have suffered tribulation, as well as escaped the hands
of the Wicked one."