Some of us, mostly Catholics, see something different. We don't believe we are at the end of time, though that is always a possibility. We believe that we are at the end of an era. Christendom is collapsing. All of the underlying beliefs and supports that have allowed for an era of growth in understanding and technology heretofore unheard of in the history of mankind are about to fall into a new dark age, a time of oppression and violence against everything that God desires.
The time of Anti-Christ.
The Church, through Her popes, has been shouting this from the hills of Rome for the last century, but no one listens. Most are caught up in the flashy end times myths of the "Left Behind" series or the apocalyptic preachings of Jack Van Impe. These stories are flashy, exciting and sexy, but they're not the truth.
What's coming isn't going to happen with a bang. It's going on right now, in the banking and political centers. Power and control are being consolidated among the few and the freedoms given us by God are being taken from us, bit by bit, piece by piece, so slowly and quietly that most don't see it happening. One day though, we'll wake up and realize that we are no longer free, that we are owned by a government that spans the world. We will bow to it our die.
That day is growing closer with each passing moment.
The popes see it and have been warning us but few listen. We'd rather be entertained with our technology and wealth and the ones who sense the coming storm gravitate towards the false teachings of rapture and fantasy.
"False messiahs and false prophets will arise, and they will perform signs and wonders so great as to deceive, if that were possible, even the elect" (Matt 24:24).
If you have time read Mr. Mallett's words and reflect upon the things the popes have said. And prepare for what's coming...and pray, pray, pray.
"I receive letters from time to time asking, "If we are possibly living in the "end times," then why wouldn’t the popes be shouting this from the rooftops?" My response is: "If they are, is anyone listening?"
The fact is, this entire blog, my book, my webcast—which are intended to prepare the reader and viewer for the times which are here and coming—are based on what the Holy Fathers have been preaching for over a century. And they have been consistently warning, with greater and greater frequency, that the path of mankind is leading to "destruction" unless we embrace once again the Good News and the One who is Good: Jesus Christ.
It is not I, but Paul VI who said:"
To read more go to Mark Mallett's blog here.
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The popes are heavily invested in the assumption that everything is going nicely and the age of the church is nowhere near its end.
ReplyDeleteFor an alternative view, read my free e-book Walkabout: The History of a Brief Century!
Interesting observation. Can you tell me specifically what leads you to this conclusion for I don't see the evidence.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading the blog and for taking the time to comment on it.
The general impression I get of the teaching of the Catholic church is one of continuity: there's no plan B for the end of the world; no alerting of members to signs that the last days may be here. Catholics are discouraged from reading the Book of Revelation.
ReplyDeleteTo quote the Introduction to Revelation in our Catholic Family Bible:
...Symbolic descriptions are not to be taken as literal descriptions... The Book of Revelation cannot be adequately comprehended except against the historical background which occasioned its writing... Though the perspective is eschatological--ultimate salvation and victory are said to take place at the end of the present age when Christ will come in glory at the Parousia--the book presents the decisive struggle of Christ and his followers against Satan and his cohorts as already over... In the face of evils from within and without, the christian can confidently trust in God's promise to be with the church forever.
Contrast this with the actual impression one gets when reading Revelation: A leader with access to modern communications, beguiling all people on earth and forcing all humans to be marked in order to be able to buy and sell. A dramatic end of time when all those not with Christ will be dumped in everlasting fire. The Catholic church wants us to think this is symbolism meant to comfort Christians living under the persecutions of Domitian, nothing else.
The world's oldest organization, the Roman Catholic Church, conducts its business with one paramount objective: to halt all change and adjust the world to its own competences, not the other way around. While busy opposing moral challenges, the Church has little interest in the fact that with increasing prosperity, most people are becoming increasingly materialistic and indifferent to each other. This is where the danger lies, not with the various unsavory aspects of the human condition that keep popping out of the repression of ages and demanding acknowledgment as part of modern life.
The business success of an established belief system depends on peddling guilt for continuous moral infractions, not on joyfully proclaiming salvation through the blood of Jesus and the grace of God. If the world would end or change drastically tomorrow, this business-as-usual approach would become irrelevant. An organization vehemently opposed to change simply can't accept such a possibility.
Really, read my book for an analysis of this and many other matters worth your consideration!
Briefcase,
ReplyDeleteAs a life long Catholic I have to say I've never been discouraged from reading the Bible in general or the Book of Revelation in particular. In fact, quite the opposite.
From "The Catechism of the Catholic Church":
131 "And such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as her support and vigor, and the children of the Church as strength for their faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life." Hence "access to Sacred Scripture ought to be open wide to the Christian faithful."
133 "The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful. . . to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ."
113 "2. Read the Scripture within "the living Tradition of the whole Church". According to a saying of the Fathers, Sacred Scripture is written principally in the Church's heart rather than in documents and records, for the Church carries in her Tradition the living memorial of God's Word, and it is the Holy Spirit who gives her the spiritual interpretation of the Scripture (". . . according to the spiritual meaning which the Spirit grants to the Church")."
The Church teaches that the Bible is the inerrant and infallible word of God. However, unlike Protestant Christianity, it does not believe in Sola Scriptura. We believe the Bible exists as part of the larger body of revelation known as Tradition. But I'm sure you know this and there is no reason to debate it here.
As regards the Book of Revelation, if, as you claim, the Church discourages the faithful from reading it then why do you suppose the Church included it in the canon?
Your assertion that the Church resists change is an accurate one. How can the truth be changed? It remains a constant while the world around it is actually in a state of constant disruption. If the world were to drastically change tomorrow would the truth, God's truth, change with it? Is the truth, and thus God, subject to forces extraneous to Himself?
God is the benchmark that all else is judged against and because the Catholic Church is the representative of God here on earth it also has to function as a benchmark against which human actions must be judged.
This isn't to imply that all the people associated with the Church, from Popes to Priests, have led spotless lives. Far from it!
If you don't think that the Church has spoken out against materialism just do some Googling.
I entered "popes materialism" and came up with pages of speeches and writings reflecting the dangers of materialism and exhortations against it.
Just a few:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/world/asia/21pope.html
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=8746085
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/8005253/Pope-visit-A-heartfelt-welcome-to-Britain.html
Then there's Pius XII:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_02071957_le-pelerinage-de-lourdes_en.html
Leo XIII:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/encyc/l13rerum.htm
And, of course, Benedict XVI:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate_en.html
Look, I can go on and on but you get my point. We may not agree but that's OK with me.
I'll take a look at your book in the next few weeks. I've got about 4 others going right now and I need to get them finished.
Again, thanks for the responses. It's good to know somebody reads this thing.
Tom