Jumping in here late, but as a new member I wanted to offer some (name removed by moderator)ut. This is a two part message, as I have just learned we are limited to 3200 characters. part II is in the forst reply.
I do believe that the Church, and our clergy need to talk more about the Second Coming. It is definitely one of the cornerstones of our faith. Its right there in our creeds, so it doesn’t hurt to learn how to understand the prophets, and what they have told us. There were over 300 prophecies of His first coming, and just as many about his return.
Motivation is a huge part of the study of eschatology, and that may be one reason why there is so little talk of it among the clergy. They dont want people getting all focused on end times events as an intellectual game, or to take one’s focus off of the Christian life which we are to live to the fullest.
One thing I have noticed about some of the Non catholics who are into eschatology, is that they are so convinced we are on the eve of redemption and destruction, depending on which side you’re on, that they have stopped focusing on works of charity and generllay living a full Christian life as one would if we expected to live out the average human lifespan, and be gathered to our ancestors.
There is also the fact that so many eschatologists go to great lengths to show that the Church- and all Catholics- are the “Whore of Babylon”, hence a general distate for the topic.
Why should we study it?
for one thing because JESUS Himself told us to keep an eye put and know the signs of the times. He also told us NEVER to set dates, but that we would know by the times of the seasons.
We should study it also so that we may be able to intelliegently answer questions that will a) Help us and others live a passionate life of evangelization, being able to demonstrate from scripture, tradition and divine revelation (ie Fatima, Faustina etc) that the events around us were predicted, and we are not to fear, wht so many people want is to understand that the events gping on around us are not out of control, but very much in God’s hands. It helps us, as Peter admonished us, to be able to give the reasons for our Hope, and by extension, give others that same hope.
I know many don’t like tio hear it, but we, each one of us, is called to be part of the Great Commission, and an understanding of end times events, can give us the sense oif urgency that time is short, and peopleneed to be reached with the fullness of the truth.
and finally, in so doing, we may bring about repentance. While events seem to be rushing headlong to the end of the age, and it is unstoppable in the long term, I like to point to II Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by my name will turn from their sins and repent, I will hear their cry and heal their land”
Such reprieves took place for Judah in the Old Testament, and may even be granted now, and God does not wish for any to perish. (to be continued in the reply)
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