End times

[NeedImprovement]

Whoa

So there’s like only one more pope to go after this one and it all goes Bang

I need to get some shopping done - I’ve got nothing to wear

A little advice on that one: A priest once told me the last t-shirt I wear wouldn’t have any pockets.

@Lilyflower:

I attended a seven week seminar with the charismatic prayer group of our parish (about 9 years ago). There were some good things and the group was serving a genuine need, but there were also some distortions it needed to be purified of. The lady who invited me to attend told me secretly there was far too much emphasis on speaking in tongues…wasn’t my cup of tea.

I can’t find the reference for you immediately, but anytime anyone speaks in tongues in a prayer group, there is supposed to be an interpreter present. There have been cases where someone speaking in tongues was actually blaspheming.

I’ve heard and read a fair amount of material on “the end times” and that term isn’t necessarily synonomous with the “end of time”.

Yes it’s a little frightening what could be done with nano technology and implantation of computer chips (ten years ago the tracking chip for implantation was about about the size of a grain of rice…imagine now).

What I find equally , if not more frightening, is what we are able to do with computer chips not implanted in us, but in our pc’s. In some respects we have created a virtual world where:

• people get addicted to video games and can spend up to 18 hours a day playing them. I’ve seen people lose their jobs because of this.
• pornography spreads like widfire in a dry forest and people get addicted and desensitized to pornography.
• people get addicted or so accustomed to the internet that there is no time left for prayer.

I’m sure we could all add to this list in no time flat, but it is intended only to give the general idea.

A re-read of Mark 13 and Luke 24 reminds us that no one knows the hour…not even Jesus - only the Father.

If we can walk with God every day … in prayer and especially in the Eucharist, we’ll have the grace to continue. At the same time, Jesus also told us in the aforementioned parts of sacred scripture to “stay awake”.

 

[Lilyflower]

On an episode of the Mythbusters one of the interns got chipped for a myth. It was relatively easy procedure I could see this coming very easily into vogue here in the US if the wrong person got in the white house imho.

I have to say historyb, I like your signature: ‘A liberal is someone who is consistently wrong and never learns!’

I will remember that.

Blessings and peace

 

[Chris_LaRock]

My emphasis.

I doubt very much that adults would wear [pun intended] being chipped. But it does appear concevable that a process could take place whereby children are chipped at birth.

It could be easily justified in the UK by calling it ‘part of the war on terror!’ The authorities would state that it will never become widespread use and start with chipping the children of dysfunctional families. Then there would be an issue of prejudice raised, so to overcome it, it would be necessary to chip everyone.

People would agree to it on the basis that a few would argue: ‘if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear!’ Then everyone would feel obliged to avoid being thought of as odd, not conforming to social convention or worse: labelled as retrobate.

At the moment it appears unlikely with micro technology but we are entering the age of nano-technology where the chips would be so small, you simply would not know you had been chipped. A single chip would be so small you would not be able to see it, much less feel it.

As we enter the money-less age, there would be no need for cash or debit cards, you would simply put a hand under the scanner at the local supermarket. Of course if you did not have a chip you would be in trouble as you would not be able to buy or sell goods, or participate in the local economy.

Scary stuff

Blessings and peace

In the event of a global economic collapse, it could happen.

The book of Revelation states that this will happen. (The chip/mark thing)

 

[agnostic]

In the event of a global economic collapse, it could happen.

The book of Revelation states that this will happen. (The chip/mark thing)

That’s pretty cool - if there was a chip I could have implanted that would be all I need to have my salary paid, bills paid, id checked, phone charged, etc etc etc I’d sign up - just think about it - no more lost credit cards or misplaced billfolds

 

[CassiusLonginus]

The Renewal Movement talks none stop about us being in the ‘end-times’ when the anti-Christ is about to come to the fore.

We have been in the end times for the last 2000 years.

They even assert that he was born in 1963 and can be known if you know where to look.

Did they tell you who he is? How do they know it was 1963? People have been claiming that other people are the anti-christ since Nero.

Some in the Renewal Movement are reconciled to the belief that the end of the world is almost upon us, no longer make long-term plans in the belief there is no ‘long-term’ left to speculate about!

Nobody knows the hour. Just keep enough oil for your lamp and keep watch for the bridegroom…you’ll be just fine.

I hear no such rhetoric from Traditional Catholicism.

Probably because we realize we could get hit by a car, or lightning, or six million other things could happen to us five minutes from now. Don’t worry about the end of the world that you’re ‘sure’ you see coming. Rather, be concerned with the motorist you don’t see who’s about to run you over…

Also, the whole babbling thing…Who does that??? If nobody can interpret it, we are commanded to keep silent. When the apostles spoke in ‘tongues’ folks from a hundred different nations all somehow heard it in his own language. That’s what ‘speaking in tongues’ really is. Not this mindless and prideful exhibitionism. When these babblers babble, nobody understands it, probably not even God, since it doesn’t actually mean anything. They’re simply calling attention to themselves. That’s the one ‘Gift’ that’s easy to have. Anybody can babble, but it’s funny how nobody can interpret it. And what about the other gifts? And what’s this about it being a secret language? If they don’t want satan to hear or understand it, just pray it silently in your mind…that’s all.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

I don’t like the Catholic charismatic movement for the reasons you just cited. It’s not authentically Catholic. It’s a dangerous compromise.

Yes, and the ‘praying in tongues - babbling’. They say it is a secret language known only to God and that satan does not understand it. The truth is 'no-one understands it!!!

The mixing of Catholicism with Protestant worship just does not hang right. As you say a dangerous game.

There are a lot of devotions in our beloved Church but I think there can be none more sound than being before the Blessed Sacrament..

Bolding -= mine
I agree with bolded statement this 1000%

Nobody knows the hour. Just keep enough oil for your lamp and keep watch for the bridegroom…you’ll be just fine.

Anybody can babble, but it’s funny how nobody can interpret it. And what about the other gifts? And what’s this about it being a secret language? If they don’t want satan to hear or understand it, just pray it silently in your mind…that’s all.

So everyone will know where I am coming from, I will state immediately, I am Charismatic and have been since the early 1980"s.

I started to multi quote for items for my response, but as I went through the posts, they were simply too numerous. I took these excerpts from some of the posts.

All this was extensively discussed in prior threads. Documentation was produced (and I do not know hew to posts links on a computer) showing that Paul VI John Paul II and Benedict XVII all endorsed the Charismatic movement and gave it their full support.

References were given scripturally for speaking and praying in tongues. See Romans Chapter 8. References were given from Bible Commentaries, notable St Jerome’s commentary, explaining praying in tongues. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is solidly Catholic and itself is centered on Eucharistic Adoration. I do not know where all these horror stories come up, but they are not true. If some of these accounts are true, then they are the product of misguided souls.

Check with your Catholic Chanceries to see if your diocese has a Charismatic Renewal Center. Most in fact do and support it enthusiastically. Do yourself a favor and check it out. for myself, I started out being extremely skeptical but because of things that happened which I witnessed and spiritual changes which I saw in the people coming into this renewal I do soundly support and recommend it. It is not for everyone, but is rather an APPROVED spirituality within Holy Mother Church. It does not make us who are Charismatic any more or any less Catholic. Anyone who tells you otherwise does not know what they are talking about.

As one priest I know describes it, it is simply people using the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we all received at Baptism. It is a reawakening of those gifts which were dormant and not used, but which we all have.

Because of the length of time spent on these prior threads, I do not want to reawaken all the ranchor and erroneous things said about the movement and therefore will not enter into debate on these issues. As with anything that we have within Holy amother Church, there are those who “go overboard” and give a bad taste to those involved. This is indeed sad, but is merely a reflection of the human condition and the effects of Satan doing his best to keep people away from that which would bring people truly closer to Jesus.

Just as not all are called to be in a particular religious order, so too not all are called to be Charismatic. It is simply one of many different ways we have available to us for living the riches of our One, Holy ,Catholic and Apostolic Faith.

Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

 

[strugglingalong]

The Renewal Movement talks none stop about us being in the ‘end-times’ when the anti-Christ is about to come to the fore.

They even assert that he was born in 1963 and can be known if you know where to look.

Some in the Renewal Movement are reconciled to the belief that the end of the world is almost upon us, no longer make long-term plans in the belief there is no ‘long-term’ left to speculate about!

I hear no such rhetoric from Traditional Catholicism. Is this phenomena unique to the Renewal Movement or could they know something the rest of us do not?

Blessings and peace

I would say an emphasis does exist in traditional Catholic circles but it is different. It tends to see the current decline in the Church, the New Mass, the attacks on the Church, the weakened Bishops, the lack of a strong stance by Rome as part of satan’s attack on the Church as part of moving toward the eschaton. TAN Books has a good bit of end times books. I’d also say the Marian apparitions are influential here too because many times when Mary appears she speaks as if the time is very, very short. I think when one looks at the world around them, and the condition of the Church today, it is easy to see how one could think this is all part of the end times. I tend to think that way myself.

I think there are non-traditional Catholics who too quickly disregard the end time period, who say “well we don’t know the day or hour so let’s not be Protestant about it.” Yes the Protestants can get fanatical about it but Jesus Himself told us to be aware of the signs of the times.

I know other traditional Catholics who talk about the end times.

Pax Christi tecum.

 

[kentuckyliz]

The charismatics I know don’t go on about the End Times or the Rapture or some guy born in 1963. Must be a local thing where you are.

Where I am, the people who are a little too much into following Marian apparitions are the cataclysmic apocalyptic ones. Going on about the three days of darkness and the sign and the chastisement.

Of course, the Mass has an eschatological dimension so we are all regularly apocalyptic. I prefer “waiting in joyful hope for the coming of the Lord.”

 

[Father_JohnBerg]

Um… I personally think it’s a bit obvious that we can’t tell when anything is going to happen… As Jesus said in the Bible (I forget the exact phrase)

“For no one know the day nor the hour except my heavenly Father”…

“…Will come like a thief in the night…if the master had known when the thieves would break in, he would have prepared…”

But you can be assured that anything you hear to the tune of “The end of the world is about to come!” is false. It is a LIE.

 

[Matt33]

Um… I personally think it’s a bit obvious that we can’t tell when anything is going to happen… As Jesus said in the Bible (I forget the exact phrase)

“For no one know the day nor the hour except my heavenly Father”…

“…Will come like a thief in the night…if the master had known when the thieves would break in, he would have prepared…”

But you can be assured that anything you hear to the tune of “The end of the world is about to come!” is false. It is a LIE.

I’m confused… You say that we do not know the day or the hour but then proceed to tell us that it is not the day or the hour… how do you know that it is not right now? The fact is YOU DONT! The great thing about being Catholic is our view of the state of grace and our view on our own end times, our death. We are told to be prepared for both. You could die today, and Jesus could come back today… you don’t know. and living your life as such is smart. Frequent confession and a keen eye for the relevant in todays society are imperetive. This could very well be the end or the end could come many millinia from now. But your end, your end times, will come at any moment and for sure in your lifetime.

 

[NeedImprovement]

I kinda like Cassius Longinus’ post # 25. It’s a realistic way of looking at things.

If I get pasted by a car today, then **my end **has come and I must face the just and merciful Judge in the particular judgement.

If I don’t get pasted by a car, then I try to keep going one day at a time relying on His grace alone.

 

[Chris_LaRock]

Um… I personally think it’s a bit obvious that we can’t tell when anything is going to happen… As Jesus said in the Bible (I forget the exact phrase)

“For no one know the day nor the hour except my heavenly Father”…

“…Will come like a thief in the night…if the master had known when the thieves would break in, he would have prepared…”

But you can be assured that anything you hear to the tune of “The end of the world is about to come!” is false. It is a LIE.

But didn’t Jesus also give us warning signs we are to look for regarding His coming?

Mat 24:3 And when he was sitting on mount Olivet, the disciples came to him privately, saying: Tell us when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the consummation of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answering, said to them: Take heed that no man seduce you.
Mat 24:5 For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ. And they will seduce many.
Mat 24:6 And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to pass: but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And there shall be pestilences and famines and earthquakes in places.
Mat 24:8 Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows.
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall put you to death: and you shall be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be scandalized and shall betray one another and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise and shall seduce many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations: and then shall the consummation come.
Mat 24:15 When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him understand.
Mat 24:16 Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains:
Mat 24:17 And he that is on the housetop, let him not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18 And he that is in the field, let him not go back to take his coat.
Mat 24:19 And woe to them that are with child and that give suck in those days.
Mat 24:20 But pray that your flight be not in the winter or on the sabbath.
Mat 24:21 For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be.
Mat 24:22 And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved: but for the sake of the elect those days shall be shortened.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say to you, Lo here is Christ, or there: do not believe him.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold I have told it to you, beforehand.
Mat 24:26 If therefore they shall say to you, Behold he is in the desert: go ye not out. Behold he is in the closets: believe it not.
Mat 24:27 For as lightning cometh out of the east and appeareth even into the west: so shall also the cowling of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together.
Mat 24:29 And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be moved.
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. And then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a trumpet and a great voice: and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them.
Mat 24:32 And from the fig tree learn a parable: When the branch thereof is now tender and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh.
Mat 24:33 So you also, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Amen I say to you that this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.

 

[Lilyflower]

But didn’t Jesus also give us warning signs we are to look for regarding His coming?

Mat 24:3 And when he was sitting on mount Olivet, the disciples came to him privately, saying: Tell us when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the consummation of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answering, said to them: Take heed that no man seduce you.
Mat 24:5 For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ. And they will seduce many.
Mat 24:6 And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to pass: but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And there shall be pestilences and famines and earthquakes in places.
Mat 24:8 Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows.
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall put you to death: and you shall be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be scandalized and shall betray one another and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise and shall seduce many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations: and then shall the consummation come.
Mat 24:15 When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him understand.
Mat 24:16 Then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains:
Mat 24:17 And he that is on the housetop, let him not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18 And he that is in the field, let him not go back to take his coat.
Mat 24:19 And woe to them that are with child and that give suck in those days.
Mat 24:20 But pray that your flight be not in the winter or on the sabbath.
Mat 24:21 For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be.
Mat 24:22 And unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved: but for the sake of the elect those days shall be shortened.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say to you, Lo here is Christ, or there: do not believe him.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold I have told it to you, beforehand.
Mat 24:26 If therefore they shall say to you, Behold he is in the desert: go ye not out. Behold he is in the closets: believe it not.
Mat 24:27 For as lightning cometh out of the east and appeareth even into the west: so shall also the cowling of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:28 Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together.
Mat 24:29 And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be moved.
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. And then shall all tribes of the earth mourn: and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a trumpet and a great voice: and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them.
Mat 24:32 And from the fig tree learn a parable: When the branch thereof is now tender and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh.
Mat 24:33 So you also, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Amen I say to you that this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.

My emphasis: I struggle with this piece of Scripture as indeed I know others who have also struggled since that generation did pass away. So does it mean the Lord was untruthful or that the Scripture writer was careless?

Blessings and peace

 

[Matt33]

My emphasis: I struggle with this piece of Scripture as indeed I know others who have also struggled since that generation did pass away. So does it mean the Lord was untruthful or that the Scripture writer was careless?

Blessings and peace

This gereration of sinners? perhaps we are still in the generation.

 

[NeedImprovement]

My emphasis: I struggle with this piece of Scripture as indeed I know others who have also struggled since that generation did pass away. So does it mean the Lord was untruthful or that the Scripture writer was careless?

Blessings and peace

I remember a quote that appeared in a book written by a Father Richard Beyer:

" It isn’t the passages from sacred scripture which I don’t understand that give me the most difficulty…rather it is those passages which I understand that give me the most difficulty."
:)

 

[Lilyflower]

I remember a quote that appeared in a book written by a Father Richard Beyer:

" It isn’t the passages from sacred scripture which I don’t understand that give me the most difficulty…rather it is those passages which I understand that give me the most difficulty."

I hear what you and Matt 33 above are saying but I still do not see how the words of Our Lord. We know that ‘a generation’ is approximately 25-years, but lets urge on the side of caution and say 50-years. That generation have long since passed.

This brings to mind a homily from our PP recently who said The story of Jesus walking on water [found in Matthew 14: 22-33, and Mark 6:45-52] never happened but was purely metaphorical and an attempt by the Scripture writers to convey an important teaching about faith. He is a brilliant homiliest, has congregation gripped to their seats. But occasionally comes out with bits of scripture which we are told ‘is not to be taken literally’.

Now I believe our PP as he is very well informed, don’t know what theologian he follows [assuming PP’s are free to follow different theological perspectives], so if this never happend, one wonders what else in the New Testament never happened or what the Lord never actually said but was purely metaphorical to teach a moral principle.

Actually this principle can be applied to any and everything in the New Testament, why now, I often quote it but take it [or most of it] with a pinch of salt!

So one may assume the Lord would not lie so must assume Jesus never actually said anything about ‘this generation’ but was probably a bit of wishful thinking on the part of the writer of Mark and Matthew.

Sorry to derail the thread

Blessings and peace.

 

[Matt33]

I
This brings to mind a homily from our PP recently who said The story of Jesus walking on water [found in Matthew 14: 22-33, and Mark 6:45-52] never happened but was purely metaphorical and an attempt by the Scripture writers to convey an important teaching about faith. He is a brilliant homiliest, has congregation gripped to their seats. But occasionally comes out with bits of scripture which we are told ‘is not to be taken literally’.

.

Blessings and peace.

Wow. Hopefully he was just misinformed. But this seems to be a resurging idea around. It flat out did happen. The Church teaches that it did. I urge you to find out what you can about it. My concern about PP’s saying this is that it creates the very doubt that you are struggling with. Be assured that it is not Cathoilic teaching that it didn’t happen but it is rock solid that it did. My prayers for you!

 

[PraRFLEsEkHm]

My emphasis: I struggle with this piece of Scripture as indeed I know others who have also struggled since that generation did pass away. So does it mean the Lord was untruthful or that the Scripture writer was careless?

Blessings and peace

I think that verse was/is referring to the generation that sees all…ALL…those things come to pass. Many things in prophecy were not even possible until the 20th century. For instance, how could the nation of Israel come under attack until there WAS a Nation to be attacked? Israel was demolished and scattered just a few hundred years after the crucifixion, and not restored until, I think (memory is shot lately) 1948(?)

The book of Daniel, particularly chapter 8, practically spells out what will happen in the end. There is a reason all these things are there…that is (in my opinion) because we are supposed to know the signs, we are supposed to be prepared. There are a lot of things contained in Scripture, pertaining to the end, that if spoken would be considered by many (probably, and again in my opinion) as blasphemous. But, doesn’t Jesus tell us not to be deceived?

Yes it is true (again in my opinion) that you can be led astray through a literal interpretation of Scripture. BUT - we are told to ALWAYS read Scripture first as LITERAL, second as figurative/spiritual. (CCC 115-117) This doesn’t mean, however, that the literal is the ONLY interpretation. Scripture is a tapestry, not a road map, and most things are irrevocably intertwined. Literal information mixed together with eschatology and morality. This is where “Rightly handling the Word of Truth” (2 Tim 2:19 - DRB) comes into being. This is one of the proofs (I believe) that Scripture truly IS inspired - because nothing is wasted, many verses do double duty, and all things are interdependent and intertwined. For example:

The book of Exodus contains the literal freeing of the people of Israel from Egypt. However, it also lays out parallels with Christ (The rock of life giving water, the serpent Moses lifted up, manna from heaven…etc.) The end-times ( 7 trumpet blasts at Jericho with the final blast preceding the collapse of the walls and the complete destruction and annihilation of those within, with the exception of those who believed) among many other things.

The simplest answer is usually the correct one. But all Scripture should be read following a prayer for enlightenment followed up with logic and careful comparison with an eye towards what the entire chapter is aimed at. Nevertheless, point-blank statements are just that - point-blank statements.

For the end-times, first Medo-Persia needs to come together. That is modern day Iran and Iraq. When that happens - the text here states Greece, the first democracy in history…which would naturally equate to the first democracy in modern history … the U.S. (in my opinion) - will fly over there and shatter them (Daniel 8). Either that leader, or the one following, will become the “Anti-Christ” (I am still reading and praying over this) The daily sacrifice will be abolished sometime following. Daniel refers to an attack to the south from this leader, passing through Rome, attacking and sacking the city - which leads to the Abomination of Desolation and the end of the daily sacrifice - which, IMO is the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Of course there is much more contained in Daniel pertaining to this, as well as Revelations, Ezekiel, Jeremiah and the Gospels. I’m only scratching the surface here.

No, as Jesus stated - we cannot know the Day nor the Hour of His coming. But we CAN know the times. Scripture states that those days shall be shortened, or else no flesh could be saved. (Paraphrased) But we are given plenty of information to know what is coming, what is expected of we who believe when those dark days are upon us. It is given for us to know in order that we do what we are given always to do - proclaim the Gospel, give hope, share faith. Always in History, whether that is the History given in Scripture, or the History preserved in the Church - Miracles and proofs followed those who served God. When the time came for the rubber to meet the road, eyes were opened through the Proclamation of the Scriptures with signs and wonders following those who believed and stood fast.

In my opinion. Paranoia about those times are not the answer. Jesus also said - repeatedly “Fear Not”. Paranoia is a betrayal of Faith. Jesus said - paraphrased again and probably completely in my own words lol - “two women will be grinding, one will be taken the other left, two will be plowing, one taken the other left” People are going about their daily lives, living in Faith - not fear. Here the imagery is important…it does not mean that they were oblivious to what was going on around them, because that would confuse 1000 other verses that state completely that that is not what is expected of us. In fact, Daniel states that the blood of martyrs will flow freely, but if we hold fast to the end, our reward will be great.

I apologize if this is all hard to read. I realize it is a hodge-podge of information. I am currently working on a book pertaining to the end-times, aimed at all - Christians and non-Christians alike.

The signs of the times are here. It seems that all the players are present, and most certainly the moods and capabilities for events described in scripture are here, now. Whether it comes to pass in the next 10-12 years (as some claim) remains to be seen - although it most certainly is possible, the resulting global upheaval would be indescribable and would seem to be too obvious. Remember - Satan works through deception, not brute force.

Although the lies and deception described in Scripture relate to his claim of being God, with the accompanying proofs, it would seem that the global mood would need to be total despair following (for example) economic collapse as a result of a third world war. Then the time would be ripe for his international oppression through a systematic theocratic overthrow, puppet governments, digital economics, and the result would be economic prosperity and total dependence (and worship) upon such a “god”.

As I said, this is merely scratching the surface.

Just my thoughts…

 

[Lilyflower]

I
In my opinion. Paranoia about those times are not the answer. Jesus also said - repeatedly “Fear Not”. Paranoia is a betrayal of Faith. Jesus said - paraphrased again and probably completely in my own words lol - “two women will be grinding, one will be taken the other left, two will be plowing, one taken the other left” People are going about their daily lives, living in Faith - not fear. Here the imagery is important…it does not mean that they were oblivious to what was going on around them, because that would confuse 1000 other verses that state completely that that is not what is expected of us. In fact, Daniel states that the blood of martyrs will flow freely, but if we hold fast to the end, our reward will be great.

I apologize if this is all hard to read. I realize it is a hodge-podge of information. I am currently working on a book pertaining to the end-times, aimed at all - Christians and non-Christians alike.

The signs of the times are here. It seems that all the players are present, and most certainly the moods and capabilities for events described in scripture are here, now. Whether it comes to pass in the next 10-12 years (as some claim) remains to be seen - although it most certainly is possible, the resulting global upheaval would be indescribable and would seem to be too obvious. Remember - Satan works through deception, not brute force.

Although the lies and deception described in Scripture relate to his claim of being God, with the accompanying proofs, it would seem that the global mood would need to be total despair following (for example) economic collapse as a result of a third world war. Then the time would be ripe for his international oppression through a systematic theocratic overthrow, puppet governments, digital economics, and the result would be economic prosperity and total dependence (and worship) upon such a “god”.

As I said, this is merely scratching the surface.

Just my thoughts…

Thank you for your kind words. So can now think again about Scripture. I dare not think of the text that speaks of false prophets but it does come to mind and I ask God to forgive me for so thinking. Maybe that is my own paranoia.

Thank you once again to all who replied

Blessings and peace

 

[PraRFLEsEkHm]

I hear what you and Matt 33 above are saying but I still do not see how the words of Our Lord. We know that ‘a generation’ is approximately 25-years, but lets urge on the side of caution and say 50-years. That generation have long since passed.

This brings to mind a homily from our PP recently who said The story of Jesus walking on water [found in Matthew 14: 22-33, and Mark 6:45-52] never happened but was purely metaphorical and an attempt by the Scripture writers to convey an important teaching about faith. He is a brilliant homiliest, has congregation gripped to their seats. But occasionally comes out with bits of scripture which we are told ‘is not to be taken literally’.

Now I believe our PP as he is very well informed, don’t know what theologian he follows [assuming PP’s are free to follow different theological perspectives], so if this never happend, one wonders what else in the New Testament never happened or what the Lord never actually said but was purely metaphorical to teach a moral principle.

Actually this principle can be applied to any and everything in the New Testament, why now, I often quote it but take it [or most of it] with a pinch of salt!

So one may assume the Lord would not lie so must assume Jesus never actually said anything about ‘this generation’ but was probably a bit of wishful thinking on the part of the writer of Mark and Matthew.

Sorry to derail the thread

Blessings and peace.

Hi.

For the part in bold above. Please remember - although the Scriptures were physically written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, Timothy…the True writer was the Holy Spirit.

There are quite a few people here who have encountered the same problem with their PP. Sadly, it seems that some Catholic Seminaries teachings are leaning away from the Traditional Conservative views, and more towards relativism, such as is found in the commentary in our New American Bibles.

My advice, for what it is worth, is to check against the CCC always. In this case, as I said above, the Literal is always to be followed first and foremost.

Peace