Skolfield's end times philosophy and Catholic final perseverance

[tequilamac]

Much is made of end times prophecy. Some say we passed it, some say we are in it, some say it is yet to happen. An example is skolfield who does not quite say what he thinks although he has several pages of musings.

ellisskolfield.com/index.shtml

End timers become frustrated with Catholics who will not engage in end times prophecy. And it finally dawned on me it is because we are more interested in our own individual end time and work toward final perseverance and the grace of a happy death individually. What is the best way to explain this to an end timer? How to convey the difference and why we don’t focus on the end of the world as much as they would like us to?

 

[Della]

From the online Catholic Encyclopedia:

Notwithstanding Christ’s express refusal to specify the time of the end (Mark 13:32; Acts 1:6 sq.), it was a common belief among early Christians that the end of the world was near. This seemed to have some support in certain sayings of Christ in reference to the destruction of Jerusalem, which are set down in the Gospels side by side with prophecies relating to the end (Matthew 24; Luke 21), and in certain passages of the Apostolic writings, which might, not unnaturally, have been so understood (but see 2 Thessalonians 2:2 sqq., where St. Paul corrects this impression). On the other hand, Christ had clearly stated that the Gospel was to be preached to all nations before the end (Matthew 24:14), and St. Paul looked forward to the ultimate conversion of the Jewish people as a remote event to be preceded by the conversion of the Gentiles (Romans 11:25 sqq.). Various others are spoken of as preceding or ushering in the end, as a great apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:3 sqq.), or falling away from faith or charity (Luke 18:8; 17:26; Matthew 24:12), the reign of Antichrist, and great social calamities and terrifying physical convulsions. Yet the end will come unexpectedly and take the living by surprise.

The Consummation of All Things

There is mention also of the physical universe sharing in the general consummation (2 Peter 3:13; Romans 8:19 sqq.; Revelation 21:1 sqq.). The present heaven and earth will be destroyed, and a new heaven and earth take their place. But what, precisely, this process will involve, or what purpose the renovated world will serve is not revealed. It may possibly be part of the glorious Kingdom of Christ of which “there shall be no end”. Christ’s militant reign is to cease with the accomplishment of His office as Judge (1 Corinthians 15:24 sqq.), but as King of the elect whom He has saved He will reign with them in glory forever.

 

[itsjustdave1988]

Much is made of end times prophecy. Some say we passed it, some say we are in it, some say it is yet to happen. An example is skolfield who does not quite say what he thinks although he has several pages of musings.

ellisskolfield.com/index.shtml

End timers become frustrated with Catholics who will not engage in end times prophecy. And it finally dawned on me it is because we are more interested in our own individual end time and work toward final perseverance and the grace of a happy death individually. What is the best way to explain this to an end timer? How to convey the difference and why we don’t focus on the end of the world as much as they would like us to?

I normally tell them that I’ve read the Book, and I know the ending…it’s a happy ending. So, why worry about it?

If I am like all the other Christians who have lived in the past 2000 years, my “end times” will probably come before the *parousia *of our Lord. My job is to be prepared THIS DAY, and as such I am called to know the Lord, to love the Lord, and to serve the Lord THIS DAY.

 

[Mr.Ex_Nihilo]

Try to suggest to them that the Book of the Apocalypse is actually a description of the Mass, the celebration of the Eucharist from a heavenly perspective-- tied in with an allegory of pregancy as a metaphor for faith in Jesus, effectively pointing toward the ‘expectancy’ of Jesus’ second coming using birthlike language in a way similar to the genre of Jewish writings otherwise known as the Birthpangs of the Messiah.

Then ask them if they realize that they are ‘pregnant with Christ’ yet.

I guarantee you that this will stop them in their tracks for a moment or two. It will definitely get them thinking.

 

[Nan_S]

What is the best way to explain this to an end timer? How to convey the difference and why we don’t focus on the end of the world as much as they would like us to?

Simple. I tell whomever it is that if there is a truck on the highway this afternoon with my name on it’s front bumper, and I am ready to meet my maker on the way home today, I needn’t worry much about the Rapture.

I don’t see much sign of the Rapture happening right this afternoon, but there sure are a lot of big trucks on the highway today.

That usually gets a grudging assent from them, and shuts down the argument.