I agree with you. I think a minority of the Church will recognize and reject him, but I also think they will be persecuted for their beliefs.After having read through the entire thread again, I think I agree with everything you have written. I think it’s likely the AC will fool nearly everyone. I suspect that the only ones to be immune will be those steeped in prayer and having a childlike faith, no matter their degree of learning or lack of learning. I think the anti-Christ will be nearly universally accepted as a great and beneficial figure. His evil intentions may not even become fully apparent until the general acceptance, and by then, no one will question his actions.
I can’t really say that the Church will not recognize the anti-Christ, but the Church which remains and rejects him will be a remnant. The whole scenario is pretty scary and inspires me to take up the prayer of St. Michael.
I suppose that’s because movers and shakers are usually, not always, but usually, quite secular people and not involved with prayer, etc. only minimally, if at all.It is always a remnant that is saved, and very seldom does that remnant include the movers and the shakers, and those in control in this world, whether this world be the world of high politics, high finance, or high ecclesiastical office.
Scary to admit, but you are probably right, although the bible does say there will be a few nations where the AC does not have control, so this implies 100s of 1000s of people somewhere, will recognize him for who he truly is.After having read through the entire thread again, I think I agree with everything you have written. I think it’s likely the AC will fool nearly everyone. I suspect that the only ones to be immune will be those steeped in prayer and having a childlike faith, no matter their degree of learning or lack of learning. I think the anti-Christ will be nearly universally accepted as a great and beneficial figure. His evil intentions may not even become fully apparent until the general acceptance, and by then, no one will question his actions.
I can’t really say that the Church will not recognize the anti-Christ, but the Church which remains and rejects him will be a remnant. The whole scenario is pretty scary and inspires me to take up the prayer of St. Michael.
It is the AC who will demonstrate supernatural powers, not the FP. The FP will be a sort of John the Baptist type for the anti-christ.Scary to admit, but you are probably right, although the bible does say there will be a few nations where the AC does not have control, so this implies 100s of 1000s of people somewhere, will recognize him for who he truly is.
Im still kind of thinking once he or the false prophet demonstrates supernatural powers, it will be an instant reveal, that is unless such things become common in those times, but I cant see that happening…right now, there is a $1 million dollar prize waiting for ANYONE who can prove they have supernatural abilities, so far, no one has collected…??
Well, the AC is going to want as many people as possible to think HE is actually Jesus returned, so I dont think he will try to hide his supernatural powers, will probably flaunt them as often as possible, in the beginning, I think he will be using these powers for good, healing and such, but in the end, he will use them for evil purposes.It is the AC who will demonstrate supernatural powers, not the FP. The FP will be a sort of John the Baptist type for the anti-christ.
If it were an “instant reveal” who would follow him, knowing what awaits? He will be FAR more subtle than that, and so charming and charismatic. People will be drawn to him like flies to honey. They will defend him. It is just my opinion, of course, but I don’t think he is going to appear in our lifetime. However, should he do so, I think believing we will recognize him will lead us to overlook him and accept him instead.
I am not a doom-and-gloom person, and even writing this sounds kind of silly to me, but the FP and the AC are going to appear. Maybe tomorrow, maybe thousands or even millions of years from now, but they will appear. The only reason I know that for sure is because it’s written in the Bible.
Well, for one thing, the Book of Revelation is highly symbolic. It can’t be taken literally. I really do not think Christ is going to be coming down out of the sky on something like a magic carpet.Well, the AC is going to want as many people as possible to think HE is actually Jesus returned, so I dont think he will try to hide his supernatural powers, will probably flaunt them as often as possible, in the beginning, I think he will be using these powers for good, healing and such, but in the end, he will use them for evil purposes.
The bible is pretty clear on how the REAL return of Jesus will be, he is not going to be born as a baby and grow up this time, he will come down from the sky, so even in this sense, the AC should be easy to spot.
Point is, if someone is showing their supernatural powers and he did not come from the sky with a shout…well, then that person IS the AC, no question about it, Im baffled why so many think he will be tough to spot, especially when thinking about it this way.
There, written by Catholic bishops, the Book of Revelation cannot be taken literally:Well, the AC is going to want as many people as possible to think HE is actually Jesus returned, so I dont think he will try to hide his supernatural powers, will probably flaunt them as often as possible, in the beginning, I think he will be using these powers for good, healing and such, but in the end, he will use them for evil purposes.
The bible is pretty clear on how the REAL return of Jesus will be, he is not going to be born as a baby and grow up this time, he will come down from the sky, so even in this sense, the AC should be easy to spot.
Point is, if someone is showing their supernatural powers and he did not come from the sky with a shout…well, then that person IS the AC, no question about it, Im baffled why so many think he will be tough to spot, especially when thinking about it this way.
If the goal is to have as many as possible follow God and go to heaven, why make it so difficult to understand such things?There, written by Catholic bishops, the Book of Revelation cannot be taken literally:
usccb.org/bible/revelation/0
*This much, however, is certain: symbolic descriptions are not to be taken as literal descriptions, nor is the symbolism meant to be pictured realistically. *
It is symbolic. Things will not unfold exactly as written.
And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. [10] And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments.Well, for one thing, the Book of Revelation is highly symbolic. It can’t be taken literally. I really do not think Christ is going to be coming down out of the sky on something like a magic carpet.
For a second thing, even the Catechism says the AC will be very difficult to detect.
For a third, all of the very learned theologians who have written on the AC, including the Venerable Bishop Fulton J. Sheen and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI have told us that both the FP and the AC will be extremely difficult to recognize and will fool many. Many devout Catholics will defending him. I posted a link to what Bishop Sheen wrote earlier in the thread. But if you think you can easily spot him, more power to you, I guess. I am not going to make what I perceive to be a great mistake. I am going to remain on guard even though I do not think he will come during this generation or even the next. Point is, I do not know.
Much of the Bible isn’t to be taken literally. Do you really think Jonah lived for days in the belly of a fish or that it took all that time to walk across the city of Nineveh?If the goal is to have as many as possible follow God and go to heaven, why make it so difficult to understand such things?
Wouldnt many more people have the knowledge they need to overcome the AC and other things if certain parts of the bible were actually literal?
This is really becoming a problem for me and my faith, Im increasingly thinking the bible is meant to be literal (most parts anyway), I do recognize some of it is symbolic and not to be taken literally though. I think this is why I feel so drawn to Pentecostal and similar faiths…I am trying to understand though.
I respect your opinion, but I cannot share it, and, in my opinion, it is at odds with the teaching of the Church in the Catechism:And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. [10] And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments.
[11] Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven. [12] Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet,
When Jesus Christ returns all will know it and recognize Him, Now is the time of mercy and repentance. If we do not pass through His mercy we face His judgment.
Of course the Church will be persecuted.It already is happening.I respect your opinion, but I cannot share it, and, in my opinion, it is at odds with the teaching of the Church in the Catechism:
Apparently, if the Catholic Church is teaching the truth, the faith of many believers will be shaken, and the Church will be persecuted. I tend to believe the Church is correct.
- 675 Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers.574 The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth575 will unveil the “mystery of iniquity” in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh.576 *
I don’t think it’s going through a trial that will “shake the faith of many believers.” That was my point: many believers will not recognize the AC, no matter who or what he is.Of course the Church will be persecuted.It already is happening.
CCCI don’t think it’s going through a trial that will “shake the faith of many believers.” That was my point: many believers will not recognize the AC, no matter who or what he is.
When hasn’t the Church been persecuted except for a time during the Middle Ages? Take out that relatively small chunk of time, and it’s been persecuted since its inception. Nothing new there.
Yes, that is true, of course, but only a small remnant will remain. As the Catechism teaches, the “faith of many believers will be shaken.” The Church will lose many, many members to the AC, who will not recognize him as such.CCC
The Church will enter the glory of the kingdom only through this final Passover, when she will follow her Lord in his death and Resurrection.579 The kingdom will be fulfilled, then, not by a historic triumph of the Church through a progressive ascendancy, but only by God’s victory over the final unleashing of evil, which will cause his Bride to come down from heaven.580 God’s triumph over the revolt of evil will take the form of the Last Judgment after the final cosmic upheaval of this passing world.581
I am not a theologian,yet I have scoured the Church teachings and can find nothing regarding who or what the final antichrist will be.Yes, that is true, of course, but only a small remnant will remain. As the Catechism teaches, the “faith of many believers will be shaken.” The Church will lose many, many members to the AC, who will not recognize him as such.
There’s not a lot been written, so I’m not surprised that you couldn’t find anything.I am not a theologian,yet I have scoured the Church teachings and can find nothing regarding who or what the final antichrist will be.
The book “The Reign of Antichrist” by Rev R Gerald Culleton is a compilation of many saints writings,opinions of the Church Fathers, and scripture. Though at times it seems to portray antichrist as one literal man,in other instances it seems much more symbolic as antichrist representing a deep apostasy from the faith. Man glorifying himself as God.