LOVE the Word®

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains it will do so until He is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming” (2 Thess 2:7-8). Amen, and hallelujah!

Study Audio

LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. This week’s LOVE the Word™ exercise is based on a Augustinian* personality approach. Go on! Try it!

Listen (Receive the Word)

“But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word” (2 Thess 2:13-17).

Observe (Connect the passage to recent events.)

Because this is scripture, the Holy Spirit is saying it directly to you, personally. Which part of this passage strikes you most? To which sentence, phrase, or word is your attention drawn?

What is the Lord saying to you through that? Sit with Him a moment and let your mind wander freely as you think on this word, phrase, or sentence.

Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

Talk to Him about what you believe He is saying to you about this scripture. What are you thinking and feeling as you re-read St. Paul’s words, above? What do you want to say to Him about that?

Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)

“Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (The Jesus Prayer)
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*LOVE the Word™ exercises vary weekly according to the four personalities, or “prayer forms,” explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan, and Thomistic. These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types.

Eschatological Qualification

Catholic eschatology is what’s called “speculative theology.” This designation means little has been defined by the Magisterium concerning the end times, so the subject is open for speculation and development by Catholics seeking truth via Sacred Tradition (history) and Sacred Scripture. I attempt throughout the series to make clear what is public revelation and therefore part of the Deposit of Faith, and what is private revelation and not a matter of adherence. I do not present unapproved private revelation in this series.

Scripture References for the Show

2 Peter 1:20, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation.”

1 Thessalonians 3:15, “That you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”

Episode Resources

“In things of faith and morals, the true sense of Holy Scripture is held by the Church, whose place it is to judge the interpretation of the Scriptures (1 Tim 3:15); and it is permitted to no one to interpret Holy Scripture against such sense or against the unanimous agreement of the Fathers'( 34). What can be a greater sign of pride than to refuse to study the Books of the divine mysteries by the help of those who have interpreted them?

“But it is most unbecoming to pass by, in ignorance or contempt, the excellent work which Catholics have left in abundance, and to have recourse to the works of non-Catholics – and to seek in them, to the detriment of sound doctrine and often to the peril of faith, the explanation of passages on which Catholics long ago have successfully employed their talent and their labour. For although the studies of non-Catholics, used with prudence, may sometimes be of use to the Catholic student, he should, nevertheless, bear well in mind-as the Fathers also teach in numerous passages(41) – that the sense of Holy Scripture can nowhere be found incorrupt outside of the Church, and cannot be expected to be found in writers who, being without the true faith, only gnaw the bark of the Sacred Scripture, and never attain its pith” (34, 37, 40-41; Providentissimus Deus).

Info on Marian apparitions by location with Heart of Mary Fellowship

Trial, Tribulation, and Triumph: Before, During, and After Antichrist, by Desmond Birch

Summary of the Differences between Public and Private Revelation

Summary of Church teaching on end times

Writings of the Early Church (Ante-Nicene) Fathers

Mary as Ark of the New Covenant audio

Mary as Ark of the New Covenant article

How to read St. John’s Apocalypse, or the Book of Revelation

Catholic Eschatology Timeline

Minor Chastisement or Tribulation (conditional, and mostly part of approved private revelations, such as Fatima, Lourdes, Betania, and Sallette)

1. Western Church scourged with heresy
2. Civil wars in Italy and France, then England
3. Famine, pestilence, natural disasters
4. Muslim ascendency
5. Russia invades Europe
6. Pope flees Rome, is murdered
7. Great saint elected Pope, helps bring great military leader to ascendancy
8. Military leader defeats all enemies, including Russians and Muslims
9. Interior illumination from Jesus (Betania)

Age of Peace (Age of the Holy Spirit & Mary, details from public and private revelation)

1. Time of normalcy for repentance (2 Thess 2:7; Matt. 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-30)
2. Establishment of New Roman Empire, new Pax Romana (Dan. 2)
3. Restoration of Catholic faith and practice over whole earth (2 Thess 2:3, 7; Matt 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-30 – the great apostasy presupposes a great generalization)
4. Reunion of Christians and fullness of the Gentiles
5. Pope calls Ecumenical Council that settles Scripture
6. People prosper, Church prospers, faith prospers
7. People grow lax
8. Universal apostasy (2 Thess. 2:2-3) which facilitates rise of final Antichrist

Major Chastisement or Great Tribulation (mostly public revelation)

1. Ten kingdoms of new HRE dismantled, three are crushed (Dan. 7-8)
2. False prophet comes to power, prepares way for supreme and final Antichrist (Rev. 13)
3. 3 ½ year reign of supreme Antichrist, severe persecution of Christians, many say he will be Jewish from tribe of Dan (Gen 49:17, Jer 8:16) – his entire visibility will be seven years (Dan 7:25, Rev 13:5)
4. “Two Witnesses,” possibly Enoch and Elijah, preach Gospel throughout earth (Rev. 11)
5. Mass conversion of Jews after conversion of nations (Rom. 11)
6. Antichrist murders two witnesses who are resurrected (Rev 11)
7. Antichrist attempts “ascension” (Dan 8:25, Is 14)
8. Death of Antichrist by St. Michael the Archangel (Is 14, Rev 12)
9. “Immediately after” (Matt 24:29), three days of darkness and the Parousia! Antichrist shall be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming (2 Thess 2:8).
10. CCC 568-573, Resurrection of the Dead and Judgment, New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 20-21)

Read the Transcript

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Courtesy of Kristie Hynniman, who does our transcriptions for you.

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What are your greatest hopes and fears about end-times?

Image Credits

https://unsplash.com/@seteales
Allef Vinicius

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