Public revelation in Christ (Apostolic Tradition and Scripture) takes primary place in discerning end times events and prophecies. Not Marian apparitions, contemporary prophets, or fascinating modern predictions.
“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet him, we beg you, brethren, not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited, either by spirit or by word, or by letter purporting to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
“Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 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. The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion, to make them believe what is false, so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thess 2).
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Listen (Receive the Word via audio.)
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Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
In verses 1-2 of the post introduction, why is the Holy Spirit writing to you through Paul? What recent event(s) caused this “shaken” reaction in you?
What is the “deception” St. Paul speaks of in verse 3? What does this deception have to do with you?
What/who do you suppose the “restrainer” is in verses 6-7? How does, or does, the “restrainer” affect you?
Can you imagine what verse 8 will be like?
What is the danger Paul is warning you of in 9-15? According to the Holy Spirit in these same verses, what is your protection from this danger?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Lord, may my trust in your perfect love cast out all my fear (1 Jn 4:18). Amen +
What we discussed | Show Notes
Scripture References for the Show
2 Thessalonians 2:15, Hold fast to the traditions, both oral and written, because there will be a deception in the end times.
Daniel 12:10, In the end, none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shall understand.
Overview:
Minutes 00:12:00 – Paul’s exhortation in Thessalonians on end times.
Minutes 12:01-24:00 – Some rules for interpretation.
Minutes 24:01-36:00 – Public revelation in Christ (Apostolic Tradition and Scripture) takes primary place in understanding end times events and prophecies. Not Marian apparitions, contemporary prophets, or fascinating modern predictions.
Minutes 36:01-48:00 – What is private revelation? What’s the difference in public and private revelation? When are private revelations trustworthy? and how do we interpret such prophecies?
Sonja’s Important 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 approved private revelation and not a matter of adherence.
Dr. Scott Hahn most recently put forth the liturgical and historical interpretation of the Book of Revelation without alleging that there is no end times application. Many non-Catholics hold to either this interpretation or an eschatological interpretation; the Church maintains that the proper interpretation is not either history or prophecy, but both history and prophecy, as biblical prophecy and apocalyptic literature always is: there is usually more than one fulfillment of prophecy.
Because much of eschatology is a matter of speculative theology, we are free to ruminate and speculate.
Resources
How to read St. John’s Apocalypse, or the Book of Revelation
Revelation is first of all liturgical and historical.
History and Timeline
- AD 63-64 St. Peter is crucified upside-down by Nero
- AD 66 Jewish revolt against Florus spreads throughout Judea in “Jewish War”
- AD 68 Nero commits suicide
- AD 69 Gospel of Mark written
- 70 Romans sack and burn Jerusalem, complete destruction of Old Covenant “world”
- 73 Jews at Masada commit suicide
- 75 Book of Hebrews written
- 85-90 Gospels Matthew and Luke and Book of Acts written
- 90-95 Gospel of John completed
- 93 Josephus writes Antiquities of the Jews, a Jewish history through post-biblical times
- 95 John exiled to Patmos, writes his revelations
As the Heavenly Liturgy
- Revelation 1:1-11:18 Liturgy of the Word
- Revelation 11:19-22:21 Liturgy of the Eucharist
As Eschatological (see Major Chastisement references, below)
Catholic Eschatology Timeline
Each section could happen in any order, and I would argue much of it has already happened.
Minor Chastisement or Tribulation (conditional, and mostly part of approved private revelations, such as Fatima, Lourdes, Betania, and Sallette)
Western Church scourged with heresy
Civil wars in Italy and France, then England
Famine, pestilence, natural disasters
Muslim ascendency
Russia invades Europe
Pope flees Rome, is murdered
Great saint elected Pope, helps bring great military leader to ascendancy
Military leader defeats all enemies, including Russians and Muslims
Special interior illumination that inspires conversions
Age of Peace (Age of the Holy Spirit & Mary, public and private revelation)
Time of normalcy for repentance (2 Thess 2:7; Matt. 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-30)
Establishment of New Roman Empire (Dan. 2)
Restoration of Catholic faith and practice over whole earth
Pope calls Ecumenical CouncilPeople prosper, Church prospers, faith prospers
People grow lax
Universal apostasy (2 Thess. 2:2-3)
Major Chastisement or Great Tribulation (public revelation)
Ten kingdoms of new HRE dismantled, three are crushed (Dan. 7-8)
False prophet comes to power, prepares way for supreme and final Antichrist (Rev. 13)
3 ½ reign of Supreme Antichrist, severe persecution of Christians, some say he will be Jewish from tribe of Dan (Gen 49:17, Jer 8:16)
“Two Witnesses,” possibly Enoch and Elijah, preach Gospel throughout earth (Rev. 11)
Mass conversion of Jews and conversion of nations (Rom. 11)
Antichrist murders two witnesses who are resurrected (Rev 11)
Antichrist attempts “Ascension” (Dan 8:25, Is 14)
Death of Antichrist by St. Michael the Archangel (Is 14)
“Immediately after” (Matt 24:29), three days of darkness and the Parousia!
CCC 568-573, Resurrection of the Dead and Judgment, New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 20-21)
Early Church (Ante-Nicene Fathers
‘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?’ (37, Providentissimus Deus).
Summary of the Differences between Public and Private Revelation
Info on Marian apparitions by location with Heart of Mary Fellowship
Mary as Ark of the New Covenant audio
Mary as Ark of the New Covenant article
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Read the Transcript
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