LOVE the Word®

LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.

Listen (Receive the Word via audio.)

Apologies: Video is unavailable until I can stabilize my internet for uploading. Should be next week.  

Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)

“And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt 24:10-14).

Jesus said that just before the Era of Peace, “The love of many will grow cold” specifically because lawlessness and lack of justice has increased. That stops me in my tracks, because the past year to now has grown increasingly difficult to endure charitably. 

Where has your love grown cold? Social media? Home? Marketplace? Work? With relatives? What do you want to say to Him about that?

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, give me more of You, so that I may have more love. 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

As History 

• 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

The first 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 Council
People prosper, Church prospers, faith prospers
Then: 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)
Then: 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

Didache

‘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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