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.)

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

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People … having a form of godliness but denying its power (2 Tim 3:1-5).

Do you give studied attention to the outward forms of the Church–such as sacraments, prayers, liturgy–but deny their power by refusing to do the necessary interior work of purification with God of motives, unforgiveness, bitterness, sin habits, and unhealthy relationships? 

Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

What do you want to say to Him about that? 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!)

“…and whether our tomorrows
be filled with good or ill,
we’ll triumph through our sorrows
and rise to bless you still…” (O God Beyond All Praising) Amen +

What we discussed | Show Notes

Scripture References for the Show

The Antichrist will offer a social justice messianism, through which outward forms of worship will be gutted of their power (2 Tim 3:5).  

Background on Dan, “Dan” meaning “judge”

• Genesis 30, Dan born of Rachel’s maid Bilhah
• Genesis 31, Rachael takes her father’s idols
• Genesis 49:16-17, Prophecy of Dan as judge of his people
• Judges 17-18, Story of Dan’s idolatry
• 1 Kings 29-30, Jeroboam sets up idolatrous worship center in Dan
• Jeremiah 18:6, Irenaeus quotes this verse in Against Heresies to indicate Antichrist will be Jewish, from the tribe of Dan. Sts. Hippolytus, Augustine, Prosper, Gregory the Great, and others all believe Antichrist will be Jewish, from the tribe of Dan.

John 5:43, “I am come in the name of my Father, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.”

Revelation 7:5-8, Tribe of Dan not listed as sealed

Overview:

Minutes 00:12:00 – Alternative timeline

Minutes 12:01-24:00 –  redemptive suffering, rise of Antichrist from rubble of second “Holy Roman Empire” 

Minutes 24:01-36:00 – Antichrist from the Tribe of Dan, messianic social justice government

Minutes 36:01-48:00 – Old Testament exploration of “Dan”

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 events in the first section are conditional on repentance and 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)

Alternative timeline: 

Seven Seals: (Rev 6-7)
First Seal: Time of mercy (we are here)
Second Seal: Dissolution of peace
Third Seal: Economic collapse
Fourth Seal: Social Collapse
Fifth Seal: Minor persecution
Sixth seal: Warning
Seventh Seal: Reprieve

Seven Trumpets & Bowls: (Rev 8-18) 
Two Witnesses
Rise of Antichrist (3 1/2 years)
Reign of terror (3 1/2 years)
Three days of darkness

Day of the Lord: (Rev 19-22)
Jesus defeats Antichrist, establishes Era of Peace, and reigns spiritually in the Church 1000 years
Return of Satan’s influence 
Second Coming, or Parousia
New Heaven and New Earth

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

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).

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