CHRIST'S DISSERTATION ON THE END OF THE WORLD

Before we get to the main point of this section, a few observations about prophecy, in general, are in order. First, as we have already stated, prophecy cannot be properly under-
stood until AFTER the prophecy has been fulfilled. (We have an account in the Gospels where Christ comes to two people who are trying to understand the prophecies, which He had just fulfilled a few weeks before, and He has to explain the prophecies to them.) Any attempt to divine what would hap-pen by reading prophecy without studying Church teaching, first and foremost, is doomed to failure. Although many of these things were obscure a short thirty years ago, it is our opinion that many of these prophecies have been or are being fulfilled today. However, one cannot live one's life based on prophecy! Prophecy exists to enlighten and console in this time of trial, not as a road map out of the current crisis. Catholic teaching and right reason are the way out, not St. so-and-so's prophecy.
The chapters devoted to discussion of prophecy are our personal opinion, based on the evidence we present and may not be the only possible interpretation. We present this information for two reasons: First, one needs a break from the hard work of studying. Secondly, we feel that this infor-mation will help you understand that we do not contradict prophecy, but that prophecy is in harmony with Church teach-ing, which is only reasonable.

Christ's Teachings on the End of the World

This section is devoted mainly to a study of Christ's answer to the question, "What signs will precede the end of the world?" His answer is contained in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, which we recommend that you read before starting this section. It must be remembered that Christ was answering two questions simultaneously; what signs would precede the end of the world, and what signs will precede the destruction of the temple. For ease of study, we only discuss these signs which we believe precede the end of the world and have application to our current discussion. Many things are mentioned by all three evangelists, others by one or two. To further aid our study, we have taken the parallel passages which the Biblical commentators refer us to in the Douay-Rheims Bible. (Please follow along in your Douay-Rheims.)

Unparalleled Tribulation

Matthew 24:21: "For there shall be then great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be." (Also see Mark 13:19, Luke 21:26.)
Daniel 12:1: "But at that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people: and a time shall come such as never was from the time that nations began even until that time. And at that time shall thy people be saved: everyone that is found written in the book."
In the Summa, St. Thomas also discusses this time, as follows: "There are three reasons why those who will be found living in those times will be cleansed suddenly. One is because there will be few things in them to be cleansed, since they will be already cleansed by the previous fears and persecutions." (Supplement, Q-74, R-5, article 8.) What fears and persecutions will be so terrible that they will cleanse us from our sins? Christ answers this for us in Matthew 10:28: "And fear not them that kill the body, but rather him that can destroy both body and soul in hell." The fears and persecutions of this time will be spiritual, the spiritual fear being: Am I doing what is pleasing to God?

What About the Physical Persecutions Predicted?

Luke 2 1:18: "But a hair of your head shall not perish."

Why does Christ say this? Christ is trying to remind us that the persecution of His Church in this time will be spiri-tual. We will not be subjected to physical persecutions, for the most part, as were the early Christians. The enemy has craftily decided to take the Church from within, rather than attack from without. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Faith." (Tertullian.) The enemy has figured this out and will not repeat his past mistakes. So, to destroy the Church, the enemy has decided against martyring us for now, but has decided to sow error and deception among us.

The Elect Will be Deceived

Matthew 24:23-26

Matthew 23: "Then if any man say to you, Lo here is Christ, or there: do not believe him." 24: "For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders to deceive (if possible) even the elect... ."
26: "If therefore they shall say to you, Behold he is in the desert: go ye not out. Behold HE is in the closets--believe it not."
We have already demonstrated that the deception of the elect is the cause of the spiritual persecution. The fact that we can be deceived in these times makes us fear for our own salvation. What worse fear can there be?

Endure Not Sound Doctrine

I Timothy 4:1: "Now the Spirit manifestly saith that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error and doctrines of devils." 4:2: "Speaking lies in hypocrisy and having their conscience seared...." 4:13: "Till I come, attend unto reading, to exhortation and to doctrine." This last line of St. Paul's to Timothy has been the inspiration for this work, for we have read, exhorted the reader and presented the doctrines of the Faith.
II Timothy 3:1: "Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times." 3:5: "Having an appearance, indeed of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid... ." 3:7: "Ever learning and never attaining to the knowledge of truth." 3:8: "Now as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the Faith." 3:9: "But they shall proceed no farther: for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was... ." 3:13: "But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse: erring, and driving into error." (See also, II Peter 3:3:, and II Thess. 2:3.)
At this time, the sin of unbelief shall be common to almost all men. The doctrines of devils is nothing less than unbelief, which is heresy and apostasy. This is the worst tribulation, because the worst sin, unbelief, is rampant.
Matthew 24:12: "And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold."
Charity, in this quote, is nothing more than sanctifying grace, which shall be lost through unbelief, which robs the soul of grace.
Luke 3:6: "Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come and to stand before the Son of Man."

False Prophets, False Christs

Matthew 24:4: "And Jesus answering, said to them: 'Take heed no man seduce you.'" 24:5: "For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ. And they will seduce many... ." 24:11: "And many false prophets shall rise and seduce many."
Ephesians 5:6: "Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of these things cometh anger of God upon the children of unbelief." (See also, Mark 13:5, Luke 21:8, Col. 2:18, II Thess. 2:3.)
Who speaks in the name of Christ? The Pope, bishops, and priests were commissioned by Christ to speak in His name, when He commissioned Peter and the Apostles to: "...Go and teach ye all nations." However, the bishops and priests only speak in Christ's name when they are commissioned by Christ through His representative, the Pope. Therefore, any priest or bishop who is not so commissioned, but claims he speaks in Christ's name, is to be avoided as a false-Christ, as Christ here warns.
Lastly, St. Paul reminds us that the worst deception is that of unbelief, which is heresy and apostasy. He attributes all of this in the end times to the Man of Sin, who is the Antichrist. Only the reestablishment of the papacy shall destroy Antichrist.

Are We in the End Times, Here Described?

Matthew 24:32: "And from the fig tree learn a parable: When the branch thereof is now tender and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh ." 24:33: "So you also, when you shall see all these things know ye that it is nigh, EVEN at the doors." 24:25: "Behold I have told it to you beforehand."
Mark 13:23: "Take you heed therefore: behold I have foretold you all things." (See also Luke 21:29-30.)
When we see the signs Christ describes, we know the end is at hand.
Matthew 24:6: "And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to pass: but the end is not yet." 24:7: "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be pestilences and famines and earthquakes in places." 24:8: "Now all these things are the beginning of sorrows." (See also, Mark 13:7, and Luke 21:9-Il.)
Can we deny that these prophesies have been fulfilled? Today, there are approximately 40 wars now in progress; earthquakes are becoming increasingly more common; the weather has become more freakish and unpredictable; we have even seen signs in the sky on occasion.

We Shall Be Delivered Up

Mark 13:9: "But look to yourselves. For they shall deliver you up to councils: and in the synagogues you shall be beaten: and you shall stand before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony unto them...." 13:12: "And the brother shall betray his brother unto death, and the father his son: and children shall rise up against their parents and shall work their death." 13:13: "And you shall be hated by all men for my names sake."
II Timothy 3:1: "Know also this, that in the last days shall come dangerous times." 3:2: "Men will become lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked... ." 3:3: "...without affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent, unmerciful, without kindness...." 3:4: "Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasure more than of God." 3:5: "Having an appearance indeed of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid." 3:7: "Ever learning and never attaining the knowledge of truth." 3:8: "Now as Jannes and Mambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth, men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the Faith." 3:9: "But they shall proceed no farther: for their folly shall be manifest to all men, as theirs also was... ." 3:13: "But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse: erring, and driving into error." (See also, Matthew 24:9, Luke 21:12, 13, 16, 17.)
This is, indeed, a most perplexing prophecy. With a few exceptions, no one has been delivered to the secular authority. This period may be yet ahead.
The rest of the prophecy has been realized. Children rebel against their parents; families are split apart because of the confusion of these times; those who profess the truth are definitely hated by everyone.
Mark 13:11: "And when they shall lead you and deliver you up, be not thoughtful beforehand what you shall speak: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye. For it is not you that speak, but the Holy Ghost." (See also Luke 21:14.)
This is a most comforting prediction. Christ is promising to send the Holy Ghost to us in our hour of need. The truth we will speak when called upon, is NOT from ourselves, but from the Holy Ghost. Isn't it comforting to know that the Holy Ghost will interceed and spread the truth through us, when this is needed? All we need to do is to become His instruments! (See also, Matthew 24:19, Mark 13:17, Luke 2 1:23.)
Mark 13:17: "And woe to them that are with child and that give suck in those days."
The errors and dangers of this time are a trap for our children. Even amongst the most Catholic of families, you constantly see the children fall into the snares of the devil. The concern for the next generation is, indeed, acute in this time of confusion, error, and heresy.

God's Gift to the Elect

Mark 13:13: "But be that shall endure unto the end shall be saved."
Luke 21:19: "In your patience, you shall possess your souls."
Luke 21:28: "But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand."
Matthew 24:22: "And unless those days had been shor-tened, no flesh should be saved: but for the sake of the elect those days shall be shortened." (Also, Matthew 24:13 and Mark 13:20.)
God has promised to shorten these days for the sake of His elect. Let us pray that this may happen soon!

How Long, 0 Lord, How Long?

Luke 21:32: "Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away until all things be fulfilled."
What is a generation? "Generation: 3b--The ordinary period of time at which one rank follows another, or father is succeeded by child--usually taken to be about 33 years." (Webster's Dictionary.) In my case, my father was 33 when I was born. The time between generations can be from 18 to 45 years, with an average of about 33 years. The alternative is that the generation born at the beginning will see the end of this time. Biblically, the average life span is about 70 years. However, given that God has promised to shorten this time for the sake of the elect, I choose the shorter time of 33 years. This would also agree with the life of Christ, which was about 33 years from birth to Ascension. Given 1958, the year of Pius Xli's death as a beginning, then the end of this time should be 1991, approximately. (Remember: "No man knows the day nor the hour.")
Already, we have seen what withholdeth and have learned the two meanings of the "abomination of desolation." How shall these times end? Does Christ give us any indication of what to expect?

The Eagles

Matthew 24:28: "Wherever the body shall be, there shall be the eagles also gathered together."
Eagles will be discussed at length later in this section. But where could the Mystical Body be gathered together? What would bring the whole Church together in one place? Only a papal election! Eagles are lovers of the sun, or the high places of heaven, where God Himself lives. The lovers of God shall all come together to perform an election. This is only one of the many meanings of the word eagle, as we shall see, for here Christ says eagles. Perhaps, in this verse, Christ is here referring to the plurality of these meanings. But its placement toward the end of Matthew's chapter indicates that it shall occur after all these other prophecies of Christ have come to pass. In the end, all shall be reconciled according to His promises.

And the Gospel Shall Be Preached

Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all nations, and then shall the consummation come." (See also Mark 13:10.)
Many current writers believe this has already occurred. But we are of the opinion that this prophecy foretells a future event. When reading St. Matthew on the end of the world, verses 4-14 appear to be in rough chronological order. Then, verse 15 jumps back to the "abomination of desolation," and the remainder seems to be an addition of important points to be remembered. St. Matthew ends verse 14 with: "...and then shall the consummation come." This can only be the end of the world, proper. Therefore, this preaching of the Gospel must immediately precede the end of the world.
But preaching is an act of jurisdiction, and looking at the articles on jurisdiction and the fact that we can find no one who possesses Ordinary jurisdiction, one might easily conclude that we have just painted ourselves into a corner. As we have already proven unequivocally, there is a way to restore the life-blood of jurisdiction to the Church. The Pope can provide the jurisdiction necessary for missionaries to preach to the entire world, thus fulfilling this prophecy. Jurisdiction slowly oozed out with the election of anti-Pope John XXIII. Since only the papacy is the marrow which produces jurisdiction, as bone marrow produces blood, the solution comes from the restoration of a man to the Throne of Peter as Pope.

Will Christ Keep His Promises?

Matthew 24:35: "Heaven and earth shall pass: but my words shall not pass."
Luke 21:33: "Heaven and earth shall pass: but my words shall not pass away."

Therefore, Christ Will Keep His Promises

Matthew 27:19: "Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." 27:20: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world."
The Church is for all peoples and all times, and this Gospel must be preached to EVERY creature. Christ will be with us unto the consummation, or the end of the world.
Matthew 16:17: "And Jesus answering, said to him: 'Blessed art thou, Simon Bar Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.'" 16:18: "And I say to thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." 16:19: "And I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven."
The promise to be with His Church is directly related to the institution of the papacy and to its jurisdiction. Although the Church may be for a time without a visible pope, the papacy endures forever. Christ's Church, as it was constituted by Him, will last until the consummation, and this means that the world cannot end during a Sede Vacante. The papacy must first be restored and all Biblical prophecy fulfilled.