Tuesday 13 May 2014

Pope St John Paul II: The Spark from Poland



The prophecy of the "spark from Poland" which would prepare the world for the Second Coming of Christ is one of the most well known private revelations given to St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), the Apostle of Divine Mercy.

“As I was praying for Poland, I heard the words: I bear a special love for Poland, and if she will be obedient to My will, I will exalt her in might and holiness. From her will come forth the spark that will prepare the world for My final coming.” 
(The Diary of St. Faustina, 1732)

For obvious reasons, many Catholics believe that this prophecy was fulfilled by elevation of Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla to the pontificate as Pope John Paul II in 1978. Pope St. John Paul II, who was raised to the altars on Divine Mercy Sunday, 27th April 2014, alongside Pope St. John XXIII, was undoubtedly the world's greatest devotee of St. Faustina's private revelations concerning Divine Mercy.
But what is the exact meaning of the prophecy of the "spark from Poland"? And in what way could Pope St. John Paul II have prepared the world for the Second Coming of Christ?

In order to understand the meaning of St. Faustina's prophecy of the "spark from Poland", it is first necessary to reflect upon this private revelation in the context of its relationship to the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday itself. St. Faustina had been told by Christ that she was to prepare the world for His Second Coming, and that she would do so by establishing the devotion of Divine Mercy:

You will prepare the world for My final coming. (Diary 429)

Jesus had told St. Faustina that before His final Coming in Glory to pronounce God's judgment upon the world, there would come the "Day of Mercy":

Before the Day of Justice, I am sending the Day of Mercy. (Diary 1588)

When we look at some similar entries in St. Faustina's Diary, it becomes evident that the "Day of Mercy" is inextricably linked with the formal extension of the Feast of Divine Mercy to the universal Church calendar, which first took place during the canonization Mass of St. Faustina, as part of St. John Paul II's initiatives for the Great Jubilee Year 2000. In the entries below, for example, we can see quite clearly that St. Faustina viewed the coming of the "Day of Mercy" as one and the same as the inauguration of the Feast of Divine Mercy itself:

“Souls perish in spite of My bitter Passion. I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy. If they will not adore My mercy, they will perish for all eternity… tell souls about this great mercy of Mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice, is near.” 
(Diary 965)

“I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.” 
(Diary 699)

So according to St. Faustina, the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy throughout the entire Church would occur shortly before the final Coming of Christ in glory, to signify a final act of God's infinite grace, by allowing an outpouring of His mercy upon the world. Jesus said to St. Faustina that the Day of Mercy would be a "sign for the end times",  which would take place shortly before the coming of the Day of Justice:

Speak to the world about My mercy... It is a sign for the end times. After it will come the Day of Justice. While there is still time, let them have recourse to the fountain of My mercy.  (Diary 848)

For St. Faustina, the coming of the Day of Mercy was closely associated with the arrival of the Second Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on humanity during the Last Days, allowing the Gospel to be proclaimed throughout the entire world before the Second Coming of Christ.

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 24:14)

The institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy took place on April 30th, 2000, when Pope John Paul II bestowed the Polish nun with the honour of being the first saint of the new millennium, with the intention to highlight the deep significance of this event. In his own words, the Holy Father had stated that his canonization of St. Faustina as the first saint of the new millennium was an intentional act designed to draw attention to the importance of the inauguration of the Feast of Divine Mercy:

Sr Faustina's canonization has a particular eloquence:  by this act I intend today to pass this message [of Divine Mercy] on to the new millennium. I pass it on to all people, so that they will learn to know ever better the true face of God and the true face of their brethren.
(Pope John Paul II, Mass in St Peter's Square for the Canonization of Sr Mary Faustina Kowalska, April 30th, 2000)

On March 23rd, 1937, St. Faustina recorded that she had received a vision that the Feast of Divine
Mercy would be celebrated throughout the Church. She saw large crowds celebrating the Feast of Divine Mercy in her local chapel, and that the same celebration would also take place in Rome presided over 
by the Pope. She recorded that the "crowd was so enormous that the eye could not take it all in. Everyone was participating in the celebrations" (Notebook III, 1044). This of course came to pass during her canonization mass in St. Peter's Square in the year 2000, at the same time the basilica of the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Krakow was being constructed at the site of her local chapel between the years 1999-2002. This basilica was in turn consecrated by St. John Paul in 2002.
St. Faustina appears to have had an accurate intuition as to the exact timing of when the institution 
of the Feast of Divine Mercy would eventually take place, as after the first Mass when the Divine Mercy image was first displayed on the Octave of Easter (Low Sunday), St. Faustina conveyed a particular delight that it took place at the conclusion of the Jubilee of the Redemption in 1935:

Sunday, April 28, 1935. Low Sunday; that is, the Feast of The Divine Mercy, the conclusion of the 
Jubilee of Redemption. When we went to take part in the celebrations, my heart leapt with joy that the two solemnities were so closely untied.
(Diary, 420)

Given that the first Mass celebrating Divine Mercy took place during the Jubilee of the Redemption (celebrating 1950 years since the Redemption of the human race), it was particularly apt that the
Feast of Divine Mercy was extended throughout the whole Church on the Great Jubilee Year of the Incarnation, celebrating 2000 years since the Eternal Word of God became Flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The timing of Pope St. John Paul II's inauguration of the Feast of Divine Mercy during the Great Jubilee Year was thus a deliberate act intended to highlight the prophetic importance of the private revelations of St. Faustina in relation to the turn of the millennium. As the Holy Father explicitly stated himself, the symbolism of his actions during the Great Jubilee of the Incarnation was intended to be "a prophecy of the future".

Dear Brothers and Sisters, it is especially necessary for us to direct our thoughts to the future which lies before us. Often during these months we have looked towards the new millennium which is beginning, 
as we lived this Jubilee not only as a remembrance of the past, but also as a prophecy of the future.
(Pope John Paul II, Novo Millennio Ineunte, Jan 6th, 2001)

The importance of the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy was clearly linked in the mind

of St. John Paul II to the realization of the era of peace promised by Our Lady of Fatima. 

As he pointed out during the canonization Mass of St. Faustina:

Jesus told Sr Faustina:  "Humanity will not find peace until it turns trustfully to divine mercy" (Diary, p. 132). Through the work of the Polish religious, this message has become linked for ever to the 20th century, the last of the second millennium and the bridge to the third. 
(Pope John Paul II, Mass in St Peter's Square for the Canonization of Sr Mary Faustina Kowalska, April 30th, 2000)

Pope St. John Paul II understood that the coming of the era of peace promised by Our Lady of Fatima could not be fully realized until the the Church had embraced the message of Divine Mercy. During a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Merciful Love in Collevalenza, Italy, in 1981, shortly after the failed attempt on his life, St. John Paul II recalled how from the very beginning of his Petrine ministry he felt that promoting the message of Divine Mercy was a particular task entrusted to him by God. At the same time, he was also clearly reflecting upon this mission in relation to the significance of first apparitions of Our Lady to the shepherd children of Fatima on the fateful date of May 13th:

A year ago I published the encyclical Dives in Misericordia. This circumstance made ​​me come today to the Shrine of Merciful Love. With this I would like to reconfirm the presence, in some way, the message of the encyclical [concerning Divine Mercy]. I would like to read it again and again to pronounce it.
From the beginning of my ministry in the See of Peter in Rome, I felt this message as my particular task. Providence has assigned me in the situation of man, the Church and the world. You could even say that precisely this situation assigned me as a task that message before God, which is Providence, which is inscrutable mystery, the mystery of Love and Truth, Truth and Love. And my personal experiences this year, associated with the events of May 13, as part of their order me to shout: "misericordiae Domains, quia non sumus consumpti" ["Because of the Lord's mercy we are not consumed"]( Lam 3:22).
(Pope John Paul II, Angelus, Collevalenza, 22 November 1981)

The connection between the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy and the promises of Our Lady of Fatima in the mind of St. John Paul II were also made clearly manifest in his actions during the Great Jubilee Year, as just two weeks after he had extended Divine Mercy Sunday to be observed by the whole Church on 30th April, 2000, he beatified two of the shepherd children of Fatima, Francesco and Jacinta Marto on May 13th, 2000, whilst also announcing his intent to publish the Third Secret of Fatima.

During a recent address, Pope Francis shared his belief that we were already living during the "time of mercy" spoken of by St. Faustina, and appears to date the beginning of this period to around the time of St. John Paul II's consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1984: 

“I am sure of this. It is not only Lent; we have been living in a time of mercy for the past thirty years or more, up to today.”  
Pope Francis, Exhortation on Mercy to Roman Priests, March 6, 2014

The fact that Pope Francis is very specific in this time frame (thirty years), clearly points to the 1984 consecration, the fruits of which is widely recognized by Church leaders to have led to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Within a year of this consecration, Mikhail Gorbachev was made General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, whose reformist policies of Glasnost and Perestroika inadvertently paved the way for the revolutions of 1989, which led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Pope St. John Paul II is himself widely credited as the single greatest influence in the downfall of the Soviet Union, as he was the primary inspiration for the Polish Solidarity movement, which having forced Gorbachev to implement his reforms, eventually led to the outbreak of the 1989 revolutions that began in Poland itself. And without the collapse of the Soviet Union, there would be absolutely no hope for the future conversion of Russia, which Our Lady of Fatima had promised as the ultimate fruit of the era of peace. It is during era of peace/Second Pentecost that the Bride prepares itself for the Coming of the Bridegroom by becoming purified in the fire of the Holy Spirit.
We can see from these examples alone how St. Faustina's prophecy of the "spark from Poland" that prepares the way for the final Coming of Christ was fulfilled in the life and ministry of Pope St. John Paul II. According to St. Faustina herself, this prophecy is also intimately related to the "Day of Mercy" which takes place before the coming of the Day of Judgement, so it could not be any more fitting that it was St. John Paul II who presided over the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy during the Great Jubilee Year. The importance of the connection between St. John Paul and this feast day was made even more explicit in the fact that he passed away on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, 2nd April, 2005.
The Holy Father had alluded to the prophecy of the "spark from Poland" himself, when during his Mass at Victory Square in Warsaw, Poland, 1979, he prayed that the Holy Spirit would descend and transform the face of "this land":

"And I cry—I who am a Son of the land of Poland and who am also Pope John Paul II—I cry from all the depths of this Millennium, I cry on the vigil of Pentecost:
Let your Spirit descend.
Let your Spirit descend.
and renew the face of the earth,
the face of this land."
(Pope St. John Paul II, Mass in Victory Square, Warsaw, 2nd June 1979)

During the canonization Mass of St. Faustina, St. John Paul further implied a connection between the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday and the eschatological outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the Second Pentecost, by looking to the prophetic symbolism behind the original events that took place on this day. 

"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever" (Ps 118: 1). So the Church sings on the Octave of Easter, as if receiving from Christ's lips these words of the Psalm; from the lips of the risen Christ, who bears the great message of divine mercy and entrusts its ministry to the Apostles in the Upper Room:  "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you... Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (Jn 20: 21-23).
Before speaking these words, Jesus shows his hands and his side. He points, that is, to the wounds of the Passion, especially the wound in his heart, the source from which flows the great wave of mercy poured out on humanity. From that heart Sr Faustina Kowalska, the blessed whom from now on we will call a saint, will see two rays of light shining from that heart and illuminating the world:  "The two rays"Jesus himself explained to her one day, "represent blood and water" (Diary, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, p. 132).
(Pope John Paul II, Mass in St Peter's Square for the Canonization of Sr Mary Faustina Kowalska, April 30th, 2000)


Divine Mercy Sunday was also traditionally known as "St. Thomas Sunday", because this was the day on which the Risen Lord showed the doubting Apostle the wounds on His hands and the wound in His side from which the blood and water had flown. As St. John Paul points out, it is at this moment, when the Risen Christ showed the Apostles His wounds, he simultaneously promises them the Holy Spirit, and grants them the power to forgive sins - which is the very essence of the message of Divine Mercy.



 A copy of the original Divine Mercy painting by Eugeniusz Kazimirowski, oversaw by St. Faustina

‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
(John 7:38-39)

This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.
(1 John 5:6-8)

Just as doubt in Christ reached a crescendo at the millennial anniversary of the Incarnation of Christ (during an age which can only be associated with the Great Apostasy foretold in Scripture), Jesus appears to us in the form of the Divine Mercy image, which, showing us the wound in the side of Christ, invites us to once again believe in Him. By formally extending the Feast of Divine Mercy to be celebrated by the whole Church during the Great Jubilee Year of the Incarnation, Pope St. John Paul II made a bold prophetic action which served to highlight his intuition that this was a pivotal moment in world history, and served to express his hopes that the new millennium would usher in the new Springtime of the Church, during the era of peace promised by Our Lady of Fatima. The Holy Father alluded to the relation between the imagery of Divine Mercy and the coming of the era of peace during the canonization Mass of St. Faustina:

"as the Apostles once did, today too humanity must welcome into the upper room of history the risen Christ, who shows the wounds of his Crucifixion and repeats:  Peace be with you!"

When we take into consideration the other major prophetic action taken during the Great Jubilee Year, when St. John Paul II once again consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in unison with the bishops of the world on 8th October, 2000, we are reminded of St. John Bosco's prophetic dreams of the Two Pillars and the March of the 200 Days. 
In his Dream of the Two Pillars, after two sets of "meetings" which represent the First and Second Vatican Councils, Don Bosco sees a pope who is "gravely wounded" by his enemies. While many have linked this part of the dream to the assassination attempt on Pope St. John Paul II in 1981, this interpretation fails to take into account the fact that the March of the 200 Days points to the year 1999 for the fulfillment of the prophecy of the pope who anchors the barque of St. Peter between the two pillars. Each of the four hundred days in this prophecy represents a month, giving a total of 33.333 years, and calculating from the close of the Second Vatican Council in December 1965, this brings us up to the year 1999 (see the post St. John Bosco and the Turn of the Millennium for more information on this topic). This means that the pope who secures the barque to the two pillars of devotion to the Eucharist and the Immaculate Virgin at the turn of the millennium must be St. John Paul II. If this is correct, then the Dream of the Two Pillars gives an exact sequence of the popes who lead the Church following the Second Vatican Council, up until the turn of the millennium. The pope who is "gravely wounded" by the enemies of the Church after Vatican II would be Pope Paul VI, whose pontificate encompassed the cultural revolution that has resulted in the massive decline in the influence of the Church in modern culture - the beginning of the Great Apostasy. The pope who is killed by the enemies of the Church would therefore be Pope John Paul I, who many believe was the victim of a sinister assassination plot. Unfortunately, the truth surrounding John Paul I's sudden death is now almost impossible to ascertain. The mention of the unusually rapid series of papal conclaves may allude to 1978 as the "year of three popes", due to this exceptionally short 33 day pontificate. 
It should be worth taking a look at the Dream of the Two Pillars again in full:

“Imagine yourself to be with me on the seashore, or better, on an isolated rock and not to see any patch of land other than that under your feet. On the whole of that vast sheet of water you see an innumerable fleet of ships in battle array. The prows of the ships are formed into sharp, spear-like points so that wherever they are thrust they pierce and completely destroy. These ships are armed with cannons, with lots of rifles, with incendiary materials, with other firearms of all kinds, and also with books, and advance against a ship very much bigger and higher than themselves and try to dash against it with the prows or burn it or in some way to do it every possible harm.
“As escorts to that majestic fully equipped ship, there are many smaller ships, which receive commands by signal from it and carry out movements to defend themselves from the opposing fleet. In the midst of the immense expanse of sea, two mighty columns of great height arise a little distance the one from the other. On the top of one, there is the statue of the Immaculate Virgin, from whose feet hangs a large placard with this inscription: Auxilium Christianorum—”Help of Christians”; on the other, which is much higher and bigger, stands a Host of great size proportionate to the column and beneath is another placard with the words: Salus Credentium—Salvation of the Faithful.
“The supreme commander of the big ship is the Sovereign Pontiff. He, seeing the fury of the enemies and the evils among which his faithful find themselves, determines to summon around himself the captains of the smaller ships to hold a council and decide what is to be done.
“All the captains come aboard and gather around the Pope. They hold a meeting, but meantime the wind and the waves gather in storm, so they are sent back to control their own ships. There comes a short lull; for a second time the Pope gathers the captains around him, while the flag-ship goes on its course. But the frightful storm returns. The Pope stands at the helm and all his energies are directed to steering the ship towards those two columns from whose summits hang many anchors and strong hooks linked to chains.
“All the enemy ships move to attack it, and they try in every way to stop it and to sink it: some with books and writings or inflammable materials, of which they are full; others with firearms, with rifles and with rams. The battle rages ever more relentlessly. The enemy prows thrust violently, but their efforts and impact prove useless. They make attempts in vain and waste all their labor and ammunition; the big ship goes safely and smoothly on its way. Sometimes it happens that, struck by formidable blows, it gets large, deep gaps in its sides; but no sooner is the harm done that a gentle breeze blows from the two columns and the cracks close up and the gaps are stopped immediately.
“Meanwhile, the guns of the assailants are blown up, the rifles and other arms and prows are broken; many ships are shattered and sink into the sea. Then, the frenzied enemies strive to fight hand to hand, with fists, with blows, with blasphemy and with curses.
“Suddenly the Pope falls gravely wounded. Immediately, those who are with him run to help him and they lift him up. A second time the Pope is struck, he falls again and dies. A shout of victory and joy rings out amongst the enemies; from their ships an unspeakable mockery arises.
“But hardly is the Pontiff dead than another takes his place. The pilots, having met together, have elected the Pope so promptly that the news of the death of the Pope coincides with the news of the election of the successor. The adversaries begin to lose courage.
“The new Pope, putting the enemy to rout and overcoming every obstacle, guides the ship right up to the two columns and comes to rest between them; he makes it fast with a light chain that hangs from the bow to an anchor of the column on which stands the Host; and with another light chain which hangs from the stern, he fastens it at the opposite end to another anchor hanging from the column on which stands the Immaculate Virgin.
“At this point, a great convulsion takes place. All the ships that until then had fought against the Pope’s ship are scattered; they flee away, collide and break to pieces one against another. Some sink and try to sink others. Several small ships that had fought gallantly for the Pope race to be the first to bind themselves to those two columns. Many other ships, having retreated through fear of the battle, cautiously watch from far away; the wrecks of the broken ships having been scattered in the whirlpools of the sea, they in their turn sail in good earnest to those two columns, and having reached them, they make themselves fast to the hooks hanging down from them and their they remain safe, together with the principal ship, on which is the Pope. Over the sea their reigns a great calm.”





If this interpretation is correct, the pope anchoring the barque of St. Peter to the two pillars of devotion to the Eucharist and the Immaculate Virgin at the turn of the millennium, must be a reference to the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy and the consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during the Great Jubilee Year. The Feast of Divine Mercy is essentially Eucharistic in character, with its emphasis on the blood and water which issued from the side of Christ as the source of the outpouring of God's mercy.

The blood and water issuing from Christ after His side is pierced with a spear is traditionally linked with the prophecy of Zechariah, which also has an eschatological context that foreshadows the future conversion of the Jews during the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit:

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
(Zech 12:10)

On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.
(Zech 13:1)

By directing our attention to the blood and water which was poured out from the side of Christ, the image of Divine Mercy recalls the Eternal Sacrifice of Jesus commemorated during Mass in the Holy Eucharist; and at the same time also points forward to the future conversion of the Jews (the "house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem"), which the Catechism states must take place before the Second Coming of Christ.



The pope securing the barque of St. Peter to the pillar bearing the Blessed Sacrament in St. John Bosco's prophetic dream appears to depict the Holy Father anchoring the Church to the devotion of Divine Mercy. The smaller column bearing the statue of the Immaculate Virgin may indicate that the consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during the Great Jubilee Year was of lesser importance at this particular time, given that the same ceremony was already performed previously in 1984. But it is still possesses a sufficient level of significance to warrant a place of honour in Don Bosco's dream, especially since it fulfilled the request to consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary given to Blessed Alexandria Maria da Costa, whose feast is celebrated on Oct 13th - the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun. The "light chains" which the pope uses to anchor the barque between the two pillars would thus be the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the First Saturdays Devotion.
The fact that St. John Paul II celebrated the Great Jubilee Year by performing such highly symbolic actions was intended to highlight the prophetic significance of the millennial anniversary of the Incarnation of the Word of God in the womb of the Immaculate Virgin. The Book of Revelation presents the Blessed Virgin Mary as the new Eve, and uses the story of the nativity to demonstrate how the fall of humanity is reversed by a woman conceived without sin, who crushes the head of the Ancient Serpent by bearing God Himself into the world. It is the Incarnation of the Word which signals Satan's ultimate defeat on the Cross.

And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God".
(Rev 12:1-10)

It is interesting to note the timing of the recent blood moon on 15th April, 2014 (the first of a much vaunted tetrad series of lunar eclipses which fall on Jewish feast days) in proximity to the recent canonization of Pope St. John Paul II on 27th April, 2014. This tetrad of blood moons certainly appears to be of some prophetic significance, in the fact that it recalls the words of Scripture: "The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes" (Joel 2:31). But it fails to take into account the fact that the Bible details a very specific combination of astronomical events, all of which occurred at the turn of the millennium, leading up to the Great Jubilee Year of the Incarnation. This includes an earthquake, a total solar eclipse, a total lunar eclipse, and a meteor shower, as well as the appearance of the "sign of the Son of Man", which like the Star of Bethlehem, appears to be a planetary conjunction:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn...
(Matt 24:29-30)

A series of astronomical events which the Book of Ezekiel informs us are related to the casting out of Satan from heaven, which states that when the "dragon in the seas" is cast to the ground by God, the estchatological astronomical phenomena would appear:

When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light. All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on your land, declares the Lord GOD.
(Ezek 32:7-8)

Note that the above mention of the "mourning" at the appearance of the "sign of the Son of Man" mentioned by Jesus during His Olivet Discourse is directly connected to the same passage in the Book of Zechariah referenced by the image of Divine Mercy:  "when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child" (Zech 12:10). It is perhaps of some significance then that the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy during the Great Jubilee Year, on 30th April, 2000, took place just days before the planetary conjunction of all seven classical planets known to the ancients, which occurred on 5th May, 2000, which in turn was just days before the beatification ceremony of Francisco and Jacinta Marto on 13th May, when Pope St. John Paul II announced his intention to publish the Third Secret. We have already discussed how this event may have been related to the "sign of the Son of Man" in the post The Seven Wandering Stars and the Heads of the Dragon.
This rare planetary conjunction was preceded in the previous year by one of the most widely witnessed total solar eclipses in human history - that of 11th August, 1999, whose path of totality not only crossed one of the most densely populated areas on earth, but also directly through Turkey, near the city of Izmit, where a 7.6 magnitude earthquake took place just six days afterwards, on 17th August, 1999, killing 17,000 people.
Turkey also happens to be the site of ancient Asia Minor - the location of the seven churches to which the Book of Revelation was addressed, including the site of Pergamon, which the Apocalypse states is "where Satan's throne is" (Rev 2:12). So here we have two of the "signs in heaven" taking place within an incredibly close time frame - an earthquake and the sun turning black "like sackcloth", both centred upon the location to which the Apocalypse was originally addressed.

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.
(Rev 6:12-13)

Then in November 1999, there was the occurrence of the Leonid Meteor Storm, the most prolific of all meteor showers, which takes place every 33 years (which recalls what is traditionally believed to be the duration of the life of Christ). This was quickly followed just two months later at the very start of the new millennium and the beginning of the Great Jubilee Year of the Incarnation, by the appearance of a blood moon on Jan 20th, 2000 - the anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of the Miracle to Marie Alphonse Ratisbonne in 1842 (which prefigures the future conversion of the Jews). The institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy took place just over three months later, followed by the aforementioned rare planetary conjunction of the seven classical planets. The very next year brought the world-changing events of 9/11, which as we have already argued in the previous post The Angel of the Seven Thunders,  is connected to the "blood fire and columns of smoke", which Joel prophesied would accompany the "signs in heaven" during the eschatological outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. 
“And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.
(Joel 2:28-32)

As I argue in my book Unveiling the Apocalypse, chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation is a dramatization of the eschatological astronomical phenomena, which means that the appearance of this series of astronomical signs heralds the casting down of Satan from heaven by the Archangel Michael. The Red Dragon standing under the Woman's feet represents a blood moon, since the horns of the crescent moon is traditionally associated with the Devil. Such symbolism is incorporated into famous icons such as Our Lady of Guadeloupe, where the crescent moon under the feet of the Blessed Virgin evokes the words of the Protoevangelium:

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
(Gen 3:15)



The Dragon standing under the Woman's feet also represents the total solar eclipse at the opening of the sixth seal, which turns the Sun as "black as sackcloth". The third of the stars being swept from the sky by the Dragon's tail symbolizes the stars falling to earth; while the seven heads, which we are told bear "blasphemous names", appears to refer to the seven classical planets, which are named after pagan gods. So an alignment of the seven classical planets is also alluded to in Rev 12.
The appearance of this unique and highly specific collection of astronomical signs points to the precise moment in history when Satan is cast down to the earth by the Archangel Michael, following which, the Devil transfers his great power and authority to the Antichrist - who is represented by the Beast which rises from the sea:

Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
(Rev 12:12)

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.
(Rev 13:1-2)

Once the head of the Serpent has been crushed by the Woman Adorned with the Sun, the fatal head wound inflicted upon Satan appears to be healed when the Antichrist rises to power on earth:

One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
(Rev 13:3-4)

We can find further Scriptural evidence that these eschatological astronomical signs portend the defeat of Satan in heaven, by studying chapter 24 of the Book of Isaiah - which explicitly states that the darkening of the Sun and Moon at the end-time marks the exact moment when God punishes the rebellious angels during the war in heaven:

On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished. Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders.
(Isa 24:21-23)

Once Satan is defeated in heaven, and cast down to the earth, he drags the rebellious angels down with him, who number a third of the heavenly host. The above passage in Isaiah states that during the appearance of the signs in heaven, the fallen angels would be gathered together as prisoners in the pits of hell, where they would have to wait for a period of "many days" before their final punishment would be meted out during the Last Judgment. This same eschatological episode is referenced in the Second Epistle of St. Peter and the Epistle of St. Jude:

God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment...
(2 Peter 2:4)

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day...
(Jude 1:6)

In relation to this, it is interesting to note that the greatest point of eclipse on 11th August, 1999, was concentrated exactly on a town in Romania called Ocnele Mari, which translates from Romanian as "Large Prison" or "Large Pit". It seems beyond mere coincidence that an astronomical event which can be associated with the signs in heaven that herald the casting down of Satan (described by Isaiah as the gathering of "prisoners in a pit") should be directly centred on a location called "Large Prison/Pit". And that in turn, this event should take place during the millennial anniversary of the Incarnation of Christ, which is so closely associated with the promises of the Protoevangelium (that the Woman will crush the head of the Serpent), and the "Apocalyptic Nativity" described in chapter twelve of the Apocalypse.

During her interview with Fr. Fuentes, Sr. Lucia stated that not only are we in the "last times of the world", but also that we were right on the cusp of a final and decisive battle between the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Devil.

"Father, the Most Holy Virgin did not tell me that we are in the last times of the world, but She made me understand this for three reasons.
The first reason is because She told me that the devil is in the mood for engaging in a decisive battle against the Virgin. And a decisive battle is the final battle where one side will be victorious and the other side will suffer defeat."


When we return to review the implications of St. John Bosco's prophetic Dream of the Two Pillars in respect to the above considerations, it is worth noting that the primary basis of this vision is rooted in the historic naval battle fought at Lepanto in 1571, the outcome of which Catholics attribute to the intercession of Our Lady of Victory. Pope St. Pius V had asked all of Europe to pray the Rosary with the intention for the victory of the Holy League against the Ottoman Turks, who were threatening to overrun the whole of Western Europe. After the Catholic forces secured a resounding victory over the Ottoman fleet, St. Pius V instituted the Feast of Our Lady of Victory, to be held each year on 7th October, which is still celebrated today as the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
A vital key to interpreting St. John Bosco's Dream of the Two Pillars and the March of the 200 Days can be found in his architectural plans for the Church of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, which were based on his prophetic visions. They show not only that the visions were indeed based on the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, but also dates the "new triumph of the Madonna" shown in the Dream of the Two Pillars as taking place at some point in the 20th century - which means that the fulfillment of this prophecy must be already in the past.

...additional work on the Church of Mary Help of Christians was in progress. Each of the two belfries flanking the facade was to be surmounted by an angel, nearly eight feet tall, fashioned from gilded wrought copper, according to Don Bosco’s own plan. The angel on the right held a banner…bearing the word “LEPANTO” drilled in large letters through the metal, while the one on the left offered…a laurel wreath to the Blessed Virgin standing atop the dome.
In a previous design, the second angel too held a banner on which the figure “19” was drilled through the metal followed by two dots. It stood for another date, “nineteen hundred,” without the final two numbers to indicate the specific year. Though ultimately, as we have said, a laurel wreath was put into the angel’s hand, we have never forgotten the mysterious date which, in our opinion, pointed to a new triumph of the Madonna. May this come soon and bring all nations under Mary’s mantle.
(Lemoyne, Biographical Memoirs IX, p276)

The two angels bearing banners here are the same as that seen in St. John Bosco's March of the 200 Days. The date originally depicted in the banner of the second angel was given as 19.., but was then replaced with a laurel wreath (representing victory) being presented to the Blessed Virgin - which symbolized the time of this great Marian triumph. If we cross-reference the date presented in St. John Bosco's architectural plans with his March of the 200 Days, then the obscured date given as "19.." must be the year 1999.


Another intriguing aspect in relation to this can be found in the mysterious motto ascribed to Pope St. John Paul II in the prophetic list of popes attributed to St. Malachy,  De Labore Solis "From the labour of the sun" or "from the eclipse of the sun" - which is highly evocative of the prophecy of the labour of the Woman Adorned with the Sun described in Rev 12. Does this motto suggest that the prophecy of the Woman Adorned with the Sun was fulfilled during the pontificate of St. John Paul II? Writing in a commentary on the Apocalypse first published in 1955, Fr. Herman Kramer had suggested that the portion of Rev 12 which mentions the Woman giving birth to a male child who was to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, is in fact a prophecy of a particular pope.
If Fr. Kramer's insight on this matter was correct, then it is most likely that the pope referred to in this prophecy was in fact Pope St. John Paul II, as he was the residing pontiff when the eschatological astronomical phenomena foretold in the Bible actually took place. Furthermore, Fr. Kramer also muses whether that the Dragon standing under the woman's feet so that he could devour her child as soon as he was born could refer to an assassination attempt on the pope, which of course would fit in with the pontificate of St. John Paul II exactly:

She brought forth a male child who is destined to rule all nations with a rod of iron. The pope elected is virile and fearless. He is the one destined by Providence to overthrow the schemes of the dragon...
The clause, "that he might devour her son", does not necessarily mean assassination...
(Fr. Herman Kramer, The Book of Destiny, p285)

The Woman's child clearly survives the Dragon's attempt to devour him, following its Scriptural precedent in the Slaughter of the Holy Innocents. A rather unsettling aspect of this interpretation is that it could potentially identify Russia in some way with the Great Red Dragon, since in all likelihood, it was the KGB who engineered the assassination attempt on St. John Paul II, because of his destabilizing influence within Poland itself. This recalls the words of Sr. Lucia herself, who warned that:

“Russia will be the instrument of chastisement chosen by Heaven to punish the whole world if we do not beforehand obtain the conversion of that poor nation ...”

Pope St. John Paul II claimed that it was "a mother's hand" which guided the path of the bullet on that fateful day, on May 13th, 1981, saving him from the assassination attempt. This event was almost certainly the same that was prophesied in the original Church approved versions of the secrets of La Salette given in 1846:

The pope will be persecuted from all sides, they will shoot at him, they will want to put him to death, but no one will be able to do it, the Vicar of God will triumph again this time...
(Secret given to Melanie Calvat)

If we are to correlate the prophecies of La Salette with St. John Bosco's prophetic Dream of the Two Pillars, then the pope who "is persecuted" is most likely John Paul I, and the "pontiff that nobody expects" who arrives to bring about the coming of the "great peace" before the turn of the millennium must be Pope St. John Paul II:

Before all that arrives, great disorders will arrive, in the Church, and everywhere. Then, after [that], our Holy Father the Pope will be persecuted. His successor will be a pontiff that nobody expects.
Then, after [that], a great peace will come, but it will not last a long time. A monster will come to disturb it.
All that I tell you here will arrive in the other century, at the latest in the year two thousand."
(Secret given to Maximin Giraud)


Returning to Fr. Kramer's suggestion that the male child of the Woman is in fact a pope, the prediction that he is "to rule all the nations with a rod of iron" would then refer to Pope St. John Paul II's role in the spectacular dissolution of the Soviet Union, which imploded almost completely peacefully between the years 1989-1991:

And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.
(Rev 12:4-6)

In relation to the prophecy of the "spark from Poland", the Polish people themselves often point to a prophetic poem composed by Juliusz Slowacki in 1848, which foretells the coming of a "Slavic Pope" who prepares the way for the Second Coming of Christ: 


Here comes our Slavic Pope to the rescue,
Brother of mankind.
Angel batallions dust off his throne with
Whisks made of flowers,
While he pours lotion onto our bosom,
Pontiff benign.
He will distribute love like a warlord
Passes out arms;
His strength sacramental will gather the cosmos
Into his palms.
Then will he send glad tidings to flutter
Like Noah’s dove:
News that the spirit’s here and acknowledged,
Shining alone.
And we shall see part nicely before him
The sky above.
He’ll stand on his throne, illumined, creating
Both world and throne.
His voice will transform the nations to brethren.
Burnt offerings
Circle the spirits in their march toward
Their final goal.
Strength sacramental of hundreds of nations
Will help our king
See that the spirits’ work overpowers
Death’s mournful toll.
The wounds of the world shall he cleanse, and banish
Rot. pus and all–
He will redeem the world and bring to it
Both health and love.
He shall sweep clean the insides of churches
And clear the hall,
And then reveal the Lord our Creator
Shining above.




93 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! Thank you Emmett for such clarity.
Regards,
Michael

Barb said...

Wow indeed! Thank you for sharing...

Anonymous said...

Thank you Sir for this text.

We can see the famous irish mysticism in your writings, no doubt.

I do agree with your interpretation of the prophecies that you are citing.

Sr. Marianne Lorraine Trouve said...

Thanks, Emmett, for this fascinating and informative post!

The date of August 11 for the great eclipse struck me, since it is the feast of St. Clare, and Clare = light. She is also often depicted holding the monstrance with the Eucharist when she obtained the miracle of fending off the Saracens (ie Muslims) who were attacking the monastery. This relates to the Lepanto theme also.

Also, the poem you mention starts out with the idea that God strikes a giant bell for a Slavic pope:

Amid discord the Lord God strikes
An immense bell,
Behold, for a Slavic pope
He opens a throne.
This one does not flee before swords
Like that Italian.
He is daring, like God, he goes to the sword:
The world to him is powder!

His face is radiant with the Word,
A lamp for the servant,
Because of him the advancing race goes
Into the light, where God is.
At his prayers and commands
Not only men—
If he commands, the sun stops,
For power—this is a wonder!

Now he draws near—the new dispenser
Of vigor to the globe:
The blood of our veins goes back into our veins
Under his word;
In our hearts the movement begins of floods
Of divine light,
What thought thinks through him, this is created,
For power—this is Spirit.

Sr. Marianne Lorraine Trouve said...

On another note, I am troubled by the increasing presence of Satan in the world. Earlier this week a Satanic Black Mass was scheduled to be held on the grounds of Harvard University. This would have been unthinkable before. But the university would not stop it.

However, a lot of people were praying, and as it turned out, there was such an outcry that in the end it did not take place. The group tried to hold it off campus in a nightclub, but the owner of the club refused them! So there is some light amid the darkness.

Sr. Marianne Lorraine Trouve said...

I also want to give this testimony and thanksgiving. On the feast of Divine Mercy last month, I attended a prayer service at a nearby parish. One of the Sisters of Divine Mercy gave a beautiful talk, stressing that on this day the floodgates of heaven were open.
I was praying for a particular grace, one that I have been praying for over a long time, an interior grace, and that evening I received it. It was a beautiful grace and I thank Jesus our Lord and Divine Savior.

Anonymous said...

Talking about St. John Bosco's prophetic Dream of the Two Pillars, I have to tell you a dream I had in january of this year.

I do not often have that kind of dream but it makes me think of St. John Bosco's dream.

I was in a ship amid a storm and the ship was shaken by the storm.

But I found myself in my bed shortly after... but I was still dreaming.

By my window, I was hearing the noise of a heavy rain outside. It was a not a normal rain. It was so heavy that the rain was like curtains of rain falling from the sky. End of the dream.

My surprise is that in the morning, I realize it was January 31, solemnity of St. John Bosco.

mariana said...

Emmett, just finished reading this text. I really enjoyed it. Such great insight on such a wonderful Pope!

I just can't believe how you were able to put it all together so brilliantly.

Curiously, Romania is the home of the legendary Dracula the vampire. Dracula's obsession with immortality, mirror's today's obsession with human cloning. In the year of 1999, researchers implanted a cell containing human DNA into a pig, but terminated the embryo after it lived for 32 days. This type of knowledge to create human beings is exactly the kind of power the devil could have transferred to the antichrist. By 1999 cloning a human being not just harvesting stem cells was accomplished. Will this type of research and experiments continue to be allowed by God?

Read Joshua 10:13, when the sun stood still....could this be the Warning?

Thank you Emmett.

Emmett O'Regan said...

Thanks everyone!
Excellent insights as always Sr. Lorraine!

I've just noticed something a bit weird. That explosion in the mine in Turkey on the 13th May which took place in Soma, this location is right next to Bergama - the site of ancient Pergamum/Pergamon, which I noted in the above post the Apocalypse describes as the location of Satan's throne. It also recalls the above passage in Isaiah, which I argued is related to the point of greatest eclipse in 1999 - the town of Ocnele Mari (which means "large jails/prision/
pit").

"On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished. Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders."
(Isa 24:21-23)

The Romanian word "ocna" (from which we get "ocnele") can also be translated as "mine", since in many cultures pits and mines were most often used as prisons, where criminals were put to hard labour. Rather strangely, this event seems to tie together several elements of the above post - including the date of May 13th, the site of Pergamum, as well as the 1999 solar eclipse and the casting down of Satan in relation to the "large pit" of Isaiah.
It seems to be a very bizarre coincidence at the very least...

mariana said...

Totally agree with you Emmett. It's a bizarre coincidence. But what does it mean?

Who owns the mining rights in that mine in Turkey that exploded?

And is not the altar of Pergamon reconstructed in Berlin? Did Obama have his nomination stage in Denver of 2008 modeled after Pergamon?

When will the powerful families who control our world's resources and economy realize God is in charge?

The eugenics movement, its human cloning, and the current DNA obsession in the world is incredibly dangerous.

Our Bible is the source of messages for the truth. Those who refuse to trust it, will soon find out how unwise it is to do so.

May God help those who don't believe. So, Emmett, what's next?

I can tell you though, Our Blessed Mother's home with John was in Ephesus, Turkey. That keeps me calm.

mariana said...

powerful families or "Kings of the earth?"

Anonymous said...

Mr O'Regan,

The fact that you seem to say that St John Paul II is the pope of the St John Bosco's prophetic dream of the Two Pillars, how this fits with the prophecy of the popes by your fellow countryman St Malachy?

Emmett O'Regan said...

Yes Mariana, the Pergamon Altar was indeed reconstructed in Berlin at the Pergamon Museum in 1901 - the beginning of the 100 years of Satan's Greater Power. It is certainly no coincidence that Germany was the primary antagonist in the wars of the 20th century, and appears to have brought a curse down on its own head by installing what the Apocalypse refers to as "Satan's throne" on their own soil.

Emmett O'Regan said...

Hi Anon,

The motto for St. John Paul II in St. Malachy's list of popes is "de labor solis" - "From the Labour of the Sun". This is an allusion to the labour of the Woman Adorned with the Sun in Rev 12, which suggests that this prophecy would be fulfilled during the pontificate of St. John Paul. The prophecy of the Woman Adorned with the Sun is chiefly concerned with the defeat of Satan in heaven, and his casting down to the earth, which is the beginning of the age of the Second Pentecost, and is in turn marked by the appearance of the "signs in heaven".
The pope in St. John Bosco's Dream of the Two Pillars also reigns at the start of the age of the Second Pentecost, and indeed is in some way responsible for the inauguration of this eschatological outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Anonymous said...

Mr O'Regan,

Thank you for your answer.

I just hope that this outpouring of the Holy Spirit will make a difference in our world soon.

Anonymous said...

"The motto for St. John Paul II in St. Malachy's list of popes is "de labor solis" - "From the Labour of the Sun". This is an allusion to the labour of the Woman Adorned with the Sun in Rev 12"

No it isn't.

joerusso777 said...

This is a fantastic post Emmett!
You tied this together perfectly. It's amazing to me that all these cosmic occurrences happened all at once too.
I don't think there's any doubt the second Pentecost is underway. There seems to be a driving out of the evil in the Church,(purification) happening that's strengthening the Faith. Many Protestant, Jewish, Atheist, etc. Converts at the same time.
I agree with Bosco's dream as well. That made absolute perfect sense to me.
Emmett, many people believe the Second Pentecost will climax with a warning, Miracle (Great Sign), Fr. Gobbi seems to point to this too. It seems to me that we can make sense of the Miracle of the Sun in Fatima, as prefiguring, such a worldwide event taking place. Since from the accounts I have read the people there seemed to have true sorrow for their sins and repented. It seems to me that this event is to come worldwide at the worlds darkest of moments.
What are your thoughts on this?

Sr. Marianne Lorraine Trouve said...

Hi Emmett,
I don't know what it means, if anything, but it struck me that the name Bergama is very similar to Bergamo, the birthplace of St John XXIII. Since he was just canonized, maybe there's some connection?
I looked up the name and apparently it derives from a Greek word. For what it's worth I found this:

"The origins of the name "Bergamo" - meaning "house on the mountain" - date back to the Celtic word "Berginos", a Celtic god of mountains, the Indo-European "bherg" and the Gallic "brig", both of them meaning "mountain". "

Sr. Marianne Lorraine Trouve said...

This is pure speculation but I re-read Rev 2:13-17 about Pergamum. It speaks of the one with the "sharp, two-edged sword." I recall reading that the Roman governor there had the "ius gladii" or right of the sword, to execute people. Not all Roman officials had that right.
So maybe one connection is that it could refer to an upcoming time of greater martyrdoms. The May 13 date, the anniversary of John Paul's shooting, would be a link.

Also, in relation to the two pillars that you wrote of in your post, Emmett, maybe there's another connection. Revelation speaks of the hidden manna, probably a Eucharistic reference. And also "the sword of my mouth," which could refer to the Word of God. The white stone and the new name of the elect are also intriguing references. At any rate it could mean that the battle will intensity "make war against them..." and "everyone who conquers."

Emmett O'Regan said...

Hi Joe,

Yes, I think this sign is related to the great "sign of the Cross" seen in the sky, which is spoken of by several visionaries, as well as in the Didache. This appears to be similar in nature to the sign of the chi rho symbol seen by Constantine above the sun (another solar miracle), which led to the conversion of Pagan Rome. I keep thinking of the spectacular supernova which occurred during the Great Schism in 1054 in relation to this, and wonder whether another similar event to this will occur when Church unity is finally restored under the Angelic Pope.

Thanks Sr. Lorraine! Your insights always provide inspiration for me!

mariana said...

"House on the mountain," may also refer to Mount Zion, our heavenly Jerusalem. Hebrews 12:22 - "But you have come to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of angels."

I get where you are going with this Sr Marianne. Very interesting. The new city that awaits all people's is the spiritual reawakening of the living God through the Eucharist. He waits for all of us to accept and receive His manna. And as He was a martyr for that new Jerusalem,(Christianity), we will also be persecuted and suffer on that road to the city.

Rev 3:12 - "Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God."

His temple of God lies inside our hearts and minds, and that pillar of the Eucharist will stand strong inside of us in order to glorify Him here on earth. It is the Eucharist that will bring peace on earth.

Totally thankful for all of your comments. Emmett has been our "spark" of clarity. It just gets better.

mariana said...

Emmett, I have been thinking about some of your writings on the "bottomless pit." It occurred to me that New York's 9-11 memorial has made me feel so uneasy. Instead of having a cross to symbolize a sense of Christian hope, there are these two strange occult tridents built that measure up to 66 feet. And then it dawned on me that the square pools look like a pit, an endless bottomless pit.

I googled the memorial and the architect, and it is quite heartbreaking to read some of the interpretations.

Gus Barbarigo said...

Emmett, so does this eclipse over Romania mean the Antichrist is now on the earth?

How much time do we have left before a Chastiment and/or the Final Tribulation?

Can anywhere on earth be a sanctuary for Christians during either the Chastiment the Final Tribulation?

Emmett O'Regan said...

Hi Gus,

Yes, I believe that it points to this conclusion. I could be wrong, since many Christians have wrongly believed that the Antichrist would appear during their own lifetimes.
If the Antichrist was born at the turn of the Millennium, then we could have 40 years or more. If the Devil merely transferred his great power and authority to a political figure at this time (say Vladimir Putin), then it would be considerably closer.
I don't think there is anywhere to escape from this. It is a cross we must all bear together...

Anonymous said...

Mr O'Regan,


I do not know if you read french, but there is a very interesting website about end times prophecies in french, which is catholic traditionalist however, but it is very interesting anyway.

I am from Quebec, part French Canadian and part Irish. So, this is the good thing about it being able to read both in french and english (My french is better having been raised in french)

Here is the link to that website which is french from France:

http://legrandreveil.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

To say that this guy wotiya is a saint is pure balderdash. Judge by his fruits and what you see is the destruction of the Church, the homosexual priest adolescent abuse scandal raging, bishops shuffled around, a buddha on the tabernacle. If you want to say JP2 ushere in the era of peace sure he did, if you mean by doing everything possible to destroy the Church and create hell in it's place so that it will finally collapse before the chastisements and the age of peace. In that I could agree. But a saint? No sir, and watch the holy pontiff to come roll this disaster "sainthood" back. If you want your life seriously messed up, just pray to this "saint". Believe me, misfortune from an anti-miracle will soon follow. Just look at the demonic jp2 crucifix in Italy that broke and crushed a kid a day before this huckster's canonization.

Gus Barbarigo said...

Emmett:

As scary as it is, I appreciate your feedback.

Jason said...

Emmet,

I believe that you are right regarding the Sign of the Cross being connected with “The Warning” or “Illumination of Consciences”. This also fits with St. Faustina’s revelation in her diary where Jesus states,

“Before I come as the just Judge, I am coming first as the King of Mercy. Before the day of justice arrives, there will be given to people a sign in the heavens of this sort: All light in the heavens will be extinguished, and there will be great darkness over the whole earth. Then the sign of the cross will be seen in the sky, and from the openings where the hands and the feet of the Savior were nailed will come forth great lights which will light up the earth for a period of time. This will take place shortly before the last day.” —Jesus to St. Faustina, Divine Mercy in My Soul, Diary, n. 83

The bible also talks of a similar event Matthew 24:30-31

30m And then the sign of the Son of Man* will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31n And he will send out his angels* with a trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Wonderful post. I hope as some point you can flesh out the notion of a “Warning” or “Illumination of Conscience” within the Apocalypse.

Thanks and God bless.

Anonymous said...

There is no doubt in my mind that we are in the last days, in the end times.

I believe the Malachy prophecy. Pope Francis must be Peter the Roman, the last pope if you trust the Malachy's list of popes.

And our times seem to be similar to the times of Noah, as Jesus said it will be in the end times.

To pray is surely the right thing to do at this stage.

Anonymous said...

To all, read the book "They fired the first shot 2012", it gives insight as to what we are to be doing at this time. You can get the book from MEJ.COM, Our Lady needs all our prayers at this time also, to save souls, hence, from Fatima to pray, pray, pray; she repeats this a lot from Medjugorge messages.

Unknown said...

Pergamum called “the dwelling place of Satan” from the book of Pergamum; the pagan cults devoted to the Roman emperor and the Greek gods Zeus and Asklepios; and the martyrdom of the Christian bishop Antipas. Pergamum’s Altar of Zeus was excavated and taken to Germany where it later inspires the architecture of Adolf Hitler. Remarkably it is now housed in a museum in Brussels which is the HQ of the EU.

Anonymous said...

please understand i am devotd to the bvm and the mass jesus present always .. ive read fr krammers book when it was first publd ($4.95) before vatican two.we know about don bosco - our sons went thire school in nj and fr pavone was a postulant in the summer camp. the dy of justice has be after the comming of the anti christ. please look what nation(s) were used to punish the chosen people. usa is the last outpost of missionary activity and true freedom which has been corrupted by lack of true religion and knowledge of the lord. wait & see what happens to francis the 1st russia is on the move & is not converted!!! the veil of darkness
and the lies of the devil are deceiving the whole world. just look at the comments when francis was elected from all sides. jp2 was ignored and poland is about what it was in his time all prophecy must be accomplished our chosen ancestors went into captivity by/punished by turkey and present day iran,iraq,stria get the picture and the arab spring has been turned into the new martyrs of the christians in the middle, the jihadists are crucifying the rebels who fought with them. should i go on. wake up america wake up remember pearl harbor we were not ready. the russians are on the move patrolling the east coast the gulf of mexico w their subs and the best intelligence ship in the world and we cant even talk about adoration, rosary, or present day apparition of the bvm or prophets who the lord sends now. we have been with john leary and carole ameche manny times. please read the whole apps of fatima to find the real jesus.

bruno said...

Hi Emmett.
I found this your blog days ago and I think you have the gift of the Holy Spirit to decifer the end times prophecies. Keep up with the nice job.
I want to ask you if since there is going to be a visible mark of the beast, then will it come to be a visible mark of the elect too, on the forehead? The apocalipse describes an angel marking the elect.
Well, when I was reading you article on the google glass, I tought maybe this device will identify Chritians and will show to the user (and to the controllers behind computers) that the person right in front of him is an oppositor of the one world government under the antichrist. And this device could put an "sign" on the forehead of Christians to tell the user to denounce that person to autorities. This could be how they will persecute and kill christians since they are gathering information about each person on the planet.
Forgive me my poor english. I'm brazillian.

Emmett O'Regan said...

Hi anon from Canada!

I read a little bit of French, that site does look interesting. Thanks for pointing it out.

Hi Bruno!

Your English is excellent!

I'm not too sure about Christians receiving a visible seal of God on their foreheads, since the seal of God has always been interpreted as the Sacrament of Baptism. St. Bonaventure believed that the angel of the sixth seal (the angel marking the elect) was St. Francis of Assisi. The elect being marked with the seal of God on the forehead by the angel of the sixth seal is a prophecy of the Second Pentecost, the eschatological outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

With the advent of wearable tech such as Google Glass, it would not be necessary for any totalitarian regime to mark Christians on the forehead in order to distinguish them, since this technology can use facial recognition programs to identify anyone within its field of vision. For example, it can instantly bring up someone's Facebook profile (and all the most relevant information contained there) just by the user looking at them. In the near future, I would expect that most law enforcement agencies will be widely using this technology, and they would be able to instantly scan a room and flag up personal data such as criminal and medical records, and character profiles based on internet browsing habits. They would certainly be able to use this technology to identify if someone in their field of vision is a Christian.

MaryP said...

I liked the post, but it leaves the obvious question.....the post is historical, so where are we now?

Emmett O'Regan said...

Hi Mary P!

It would mean that we are now in the age of the Second Pentecost, near the end of the general apostasy, and at the very beginning of the renewal of the Church. All this must take place before the arrival of the Antichrist and the Second Coming of Christ. This age will culminate in the healing of the East/West Schism and the conversion of the Jews.
The above scenario also explains the most notable difference between the Dream of the Two Pillars and the Third Secret of Fatima. In the former, the restoration takes place after the pope is murdered, while in the latter the persecution of the Antichrist takes place after the assassination of a pope. This can be better explained if it refers to two different events.

mariana said...

Hi Emmet,

I read an interesting Catholic view on the end times, that I thought you may be interested in reading. Your analysis coincides with much of it. https://www.ewtn.com/experts/answers/endtimes.htm actually gives wiggle room to believe in the Warning and Miracle.

According to this EWTN article, the period you speak of for the "New Evangelization" or world peace has not arrived yet. We are still awaiting that period our Cathechism speaks of, that is, on the verge of the evangelization of the "entire world."

We still need to see all Christian Churches unite, before the Jews receive "full inclusion in God's salvation." And this will take a "minor apostasy and tribulation toward the end of the world," but not at the end of the world. Emmett are we not in this period today? Is this not when the Warning and Miracle may arrive?

Remember "Cardinal Ratzinger pointed out (in the context of the message of Fatima), we are not at the end of the world."

According to approved private revelations from our mystic Saints, a minor apostasy happens before the "Great Apostasy." The Catachism tells us first our Christian Churches must unite, and the "full inclusion of the Jews must happen, in the Messiah's salvation, in the wake of the full number of the Gentiles before the "Great Apostasy" arrives and "brings in the rise of the Antichrist and the Tribulation of the End." In other words, after this "minor apostasy" not all Jews will convert, but will be included in the salvation of God. This is different than the end of the world scenario, where all Jews will finally convert to Christianity. Now, am I correct on this or do I not understand the meaning of "full inclusion?"

After the "minor apostasy" and the Churches unite, with Jews being "fully included," we will have an era of peace in the world. How long will that last, no one knows.

It's not until "a final trial of the Church in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth," that we will see the "supreme deception" of the Antichrist." And then, comes the Last Judgement and Christ's victory over evil and the end of the world.

Hoping to get some clarity on my understanding of the Catechism.

Always







Anonymous said...

i"It would mean that we are now in the age of the Second Pentecost, near the end of the general apostasy, and at the very beginning of the renewal of the Church"
Sounds like a bunch of pie in the sky to me. The "second pentacost" is just JP2 poppycock. You make it sound neat and clean, cut and dried, it's hardly that. If you look at the prophecies of Marie Julie Jahenny and Saint Elena Aiello they clearly say that 3/4's of the worlds populcation will be WIPED OUT by man made and heaven sent chastisements including the 3 days of darkness which is a comet hitting the earth and hell opened to release all the demons to cleanse the earth. This has been related by many prophecies over the years. No Church renewal happens until these chastisements. Does Jorge hiding his pectoral cross in Israel seem like a "second pentacost" to you?

My friendly suggestion is to quit trying to determine from bible passages future events. God has sent Catholics many private revelations which provide all the information we need. Analyzing the bible outside of Church teaching we become exactly like the protestant "rapture" nutters.

If anyone wants a dose of reality of what's actually going to happen, just check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az4dzdS79jU

KP said...

I see there is discussion about the hope of the "Second Pentecost," implying that many people will be brought back into the Church and reject atheism.

We seem to forget that the first Pentecost only had a handful of believers in a room, while the rest of the world was in darkness. This Pentecost was followed by 300 years of slaughter at the hands of the Romans.

Pentecost involved a small church and martyrdom. Not 1/2 the world accepting Jesus and the end of persecution.

KP said...

Mariana,

You asked Emmett a question, but I was wondering if you were using the phrase "evangelization of the entire world" to mean that the entire world will become Catholic at some point?

I don't think that's quite right, if that's what you mean. CCC 677 says that the churches triumph doesn't come from the Church growing and taking up the whole world; but rather through a persecution and entering into our own Passover that Christ will return.

People, including entire nations, will always have free will. Many people willingly reject God, and nothing before the Second Coming will change that.....

Anonymous said...

A sort of follow up on KP's comment.
Talk abounds on this blog and many others re the "warning and miracle" from a number of prophecies but I've seen it mainly from Garabandal. Just wondering- has there ever been a precedence in the Old Testament re these things, particularly the worldwide warning? I did read something to that effect re to the Flood , it having a 100 year "warning" which few heeded.

Anonymous said...

This does not pertain to the article, but I was wondering if you had read about a prophecy that says, "When the White Pope and the Black Pope shall both die during the same night, this shall be a sign that there will dawn upon the Christian nations the Great White Day." Evidently the Black Pope is the familiar title applied to the head of the Jesuit order. This is interesting because now we have a Pope Emeritus and a Jesuit Pope. The great white day may be the possibility of the illumination of consciences. I couldn't find much about the origin of this prophecy except that it may have originated in Italy and was referred to as 'ancient.' This prophecy was published as far back as 1917. It was noted that Pope Pius X and the head of the Jesuit order died within two hours of each other in 1914, but the Great White Day has not occurred, so if this is a valid prophecy we may be in a situation where it could still come about. If anyone knows more about this obscure prophecy, please respond. Thanks, Mary

mariana said...

Hi KP,

I don't know exactly what I mean, that's why I've asked for clarification. Although I think evangelizing doesn't meant the entire world will convert, it means the word of God will be heard by the entire world. And it's the Holy Spirit who will lead the world to this.

How will the Holy Spirit reveal God to the entire world? Maybe through the Warning and Miracle. Unfortunately,I just don't see the entire world today listening to the words of Pope Francis. He speaks the truth and some are not caring. The world today is so terribly wrong. There is so much violence, hate, confusion, envy atheism, etc... and it may get worse. At this rate only something like the Warning and Miracle can make people change their hardened hearts. The persecution of Christians began awhile ago. Just recently in the Middle East they've been crucifying Christians. It's horrible, we are back to the times of St. Paul. And like St. Paul who had a personal encounter with God, the world will need to have one too.

I agree with you KP, the Second Pentecost will not convert the entire world to Catholicism. It may bring peace and respect for one another, which we lack tremendously today. Just look at the division between the Palestinians and Jews in the Holy Land. God wants unity in our world and wants us to love our neighbor. It's just not the Middle East in chaos, the whole world is divided.

It has to be something divine that occurs in order for a change to come. The mini judgement Garabandal prophesied is very necessary, like it was for St. Paul.

I just don't believe we are headed in this doom and gloom Chastisement without a major Warning and Miracle to help us mitigate it. Our Lady is pleading for us. And He listens to her. I'm praying and hoping. :)

Anonymous said...

Emmett,

You do realize a "second pentacost" is dogmatically impossible don't you?

mariana said...

"dogmatically impossible," not so. According to Cardinal Ratzinger, Second Pentecost is still in the process of discussion by the Holy See. It has most certainly not been condemned.

It is not to be confused with Milleniarism. The Second Pentecost has been promised in the Bible, and verified by our Church fathers.

It will be the Our Father prayer finally fulfilled here on earth. An era of worldwide peace and love. It is a time when the spiritual Christ reigns here on earth. An era before the end of the world and the last judgement.

Anonymous said...

I like to share quotes from the GOD SPEAKS WILL YOU LISTEN messages. These messages help non-Catholic Christians and disbelievers. You read many Gospel references to go with, God explaining the end times.

I was thinking today of the Warning and the Gospel verses about Our Lord being lifted up, we will see who we have pierced.

Mary

* * *

9/7/07
...How few were truly prepared for my first coming. The situation in your world today is similar to the pagan world of my day. Once again mankind needs a redeemer. The redeemer has already come and redemption has been won. But Satan has deceived the majority of mankind not to believe in me or even know I exist. My church is my light and presence on this earth. Now, many in my church are not spreading my gospel of salvation. As a result, many souls are in danger of hell fire. The time is soon when the head of the church will reveal himself to all mankind. Read John 12:32. And I,if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to myself. Read John 3:14,15. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up. That whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting. Apocalypse1:7. Behold he cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see him: and they also that pierced him. My son, I was lifted up on the cross and suffered, died, and was buried to atone for the sins of all my children. My son, I am lifted up again during the Holy mass at the consecration of the bread and wine. My son, I will be lifted up again, during the warning or the illumination of conscience. During the warning, all of mankind will know I exist and that I am the Son of God. Matthew 27:54. When I died the centurion remarked: Indeed this was the Son of God. At the warning, every soul will know I am the Son of God and I am the redeemer of all mankind. The sign of the cross will once again be lifted up for all mankind to see. My people will see all the sins which pierced me and caused my suffering. This event will take place soon in your measurement of time. I do not give exact dates to my people. If my people knew the date, many would become lazy, lukewarm, and continue to live in sin, until that day. My word says in II Corinthians6:2. Behold now is the acceptable time: behold now is the day of salvation. Do not wait until that day. You have no guarantee you will live until that time. ...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/22505473/God-Speaks-Will-You-Listen

mariana said...

Mary, April 13, 2017 is the Eucharistic martyr's feast day St Hermingald. I don't know if the name is spelled correctly, forgive me. This date falls on a thursday. Some are saying in Garabandal that this might be the date for the miracle.

Barb said...

St. Hermenegild =)

Anonymous said...

4/16/13
Emmett said...
"Hi Catherine,
"I believe we are at the start of the era of peace in the New Pentecost. The only approved apparition which mentions the duration of the era of peace is La Salette. And it states that it will not last a long time:"

Catholic watchers have to come to agreement some day, probably when prophesied events take place, I wish before. You have to look at daily yet to be approved private revelation too NOT just the approved by the Church. I share a sequence of the prophesied events coming.

It might be the "short" period of time is the Catholic evangelization of the world after God's worldwide "awakening", called the Warning. The Warning begins, you could say it IS the "New Pentecost." Part of the Warning, God warns of the anti-Christ and his plans for shortly after the Warning, the anti-Christ comes to power.

No one knows the EXACT time of the Millennium, also called the Era of Peace. This "millennium" may not be literally a 1000 years. It is the Eucharistic reign of Christ prophesied, the 7th Day of God, Jesus' middle coming.

GBUA,

Mary

+ + +

GOD Shttp://www.scribd.com/doc/22505473/God-Speaks-Will-You-ListenPEAKS WILL YOU LISTEN

10/05/07

...It will seem as if the ungodly do prosper. For the ungodly will only prosper by taking the mark of the beast to their eternal damnation. My faithful will receive all their needs from God Almighty. Remember my message to you from 4/07. Elijah and the widow of Sareptha survived for 3 1/2 years only by my divine grace and intervention. So it will be with you and your family. To answer a question for you: all who take the mark of the beast are forever cast into hell. This is what my word states. This will occur because mankind will be warned not to follow Satan and the antichrist. By rejecting the warning, you are rejecting God’s mercy and incurring his divine justice. Never before in history has a generation received such graces. Only at the general judgment is an ungodly soul aware of his sin committed against my commandments. But the warning will occur where every soul will experience a preview of their judgment if it had occurred at that instant. Then each soul will be given an opportunity to repent. Mercy will stop for many because all flesh will truly know I exist. After the warning, by accepting the mark of the beast, you will be condemned to hell because you have rejected my mercy in its fullest expression. My son, I give you a private prophecy. Share it at my leading. The antichrist is rising to power as I speak to you. He is hidden until revealed according to my Father’s will. Many natural disasters have and will continue to occur. Then you will experience the warning. After the warning, rejecting my mercy will cause you to take the mark of the beast. You will then experience the abomination of desolation and a fierce persecution of my faithful Catholics by: lukewarm Catholics, Protestants who are apostate, and the followers of the antichrist.

Anonymous said...

continued ~ from GOD SPEAKS WILL LISTEN

10/05/07

...After my two witnesses battle the forces of Satan, you will see my two witnesses killed and taken up into heaven. Woe to those who are alive during those days. Without my mercy, no flesh would survive. My Father’s wrath will be unleashed on the ungodly and sinner. I will then, with the brightness of my coming, cast the antichrist and his followers into hell forever. As a result, the world will experience 3 days of darkness and my creation purified of evil. Nature and my people will be healed. Then my son, the era of peace will take place where my faithful will be resurrected and rewarded in the first resurrection. My faithful will receive glorified bodies. Those who survive the days of tribulation will be able to LIVE OUT THEIR LIVES in peace. Once this era of peace is over, Satan will attack my New Jerusalem, the church, as the Prince of Gog in Ezekiel 38, 39. The length of time of the era of peace has NOT been revealed to mankind.

Time will be NO more, as you know it. The final act of Satan will bring about the end of human history. I will return in the flesh to bring judgment on mankind. I will separate the sheep from the goats. The righteous will inherit eternal life with glorified bodies, and the sinners will be cast into the pool of fire with Satan forever. Purgatory will be emptied at the last judgment. This is a brief OUTLINE of EVENTS to give you hope and trust in your Savior. The time for the events to begin is now in your human time, not years in the future. Trust in me, my son, and I will bring you to the times of refeshment. Finally, the next several years will be difficult financially and spiritually for you, my son and my remnant, if you do not completely trust in me. This message is from Jesus to my son who has been faithful in a few things. Keep a copy of this message with you and watch as the events take place. Praise my Father, myself, and the Holy Spirit, for revealing these truths to you. For you have been blessed by the Lord. Amen.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/22505473/God-Speaks-Will-You-Listen

Anonymous said...

mariana said...
"Mary, is the Eucharistic martyr's feast day St Hermingald. I don't know if the name is spelled correctly, forgive me. This date falls on a thursday. Some are saying in Garabandal that this might be the date for the miracle."

Thank you!! Makes you wonder, could be the date? Look at this beautiful, marvelous, exciting quote about "the miracle."


Mary

+ + +

"I suggest you to be in Garabandal for the Great Miracle Day, to my knowledge a Woman clothed with the Sun could wait for us there, they said to me that the Miracle of Sun in Fatima will look like a mustard seed compared to the Great Miracle of Garabandal, please remember these few words from me and don't miss that day, many things will happen before that day but listen me, nothing should stop you to travel to Garabandal, you believe or not, nothing should stop you, below more details:"

http://garabandalnews.overblog.com/little-known-stories-about-garabandal-7

Anonymous said...

mariana said...

"Mary, APRIL 13, 2017 is the Eucharistic martyr's feast day St Hermingald. I don't know if the name is spelled correctly, forgive me. This date falls on a thursday. Some are saying in Garabandal that this might be the date for the miracle."

My child started talking to me while I was typing, copying. I left off the date Mariana shared, oops, see above.

Mary

Anonymous said...

As I have said before, I really think that the end times are here.

Pope Francis being the last pope on Malachy's list, Jesus must be coming soon.

There are so many signs presently that the coming of our Lord is near.

And as Jesus said, the faith is not very strong as He is coming back.

Anonymous said...

Mr Emmett,

I hope you are preparing another article for us to read soon.

I am always waiting for your articles; it is always a great reading and I just can't wait for the next one.

Thank you and keep on the good work!

bruno said...

where are you Emmett? no more new articles?

Anonymous said...

There seems to be quite a bit of value in what you have written, but I'd have to read more in order to develop a better feel for your work.

I do have to say that St. John Paul II cannot be a man who ruled with a Rod of Iron. Though he did keep the line on abortion firm, and he certainly was instrumental to an extent in the apparent fall of the USSR, he never displayed an iron rod, and some may say, not too much backbone either. I am, however pleased that he was canonized, because we no longer need to pray for him, and indeed, he can pray for us.

Paul

Anonymous said...

There is a lot in prophecy that has a bearing upon our times. My opinion is that we are well into the beginning of the Minor Chastisement. This is upheavals, civil disturbances, wars, and natural disasters the are sorted out by the Great Monarch and the Angelic Pastor. Notable in these times is the uprising, atrocities, and ultimate conversion of the Mohammedans.

The man who will rule with a "Rod of Iron" may be the Great Monarch. At this time, Russia, along with the Mohammendans, protestants, and many pagans, will be converted. We will have a time of peace - The Age of Mary. This will last about a generation, then the Anti-Christ will come.

It seems to me that all of the foregoing fits into catholic prophecy, both from the saints and the bible. we have not had the conversion of russia, nor the time of peace. Yet I do not believe that the Triumph of the Immaculate heart will coincide with the Return of Christ. I think it will precede it, and involve an exaltation of the Church.

The exaltation of the Church, is near, because the falsities that attack her are being exposed. Darwinism, the Big Bang, Copernicanism, Historical-Critical biblical studies, all are being overthrown. Even the Deluge is coming to be recognized as a scientific fact.

When it is shown that the Church was ALWAYS right, and Her opponents wrong, deluded, and malicious, most men will return to Her, and Mary's Immaculate Heart will triumph.

I give it 30 years or so. I'm thinking that the world will not make it out of this century without seeing the Return of Our Lord.

...but then again, what do I know?..."

Paul

Anonymous said...

Emmett-
Curious as to your thoughts on this summary outline of the End Times on EWTN's website:

https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/endtimes.htm

Best-
Mark L

Emmett O'Regan said...

Hi Mark, yes I would be in full agreement on that article.

Siobhan said...

Joey Lomangino has died - the man the “seers” at Garabandal said who receive new eyes when the “Miracle” occurred. Another false apparition bites the dust.

Siobhan said...

typo -- would receive

Anonymous said...

To Mark L and Emmett,

The article from "ewtn" says this:

"As Cardinal Ratzinger recently pointed out (in the context of the message of Fátima), we are not at the end of the world."

It seems to me than Cardinal Ratzinger or retired pope Benedict does not agree with the St. Malachy of Ireland prophecy that says that the current pontiff is Petrus Romanus, the last one before the return of our Lord.

Somebody told me once that even the Church is not very anxious to see Jesus coming back.

Maybe that explains the point of view that we are not at the end of the world.

For myself, I truly hope the Lord Jesus will come soon.

I think for one that the message of Christ has been told to the whole world in this 21st century, so the conversion, which is a personal choice, has been given a chance for the whole world.

Respectfully

Anonymous said...

Siobhan,
Thanks for this. I would have read it eventually but...

I wonder how this will be interpreted by those followers of Garabandal AND by the Vatican.

Anonymous said...

Hi Emmett, I recently came upon this, possibly through a tip off from someone on this site. Seems remarkably contemporary. Do you know if its provenance?

"In Those Days Jesus Christ Will Send Them Not A True Pastor, But A Destroyer."
--St. Francis of Assisi


Shortly before he died, St. Francis of Assisi called together his followers and warned them of the coming troubles, saying:
"1. The time is fast approaching in which there will be great trials and afflictions; perplexities and dissensions, both spiritual and temporal, will abound; the charity of many will grow cold, and the malice of the wicked will increase.
"2. The devils will have unusual power, the immaculate purity of our Order, and of others, will be so much obscured that there will be very few Christians who will obey the true Sovereign Pontiff and the Roman Church with loyal hearts and perfect charity. At the time of this tribulation a man, not canonically elected, will be raised to the Pontificate, who, by his cunning, will endeavour to draw many into error and death.
"3. Then scandals will be multiplied, our Order will be divided, and many others will be entirely destroyed, because they will consent to error instead of opposing it.
"4. There will be such diversity of opinions and schisms among the people, the religious and the clergy, that, except those days were shortened, according to the words of the Gospel, even the elect would be led into error, were they not specially guided, amid such great confusion, by the immense mercy of God.
"5. Then our Rule and manner of life will be violently opposed by some, and terrible trials will come upon us. Those who are found faithful will receive the crown of life; but woe to those who, trusting solely in their Order, shall fall into tepidity, for they will not be able to support the temptations permitted for the proving of the elect.
"6. Those who preserve their fervour and adhere to virtue with love and zeal for the truth, will suffer injuries and, persecutions as rebels and schismatics; for their persecutors, urged on by the evil spirits, will say they are rendering a great service to God by destroying such pestilent men from the face of the earth. but the Lord will be the refuge of the afflicted, and will save all who trust in Him. And in order to be like their Head, [Christ] these, the elect, will act with confidence, and by their death will purchase for themselves eternal life; choosing to obey God rather than man, they will fear nothing, and they will prefer to perish rather than consent to falsehood and perfidy.
"7. Some preachers will keep silence about the truth, and others will trample it under foot and deny it.Sanctity of life will be held in derision even by those who outwardly profess it, for in those days Jesus Christ will send them not a true Pastor, but a destroyer."

(Except for breaking up the narrative into numbered paragraphs and adding bold print for emphasis, the prophecy is presented without any alteration, as given in the Works of the Seraphic Father St. Francis Of Assisi, Washbourne, 1882, pp. 248-250; as evidenced by the scanned pages linked above. This book has been reprinted and can be purchased here.)

Mark L said...

St. Francis lived from 1182 to 1226. So what could "the time is fast approaching" possibly mean when he supposedly said it? If someone today said "the end is fast approaching!" and it wasn't for another 1,000 years, could we possibly take that as credible?

Most of that prophecy, and aside from the Rule, a great deal of what he supposedly dictated or wrote is very questionable, is scriptural anyway.

Better to quote Revelation: "I am coming soon," and discuss what that means from a theological perspective. At least it's the inspired Word.

mariana said...

Siobhan, Joey will have "new eyes" during the miracle, because he made it to Heaven. The message never said Joey was going to see the Miracle while alive here on earth. But God may allow us to see him during the miracle. During Christ's resurrection which was a MIRACLE, God allowed many to see their dead relatives again. Anything is possible with God. :)

Anonymous said...

Siobhan@ "And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many...Matthew (27:52).

Anonymous said...

Something I have noticed is that fewer and fewer people think that we are in the end times if we compare to 15 to 20 years ago, particularly younger people.

I do think that while we are closer and closer to the end times, there is at the same time a kind of fog developing around the hearts of the people, hiding to their perception the true state of the world, which is more and more similar to the times of Noah.

As it was the case in those times, people won't see anything coming.



Anonymous said...

Conchita explained that her understanding of the Virgin’s term, “new eyes,” are eyes as we know them – not necessarily
spiritual vision – and that Joey’s new eyes “are to be used for the glory of God.”

Q. You have said that the Miracle of Garabandal will coincide with a great event within the Church. Did Our Lady tell you what that event will be, and can you add anything to what you have already said about this matter?
A. Yes, I know what the event is. It is a singular event in the Church that happens very rarely, and has never happened in my lifetime. It is not new or stupendous, only rare, like a definition of a dogma — something like that in that it will affect the entire Church. It will happen on the same day as the Miracle, but not as a consequence of the Miracle, only coincidentally.

Q. With respect to the sick people... the Virgin mentioned one particular person, a blind man called Joe Lomangino. What did she say about him?
A. She said that on the day of the great Miracle he will recover his sight. (This obviously meant he will see again as he did earlier in his life.)She also talked about a paralytic boy whose
parents come from my town (Garabandal). This boy will also be cured.

Joey is dead, no miracle involved, no true apparition.

mariana said...

Again, the message of Garabandal about Joey's new eyes never mentioned the words "he will recover his sight." Go back and read the exact words of Mary. If Conchita interpreted the message to be that he would recover his sight here on earth, then that's another thing. Conchita was a child at the time, and maybe her interpretations were miscalculated. But I have never read anything from Conchita that said Joey would recover his eyesight here on earth. Where anonymous did you get that quote from her?

mariana said...

Many miracles have been connected to the medals kissed by Our Lady in the Garabandal apparitions. One of them is a man who had a bone disease at 13, and went to Joey's house and held the medal, was cured from the disease. This gentleman lived and worked with Joey for many years, and today on Facebook he has a blog called "message of garabandal." He is one of the many testimonials to the miracles of Garabandal.

Many stories pertaining to this apparition have been distorted. It is always better to go to the right source. And Glenn Hudson's blog on "message of Garabandal" is the truth.

mariana said...

Sorry Glenn Hudson did not live with Joey, I meant to say he has lived in Long Island near Joey. Hudson was at the wake of Joey recently, and has close ties with Joey's family, and Conchita.

Anonymous said...

http://motheofgod.com/threads/joey-lomanginos-new-eyes.874/
"Conchita has further explained that her understanding of the Virgin’s term, “new eyes,” is eyes as we know them – not necessarily spiritual vision – and that Joey’s new eyes “are to be used for the glory of God.”
Joey is close to 78 years old and patiently waiting."
I don't think Joey was waiting patiently waiting to die but waiting for new eyes. It obvious that he was re to physical eyes.

Anonymous said...

http://www.garabandal.org/

Q. During the two occasions that Our Lady spoke to you about Joey, did she say anything in addition about his eyes?
A. Concerning Joey, the only thing I remember now is that the Blessed Virgin said to me that at the moment of the Miracle Joey will have new eyes, and he will see permanently after that. (This suggests to me that he will have the ability to see on earth, permanently. The ability to "see" in heaven would be a moot point. Everything would be different in heaven, not just the eyes. It is VERY obvious it all refered to physical eyes. It is too much of a stretch to think it didn't have to do with anything earthly).

Q. It is said by some people that the way you will announce the Miracle will be a 'miracle' in itself. Can you explain this?
A. I believe that the way in which it will be said will be another miracle because it is a very great responsibility for me and I will need a miracle to say it. (This miracle is supposed to be here on earth, no? This connection with Joey's sight is tied to this "miracle" refers to here on earth and not in heaven. Yes, entering heaven would be a miracle but it all refers to here).

Q. You have said that the Miracle of Garabandal will coincide with a great event within the Church. Did Our Lady tell you what that event will be, and can you add anything to what you have already said about this matter?
A. Yes, I know what the event is. It is a singular event in the Church that happens very rarely, and has never happened in my lifetime. It is not new or stupendous, only rare, like a definition of a dogma — something like that in that it will affect the entire Church. It will happen on the same day as the Miracle, but not as a consequence of the Miracle, only coincidentally. (This great event in the church has not occurred, it is not linked to any "miracle" and now Joey deceased with no new eyes, it appears to be an untrue apparition.)

Q. With respect to the sick people... the Virgin mentioned one particular person, a blind man called Joe Lomangino. What did she say about him?
A. She said that on the day of the great Miracle he will recover his sight. She also talked about a paralytic boy whose
parents come from my town (Garabandal). This boy will also be cured. These are the only two people she mentioned. (Again, here it is referenced to Joey receiving (recover)sight here on earth.)

Once again it is demonstrated there are those who put so much effort in unapproved apparitions , not just limited to Garabandal but also Medj. etc. that it becomes difficult for devotees to shed its grasp.

mariana said...

Joey does have new eyes now. What's your problem Anonymous? Heaven told Conchita, Joey will have new eyes by the time of the miracle.

Well, we know for sure he will now.



mariana said...

Anon, I know as much as you do. The Virgin promised Joey he would have new eyes during the miracle. And well, the miracle has not happened yet, Joey died, and so, when the miracle comes, Joey will see the miracle with new eyes.

Or are you implying that the blind go to heaven and stay blind?

Your are so silly.

mariana said...

Anon, I know as much as you do. The Virgin promised Joey he would have new eyes during the miracle. And well, the miracle has not happened yet, Joey died, and so, when the miracle comes, Joey will see the miracle with new eyes.

Or are you implying that the blind go to heaven and stay blind?

Your are so silly.

Anonymous said...

I don't no about Joey, but I'm seeing double!
Hawk eye

mariana said...

lol! lol!

Anonymous said...

Can anyone tell me what the Jewish understanding of the word,sea, means,in the words "beast from the sea"?

Anonymous said...

I've thought that maybe Joey would die before the miracle occurred. I wondered if the great miracle will be perhaps...just conjecture on my part...that Joey will actually rise, like Lazarus from the dead..with his new eyes.

That, my friends would be a quite an awesome miracle. We'll see.....and so will Joey!
anon14

mariana said...

Anon, on your question about the Beast from the Sea, I think it's quite appropriate to ask, since we are having quite a crisis in Israel today.

Beast of the sea may be interpreted as an empire or kingdom that is in opposition to God.

The beast from the sea that John saw had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. Personally, I believe the leopard is Turkey. The bear is Iran, and the lion is Saudi Arabia.

The Second beast comes from the earth and is the False Prophet Mohammad of Islam.

The Dragon brings back the wounded Ottoman empire back to life by the NWO freemason plan. And we may be seeing a Caliphate in the Middle East.

Both Beasts are aligned with the Dragon in opposition to God.

Turkey has rebuilt Pergamum's throne of Satan on top of the hill of Bergama. It is the most powerful Islamist country, with the 2nd largest army only to the U.S. And not only are they part of NATO, but both Europe and the U.S. trust it. Big Mistake.

Rev 2:12 - Christ told Turkey, "And to the angels of the Church is Pergamos write - He who has the sharp two edged sword: I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is."

Anonymous said...

Hi Mariana-

Your remark about Turkey's army caught my attention. What do you mean by "2nd largest only to the U.S.?" There are many nations with larger armies. See, for instance, the Wikipedia site on size of world armies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_military_and_paramilitary_personnel

If you're going by total size of army in just the middle east, Iran's is over twice as large.

I'm also looking for a reference on the rebuilding of Satan's throne. What I found:

"In the 19th century, German engineers dismantled the altar and took it to Berlin. The so-called "Throne of Satan" went on display in the city's Pergamon Museum in 1930"

from:
http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/churchhistory/pergamon/ez28_seat_of_satan_part_1.aspx



Peace in Christ-
Mark L

Anonymous said...

thank you, Mariana for your thoughts on my question. I was seeking to find an understanding as John would have understood. In that way we could see world empires, secret societies,and or demonic philosophies which could fit the mold. I feel that the language that John uses can only be understood by looking at it from an ancient Jewish point of view. The sea and the earth both must have specific meaning.

mariana said...

Hi Anon & Mark,

Turkey is the 2nd largest army second to the U.S. in NATO. And yes, Iran's army measured globally is incredibly powerful. A war against Iran would not be hands down easy.

As a matter of fact, Hitler excavated the original altar of Zeus from Pergamum, Turkey. It sits in Germany in a museum. But Turkey has rebuilt Pergamum's throne of Satan. In (Rev 2:12) -Christ said, "And to the angel of the Church in Pergamos write - these things says He who has the sharp two edged sword; I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is."

The word Beast of Revelation is a combination of nations that form an empire in the last days. Now, I don't believe we are at the end of the world scenario, but we are in the end times. The Bible's history tells us there will be the re-emerging of an Islamic Empire. Turkey has always been the center of the Ottoman Empire, until 1922, when it was replaced by the secular Turkish Republic influenced by Europe. Today, Turkey's Islamist party has taken over the country's government.

In the Old Testament there is a war in the end times, which includes exactly the very nations where radical Islam is taking over today. The Antichrist comes into power in the end times through the wars against Islamic fundamentalism.

Mystery Babylon of the end times may very well be Saudi Arabia (Isaiah 21, Jeremiah 49). Saudi Arabia is the mouthpiece (mouth of lion), for all the funding of radical Islamist schools,and Mosques. It is the harlot from (Rev 17-3), that sits on many waters and is the "desert of the sea," (Isaiah 21). Saudi Arabia corrupts the nations to get drunk with her wine called oil. Her riches are immeasurable, and through her wealth all over the Middle East she funds terrorism against the saints (Christians). Today the Israeli government with the U.S. have teamed up with Saudi Arabia in order to fight against Iran. How corrupt have we become.

We know that Saudi Arabia is funding ISIS today, which in fact is the offshoot of Al Qaeda. After all Al Qaeda was responsible for blowing up our Twin Towers on 9-11.

So, let's see, the Beast of the Sea are (Islamic nations), and the Beast of the earth signifies the (religious figures who promote the False Prophet Mohammad).


But there is still a 4th Beast Daniel (7:23). "And this empire that will appear on earth will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it." Is it possible that this 4th nation is the United States? The U.S. armies are all over the Middle East. And through Obamacare, President Obama is trying to change religious laws. His oppression against the Constitution's freedom of religion has been his focus.

"The Dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority." The elite's have always understood Islam could be effectively exploited to control Muslims. Islam was a tool to legitimize the rule, tyranny, and corruption of Arab leaders. And up to now, "to the West, Islam was acceptable; it could be and was used," writes Said K. Aburish, the author of "A Brutal Friendship: The West and the Arab Elite."

Are the globalists and the Islamists fomenting the clash of civilization for a New World Order?






Sr. Marianne Lorraine Trouve said...

I hope you'll be able to do another post soon, Emmett. They're always fascinating! With all the events going on now it seems that things are intensifying.
God bless you!

Emmett O'Regan said...

Hi Sr Lorraine! I've been bogged down a lot with work recently. I also composed several posts which ended up being way too long. So I've decided to work on at least two follow up books to Unveiling the Apocalypse, which I think contain some important insights which require a detailed book length study. So a lot of the posts I had planned recently will most likely end up in these books. But I do hope to put together another post soon.

Anonymous said...

I will publish as Anonymous. My name is Jean.

I haven't read this entire article but I will do so in coming days. However, I want to say that the first section about Job being tested really resonated with me. I think the writer has it exactly correct in that we also are being tested.

He expressed my sentiments exactly as I have endured almost 20 years of stressful crisis in my life, culminating this year with loss of income for both me and my husband. My prayers in this regard seem to go unanswered. While I do remain faithful, I also sense that whispering of Satan in my ear to become angry at God and to lose faith. Sometimes the impulse is so strong and I have to fight it with all my might. Unsurprisingly, I am weaker toward it when I become more engaged in material things and abandon the daily Sacrifice of the Mass and/or Eucharistic Adoration, and the Rosary.

Please, I ask everyone to pray for me and for all Christians because I imagine I am not alone in this struggle to keep the faith.

But I appreciate this article and its reminder that puts it all into a perspective I can understand and respond to.

Thank you Emmett.

Jason R. said...

Emmett,

I don't know if you still get notifications with comments on older posts like this; I had a multitude of questions that popped into my head on the newer threads, but instead of asking I decided to make use of the search engine like a normal person haha, and just wanted to let you know every question I had you already answered in this older post, uncanny!

Anyways, thank you again for all your work, I was very happy to hear you have follow-up books planned! I am still making my way through yours, Desmond Birch's, as well as the original source material where I can find it, but am looking forward to your future offerings. Not only my knowledge, but my faith is growing leaps and bound through the edification your provide in what you graciously share, at the risk of increasing your pride, haha, you're a true treasure to myself, and I'm sure many others.

Jason R.

Anonymous said...

I believe if you look at Poland now in April 2016 you will see the spark spoken of was Not Pope JohnPaulII but the Christian youth who as we speak are formed a great Army to drive out the muslim invaders . This is the time. And They should be our example. we should pray for their protection and for the conversion of many souls To Christ our Savior . Acknowledge The Blessed Mother as Co-Redemptrix as she should be . The only way to Christ is in the same way he came to us. Through the Blessed Mother

Anonymous said...

Mariana there will be a great sign in the sky which will remain always at that moment all persons will see their soul as God sees it It will all be very personal. some will drop dead of fright at what they are many will convert . if you want good info go to amazon buy the book The Thunder of Justice 2 nd ed and read and find hope and comfort.
make sure you have a blessed candle . we are in the times foretold. all pieces are in play . Erin

Anonymous said...

Interesting!

How do we take into account the interpretations of end times though from the church fathers and saints (in conjunction with what you write about)?

Most saints and church fathers indicate that the East will rule the West and that the antichrist will come out of Jerusalem.

I'm thinking in particular of St. Robert Belleramine's book called Antichrist. I would be curious to know how what you are saying fits with those biblical interpretations that he presents in his book.

Thank you for some good research here.

Anonymous said...

For your consideration.