tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post5417243567879795980..comments2024-03-27T09:30:39.371+00:00Comments on Unveiling the Apocalypse: St. Augustine of Hippo on the MillenniumEmmett O'Reganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01043723932377194248noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-31160829640067841352013-05-04T20:46:35.146+01:002013-05-04T20:46:35.146+01:00the main problem is that the false interpretation ...the main problem is that the false interpretation and enhanced interest in prophecies leads people not only form Jesus Christ and Scripture, but straightforward to heresy or, to heterodoxy, at best.<br />People are so fascinated with all those prophecies of the warnings/chastasements/miracles they tend to forget the basic Catholic Catechism and Catholic doctrine.<br />To the point that when the straightforward Catholic picture of the End of Times as is depicted in Stephen’s book is presented to them, the outcry is that it is not a mainstream point of view(sic!!!!) and the mainstream is a modified millenniaristic view of Fr.Ianuzzi and Mark Mallet. When the latter ones are being shown to use lies to prove their point, it is not them to be blamed for the lies ( and that should raise a red flag in any Catholic head – if somebody needs to lie to defend their viewpoint – stay away from that view) but the messenger, who is showing the lies is being accused of uncharitability.<br /><br />Matthew 7:20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.<br /><br />one of the lies in the modified millennialistic view is actually twist the views of St.Augustine - it is a talking point of the postmillennial crowd aka worshippers of era of peace to claim that St.Augustine held 3 different postions on the millennium, whereas opmitting the fact that he never did it simultaneously and condemned his mistaken views at the end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-20562056240289986752013-05-04T16:49:34.026+01:002013-05-04T16:49:34.026+01:00Alan Paal said:
"It's funny that you men...Alan Paal said:<br /><br />"It's funny that you mention Howard Storm, as I have been trying to reconcile (with difficulty) his vision of the future with the future proposed on this blog, especially as it's been expressed here in the last couple of weeks."<br /><br />Alan, likewise have difficulty reconciling aspects of Storm's nde with Catholicism and Catholic prophecy which has given me a headache or two given it was a major reason for my reversion. For example he asked the angels if we were going to destroy ourselves via a nuclear war and was told God won't let it happen as he loves humanity too much - there are obvious issues with that. Part is that God permits calamities and often. Also Akita and other major apparitions which have the benefit of Church approval and usually miraculous circumstances surrounding indicate the greatest chastisement ever is looming. <br /><br />As I see it there are three options:<br />1. He is lying about what he experienced - I strongly disbelieve this.<br />2. He was really seeing the devil instead of Jesus - I find this hard to believe for a number of reasons that are too lengthy to go through here but is more likely than option 1.<br />3. He like other seers had his own preconceptions and biases muddy the waters - For me, probably the case.<br /><br />His visions of the future are fascinating and perhaps are of the New Earth after the Last Judgement. To discern and interpret these prophecies from the Tradition and Magisterium of the Church will spare us of confusion and pain.Jameyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04523915974208712573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-22942002179989015772013-05-03T23:10:52.057+01:002013-05-03T23:10:52.057+01:00I really hope and pray so Sr. Lorraine! I think al...I really hope and pray so Sr. Lorraine! I think all chastisements can be mitigated, or averted altogether, dependant on the response of those involved. If America was to repent like Ninevah, and reverse its current anti-Christian values, then I believe it would be spared. Prophecy isn't meant to be fatalistic, but rather elicit a positive response. I worry that the government won't listen to the people though, and the country will be reduced to wearing pauper's rags. Emmett O'Reganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01043723932377194248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-70028876461659954572013-05-03T22:21:33.585+01:002013-05-03T22:21:33.585+01:00Emmett, I don't think your book sounds anti-Am...Emmett, I don't think your book sounds anti-American at all.<br />As an American myself, I am very concerned about the future of this country.<br />There are still many good people, but there are so many bad things going on too.<br />The left wing has pretty much taken over the universities, even the Catholic ones.<br />We have many extremely liberal politicians who are running things, and of course the problem with the judges who vote in favor of abortion, homosexual unions, etc. <br />But Mary Immaculate is patroness of our country and I believe she will help us turn things around.Sr. Marianne Lorraine Trouvehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17195314713288191226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-62937141329544118992013-05-03T20:55:53.686+01:002013-05-03T20:55:53.686+01:00Jamey,
It's funny that you mention Howard Sto...Jamey,<br /><br />It's funny that you mention Howard Storm, as I have been trying to reconcile (with difficulty) his vision of the future with the future proposed on this blog, especially as it's been expressed here in the last couple of weeks. After reading all the com logs, Augustine's amillenial view seems to me to be the most consistent with Scripture, Tradition, and approved private revelation. However, Storm's vision seems to be more consistent with a coming era of peace, and a rather fantastic one at that. In his vision of 200 years in the future, people live in tight-knit communities, have little to no technology, are telepathic, can communicate with life on other planets, can grow food simply by thinking/praying, and are at peace. I have read about other such claims of this type of future from other sources as well, but they are, for the most part, non-Christian. It would also seem to corroborate with Medjugorje, as I recall that the visionary Mirjana stated that the 10 secrets were about transformation, not about the end.<br /><br />Is this kind of future compatible with the amillenial view? I struggle to see how, as this future definitely sounds like an extended period of peace following an extensive transformation.<br /><br />AlanAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17591795190911824821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-75482401930297701612013-05-03T17:30:00.693+01:002013-05-03T17:30:00.693+01:00Anonymous @ 7:27
Do you have any references to b...Anonymous @ 7:27<br /> Do you have any references to back up the claim that there is any painting done on the tilma?<br />I've never heard anything like this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-7565674769049813762013-05-03T15:27:14.299+01:002013-05-03T15:27:14.299+01:00Emmett,
Thank you for the good posts and informa... Emmett,<br /> Thank you for the good posts and informative commentaries.<br /> In response to you comment to Tom with the moon under her feet;Isn't Our Lady also referred to as the moon too? I get your explanation when looking at the image of OLG.<br /> On the tilma, is it the moon or/and the angel that is not part of the miraculous image? I'm pretty sure the sash around her waist was painted on by the Italian artist commissioned to replicate it. The rays around Our Lady were also painted over the original rays . If one looks closely at any reproduction one can see paint has flaked off and the original rays are brighter than the paint. I remember something to the effect that JPII was asked if the image should be restored to the original. He said something to the effect to leave it as it is because this is pretty much how the world knows Our Lady of Guadalupe. <br /> I'm pretty sure I read that the duplicate that was on Don Juan's flagship in the Battle of Lepanto was more exact to the original image. <br /> To those readers who do not know why the rays around her head appear chopped of, is due to the frame. The frame the Spanish king sent was too short and too wide. Instead of sending the frame back , the image was stretched to fit the frame. This is why we also see the thread running down the middle of Our Lady. I've been told by the Mexicans in Mexico City that she is held together by that one thread. She was also painted for they feared back in the 1500's the rays would fade and disappear. Forgive the rambling on and stating what you probably already know.<br /> As she said to Juan Diego, " Am I not here, who is your mother". The apparition site in Mexico exudes motherly love. <br /> Thanks again for sharing you work , Emmett.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-30856194048789086692013-05-03T13:46:08.541+01:002013-05-03T13:46:08.541+01:00Emmett I think part of the US being the whore of B...Emmett I think part of the US being the whore of Babylon is because it has spurned special God given gifts, graces and powers. Similar to those early Church communities in the New Testament after having much zeal they have grown lukewarm in general and as such evil has proliferated. The US has been pretty much the cultural trend setter for most of the western world. The Chinese communist government of all groups condemned the vile pornography that has inundated their people from the US. There are many committed US Christians but as a whole they have turned away from God as most powerfully epitomised by the new Herod's re-election and judgement falls on the whole.<br /><br />"And if America loses its superpower status due to a huge natural catastrophe, I fear that the Antichrist will be there to take its place as the dominant world power."<br /><br />With private prophecy Howard Storm was shown a vision in his nde that America was to lose its position and "the rest of the world watched on" with a sense that justice occurred as that nation had turned corrupt (I believe by too many being quiet or lukewarm as previously mentioned). Ned Dougherty also saw the US losing its power after being flooded particularly its military bases. Storm's prophecy is the most powerful "non Catholic" I have come across as he seems genuinely transformed and is very measured in what he says. In a way he is very close to the Catholic Church - he attributed a nun praying the rosary for him as what saved him, he helps build Catholic churches in Belize, believes in purgatory and Thomas Merton is his favorite spiritual writer. In fact Storm initially studied the Bible at a Catholic Church after his nde but probably was repulsed by what was going on in those parishes. <br /><br />Saying all that a caveat is necessary - there were a couple of concerning elements in his nde particularly when he asked Jesus and the angels which is the correct church - their response "The one that brings you closest to God". Maybe the answer lies in interpreting that there is one church that will bring us closest to God and not many - but it will be revealed to him in due time. This once again highlights the issues with private prophecy and as Stephen Walford mentioned we interpret them in light of the eternal Magisterium and not the other way around.Jameyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04523915974208712573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-58021275469299446252013-05-03T11:11:45.465+01:002013-05-03T11:11:45.465+01:00"And the great dragon was thrown down, that a..."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."<br />(Rev 12:9)<br /><br />You're right about Gen 3. But also<br />notice that the Dragon is at the Woman's feet in Rev 12. As is the Moon, which being associated with the night, also represents the Dragon. In the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Virgin Mary having the Moon under her feet represents her crushing the head of the Devil. After this, Satan is thrown down to the earth by the Archangel Michael. But when the Beast from the sea rises in same form as the Dragon (with seven heads) once Satan has been cast to earth, one of its heads bears a mortal wound. This is because the Dragon's head was crushed by the Woman Adorned with the Sun. Although the wound appears to be healed in a parody of the Resurrection, it is actually a mortal blow, and will lead to his ultimate destruction.Emmett O'Reganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01043723932377194248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-54755236555123797952013-05-03T11:01:20.840+01:002013-05-03T11:01:20.840+01:00Hi Tom,
Thanks for the kind words and the input -...Hi Tom,<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words and the input - much appreciated! <br />I hope I don't come across as being anti-American in the book - because I'm most definitely not. I love America and the American people. You still have a level of faith that we here in Europe can only aspire to. And in fact I believe that the governments of secular Europe is far more deserving of any chastisements.<br />I identify America with Babylon chiefly because it is the world's dominant world power, and also because it is a Christian nation. For the Christians in the 1st century, "Babylon" represented the dominant world power - which was Rome. To reapply this today, "Babylon" <br />would also have to represent the ruling world power. While situations can always change, it is only America that meets this criteria at present. Also the end-time "Babylon" would also have to be a Christian nation, because it is called a "harlot". In the Old Testament Israel was called a harlot for committing apostasy, because it had a marriage covenant with God. America, once a deeply Christian country, is now succumbing to secular atheism, and abortion is rampant. God punishes those closest to him the most, because they bear a greater responsibility:<br /><br />"Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."<br />(Rev 3:19)<br /><br />You're quite right, America's citizens are its primary asset, and the USA itself is generally a force for good in this world in the present. In fact, I think it is only the world dominance of the USA that is holding back the arrival of the Antichrist. I don't think Americans would suffer the Antichrist on their soil. But a government which forsakes its Christian heritage is open to chastisement. And if America loses its superpower status due to a huge natural catastrophe, I fear that the Antichrist will be there to take its place as the dominant world power.Emmett O'Reganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01043723932377194248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-74576020367141700612013-05-03T02:34:42.216+01:002013-05-03T02:34:42.216+01:00Thanks Emmett for your explanation. It clears up m...Thanks Emmett for your explanation. It clears up most of my confusion. But can you clarify where in the book of Revelation does it explicilty say that the devil will be cast out of heaven to earth and his head will be crushed by by the Woman. I know that it is written in the book of Genesis but where in Revelation? Or is that implied by the fact that the dragon is prevented from doing harm to the Woman? It's truly a grace to be able to decipher all of this and make it understandable. Thank you for doing that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-5350233435410452412013-05-02T19:03:05.642+01:002013-05-02T19:03:05.642+01:00Hi Emmett and Everyone,
How interesting to read S...Hi Emmett and Everyone,<br /><br />How interesting to read St. Augustine. Never did that before!<br /> <br />Re: "And therefore, when the day of the bodily resurrection arrives, they shall come out of their graves, not to life, but to judgment, namely, to damnation, which is called the second death. For whosoever has not lived until the thousand years be finished, i.e., during this whole time in which the first resurrection is going on—whosoever has not heard the voice of the Son of God, and passed from death to life—that man shall certainly in the second resurrection, the resurrection of the flesh, pass with his flesh into the second death." <br /><br />Is he saying that there will be a resurrection of the bodies of the souls who have been damned, so that their bodies will be united to their souls in Hell? Doesn't really sound right to me.<br /><br />I finished the book! Congratulations on the fine research and scholarship. I must say I had some surprises coming. I'm not sure I'm buying all of it, but my mind is open, and I'm watchfully waiting. I don't think I can agree that America is the whore of Babylon. I know George Washington was a Mason, but I believe he was faithful Christian, and accomplished a lot of good things. There is a legend that he had a heavenly visitor http://www.spiritdaily.net/georgewashington.htm. The idea behind the separation of church and state was that the government could not interfere with the church, not the other way round. Finally, I would never use Noam Chomsky as a resource on how bad America is. Chomsky is liberal, atheist, pro-abortion and pro-euthanasia. His hatred for America surfaces when conservatives are elected to public office. America has some serious problems, but I like to believe that her citizens want to be a force for good in the world.<br /><br />Otherwise I loved the book, and the blog. I'll be coming around often.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Tom<br />Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-84605535009612229042013-05-02T11:44:29.250+01:002013-05-02T11:44:29.250+01:00Hi Anon,
It seems that this is the most difficult...Hi Anon,<br /><br />It seems that this is the most difficult concept to grasp for most people - so you're certainly not alone...<br /><br />Satan has always had great power here on earth, and will do so until the end of the world and the creation of the new heaven and earth. His power was bound during the ministry of Christ, where he suffered his ultimate defeat. This defeat or "binding" allowed the Gospel to be spread throughout the world. This didn't mean that his power was taken away - he will always have this power until he is finally cast into the lake of fire.<br />Even though Satan fell from grace at some point in primordial history, he was still able to stand before the throne of God in heaven, in order to accuse humanity, and to come and go between heaven and earth to exercise his power (see the Book of Job). Rev 20 tells us that after the age of the Church/"millennium" had ended, Satan would once again be unbound, and he would have back the ability to prevent the spread of the Gospel during the age of the Great Apostasy - a period of greater power.<br />Rev 12 tells us that towards the end of the world, he would not be tolerated to stand before the throne of God to accuse humanity any more, and would be cast from heaven to the earth - when his head would be crushed by the Woman. This greater power would be taken away from him, and the Gospel could once again be spread during the Second Pentecost. But he still retains the same power he had during his period of binding (i.e. for all of Christian history up until the start of the 20th century) - he will always have this. And he always has been here, flitting between heaven and earth. But after he is cast to earth, he is forced to stay here until the Last Judgement, and Rev 13 tells us that it is at this point that he transfers his great power and authority to the Beast/Antichrist.<br /><br />Let me know if this clears things up for you... Emmett O'Reganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01043723932377194248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-77880693757718323522013-05-02T03:40:25.749+01:002013-05-02T03:40:25.749+01:00This sentence is totally confusing to me:
But we ...This sentence is totally confusing to me:<br /><br />But we are also told in Rev 12-13 that at the end of his period of greater power, Satan would be cast to earth, where he would rise in the person of the Beast from the sea/Antichrist. Once his period of greater power/"little while" is finished and Satan is cast to earth<br />the Church will be restored to Glory...etc.<br /><br />The First mention of Satan is Cast to Earth.<br />Does that mean Satan is Cast from Heaven to Earth? Didn't He already have great power on Earth after he was unbound? Isn't Satan already here? Until his great power is finshed? Then you again say after his great power is finished he is "cast to earth". Is he "cast to earth again?" How can that be if he's already here?<br /><br />I'm sorry..I'm not trying to be snarky. I just cannot follow the sequence of events in that paragraph. Would you please explain that again to my pea brain?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-10923244338626254182013-05-01T04:18:08.746+01:002013-05-01T04:18:08.746+01:00Pope Francis is expected to visit Jerusalem in 201...Pope Francis is expected to visit Jerusalem in 2014 to commemorate the visit of Paul IV in 1964.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-52664976300604501542013-04-30T13:35:51.989+01:002013-04-30T13:35:51.989+01:00Emmett,
Wow! That helps a lot! Thank you!
Emmett,<br /><br />Wow! That helps a lot! Thank you!<br /><br />ttomoskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11336022097451155546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-78814898734053800442013-04-30T13:03:58.018+01:002013-04-30T13:03:58.018+01:00Hi Tom,
I'm in the middle of constructing an ...Hi Tom,<br /><br />I'm in the middle of constructing an updated post on the prophecy of Pope Leo XIII which should help tie all of this together. In a nutshell, I believe that the "millennium" or age of the Church, ended at the beginning of the 20th century, when Satan was once again unbound - giving rise to wars foretold by Jesus in his eschatological discourse in Matt 24 and the age of the Great Apostasy.<br />But we are also told in Rev 12-13 that at the end of his period of greater power, Satan would be cast to earth, where he would rise in the person of the Beast from the sea/Antichrist. Once his period of greater power/"little while" is finished and Satan is cast to earth, the Church will be restored to its former glory before the coming of the Antichrist, when the final Passover of the Church foreseen in the Third Secret of Fatima will finally take place. The Antichrist will attempt to make himself a god here on earth, using the "false wonders" of modern technology - perhaps even promising his followers artificial eternal life in the creation of new technologies - a la the Transhumanist movement. But his appearance will be brought to nothing by the Second Coming of Christ, who will destroy the realm of Satan with the sword of his mouth, bringing about the end of the world. After this, the Church will follow the Lord in His glorious Resurrection, in the creation of the new heaven and new earth after the dead are restored to life. Emmett O'Reganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01043723932377194248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6767475475753279918.post-60329736976280121982013-04-30T12:40:30.258+01:002013-04-30T12:40:30.258+01:00Emmett,
Because of the many comments on your last...Emmett,<br /><br />Because of the many comments on your last post re: the Millenium and various interpretations and prophecies, and with you presenting St. Augustine's words now, I have a confession and a question. <br /><br />The confession is that I am quite confused about all of this. The question, which may be a bit unfair, is: Can you outline 1 or more scenarios of upcoming events that are consistent with your understanding of future events? Note that I am NOT asking you to predict exactly what will happen, but to give a couple of possible scenarios of what may happen that are in line with your beliefs. I think that I and others would benefit from this.<br /><br />Thank you very much!ttomoskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11336022097451155546noreply@blogger.com