There was a preacher on TV talking about the End of Times as described in the book of Revelations in the Bible. He talked about the Rapture first - that's when some people will be "taken away" (to Heaven) and some will remain. Then he described seven years of Tribulations. These will be bad times when a leader will arise (the Anti-Christ) who will rule the world harshly and lead people away from God. Then there will be the Battle of Armageddon when Christ will return and fight evil and Jesus will be victorious. There will then follow 1000 years (the Millenium) when Christ will rule the world and then the Final Judgement with a new Heaven and a new Earth.
I think I have understood all this according to what the TV preacher said.
My question is: WHY?
Why is God going through all this - the Rapture, Seven years of Tribulations, Armageddon, and the Millenium and finally the Final Judgement? Have we perhaps misunderstood the book of Revelations and the book of Daniel where all this is predicted?
Here is what the Catholic Church (my Church) teaches:
The moment you die your Particular Judgement takes place.
It is then decided by God if you will go straight to Heaven or spend time in Purgatory or you will go straight to Hell.
No one can say that when someone dies they are in Heaven.
Only God knows that.
You may think that a good person is in Heaven, but you may be wrong.
The Final Judgement takes place at the end of the world when God will divide the sheep from the goats.
Our Particular Judgement takes place the moment we die but there is the General Final Judgement for all at the end of time.
When resurrected we will have new bodies.
Peter and the rest of the Apostles and Saints, and all the "good" people who have departed before us, are souls in Heaven.
They have to wait until the end of the world before they have their resurrected bodies.
This to me seems a much simpler outcome. We die, we are judged, and we go where we are meant to go. Although I always have some difficulty with the bit about when we are resurrected we'll have new bodies.
Again, my question is: WHY?
Why do we need new bodies in Heaven? Will we eat and drink, and walk, and dance, and go to the beach, and so on? Angels and Saints do not have bodies, (do they?) They are souls!
Anyway, over to you. What do you think about the End of Times as described by this TV preacher? What is taught in your Church or by your pastor?
I don't even pretend to understand End Times. God is the One in control and I'll leave all that up to Him. Blessings, Victor!
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with you, Martha. Yet, many Christians seem to believe strongly in the "end of time" scenario as described in the book of Daniel and in Revelations.
DeleteI have asked Father Francis for his views which I'll share here shortly.
God bless.
God is all knowing and only he fully understands the plan outlined for all of us.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
DeleteGod bless, Anonymous.
thecontemplativecat here. The end times are always discussed. for me, I just want to stand at God's feet and worship. When? It doesn't matter. God is in charge of stuff, and speculations serve no purpose.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan. Yes, speculation serves no purpose; yet this is based on Biblical writings.
DeleteGod bless always.
Honestly, I don't remember hearing my pastor(s) address this specifically. I find it all a bit confusing. In particular, that line in the Apostle's Creed, "from there He will come to judge the living and the dead." I'd wonder, does this mean those who've been in their tombs for hundreds of years, still have to wait to discover their destination?
ReplyDeleteI prefer your church's teachings.
Thank you Mevely for joining the conversation. You make a good point about "from there He will come to judge the living and the dead." I always understood this to mean those who are destined for Heaven (the living) and those destined for oblivion (the dead). That is, those still awaiting to be judged at the time of the Final Judgement. Not those who are already dead for hundreds of years.
DeleteThose already dead for hundreds of years have already been judged and are in their eternal destinations.
The phrase does not mean physically living and dead - it's like saying to judge the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the chaff.
My Church teaches that we are all judged at the time of death.
I have asked Father Francis Maple for his views on this and I will publish his reply here shortly.
God bless you always, and thanx again.
Last year I led a year long women's bible study on the book of Revelation. In a nutshell (which Revelations is a huge nut to crack) Revelation is not a book of fear, but a book of hope. It shows us that no matter how dark things become, Jesus is in control, and God’s plan will prevail. But its real focus is:
ReplyDeleteThe revelation of Jesus Christ in His glory, authority, victory, and coming Kingdom. I believe in a pre-tribulation and I believe in a literal 1000 year reign on earth with Jesus. If you could find a decent study of Revelation you will be blessed. There is nothing to fear for the believer who trusts in Jesus.
God Bless, Victor!
"Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near." Rev 1:3 (New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Thank you so much, Debby, for this explanation. Yes, I believe it is a book of hope teaching us that God and Jesus are always in control no matter what happens.
DeleteGod bless you always.
I haven't spent much time pondering your questions. I just know that when I die I will spend (hopefully not too much) time in Purgatory before heading to Heaven.
ReplyDeleteAmen Kathy. Amen.
DeleteGod bless.
I have to admit while I have studied this a lot - I don't have the answers. We are doing a bible study now on Heaven and it is the best study I've ever done.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandie. Perhaps you'll share with us your study on Heaven sometimes.
DeleteGod bless.
It's a great question. After Jesus was resurrected, He still had a body, one which could walk through locked doors, a perfect body fitted for Heaven, and then He ascended and didn't leave it behind. Since we will be like Him when we get there, we'll need the same kind of body. At least, that's my understanding.
ReplyDeleteI think/believe your understanding is right, Mimi.
DeleteGod bless you.
There have been some very wise, talented, intelligent and educated people in this RELIGIOUS world. They even contradict one another. How can I a high school dropout KNOW who is right? I just try to live according to His Word and as best as I know give my heart to Him. I KNOW he knows my mind and understands me. Love you my brother.
ReplyDeleteYou are wiser than you let us think, Jack. Indeed, we should do our best to live according to God's Word and teachings.
DeleteGod bless you my friend.
I guess we will get the answers when we die. I thought purgatory was no longer.
ReplyDeleteThe Catholic Church still teaches about Purgatory.
DeleteGod bless, Bill.
That Protestant rapture concept never made any sense to me.
ReplyDeleteI got a little confused listening to that pastor on TV.
DeleteGod bless, Manny.