What Do Catholics Believe About The End Times?

sophion

http://www.foryourmarriage.org/what-do-catholics-believe-about-the-end-times/

What Do Catholics Believe About The End Times?
By Rev. Larry Rice, CSP
Occasionally I encounter someone who asks, with breathless suspicion, whether I think we’re in the End Times. You can almost hear the capital letters when they speak the words. What they generally mean by the question is do I think that we’re in a special period of history foretold by biblical prophesy, that supposedly precedes the return of Christ and the end of the world.

I usually explain that for Catholics, the “End Times” stretch from the Ascension of Christ until his return in glory. So, yes, these are the end times, they’ve always been the end times, and they’re always going to be the end times. The Catholic understanding of the Scriptures is that what they call “prophesy” we call Apocalyptic literature. We don’t believe that God has left us a series of secrets or a trail of breadcrumbs to follow to figure out the time of Christ’s return. In fact, one of the hallmarks of Catholic Christianity is that we have no secrets. Everything that we believe is right out in the open for anyone to examine and consider.

I’m often astounded by people who base all of their religious belief on a supposedly literal interpretation of Scripture, and then ignore the words of Jesus in the Gospels, telling us plainly that the time of his return is not ours to know. In fact, he says that even he doesn’t know—that’s for the Father alone to know. That being the case, what’s the point of looking for hidden clues?

To my way of thinking, the more important question is: what difference does it make? I mean, I could be run over by a bus tomorrow, and for me, that’s the End Time. The truth is, we all have limited time. So am I going to live my life differently because Christ could return to me tomorrow, or because I could return to him tomorrow? What’s the difference?

There’s no point in living in fear. As followers of Christ we have work to do—a mission he left us. Excessive worry about the time of his return is an unnecessary distraction. The Scriptures tell us to be alert and ready for Christ’s return; not because we should be afraid, but because we should be working on the tasks he’s given us.

sophion

so for catholics its been the end times for the last 2000 years now.


yeah what difference does it make. we all get to meet our end times. jeeezus himself doesnt know when is his next vacation on planet earth. so its a waste of time worrying about it.

catholics often are very reasonable.

alchemistofophir

i can be a solipsist and end all existence when i die, destroying both the invisible and visible.

am i jesus? in my solipsistic world i can be whoever.

matthew 10:28
28 Do not fear people who can kill the body. They cannot kill the spirit. But fear the one who can destroy both spirit and body in hell.

I'm a dangerous man.

Ferdinand

sophion wrote: »

so for catholics its been the end times for the last 2000 years now.


yeah what difference does it make. we all get to meet our end times. jeeezus himself doesnt know when is his next vacation on planet earth. so its a waste of time worrying about it.

catholics often are very reasonable.

Halos ganyan din ang paniniwala ng mga Hudyo. Pag dating ng Messiah ay end times na kasi there are only three ages, the age before Moses, Moses time, and the Messianic Age, same thing with the Catholics belief. The only difference is that for Catholics the Messiah already came and the Jews are still waiting for the Messiah to come.

KidlatNgayon

To try to restrain the mass leaving of catholic members to other churches because it has more and more become obvious that the Mother Harlot is indeed the RCC, the Vatican has announced that the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is not to be hoped for.

“Jesus Not Coming Back By The Looks Of It” Admits Vatican
http://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2014/04/18/jesus-not-coming-back-by-the-looks-of-it-admits-vatican/

The bible has actually prophesied this through Apostle Peter:

2 Peter 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,…

So what did apostle Peter call those who doubt or do not believe in Christ's return? MOCKERS! The Catholic Popes are mockers, not followers of Christ, indeed!


But what should we believe, God's words from the bible or them?

Acts 17:31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13 "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words."


1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:4 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of god, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

1 Corinthians15:23-24 But each in his own turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

And that's why we, INC members, follow what the apostles teach over and over again in the Holy scriptures:

2 Timothy 4:2
New Living Translation
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.