Blog to discuss the book "The Apocalypse - Letter by Letter: A Literary Analysis of the Book of Revelation" and current events that point to the events described therein.
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered; that, when she should be delivered, he might devour her son. [Apoc. 12:4]
It is explained in The Apocalypse - Letter by Letter by Steven Paul that this scene depicts the apostasy of one third of the college of cardinals. They are drawn to the False Prophet by his irresistible force. He has a charism that they are unable to resist and are willing to turn their backs on the Holy Pontiff, The Pope, in order to follow him.
In our own times, we see how easily the faithful are willing to cast aside the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ in order to follow their own desires. In the linked article, it says there is a new way of looking at the abortion issue in light of the overall Catholic teaching that allows Catholics to vote for a candidate who is "pro-choice".
This story is false on many levels, not the least of which is that the theory is not new at all. The idea of the "seamless garment" was used by Catholics 30 years ago for the same reason - they wanted to vote pro-abortion because the pro-abortion candidate reflected their ideals more closely.
The second big lie in this article is the idea that the pro-abortion candidate's policies would actually reduce the number of abortions. Can he defy gravity as well? In fact, his policies include support for the Freedom of Choice Act, which rescinds all restrictions on abortion-on-demand including parental notification, late term abortion, born alive act, and interstate restrictions.
The third big lie is that all pro-life Catholics want to is outlaw abortion but won't help young women with prevention of unwanted pregnancies or with prenatal and post natal care. In fact traditional, church-going Catholics have been feeding the poor, placing children for adoption, opening crisis pregnancy centers like Spring House, Visitation House and Birthright for years. While primary political emphasis is placed on voting pro-life, it is wholly consistent with everything the Church teaches that to care for the poor and to work against violence and social justice starts with the right to life.
Catholic teaching and pronouncements from the leadership also condemn the death penalty and war so long as there is a just alternative. No political party perfectly embodies Catholic moral teaching but certainly there is open hostility to the unborn, traditional marriage, abstinence programs, adoption with traditional families, and conscience protection for Catholic physicians and businesses in one party.
Catholics are free to vote for whomever they choose. But to claim that the pro-abortion candidate better fits Catholic moral teaching is just plain false. Since the people making this claim seem sincere, there is a possible reason for this. They have been pulled away from the Church by an irresistible force, a charism so strong they could not do otherwise. They were too weak to overcome it. This charism comes from a fresh, well spoken politician who has learned the power of his trade. Some have even asked if he is the Antichrist himself. That is not likely, but the ease with which he has swept Catholics away from their Church should be a dire warning.
The question has come up regarding the appearance of THE Antichrist as it relates to the current financial chaos and the presidential election in the US. This is probably more a reflection of insecurity and panic than theological discourse but can be addressed nonetheless.
First of all, I'll address the idea that Antichrist, the person, could be a US president. Many practical and political reasons point to this being extremely unlikely. US presidents do not make laws. They are one of three co-equal branches of government and are mostly responsible for law enforcement and national defense as well as running the social service bureaucracy. Antichrist will almost certainly rule by decree. The other branches of government present a restraint on US presidents though at times it seems they quickly abdicate that responsibility. Still, many other countries do not present such obstacles and are better candidates for a swift ascension to power.
Secondly, the Apocalypse gives clues as to the national and geographical origin of the "beast". He comes from an area outside the nominally Catholic area of the former Roman Empire (the 'sea') but within the empire's outermost reach at its height. The US does not qualify. Regions that are dominated by Orthodox Christianity and Islam are the most likely places.
More curious is the analysis done by Steven Paul that the US will have a special role in the ultimate defeat of the beast and his empire. The US with its powerful armed forces and its Christian character will be the world's last hope. Despite her flaws, the "Great Eagle" is the most Christ-like nation in her works of charity, her rule of law, and her spirituality.
Throughout history, there have been many types of the Antichrist who have come close to world domination and extermination of God's people, the Church. Islam was barely defeated at Tours. Napoleon's empire stretched across the European continent and Nazi Germany similarly made its futile attempt. Charismatic leaders rise with great passion and the people are seemingly mesmerized by their smooth-talking even as their freedom is taken away.
Today we see little dictatorships in Venezuela, Iran, Cuba and some African nations. As well, China, with its Godless communism seems to rise in power before our eyes. In the US, a slick-talking unknown has the electorate transfixed. Yet none of these comes close to the cunning and skill described in the Apocalypse. They are just precursors or impostors.
Antichrist will capitalize on the kind of financial chaos and misery we have only seen a glimpse of recently. Such will be the malaise that people will gladly hand power over to him. The times we are in are precursor to but not the actuality of the kingdom of the beast. Current events are types or warnings of what is to come. One must keep their eyes on Rome and the Church to know the signs of the times. It is a spiritual war that is to come and the best preparation for it is the sacraments.
The recent "crisis" in the US financial markets, created by a state solution to home ownership for low or no income people, has led to the biggest transfer of wealth in history from private citizens to the state.
The average citizen only knew there was a crisis at all by watching television or reading the paper as the media trumpeted the government's warnings and extolled their remedy. It's been said before that in a crisis people will glady hand over civil liberties and wealth but never get it back when the crisis passes. Some have warned that such crises, created artificailly by large investment bankers, are designed to get the masses to conform to their designs.
But what exactly is afoot? It's hard to tell who's pulling the strings these days as one of the more inept presidencies in history has combined with the most corrupt Congress ever to transfer a trillion dollars to investment banks and insurance comapnies, using fear and bribes (known as pork barrel spending) to get their way.
In the meantime, for almost a year, stock prices have been in dramatic decline. The Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at over 14,000 in November of 2007. Yet despite it's steady 4,000+ point drop since that time, a comparably modest fall of 777 points was used to scare the politicians and the masses into accepting this theft of the treasury. Simultaneously, private property values have also fallen by >20% in many markets. Low income homeowners who saw their variable interest rate loans increase in cost while their property value was falling simply walked away from their mortgages back to their relatively stable expense rentals.
For those whose wealth is a combination of IRA's, 401K's, stocks and their residence, their net worth has fallen precipitously. And now with the national debt approaching 10 trillion dollars, inflation, unemployment and higher taxes are almost a sure bet.
It has been said that wealth never disappears. It is simply transferred. In the current case, the wealth is being transferred from the people to the treasury and then to investment banks. If the trend continues, there will be a depression. Amid such financial chaos, government will be able to convince people of almost any radical solution. More pressure will be put on forming larger trading blocks, economic unions of regional countries as with the EU. Civil liberties will need to be curtailed as the masses act out frustration with their diminishing resources. Pressure to limit family size through sterilization of the weak, forced contraception and abortion, and for euthanasia will increase. Gun registration and confiscation will be required.
To what end is this all going? Economic despair always paves the way for strong totalitarian leaders to emerge. They need not take power. People will gladly give it to them in exchange for better nliving standards now in the rearview mirror of memory.
Antichrist is described as the most cunning of all humans. His charisma will likewise be unsurpassed. His handler is already at work, preparing the battlefield. Look for religious and political upheavals to result from the current "crisis", ones that will amaze and cause great wonder.
