A comment appeared on the post below in the moderation queue. One of those end-time prophecy conspiracy theory things. You know, how the Pope having this kind of crucifix fulfills this prophecy. And how Benedict's resignation is that kind of prophecy. The propensity of the human mind to find patterns and hidden meanings everywhere is truly endless.
The comment didn't get published. In response, I shared the comment on my FB wall, and started adding a few clarifications. It grew into this. I've added a Bible verse to each line as well.
For the record, we are in the end times written about in the Book of Revelation. The Life, Death & Resurrection of Jesus Christ inaugurated the last age of the cosmos! As to the rest:
And most importantly:
Be not afraid! The war has been won! Christ died for sin! Christ has Risen and death has no longer any power. Death, where is thy sting? Where is thy victory? Christ has Risen from the grave, trampling death by death, and to those in the graves, bringing life! (Rom 5:8; 1 Cor 15:14; 1 Cor 15:55; 1 Tim 3:16; Acts 2:32-33)
The comment didn't get published. In response, I shared the comment on my FB wall, and started adding a few clarifications. It grew into this. I've added a Bible verse to each line as well.
For the record, we are in the end times written about in the Book of Revelation. The Life, Death & Resurrection of Jesus Christ inaugurated the last age of the cosmos! As to the rest:
- follow the advice of Jesus ("No one knows the hour ..." Mark 13:32)
- stay close to Him and His Mother, in the Church He established. (John 15:4; John 19:25; 1 Tim 3:15)
- the Sacraments are the ordinary way of increasing the life of grace within us. (John 14:9. Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. Christ is the primordial Sacrament who reveals the Father)
- Pray. Hard. (1 Thess 5:17)
- flee immorality and sin. (1 Cor 6:18)
- Love God above all things and love your neighbor as yourself, especially the poor and needy. (Luke 10:27; Luke 10:30-37)
- that is, take seriously the call to holiness. (1 Pet 1:16)
- discern your vocation, and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. (Gen 12:1-9; Mt 16:24-28; Gal 5:16)
- the true test of the guidance of the Holy Spirit is a willingness to obey the teachings of the Church and the legitimate shepherds Christ appointed. (2 John 1:6; 1 Tim 3:15; John 14:23-24)
- let Christ and the saints be your guide, not the world and its shiny lights and loud voices. (Mark 9:7; 1 Cor 11:1; 1 John 2:15)
- look *forward* to Christ's coming with eager anticipation. His friends should want His Kingdom to come! We pray for it every time we pray the Our Father. And for His friends, the King's return is a day of rejoicing! (Mt. 6:10; Mt 25:6; Rev. 22:17)
- help spread His Kingdom. In your life, and all around you. (Luke 9:2; Matthew 28:16-20)
- do not fear the tribulations of the end time. (Rev 2:10; Rom 8:38-39)
- know that the world has been going to "hell in a hand basket" for a long time. Actually, since that whole apple incident. (Rom 3:23; Rom 8:20-28)
- That is, there is no Golden Age. The Church has always been a sign of contradiction, and the Enemy of our race has always been attacking her from without and within. Back when Christendom was alive and well. Back in the glorious Middle Ages, the Age of Faith. Back in Byzantium. Back in the time of the Fathers (when the Roman Empire was crumbling all around them). (Luke 6:26; John 15:18-21)
- take the Enemy seriously. "Your opponent the Devil is prowling like a lion ... resist him." (1 Pet 5:8)
- where sin abounds, grace abounds even more! (Rom 5:20)
And most importantly:
Be not afraid! The war has been won! Christ died for sin! Christ has Risen and death has no longer any power. Death, where is thy sting? Where is thy victory? Christ has Risen from the grave, trampling death by death, and to those in the graves, bringing life! (Rom 5:8; 1 Cor 15:14; 1 Cor 15:55; 1 Tim 3:16; Acts 2:32-33)