CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE OF END-TIMES PROPHECY

 

The Catholic Church Uniquely Has Divine Insight into Apocalyptic Events; Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Prophecy That Apocalyptic Events Are Imminent; And That There Will Soon Be a Great Renewal of the World.

Dr. Kelly Bowring, Catholic theologian

Many Catholics believe that the world is about to experience the real events of the fulfillment of Apocalyptic prophesies. The Catholic Church has regarded end-times prophecies as authentic and many Catholics acknowledge that we are likely now living in the times of their fulfillment. But, the Catholic perspective of the fulfillment of Apocalyptic events is not one that thinks the world will soon end, but one that promises a Great New Beginning and an Era of Peace, which will occur through a Global Purification and Great Apocalyptic Battle of Good Versus Evil.

The Catholic Church bases its Apocalyptic prophesies on claims from a Heavenly source: the Blessed Virgin Mary. In Our Lady’s messages given to visionaries at Fatima (1917), La Salette (1840s) and reportedly today at Medjugorje, Catholics believe Mary has come to warn her children that humanity is about to suffer an increase in natural and man-made disasters, a Great Apostasy, and God’s Justice and Divine Wrath, due to the increase of sin in the world today.

Catholics see the “Woman” of the Book of Revelation (chapter 12) as referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. John the Apostle as indicating that she would have a significant role in the Great Battle against the Dragon of the Apocalypse as humanity approaches the Time of the Apocalypse.

And now in our times, Mary is coming from Heaven as the Prophetess of Revelation to warn humanity of the Great Cosmic Battle and Divine Purification to come. Mary is coming to call her spiritual children to change their lives (Repentance), return to God (Conversion), and offer prayers and sacrifices so that some of God’s Justice may be averted while there is still time.

In a Church-approved Apparition to a Catholic nun at Akita, Japan (1970s), the Blessed Virgin Mary said:

“As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge (Noah’s Flood), such as one will never have seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead.”

God is about to fulfill this prophecy. “The cup is now flowing over.”

Catholics understand that the Blessed Virgin Mary has been sent by God to warn all humanity and to offer us hope. In reported Marian Apparitions from Garabandal, Spain (1960s), the Blessed Mother said that before the Time of the Divine Chastisement, God will first send Two Great Signs of His Mercy to warn humanity. The first will be a World-Wide Warning. Every person on earth will find themselves all alone in the world no matter where they are at the time, alone with their conscience right before God. They will then see all their sins and what their sins have caused. The purpose of the Warning will be to wake us up and call us to repent of our sins. Second, and within a year of the Warning, God will send a Great Miracle that will include a Permanent Sign of His Presence and Mercy. The purpose of the Miracle is to show us the love God has for us and to convert the whole world. Then the Apocalyptic events will soon follow, according to Catholic prophecy.

[The Catholic perspective is that these Apocalyptic events will occur in this generation, and soon.]

From Heaven, God has sent the Blessed Virgin Mary to warn all who will listen, the Times of the Apocalypse are upon us, and they will lead us to the Great Era of Peace as promised at Fatima.

__ “The Secrets, Chastisement, and Triumph of the Two Hearts of Jesus & Mary,” Imprimatur: Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, Archbishop of the Philippines

 

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AFRO-CARIBBEAN RELIGION

I often attend daily Mass at a chapel in the heart of the city that is home to many in the Spanish community. Once in a while I notice women wearing the traditional dress of their homeland in the Caribbean Islands. And I have wondered over the years: “Why do the hands of some ‘shake’ after receiving Holy Communion?” “What causes their hands to ‘tremor’ after receiving the Holy Eucharist?”

A few weeks ago, I again witnessed this “shaking or tremor” of the hands after receiving Holy Communion. And again, it was a woman wearing the traditional dress of the Caribbean Islands.

I gently approached this woman after Mass. She did not understand a word of English, but I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to touch her forehead. And when I did, the shaking (tremor) immediately stopped. As people were still exiting the chapel, I could do no more for her. I waited to speak with the pastor.

The monsignor told me that he is aware of this “shaking” and believes it to be “cultural.” He told me it also occurs during the Sacrament of Penance.

Trusting in our good relationship, I told the monsignor that even a devout Catholic woman can have an evil spirit in her body -- and that this “shaking” (this tremor of the hands) could be an evil spirit reacting to the Divine Presence in the Sacraments.

Later that day, I realized the monsignor was also correct in believing this condition to be “cultural.” His parish includes much of the Spanish community -- including immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean Islands, where Voodoo and Santeria are widely practiced!

Santeria is a system of beliefs that merges the Yoruba religion -- brought to the New World by African slaves imported to the Caribbean to work the sugar plantations -- with Roman Catholicism. Countries where Santeria is practiced today include Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Brazil... and the United States.

Santeria is the worship of Yoruba spirits -- called Orishas. Invoking spirits and spirit possession are important parts of Santeria in Cuba.

Although the Roman Catholic Church officially condemns Santeria, this Afro-Caribbean religion is practiced by many who attend Catholic Mass. Santeria is part of their culture. It is the "fusion" of the Yoruba religion with Catholicism.

Blending of Yoruba Orishas with Catholic Saints

Santeria may appear to be the veneration of Catholic saints; however, it is actually the worship of Yoruba spirits -- called Orishas. Orishas are believed to have influence over human affairs. Each Orisha is believed to express a specific aspect of life: romantic love, money matters, passion, virility... and healing. Altars, statues and artwork are created to revere particular deities. Believers each have their own Orisha that protects and supports them throughout life -- like a guardian angel.

Divination, invoking spirits, spell-casting and spirit possession are all important parts of Santeria. And then there is the darker side of Santeria -- “Palo Mayombe” (black magic). Like practitioners of witchcraft and the Occult, practitioners of Santeria are easily possessed and in need of deliverance.

Palo Mayombe - Black Magic

A PALO MAYOMBE SITE 

FOUND IN MIAMI, FLORIDA, USA 

 

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DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE REAL PRESENCE?

The Eucharist Is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ

The doctrine of the Real Presence asserts that in the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is literally and wholly present -- body, blood, soul and divinity -- under the appearances of bread and wine.

(1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-29 and
John 6:32-71)

“In the Eucharist is the same identical Jesus Who was carried by Mary for nine months in her womb before she delivered Him in Bethlehem. It is the selfsame Jesus Who died on the Cross, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.” _ Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

Your faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist will save you. Your faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist will heal you. Your faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist will deliver you.

“Faith is (a grace) a gift of God,
a supernatural virtue infused by Him.”

(CCC 153)

“Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. (Matthew 9:22)

“Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” (Mark 5:34) … “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Him on the way. (Mark 10:52)

“Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48) … “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” (Luke 17:19) … “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” (Luke 18: 42)

At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet.” He jumped up and began to walk about. (Acts 14:8-10)

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In June 2010, I took a demonized woman to a Perpetual Adoration Chapel for ministry. While we were there, the woman had a mystical experience before the Blessed Sacrament -- and she started to believe in the Real Presence. And as the woman’s faith in the Real Presence grew, the demons withdrew! (The demonic voices in her head were silenced.)

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“Do not, therefore, regard the bread and wine as simply that, for they are, according to the Master’s declaration, the body and blood of Christ. Even though the senses suggest to you the other, let faith make you firm. Do not judge in this matter by taste, but be fully assured by faith, not doubting that you have been deemed worthy of the body and blood of Christ.” _ Cyril of Jerusalem [Saint Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem (348-378) “Doctor of the Church” (Catechetical Discourses: Mystagogic 4:22:9)]

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