THE APOCALYPSE OF JOHN

 Last book of Bible  Possibly written sometime between (81-96 AD) during the reign of Emperor Domitian  Author of book is unknown but attributed to the evangelist John or at least a disciple of John.  The apocalyptic style Was popular between 200 BC and 200 AD.  Written using allegorical and symbolic language. Some consider it a poem.

 Revelation gives then and now confirmation and reassurance of the Parousia (pahr-oo- see-uh: The Presence or Second Coming of Christ) and the importance of living our Faith.  The audience is Christian communities in Asia who were under severe persecution at the time; it is a message of hope.  The way the Catholic Church and certain Protestant denominations understand not only this aspect but the book as a whole is significantly different.

What the book tells us: Jesus will be returning to earth. Evil will be overcome. All those worthy of salvation will be taken to Heaven to live and worship God forever. The present persecution is not the last word. The message is: “Don’t worry I am coming to rescue you! Don’t loose hope out of fear for your life. If you persevere in your love and belief, what awaits you here and in heaven is better than anything you can imagine!”

1. Jesus will return to earth to judge mankind and bring human history to an end. ◦ Creed: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end” ◦ The Eucharistic Prayer: “The New Heaven and the New Earth are anticipated” (Pope Benedict XVI) ◦ Memorial Acclamation: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!”

2. The book tells us that there will be unmistakable signs/events both in Heaven and on earth that will take place before Jesus comes back.  This is NOT A SECRET!  Catholic Church wants us to take seriously the fact that as Christians we can expect some dark and difficult times as well as some difficult to explain events sometime before Christ returns.  Church purposely offers very little on how to understand the signs and events or to offer any specific guidance on the details.

3. The third truth is that no one knows exactly when the Second Coming will happen. Jesus himself did not know the exact time of his own second coming. “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mk 13:32)

4. The fourth truth is that as Christians we should always be prepared for Jesus’ second coming and always looking forward to it with joy and anticipation.

COME, LORD JESUS!!