Signs of the End

You know how to read the face of the sky, but you cannot read the signs of the times (Matt. 16:3).”So, when you shall see all these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand” (Luke 21:31, Matt. 24:33).What are those signs and how will they come to pass?

The bible says: “Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For the day will not come until the final rebellion/apostasy takes place”(II Thess.2:3).What is apostasy? Apostasy is a general loss of true faith in the church. It happened in the time of Elijah; Elijah being the only prophet who held on to the covenant and maintained the traditions they inherited from their ancestors(cf.1 Kgs 18:20-40).Other priests and prophets are calling on Baal(i.e. imitating the practices/worship of the gentiles).How is this happening in our time? Christ established the everlasting covenant by his sacrificial death on the cross; and this being the most perfect sacrifice which the other covenants, sacrifices and words of the prophets were prefiguring (cf.heb.9:6-12).The council of Trent teaches: “It is that(sacrifice) which was prefigured by various types of sacrifices during the period of nature and of the law which namely, comprises all the good things signified by them, as being the consummation and perfection of them all.”(Canons and decrees of the council of Trent).

“By his death he disarmed the sovereignties and the ruling forces so that poor mortals can survive righteously on earth.”(cf. Col. 2:15).”He wiped out the record of our debt to the law, which stood against us; He has destroyed it by nailing it to the cross.”(Co. 2:15).That means, he endured the penalty of our sins and offered the pains to his father saying: ”Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”(Lk.23:32).The eternal father’s wrath on humanity who were contaminated right from conception with sinful blood(cf. Ps.51:5)is satisfied by the merit of he who offered his life for them, thereby, he grants the graces needed by mortals on earth, so that his children can rise above the limitations imposed by nature and be able to live saintly lives on earth(cf.Ezk.36:25-32);His sacramental presence in the Eucharist-the real presence, which was prefigured by the pillar of light and pillar of clouds(exo.40:34-38)gives light to his pilgrim people in the world: “I am the light of the world.”(Jn.8:12);”the real light that enlightens everyone.”(Jn.8:12);”A light that reveals God’s will to the gentiles and confers glory on God’s chosen people.”(Lk.2:32).This is light impacts fairness, fear of God and tender heartedness (cf. Jer.31:31-34), faithfulness to duty of Christian vocation, confidence in God’s truths-“and their eyes were opened and they recognized him…at the breaking of bread.”(lk.24:31&35)it also helps them to perceive the true value of heavenly treasures so as to contempt the deceitful world and its alluring treasures and be able to embrace the way of the cross, the only way to life(Mtt.7:13).This light is also the source of true conversion-“The orient(sun) from on high visited us; to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; to direct our feet into the way of peace”(Lk.1:79);”No man can come to me, except the father, who sent me, draw him.”(Jn.6:44).

On the night Christ was betrayed, he instituted the holy sacrifice of the mass(the eucharist,matt.26:26-29)as an unbloody way by which his sacrificial death that sealed the everlasting covenant will continuously be offered to the father so that these graces, light and effects of his death will remain for his children in all generations as long as they continue to honour and adore these mysteries of their redemption with absolute reverence-“Do this in memory of me”(Lk.22:19);”whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes.”(1 Cor. 11:23-26).The council of Trent teaches: ”Christ left a visible sacrifice to his church in which that bloody sacrifice which was once offered on the cross should be made present; its memory preserved to the end of the world, and its salvation bring power applied to the forgiveness of the sins which are daily committed by us…The Mass is the means whereby the fruits of the sacrifice of the cross are applied to mankind in need of salvation.” (Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, p.407).