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Question Title Posted By Question Date
End Times Berto Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Question:

Much is made of the end times. There are even specific timelines documented. What is the church's history of interpreting the Book of Revelation, Daniel and other things like the Rapture?

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Berto:

The idea of the Rapture is a Protestant invention based upon misinterpret ration of scripture. In fact, most of the time when anyone, including Catholics, think of end times subjects they think of issues presented by the Protestant Dispensationalist. Nearly all of the movies and books about end times come from the Dispensationalist point-of-view to one degree or another. That is why it is important to read Catholic material on this subject.

The Book of Revelations is a symbolic book that has several agendas. One aspect of the book is about local events of the first century disguised in symbolic language. For example, the reference to 666 is most likely a reference to the Roman Emperor Nero.

Other aspects of the book are a discussion of the Mass and its place in eschatology. Scott Hahn does the best presentation of this aspect in his book, "The Lamb's Supper".

Generally, I refer you to the following sources for details:

Book:

 

Articles:

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary