[Rutles4Ever]

He knows he has not much time left because history is about to see a radical turning point in freedom from evil and therefore he is reacting full of great fury. And then the resurrected Christ will rise...

This is an extraordinary theological statement made by the Pope. I don't recall the Pope ever invoking the Apocalypse so directly and with such detail.

As a Catholic, I can tell you that the Pope doesn't just opine on the Apocalypse to general audiences. I'm legitimately stunned - I don't go in for "end times" prognostications, but this is completely different. This reads like an encyclical, and we had all better sit up and take notice...

[Bluegrass Conservative]

I don't recall the Pope ever invoking the Apocalypse so directly and with such detail.

Possibly just an old man spouting off about "dem dang yung-uns"?

[NYer]

Zenit News Agency's reporting is more detailed.

Date: 2005-01-12

In Christ, Good Overcomes Evil Definitively, Says Pope

Reflects on a Canticle From the Book of Revelation

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 12, 2005 (Zenit.org).- God, who entered history in Christ, guarantees the definitive victory of good over evil, says John Paul II.

At today's general audience, the Pope reflected on the "judgment of God" canticle taken from the Book of Revelation, 11:17; 12:10,12, as he continued his series of meditations on the Psalms and hymns that form part of the Liturgy of Vespers, the Evening Prayer of the Church.

In the canticle appear God and the Lamb, namely Christ, "judging human history according to good and evil, also showing the ultimate goal of salvation and glory," the Holy Father told the crowd gathered in Paul VI Hall.

God's entrance in history "is not only to block the violent reactions of rebels but above all to exalt and recompense the just," he said. "The latter are described with a series of terms used to delineate the spiritual countenance of Christians.

"They are 'servants' who adhere to the divine law with fidelity; they are 'prophets,' gifted with the revealed Word which interprets and judges history; they are 'saints,' consecrated to God and respectful of his name, namely, ready to worship him and to follow his will."

The Pope continued: "Among them are the 'small and great,' an expression dear to the author of the Book of Revelation to designate the people of God in its unity and variety."

The Psalm then refers to the defeat of Satan, who, having been "cast out" from heaven, "no longer has great power."

"He knows that he has but a short time, because history is about to undergo a radical change of liberation from evil and that is why he reacts in great fury," John Paul II explained.

"On the other side appears the risen Christ, whose blood is principle of salvation," he continued. "To his victory are associated the Christian martyrs who chose the way of the cross, not yielding to evil and its virulence, but commending themselves to the Father and uniting themselves to the death of Christ through a testimony of surrender and courage that led them to love not their lives even unto death."

In this connection, the Holy Father concluded his meditation by quoting a moving prayer attributed to Simeon, bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon, in Persia, as he faced martyrdom in 341.

"I want to persevere heroically in my vocation, fulfill with fortitude the task that was assigned to me, and be an example to all your people," the Pope quoted the martyr as saying.

The quote continued: "I shall receive life that knows not pain, or concern, or anguish, or persecutor, or persecuted, or oppressor, or oppressed, or tyrant, or victim; there I shall no longer see the king's menace, nor the terror of prefects; no one who takes me to court and continues to terrify me, no one who drags me or frightens me.

"The wounds of my feet will heal in you, O way of all pilgrims; the exhaustion of my members will find rest in you, Christ, chrism of our unction. In you, chalice of salvation, sadness will vanish from my heart; in you, our consolation and joy, the tears of my eyes will be wiped away."

John Paul II appeared in good form before his audience, which numbered slightly less than usual, as the winter months see fewer visitors in Rome.

When greeting the pilgrims, especially the Poles, the Pope demonstrated his sense of humor, improvising messages with them in his mother tongue.

Translations of John Paul II's other meditations on the Psalms and biblical canticles are posted in the Wednesday's Audience section of ZENIT's Web page.

Catholic Ping - please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[daybreakcoming]

Definitely caught my attention.

[OldFriend]

I'd rather hear some thanks for doing the hard work to free people from brutal tyranny.

This Pope of all people, should understand the importance of America standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

[uncbob]

When the Pope warns of the danger to the Christian world of the Sword Of Islam that is rising then I will listen until then he is out of touch with reality

[Socratic]

This is an extraordinary theological statement made by the "Pope."

Especially since it can not be too much longer before the investiture of a new Pope. I am not a Catholic, but I also find these statments to be extrordinary. The world will be greatly shaped by the new papal authority.

[Brig_Gen_George_P_Harrison_CSA]

John Paul II has commented in the past, in less public venues, that he is very worried about the rise of the Antichrist. It's hard to tell exactly what his fears are based on, seeing that he hasn't provided any writings devoted to the subject, but I do not think it is the doddering of an old man.

With regard to John Paul's attitude towards secular states, I am pleased that he has chosen to make his loyalty to Jesus Christ. I'm a Protestant, but I have come to have a great deal of respect for his convictions.

[Paved Paradise]

Agree. Thanks for the post. I'm a non-catholic, but I have a lot of respect for the Pope. I'm just now re-reading the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, always a good "check and balance" practice.

[Just mythoughts]

"This is an extraordinary theological statement made by the Pope. I don't recall the Pope ever invoking the Apocalypse so directly and with such detail."


So what did he really say?

[DannyTN]

I'm not Catholic. I know that there is an interpretation of Revelations as being mostly first century and not a true end times apocalypse, which I don't agree with. I don't know how prevalent that view is in the Catholic church, but it is good to hear the Pope speak out on it.

"there I will see no threat of king, or terror of prefects, no-one will quote me in court or terrorise me and no-one will drag me or scare me". - Last line of article

I hate being dragged.

[BlessedBeGod]

As a Catholic, I can tell you that the Pope doesn't just opine on the Apocalypse to general audiences. I'm legitimately stunned - I don't go in for "end times" prognostications, but this is completely different. This reads like an encyclical, and we had all better sit up and take notice...

I absolutely agree with your take on it.

[Ohioan from Florida]

Great article, and many thanks for the ping! We must pray for the Pope, for each other, and for ourselves!

[Aquinasfan]

He knows he has not much time left

"Time left" could also be interpreted from the devil's perspective in aeviternity. From that perspective, earthly time will always be relatively short.

[.45MAN]

P-I-N-G

[G32]

What's taking this stupid Apocalypse so long.. Let's go already.

[uncbob]

This article says a lot about the Pope himself

After the Soviet Union fell ( thank you Reagan ) and since the Pope survived an assassination attempt I think he believed he was put here for some kind of divine crusade and a messianic complex took over

Hence his traveling all over the world ( for naught ) India Cuba etc etc thinking he was going to bring about some similar result as the Soviet Union falling

It didn't happen and things got even worse

Christian being murdered and persecuted in muslim countries

No end in sight in the ME among the Jews and Arabs ( despite the Pope meeting with Arafat )

His own flock savaged by scandalous priests

The Pope is now old and beaten down by events and failing health so he is clocking himself in prophecy to avoid losing faith and hope

[diamond6]

I for one wonder how much longer we all have.

Shiver!

[D Edmund Joaquin]

will be vanquished?

[BikerNYC]

Won't Satan be vanquished no matter how long are hard we fight? In fact, we don't have to fight at all and he will be vanquished.

[Buggman]

Fascinating. Pardon me for bumping this so I can read it in better detail from home.