The Book of Revelation, The Eucharistic Banquet, and the Catholic view of End Times

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1 The Book of Revelation, The Eucharistic Banquet, and the Catholic view of End Times

2 Overview of John s Apocalypse Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades. Now write what you see, what is and what is to take place. Revelation 95 CE, the Apostle John was banished by the Emperor Domitian to the Island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation, aka the Apocalypse ( unveiling or revelation ) Revelation contains strange symbols and visions, and has been widely misunderstood throughout history It contains promises and warnings, but should not be used to predict the exact course of future events, or when the world will end Two keys to understanding Revelation: 1) The historical context, and the 2) The Vision of the Heavenly Liturgy--- The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

3 Understanding the Historical Setting of Revelation The End of the Old Testament world began in 67 CE when the Emperor Nero sent Florus to govern Judea (the region where Jerusalem and Bethlehem lie) Florus introduced himself by slaughtering hundreds of innocent people in Jerusalem The Judeans revolted, and a civil war ensued Rome sent their best general, Vespasian (who would later be Emperor), and his army to quell the revolt By 70 CE over a million Judeans were dead from war and starvation, and the Temple was destroyed---most of the rest of the Jews were sold into slavery The Temple (in Jerusalem), the center of Jewish life and symbol of the Old Covenant, was never rebuilt Historians report that the Christians of Jerusalem had left the city before the siege began (forewarned by the Spirit), fleeing to a little mountain town across the Jordan called Pella, and thus survived The end of the world for the Jews was a preview of the end of our world ---which for Christians is a glorious promise, not a threat The second coming of Christ, Who will bring a new heaven and new earth

4 The Vision of the Heavenly Liturgy In addition to understanding the historical context in which Revelation was written, we must also understand that John s vision is a vision of the heavenly liturgy---the Mass The structure of Revelation is very similar to the structure of the Mass: Liturgy of the Word (Revelation 1:1-11:18): Reading of letters to the Seven Churches (call to repentance/penitential Rite); the scroll sealed with seven seals The Eucharist (Revelation 11:19-22:21): Pouring of the chalices; the marriage supper of the Lamb

5 The End of the World : The Warning to the Seven Churches Remember then from what you have fallen, repent and do the works you did first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Revelation 2:5 The seven great churches were located in Anatolia (Asia Minor, present day Turkey)-- -bordering Iran, Iraq, and Syria None of these seven great churches exist today---islam has swallowed them up The seven churches serve as warnings to us today---that to turn away from the faith, and refuse to repent will lead to disastrous consequences

6 Key Passages from Revelation Revelation 1:12-13 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. Revelation 2:7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 5:12 Worthy is the Lamb Who is slain, to receive power, and wealth, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 12:1-2 And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; she was with child and she cried out in birth pangs, in anguish for delivery. Revelation 13:1, 3 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name and the whole world followed the beast with wonder. Revelation 17:14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers. Revelation 19:20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look! God s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 22:7 Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.

7 What about The Rapture? The word Rapture is connected to the Latin word rapiemur, which appears in St. Paul s first letter to the Thessalonians in the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible. It means to be raised up or caught up : The dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:16 17) Therefore, Catholics believe that those Christians who are still living at the Second Coming of Christ will be gathered together with those who have died in Christ to be forever with the Lord. Catholics do not generally use the term Rapture, nor do they believe in a Rapture that will take place some time before the Second Coming, as do many Evangelicals.

8 Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) - the church that was lukewarm and insipid (to God) (3:16) What are three characteristics of someone who is lukewarm? Why does God dislike this so much? Promises and Warnings Application Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) - the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4) How and when do we forget our first love (Jesus)? Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) - the church that would suffer persecution (2:10) Where and how is the Church persecuted today? Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church that needed to repent of allowing false teachers (2:16) How would you define false teachers, and why might people in the church follow them? Discuss. Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) - the church that had a false prophetess (2:20) This warning concerns the limits of tolerance. As Catholics, what must we not tolerate? Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) - the church that had fallen asleep and yet called itself awake (3:2) What does it mean that the Church has fallen asleep, and how do we wake up? Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) - the church that had endured patiently (3:10) Why is it important to endure patiently?