| Commentary |
This Sunday very likely marks the 1978th
anniversary of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Many
believe the date of His death was April 3, 33AD.
Astronomical descriptions in Scripture also point
(scientifically) to that very day.
As far as the second coming, some 'Fathers of the
Church' wrote very specific words on the subject.
At the end of 6,000 years of salvation history, many
believed Christ would return and reign for 1,000
years.
These prophetic Fathers of the Church included
Barnabas (c. A.D. 100), Justin Martyr and Irenaeus
(c. A.D. 150), Lactantius (c. A.D. 325), and Methodius,
Bishop of Tyre (c. A.D. 300).
Barnabas wrote: "As there had been 2,000 years
from Adam to Abraham, and 2,000 from Abraham to
Christ; so there will be 2,000 years for the Christian
era and then would come the Millennium."
St. Peter said one thousand years is equal to one
day in the eyes of God. The Book of Genesis lays
out a 7 day period of God's creation.
The Book of Genesis reads -
[2] And on the seventh day God ended his work
which he had made: and he rested on the seventh
day from all his work which he had done. [3] And he
blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because
in it he had rested from all his work which God
created and made. [4] These are the generations of
the heaven and the earth, when they were created,
in the day that the Lord God made the heaven and
the earth.
~ Genesis 2: 2-4 (Douay Rheims)
** As far as 'generations' go, it's also interesting to
note the population of the world is projected to
pass 7 billion this year.
St. Peter writes -
[6] Whereby the world that then was, being
overflowed with water, perished. [7] But the
heavens and the earth which are now, by the
same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire
against the day of judgment and perdition of the
ungodly men. [8] But of this one thing be not
ignorant, my beloved, that one day with the Lord
is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as
one day. [9] The Lord delayeth not his promise,
as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your
sake, not willing that any should perish, but that
all should return to penance. [10] But the day
of the Lord shall come as a thief, in which the
heavens shall pass away with great violence,
and the elements shall be melted with heat, and
the earth and the works which are in it, shall be
burnt up.
~ 2 Peter 3: 6-10
A day is as 1,000 years...
I remember first hearing about this theory in
relation to the end of the age as a theory many
Rabbis taught. They believed the seven days in
Genesis referred to a 7 thousand year space of
time.
So, if it was a 2 thousand year span from Adam to
Abraham, and another 2,000 years from Abraham
to Christ where might we be now?
Barnabas said there would be 2,000 years of a
'Christian Era' and then we would find ourselves
at the millennium.
Well, if we look at the span of time which has
elapsed since Jesus Christ's death on the cross
it may be 1978 years as of April 3, 2011.
Catholic Church teaching -
'The duration of this glorious reign of Christ and His
saints on earth, is frequently given as one thousand
years. Hence it is commonly known as the
millennium.'
So, according to the widely accepted 7 day theory
of salvation history and the prophetic utterances of
some Fathers of the Church, we are practically on
the doorstep of the '7th day.'
Math is definitely a weakness for me but I can
handle that calculation!
According to St. Mark there's more -
[19] For in those days shall be such tribulations, as
were not from the beginning of the creation which
God created until now, neither shall be. [20] And
unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh
should be saved: but for the sake of the elect
which he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
~ Mark 13:19-20
Oooookay. So some might interpret that to mean
this 'age' may end a little prematurely.
So when we hear very specific, precise, local
Church-supported messages from the Mother of
God out of South America (Brazil) saying, 'God is
in a hurry,' and various other dire prophetic
warnings which sound more and more urgent
every day, it is time to REALLY take notice.
Creation is being so perfectly perverted now;
manipulation of life, seeds, truth, practically every
gift God has given us - scientists and very powerful
world leaders are now using for their own pompous
undertakings. It is so far beyond the original fall;
so far worse than the sins of Sodom.
Yes, no one knows the day or the hour but Jesus
did tell us to be aware of the time. And the Fathers
of the Church stepped it up by giving us some
serious math.
April 2, 2011 2:59 PM EDT
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