Posted on 04/29/2005 6:04:45 AM PDT by Libloather
Doomsayers Say Benedict Fits World End Prophecy
By Phil Stewart
Thu Apr 28, 9:17 AM ET
Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd during the general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 27, 2005. Benedict XVI held the first general audience of his new pontificate Wednesday, pledging to work for reconciliation and peace. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
ROME (Reuters) - Pope Benedict's ascent to the papacy took a conclave of 115 cardinals, four rounds of voting and followed a lifetime of service to the Vatican.
But ask Internet doomsayers eyeing a 12th century Catholic prophecy and they'll tell you it was all stitched up more than eight centuries ago and that judgment day is nigh.
The prophecy -- widely dismissed by scholars as a hoax -- is attributed to St. Malachy, an Irish archbishop recognized by members of the Church for his ability to read the future.
Benedict, believers say, fits the description of the second-to-last pope listed under the prophecy before the Last Judgement, when the bible says God separates the wicked from the righteous at the end of time.
"The Old Testament states: 'believe his prophets and you will prosper' -- so believe it. We are close to the return of the Judge of the nations. Christ is coming," wrote one Internet post by the Rev. Pat Reynolds.
"Thank God for the witness of St. Malachy."
St. Malachy was said to have had a vision during a trip to Rome around 1139 of the remaining 112 Popes. The new pope would be number 111 on that list, and is described in a text attributed to St. Malachy as the "Glory of the Olive."
To connect Benedict, a pale, bookish German, to anything olive takes some imagination. But Malachy-watchers point to the choice of the name Benedict -- an allusion to the Order of Saint Benedict, a branch of which is known as the Olivetans.
"When (he) chose the name Benedict XVI, this was seen as fulfilling the prophecy for this pope," wrote one entry on www.wikipedia.org.
Benedict said that he chose the name partly in honor of Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922), calling him a "courageous prophet of peace." On Wednesday, Benedict dedicated his papacy to "the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples."
"Perhaps Benedict XVI will be a peacemaker in the Church or in the world, and thus carry the olive branch," speculated www.catholic-pages.com.
Another site, www.bibleprobe.com, went even further, showing a picture of Benedict holding olive branches in March during Palm Sunday celebrations.
"Is this the Pope of Peace (olive)?" it asked in the caption.
Critics widely dismiss the Malachy prophecy as a forgery and possible propaganda meant to influence a 16th century conclave. Doses of skepticism even appear on the most energetic Malachy web pages.
But believers point out similarities between the prophecy's descriptions and past pontificates. Pope John Paul II, number 110, was described in the prophecy as "de labore solis" -- or "of the labor of the sun."
He was born on May 18, 1920, the same day as a solar eclipse. The pontiff was buried on April 8, 2005 -- the same day as a partial eclipse, visible in the Americas.
More pressing for doomsayers are the prophecy's references to the last Pope on the list, Peter the Roman, who will lead the Church before "the formidable judge will judge his people."
Since Benedict is already 78 years old, they say Peter the Roman must be coming soon, and with him, the end of the world.
"His reign will only last a few years at most. This signals that we are living in what may be the end of days as we know it," said one Web Site entry by someone calling himself SmartBob.
Your link goes to the page titled "Phases of the Moon:-1999 to -1900"
The data you list matches the chart for the year -1978.
By using a minus they appear to mean 1978 B.C.
The page there titled "Phases of the Moon: 1901 to 2000" lists the dates for 1978 that are relevant to the comment that you quoted from Post #24
John Paul I.... He became pope on August 26, 1978, when the moon appeared exactly half full. It was in its waning phase.
as follows:
New Moon August 4
First Quarter August 11
Full Moon August 18
Last Quarter August 25
New Moon September 2
New Moon: Aug 4 1 01Good catch. For the corrected record, the moon was waning, but it was waning crescent, not exactly half.
First Quarter: Aug 11 20 06
Full Moon: Aug 18 10 14
Last Quarter: Aug 25 12 18
Thank you for explaining the facts. I find that humanists are always eager to jump on anything that questions mans creator.
Did you really say this?
I don't find it that amusing. Do you think God only works through those that have 100% correct doctrinal beliefs?
God worked through the pagan prophet Balaam. God worked through the three wise men who studied stars. God worked through the Medium that Saul consulted. God worked through Satan's attack on Joseph in selling him into slavery. God worked through the men who had Daniel thrown into the lion's den.
To say that God may have given us additional insight into the end time through a prophecy about the popes, is not necessarily an endorsement of Catholic traditions over protestant. To say that God used Malachy to deliver that prophecy is not necessarily an endorsement of everything Malachy believed.
A long time ago, probably 20 years, I had a dream in which a voice said "The two old men are not dead yet". I understood that dream to mean the End Times would follow. And I understood the two old men to be the Pope and Billy Graham. I've watched with interest over the years as the press has focused on those two as the most prominent leaders. Even during the death of Pope John Paul II, they had Franklin Graham on and was asking him about the health of his father. Was that dream prophecy or just a dream. I don't know. But all of the other signs say we are close.
The best thing to do is forget about sects and religions. The more important thing is to be prepared and not in the way of the world but of spirit. He who lives in scripture shall die with the scripture but he who lives in the living word of God shall have life. Let's ask ourselves, Are we living in the way of the world or the way of the spirit? Do I base my life and schedules around man and the world? Do I trust in my worldy posessions and financial securities? The rich man asked Jesus how to get in heaven and he said "Go sell everything you have and give it to the poor". Everyone has an excuse;Its too hard, Its not fair, Times have changed. Yet so many who say they deserve to go to heaven just because they said they believed but were willing to sacrifice very little. If we lived in the way of life we would realize these things have no value to us and self/world sacrifice is worth more then gold. If we gave ourselves to the angels of water, air, sun, and the earthly mother, they would serve us for our faith in Jesus and our everlasting love for our father. How hard is this? Jesus taught how to completely get rid of sickness and how to attain eternal life yet very few do it. Why? We talk about this great day coming. Are we ready? Like a thief in the night it says. Jesus taught us to put our brothers and sisters of spirit before our brothers and sisters of blood. If I am a brother of spirit then shouldnt all who are christians love me. Then why do people who say they are christians get upset with the truth whenever confronted. Most people oppose anything that takes them out of their worldy comfort and rituals (we are all guilty). Jesus said that when we are judged he will have sides his right side of his right hand and his left side to his left hand. Each person you do something good for whether they are bad or not will be the same as you doing it to Jesus himself. Each bad thing you do to any brother or sister whether they are bad or good will also be the same. So how do we make sure we treat Jesus with love and respect? We respect all, Love all, and forgive all. Live the living word of God!!! Amen
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