Pulling Back the Veil - An Overview of the Book of Revelation

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 11-18-18 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

Pulling Back the Veil - An Overview of the Book of Revelation

Msgr. Charles Pope • November 18, 2018 •

In daily Mass we are currently reading selections from the Book of Revelation—not a bad choice as the end of the liturgical year swiftly approaches.

While many suppose that the Book of Revelation is merely about the end of the world, it is about far more; it is also about what is happening right now. It was not written only for the end of the ages but for all ages. It is a book of glory that discloses the victory Jesus has already won. Don’t get lost in lots of exotic theories; Revelation is a prophetic book of glory.

Its title in Greek is Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (Apokalupsis Jesou Christou), which literally means “The Unveiling of Jesus Christ.” It is as if Jesus is pulling back the veil to show us what is really going on. He shows us the great drama of history and tells us that He has already won the victory. He declares that we should not to lose heart while the dust settles, while the wheat is separated from the chaff and the harvest is brought in.

We are too easily mesmerized or terrified by our limited view of history. We think that life depends on which political party wins, or whether a cure is found for some disease, or whether nations of the world can reach rapprochement—but the battle is far higher and deeper than our tiny slice of time. It is far deadlier and concerns more dramatic issues than what will happen to the GNP of the U.S. or which of the latest political theories will prevail.

This is a great drama between good and evil. It concerns the fundamental issue of where you will spend eternity. Yes, there is a great and cosmic battle in which we are all caught up; it is happening all around us. St. Paul says,

For we do not contend against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the high places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (Eph 6:11-13).

The Book of Revelation is speaking to the same reality. It unveils the true and cosmic battle. In so doing, it declares without ambiguity who the victor is: Jesus Christ our King, who has already won. There are only two kingdoms, two armies, two sides. You must decide whom you will serve: the prince of this world or the King and Lord of all creation.

Revelation opens with a vision of the glory of Jesus the Great Lord and Son of Man:

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead (Rev 1:10-17).

Yes, this is our Lord Jesus in His resurrected and conquering glory! At the name of Jesus every knee shall bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10-11).

Yes, Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen (Rev 1:5-7).

The second part of the Book of Revelation calls the Church and us as individuals to repentance and perseverance. The cosmic battle reaches the Church and individual disciples. The battle is in the Church and in the heart of every person. Thus, the letters to the seven churches referred to in Revelations 1. We are not to lose the love we had at first. We must be willing to endure hardship and persecution. We are to reject the fornicators and all those who propose any sort of sexual immorality. We are to resist syncretism and every form of false religion. We must resist Satan’s deep secrets; we must not be in any agreement with his ways. We must resist sloth and not fall back. We must resist lukewarmness as well as every sort of pride and self-satisfaction. The Church, clergy and laity, must fight the good fight, must persevere. We must endure hardship, keeping in mind the reward that awaits the courageous and the eternal disgrace that is coming to cowards and to all those who embrace the world, the flesh, and the devil.

John is then caught up into Heaven to see the glory of God and the heavenly liturgy. He has revealed to him what must take place soon. Historically, the Book of Revelation pointed to the destruction of Jerusalem and to the end of an era. Down through the ages, empires and nations have crumbled; eras and epochs have come and gone. Only God’s Kingdom, as proclaimed and made sacramentally present by the Church, has survived or will survive.

Today we are arguably at the end of another era and epoch. The West is crumbling, and decadence abounds. Confusion about basic reality is so widespread that our current world can credibly be compared to a lunatic asylum. Even within the Church, voices that should speak out prophetically remain silenced by fear. There is among Church leaders, clergy, and laity a widespread softness and a feeling that the risk of speaking out is too great.

The message of the Book of Revelation is a strong antidote to times like these—to all times past, present, and future: be strong, be prepared, and be willing to suffer, realizing that no matter how powerful evil may seem, Jesus is the victor. We are swept up into a cosmic battle that is much larger than our current situation but that reaches us nonetheless. Don’t think that you can sit on the fence; you must choose a side. Satan owns the fence and he is coming for you; he will say, “You belong to me.”

The seals, the bowls, and the trumpets of Revelation are but a further description of the cosmic battle and the wretched defeats that ultimately come to the defiant and disobedient. God will not leave unpunished those who despise His Kingdom and His holy ones. These seven ordeals times three are a call to repentance to those who survive. They are also a manifestation of God’s justice and ultimate authority over history.

A crucial battle comes in Revelation 12, when the red dragon with seven heads and ten horns besets Mother Mary, who is also an image of the Church. But the devil cannot prevail in the war that breaks out in Heaven. He is hurled to the earth, where he unsuccessfully pursues the woman (who is Mary and the Church). In a rage, he continues to pursue us. For the time being, the cosmic battle continues; Satan rages because he knows his time his short.

Satan is a big loser, but even losers have an uncanny ability to impress and dupe foolish, gullible people. Satan still makes empty promises and dangles passing pleasures before us. Sadly, many of the worldly and unspiritual fall prey to his lies. Mysteriously, God permits this until the full number of the elect is gathered in.

Then comes the end:

And fire came down from heaven and devoured Satan and his armies and followers. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

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.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new.” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Rev 20:9-21:5).

Yes, it is good that we read the Book of Revelation. In it, the Lord is telling us what is really going on and what the outcome will be. He is telling us not to lose heart. “In this world you shall have tribulation, but have courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Be not dismayed, fellow Christians. Do not be fearful of what is coming upon this world. Even if it is the end of the era or epoch, the Church has endured such sea changes before. Christ has already won the victory and has promised that the Church will remain indefectible. When the current foolishness has run its course, we will still be here preaching the Gospel, even if we have become a small remnant and are preaching from our prison cells!

Do not be fearful. Do not be a coward. Preach boldly and with love. Continue to shine the light of the gospel in the darkness. The gospel will win; it always wins.

Don’t get lost in the details of the Book of Revelation and miss its message: victory in the midst of persecution and trial. It is a call to persevere. It is a pulling back of the veil to show us what the end shall be! Be strong, courageous, and certain. Jesus has already won the great victory in the cosmic battle. The dust is still settling, but know for certain that Jesus has won, and if you choose Him, so will you!

He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev 21:7-8).

Regardless of what you think is going on, this is what is really going on. Choose sides. I urge you to choose Christ with courage. Don’t look back. Come what may, Viva Christo Rey!

[Cronos]

Not really, in the context of the epistle to the Romans it’s still not that explicit

[Cronos]

Yes, even if I disagree with their non-dogmatic points of view, they are valid. Heck I disagree with a lot V1 and V2, but the main one I see is leading us down the errors that many non-catholics such as your posts make of looking at things from an Anglocentric point of view

[ealgeone]

For her to be without the stain of sin she’d have to give birth in the manner described by catholicanswers. If not it’s a contradiction of Rev 12:2.

But whole concept of the IC is a contradiction of Scripture.

[Cronos]

Salvation is by GRACE alone not by faith ALONE

Let's repeat a basic Bible lesson:

1. What does Jesus say saves us?
   • Matt. 24:13

     13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

     yes, Jesus said it is not faith ALONE. We are saved by God's GRACE. Full-stop.

     James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. -- it's never faith ALONE. Note that

     1. He who believes and is baptized will be saved. (Mk 16:16)
     2. [U]nless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Lk 13:3)<,li> [H]e who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (Jn 6:54)

     so, take it up with Jesus who says the above.

   • Matt 25:31-46 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
     35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
     36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
   
   Jesus says that if you endure to the end you get salvation, that if you helped your fellow man you inherit the kingdom of God (you get salvation) --> note these are HIS own words

2. 1 Pet. 3:20-21: " It (Baptism )saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ"

3. Note -- also in Acts 16:31 we are told to believe and you will be saved -- so Faith is definitely one of the things needed, yet as you see above, it is not ONLY faith. Remember -- James says "even the demons believe - and shudder" -- it is not faith ALONE that saves

   The first work of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conversion, effecting justification in accordance with Jesus' proclamation at the beginning of the Gospel: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

   Justification detaches man from sin which contradicts the love of God, and purifies his heart of sin. Justification follows upon God's merciful initiative of offering forgiveness. It reconciles man with God. It frees from the enslavement to sin, and it heals.

   Justification is at the same time the acceptance of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ

   Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men

   On the death-bed the person who repents, believes has accepted God's freely given grace of justification -- note, we do not justify ourselves, nor do we earn this

   Let me repeat this

   all salvation comes from Christ the Head

   or 269 Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men

   Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved. -- you twist a lot of words to contradict Jesus -- He said this quite clearly, "He who believes AND IS BAPTISED is saved" -- as 1 Pet 3:20-21 reiterates In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[e] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, -- now if you wish to disregard the Bible, that's your choice. Remember, The Glory is to GOD that has saved is in this -- the salvation is by the resurrection of JEsus Christ -- Glory to God, not man

   Luke 13:3 [U]nless you repent you will all likewise perish. -- again, Jesus is very clear. Take Jesus's own words first -- what does He say? "unless you repent, you will perish" -- God gives us the grace to repent yes, but we must accept this grace

   John 6:54 -- again, Jesus is very clear. Why try to put words into His mouth? If you have a problem with what Jesus said -- take it up with Him

   Matt 25:31-46 --> no one said it's a qualifier. I just pointed it out that it is not faith ALONE that saves

   Matt 24:13 --> Why reference Paul for what Jesus has clearly said? He who endureth to the end is saved -- I never said that it is anyone but Jesus who gives us the power to do this --> Why don't you get this into your head before you go accussing folks, I continuously said and say that we are saved by God's grace, we give 100% credit for our ability to repent, to believe, to endure, to share in His body etc --> I only said it is not faith ALONE, but GRACE ALONE that saves us --> read before accusing this is what Jesus said

   • He who believes and is baptized will be saved. (Mk 16:16)
   • [U]nless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Lk 13:3
   • [H]e who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (Jn 6:54)
   • 13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matt. 24:13 )
   • Matt 25:31-46 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

     Isn't Jesus pretty clear? you MUST have faith to be saved by the freely given grace of salvation, however, it is not faith ALONE

     Do you believe Jesus's words or not?

[Cronos]

No, The fact that daughters of Eve have pangs during childbirth have no relevance to whether they (the daughters of Eve as opposed to Eve herself) have or have not been stained with the original sin.

you are making a logical fallacy of conflating the effects of the original sin passed down (namely birth pangs, living in this world, death) with the stain passed down.

Rev 12:2 and Genesis 3 and Mary's sinlessness (thanks to God's grace) are not incompatible distinct statements

The Immaculate Conception is fully within the light of scripture right from the point of view of the Angel describing the Mother of God as filled with grace - when filled with grace there is no room for the original sin and since she did nothing to merit this, it was the grace of God for the vessel to be made sinless to be able to bear God. If the vessel had been stained in any single way it would not have been able to bear God - for in the presence of God sin is shriveled away and burnt - which is why we undergo purification through the blood of the Christ up to our entry to Heaven.

[infool7]

7: Can you add up the points for which you disagree?

Ealgeone: No points to add up. Jesus:100. Me: 0

Your answer to my clear and simple question is very confusing.

It seems to me that you are saying that you disagree with each and every one of these articles of the Catholic faith?

Am'I mistaken or is it really like this for you?

          
          I believe in one God,
          the Father almighty,
          maker of heaven and earth,
          of all things visible and invisible.
Ealgeone does not believe in: One God
          I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
          the Only Begotten Son of God,
          born of the Father before all ages.
Ealgeone does not believe in: Christ Jesus
          God from God, Light from Light,
          true God from true God,
          begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
          through him all things were made.
Ealgeone does not believe Jesus is: Consubstantial with the Father
          For us men and for our salvation
          he came down from heaven,
Ealgeone does not believe Jesus came: For our salvation
           and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
          and became man.
Ealgeone does not believe in the: Virgin Birth
          For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
          he suffered death and was buried,
          and rose again on the third day
          in accordance with the Scriptures.
Ealgeone does not believe Jesus: Suffered, Died and Rose
          He ascended into heaven
          and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Ealgeone does not believe Jesus: Ascended, Seated
          He will come again in glory
          to judge the living and the dead
          and his kingdom will have no end.
Ealgeone does not believe Jesus will: Come Again in Glory to Judge
          I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
          who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
          who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
          who has spoken through the prophets.
Ealgeone does not believe in the: Holy Trinity
          I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Ealgeone does not believe there is: One Visible Church
          I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
Ealgeone does not believe there is: One Baptism
          and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
          and the life of the world to come.
Ealgeone does not believe in the: Resurrection of the Dead

          The Ten Commandments:
          1. I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God
              and Him only shall you serve.
          2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
          3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
          4. Honor your father and your mother.
          5. You shall not murder.
          6. You shall not commit adultery.
          7. You shall not steal.
          8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
          9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
          10.You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
Ealgeone does not believe in: The Ten Commandments

          The Greatest Commandment
          1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy
               whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength
          2. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Ealgeone does not believe in: The Greatest Commnadments

          The Seven Sacraments Catholic Church:
          1. Baptism.
          2. Eucharist.
          3. Confirmation.
          4. Reconciliation.
          5. Anointing of the sick.
          6. Marriage.(XY+XX)
          7. Holy orders.
Ealgeone does not believe in: The Seven Sacraments

          The Precepts of the Catholic Church:
          1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation
               and rest from servile labor.
          2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
          3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the
              Easter season.
          4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by
               the Church.
          5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
Ealgeone does not believe in: The Precepts

          The seven chief corporal works of mercy:
          1. To feed the hungry.
          2. To give drink to the thirsty.
          3. To clothe the naked.
          4. To visit the imprisoned.
          5. To shelter the homeless.
          6. To visit the sick.
          7. To bury the dead.
Ealgeone does not believe in: Corporal Works

          The seven chief spiritual works of mercy:
          1. To admonish the sinner.
          2. To instruct the ignorant.
          3. To counsel the doubtful.
          4. To comfort the sorrowful.
          5. To bear wrongs patiently.
          6. To forgive all injuries.
          7. To pray for the living and the dead.
Ealgeone does not believe in: Spiritual Works

          Pro-Life - From Conception Until Natural Death
Ealgeone is not: Pro-Life

If you do not believe in any of these things then exactly who/what is it you believe Jesus actually is?

7

[ealgeone]

Again reference my post 17. The Immaculate conception is not found in Scripture. Roman Catholics are reading something into the text that isn’t there.

[ealgeone]

The words of Christ are believed.....just not the Roman Catholic understanding of them.

[ealgeone]

If I were at my computer I could more adequately address these. Suffice to say there are a number of non-biblical statements the Roman Catholic has to believe that are in contradiction of scripture.

[infool7]

If I were at my computer I could more adequately address these. Suffice to say there are a number of non-biblical statements the Roman Catholic has to believe that are in contradiction of scripture.

Suffice to say?

On the sole authority of ealgeone, I think NOT!

I sincerely doubt a computer can be of any aid to your ability to address them but since your not at your computer lets take it a bit more slowly.

Do you, ealgeone:

believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

Yes or No?

Exactly what in your opinion is "non-biblical" or "in contradiction of scripture" with this, the very first article of the Catholic faith?

7

[infool7]

Do you, ealgeone:

believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.

Yes or No?

Exactly what in your opinion is "non-biblical" or "in contradiction of scripture" with this, the second article of the Catholic faith?

7

[ealgeone]

I’ll give a more detailed review when I’m back at my computer.

[infool7]

Good Grief.

For your sake I certainly hope you're not this recalcitrant at your final judgement.

That might break bad for you.

You are either way over complicating this or just being plain obstinate.

All I am asking YOU for is a simple yes or no answer,

Do you, ealgeone:

believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.

Yes or No?

At this point for all I can tell "Jesus" is the pet name you have given to your member.

7

[ealgeone]

Wow. A statement worthy of a fifth grader.

[infool7]

Wow. A statement worthy of a fifth grader.

Apparently you didn't need a computer for that reply.

I should be so lucky that your "responses" would rise to the level of a fifth grader.

7

[ealgeone]

Yes. I’m typing on an iPhone so very lengthy replies that require comparisons of texts aren’t something I like to do.

And to your other juvenile statement.......Trust me. They will.

[infool7]

Trust me.

Why would I do that?

If you require a man made artificial prosthetic for even the most basic profession of faith in God and his only Begotten Son, Christ Jesus I seriously doubt you actually understand what it is you believe.

A fifth graders opinion would probably be far more reliable and forthcoming I might add.

7

[Cronos]

The words of Christ are what the Church has believed ever since the resurrection.

[Cronos]

But your post is incorrect — you are putting your own interpretaion and saying “oh the past 2000 years were wrong” and at the same time denying the fact that the words used “filled with grace” have a specific meaning that an English only speaker can’t comprehend

[nobamanomore]

The one thing that you don’t understand is that ealgeone is the sole inheritor of all spiritual knowledge and the ultimate authority regarding interpretation of scripture......according to him!