Citing Soloviev’s final work, 'The Three Dialogues and the Story of the Antichrist', which he completed on Easter Sunday 1900, shortly before he died, Biffi said he was struck by how clearly Soloviev foresaw that the 20th century would be 'the epoch of great wars, civil strife and revolutions.' All this, he said, would prepare the way for the disappearance of 'the old structure of separate nations' and 'almost everywhere the remains of the ancient monarchical institutions would disappear.' This would pave the way for a 'United States of Europe'. Soloviev predicted that the Antichrist will be a 'convinced spiritualist', a philanthropist, a pacifist, a vegetarian and a determined defender of animal rights. He will not be hostile 'in principle' and will appreciate Christ’s teaching. But he will reject the teaching that Christ is unique, and will deny that Christ is risen and alive today.
How interesting that this is what's on the pope's mind these days.
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Rod, my understanding was that the Catholic Church did not address the book of Revelations, period. Now, that may have changed (it's been a while), but last I recall hearing on the subject of the Anti-Christ is that the RCC would not address it, at least not to the congregation at Mass on Sundays. I seem to recall that being said. Now, the other Christians of whom I posted earlier, said that the RCC avoided the topic because what is contained therein is rather damaging to the Catholic Church. Now how is that grappling with the Anti-Christ?
Tovart, the Catholic Church does teach on the meaning of Revelation, as part of its teaching on eschatology. What the RCC does not do, wisely, is engage in all the bizarre speculation that a certain branch of Protestantism does, trying to read the newspaper headlines into a wildly symbolic and allusive vision of a prophet living on Patmos. There are Christians who will cite chapter and verse "proving" that the Pope is the "False Prophet" of Revelation, who will be key to the Antichrist's rise (the Antichrist is a secular messianic figure). I think they're very wrong, and I'd like you, as a non-Christian, to know that theirs is only one interpretation of Scripture. All that can be said for sure from Scripture, I believe, is that one day there will be a historic figure that will be the epitome of human evil, and that he will subject the Church to unprecedented persecution -- this, just before the return of Christ. All the rest is speculation. Of course if you don't accept Christian Scripture, it's all nonsense.
Rod, from my perspective there is myriad interpretation of scripture, erego all your diverse denominations, including my own personal one (interpretation that is). To me it is only obvious. And from my perspective the denominations, cannot agree on every aspect of scripture.
Of course, I recall that the RCC also asserted that "the Catholic" interpretation is the only true one. So where does that leave the rest of the Body of Christ that are of another denomination?
Well, they can't all be right. We can only do the best we can to figure out which one is correct, if any, cast our lots with them, and wait to see what happens.
Rod, Free all literature professors over six feet tall! Let them make their silly arguments about the irrationality of religion! After all, their puny weapons cannot harm true believers!
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