I don't know.. the world just seems so cold, hostile and self centered these days? Even the Church feels barely any different? Did I change or did the world? ... I don't know... What's going on?

Well, Pete, our perspective is our understanding.

Over coffee yesterday evening a neighbour was in deep anxiety over the failure of his village garage to locate an important spare part for his BMW needed for his family holiday beginning today. Giorgos is now taking Prozac to cope with his dilemma. I have suggested ever so delicately to Giorgos that he takes his family on holiday using the intercity bus, or train.

A local Gypsy family living in dire poverty are grateful for any paying work that their dad can find knowing that it will enable them to eat tomorrow, and contribute to paying the rent on their tiny cottage. The electricity bill is paid in monthly instalments.

The sun is shining and life continues...

Meantime in Syria their civil war continues.

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I miss Athens. It's a beautiful city, not though without its fair share of harsh poverty. I hope things go well for Giorgos and the Gypsy family. God bless you for caring about the hardships of others.

Pete

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Matt 24: 9-14

Well, Pete, apocalyptic prophecies feature prominently throughout the Old, and New Testaments.

In Matthew 24 the destruction of The Second Temple by Roman armies in AD 70 is accurately forecast by Jesus.

Apocalyptic in the common vernacular is usually understood to be an ominous sign, or warning of catastrophic events to come.

Apocalyptic as understood in the original Greek means discourser of events. Apocalypse can also be understood to be an uncovering, or unveiling; a peek into the future of that which will occur.

The Son is outside time therefore able to see our entire life in the present moment. Those who trust implicitly in The Saviour's call to grace are often rewarded with glimpses of events that will emerge in our future.

End time prophecies are a reminder that the life of every human person can end at any time, there being no guarantee we will live to three score and ten.

Apocalyptic imagery is an invitation to reflect on the present moment, to continue to faithfully follow the inspiration of the Divine Presence.

Metaphor is plainly evident in apocalyptic literature using vivid symbolism, encouraging and re-assuring the reader that when they follow God's Word they have nothing to fear.

Apocalypse 19:11-21

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.


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