-- academic training and knowledge can be a barrier,
too. Any
history of Apocalyptic belief will show many who expected Christ's
return during the last 2,000 years ... and until now, all those
expectations have been proven false. It is very easy to believe
that, because prophets and seers nos.. 1-100 have been incorrect, that
any prophet #101 or seer #102 will likewise be incorrect.
34...one
in the council rising up, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor
of the law, respected by all the people, commanded the men to be put
forth a little while.
35
And he said to them: Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you
intend to do, as touching these men.
36
For before these days rose up Theodas, affirming himself to
be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined
themselves: who was slain; and all that believed him were scattered,
and brought to nothing.
37
After this man, rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the
enrolling, and drew away the people after him: he also perished; and
all, even as many as consented to him, were dispersed.
38
And now, therefore, I say to you, refrain from these men,
and let them alone; for if this council or this work be of men, it will
come to nought;
39
But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest perhaps you be found
even to fight against God.
[Acts 5]
Again..... Exactly what are
we
promoting? What the Church Administration had 1600 years to do and did not. (9)
(c) the sequence
of events
you lay out is new for most people, and does not "fit" the preconceived
notions that many people have. Specifically:
-- Right-wing Catholics often believe
that the Chastisement is imminent, but that it will be ended when a
Great King and an Holy Pontiff set things to rights. In this
view, Catholicism becomes the world religion during a long era of
peace, the triumph of the Roman Catholic Church. These people
place Antichrist and the Second Coming far into the future. They
hate the idea that "Rome has lost the faith ... "
-- Many right-wing Protestants believe in
the pre-tribulation Rapture of the faithful, followed by seven years of
evil (left wing/feminist/ etc.) governance at the hands of
Antichrist. They have no notion of spiritual peril from the right.
-- Other right-wing Protestants don't
believe in the Rapture ... but if pressed, will put the Jews at the
center of the conspiracy that will raise Antichrist to power.
Again, they have no notion of spiritual peril from the right.
-- Aside from these groups, there are
Christian liberals who no longer believe in the Return of Christ as
described in Scripture, and an even larger group of people who do not
know about, or think about, this doctrine at all.
This
is why
the fulfillment of the Steps(10)
- symbolically
and/or
exactly as stated - should be the
confirmation of our announcements as the Miracle
of the Sun was the confirmation of Mary's visits and messages in
Fatima(11).
Logically, only
a few will believe even then but, let us
be realistic, Paradise is not exactly a crowded place. Do not take
our word for it; listen to Him:
13
Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for
wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and
many there are who go in thereat.
14
How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and
few there are that find it!
15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves. [Matthew 7]
