The Beast in Scripture is Not Coming. It IS Here: Part III
Published by Stephen Michael Leininger in Stephen Michael Leininger · Monday 06 Jul 2020
Tags: Fatima, antichrist, beast, revelation, contraception
Tags: Fatima, antichrist, beast, revelation, contraception
The Beast in Scripture is Not Coming: It’s Here!!!
...and has been for many years.
Part 3 of 3 Parts
In Part I of this three-part blog series, we warned about the dangers of being too literalistic in our interpretation of Scripture. We talked about the substance of the Beast that was described in the books of Daniel and Revelation; about whether the Beast was a single person or group of persons. We talked about the significance of five of six Beasts described in Scripture described as coming out of the sea. We learned that the final two Beasts have been in the world since the beginning of the twentieth century.
In Part II we identified that which distinguishes man from beast. Only by undertaking this comparison can we understand how it is that we willingly make ourselves into beasts, becoming part of the substance of the Beast. To understand what it means to be created in the image and likeness of God, we first need to understand (as much as is humanely possible) the essence of God. Only then can we understand the substance of the Beast. We learned about the extreme gravity of fruitfulness and/or lack thereof. We learned about the name, or mark, of the Beast. Finally, we learned about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, why it happened, and what it tells us about fruitfulness.
Multiplication versus Addition
To help understand the meaning of fruitfulness, we first need to understand the distinction between fruitfulness and addition. In the creation account of Genesis, the very first positive command that God gives to living creatures is to multiply. Every living thing that God creates is given the command to multiply. In the case of man, this command is not simply God’s desire for us to replace ourselves. After all, at the time of God’s command, death had not yet entered into the world. Consequently, there was nothing to replace. Scripture is rife with examples of the severe consequences of intentional unfruitfulness. Many examples of such have been cited in Part II of this series. Therefore, we can conclude that fruitfulness is extremely important to God, which is logical since we are created in the image and likeness of an eternally and unceasingly fruitful God.
Most people considerably underappreciate the distinction between multiplication and addition. The simplest way I can think of to distinguish between the two is this; multiplication results in an increase in the quantity of that which is multiplied without a corresponding decrease in quantity from somewhere else. For example, if we have a single tennis ball in a bucket and want to increase the number, we can add more balls by going to the tennis court and gathering up loose balls and dumping them in the bucket, or by buying more at the store. The net gain or loss in the total number of tennis balls in existence is zero. We increased the number of balls in the bucket by taking them away from somewhere else. Furthermore, the single ball we had in the bucket played no part in the increase in the number of balls in the bucket. Multiplication, on the other hand, is very different.
Does the power of the Holy Spirit cause other types of multiplication? Let us look at some organic examples. In Part III of our blog series about covenants, we discussed the synergy between water and light to affect cellular activity at every level. This interaction can result in the starting, stopping, speeding up, or slowing down of biological processes—the functioning of the body’s DNA. Biological healing is likely the power of the Holy Spirit multiplying healthy cells to heal illness or injury. The following is one more example of biological processes affected through water-light interaction.
Contrary to old and traditionally held beliefs, research is beginning to dispel the idea that hormones are the primary cause for the triggering of cell division (mitosis) in growing embryos.[4] Ongoing research in the field of biological light (both generated and stored) now suggests it is signaling primarily coming from light in the UV spectrum originating from within the cell itself, termed mitogenic radiation (MGR) that causes and directs mitosis.[5] Research suggests that MGR, accompanied by enzymatic and non-enzymatic reaction,[6] provided active oxygen and structured water was present, are the primary catalysts.[7] In other words, hormones are involved, but they are reacting to information that comes from photons of light, which were produced in part by the presence of dynamically structured vicinal water molecules.[8] Remember also that the spiritual soul itself is light, and the soul is the substantial form of the body. Could it be the soul that is the light that guides both cell mitosis and differentiation? I believe it is. It seems to be the logical conclusion.
What is the practical application of this research as it relates to Scripture? In each of the Gospels, an account is given of Peter taking a sword and cutting off the ear of the high priest’s slave (Mt 25:51, Mk 14:47, Jn 18:10, and Lk 22:50). In Luke’s account, however, more information is provided. Jesus is also described as touching the slave’s ear, after which it was healed. All such healings occur through the power of the Holy Spirit.[9] Since this miracle can be classified as an Actual Gratuitous grace, its accomplishment was not conditional on the purity of recipient’s heart, or even on the servant’s faith. I believe it is quite possible that the healing took place through the multiplication (cell mitosis directed by water and light) and healing of the damaged/missing cells.
1) “For thus says the Lord the God of Israel, ‘The jar of meal shall not be spent, and the cruse of oil shall not fail, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Eli′jah said; and she, and he, and her household ate for many days” (1Kgs 17:14-15). In this passage, Elijah possessed the power of the Holy Spirit, as symbolized by his possession of the mantle of sheepskin (cf. 1Kgs 19:13, 19; 2 Kgs 2:8, 13-14).[10]. Note also that God revealed to St. Hildegard that the flesh of fallen man was referred to as sheepskin. She writes, “In place of his luminous garment, Adam was given a sheepskin, and God substituted for Paradise a place of exile.”[11] Similar to the previous passage, see also 2 Kgs. 4:2-6;
2) After feeding five thousand people, using only that which was produced from five barley loaves and two fish, Jesus “told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves” (Jn. 6:12-13), and;
3) In Ezekiel’s dream of the New Covenant of salt (Ezek. 47:1, 3-5), the water that flowed from the opening (mouth) of the rebuilt Temple signifies the Living Water that Jesus promised to give to us. In his dream, this water did not have any other contributory. The water coming from the mouth of the Temple was not being “added” to by any other water source. The Living Water was being multiplied. It became deeper and deeper as it flowed further and further out from its source, the threshold of the Temple. Said phenomenon being contrary to the natural laws of physics. This multiplication of grace (Living Water) of the Holy Spirit can be seen more clearly and more profoundly by reading what John had to say on the subject. He writes, “If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (Jn. 7:37-39).
When God commands man to be fruitful, he is referring exclusively (as it relates to the commandment in Gen 1:28) to the act of begetting, which is the only means by which original man (prior to the fall) can multiply.
Satan’s Efforts to Destroy Jesus’ Church: One Battle, Two Fronts
Repeating what was written earlier in this blog series, fallen man, whose sins against God have become so grievous, so widespread, and so devoid of any fruit, is the substance of the Beast who comes out of the sea. When did this Beast arrive? As was mentioned in Apostasy and Prophecy in Part I of this blog series, Satan was granted 100-120 years (consisting of two consecutive 50-60 year periods, as was also the case in the book of Job) of time, together with extra power, during which the followers of Satan could attempt to destroy the Church (the kingdom of God) Jesus built.[12] This period following the unleashing of Satan probably started one year after Jesus asked Blessed Mary of the Divine Heart, in 1898, to have the Pope consecrate the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. That consecration occurred 1899. From that point on, Satan would waste no time in turning his rage on men, turning them into beasts that he could use to populate his kingdom of death.
The key to understanding the two Beasts (both possessing the spirit of Satan, aka the spirit of the antichrist) described in Revelation 13, is the last passage written in Chapter 12.[13] It reads, “Then the dragon took his stand on the sand of the seashore” (Rev 12:18).[13] This is the point at which the dragon gave his spirit to the first Beast described in Rev 13. In John’s letters, he wrote, “And every spirit [SML] which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist [SML], of which you heard that it was coming, and now it is in the world already” (1 John 4:3). The dragon, who took his stand on the sand of the seashore[13] (very important words), is a description of Satan immediately after failing to destroy the woman and her male child (Chapter 12) and just as he sets out to make war with the rest of her offspring. It is also the point at which the Dragon’s spirit, the spirit of the antichrist, was given to the Beasts to wage war on the Church, the Bride of Christ, in order to destroy that Church, i.e., the Mystical Body of Christ on earth.
As was said in other posts and articles on STOSS Books, sand/dust/stone in Scripture is a reference to the collective DNA of our entire body. In Scripture, sand/dust do not possess a general connotation of good or bad. It simply denotes the entire collective genome of man, in general. The land upon which Satan stood (the sand/dust of the seashore—Rev 12:18[13]) denotes the second Beast which was on the land (Rev 13:11). Both Beasts are one in the same spirit of the antichrist, with the same substance, i.e., the dust of DNA. The Beast coming from the land will be explained later in the section titled, Battle Front Two. Both salt and the sea (salt together with water) refer to fallen man, the bad consequences flowing from the actual genetic functioning of fallen man.
The Beast who arises from the sea will be discussed next. Before doing so, let me add that the confession of demons during the exorcism performed in Earling, Iowa (memorialized in 2005 movie, The Exorcism of Emily Rose) supports my characterization of the two battlefronts being employed by Satan in his final attempt to destroy the Church. One's first response would likely be: aren't demons liars? Under certain conditions, no. According to notes from the exorcist priest, “When, however, the exorcist does his duty and places pertinent questions for the success of the exorcism or for the purpose of humiliating the demon, the authority of the Church in the person of the exorcist forces the demon to speak the truth.”[13—B]
So was the information from this book pertinent to the prayer written by Pope Leo XIII as a result of his vision of the dialogue between Satan and God?
The bishop submitted the records [of the priest excorcist] to the Holy Office at Rome. The author was informed by the Holy Office that the work was highly praiseworthy and that it contained nothing contrary to the teachings of the Church. They called his attention especially to the fact that his entire work harmonized with the considerations which at that very time moved the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII, to compose the prayer to be said after Mass in order to counteract the attacks of Satan.[13—C]
So what truth were the demons forced to reveal?
Since the Pontificate of Pius IX the Church has entered into a period of severe persecutions. The militant Church has to suffer under a twofold evil: externally, through the persecution of her enemies [the Beast from the "Land" (Rev 13:11)—SML], and interiorly, through the corruption of her members [the Beast from the "Sea" (Rev. 13:1)—SML] .... this twofold tendency is constantly increasing. The cause of this heavy burden laid upon the Church is due, according to the confessions of the demons, to the unusually strong and numerous invasion of diabolical spirits [part of the increased power granted to Satan, per Pope Leo XIII's vision—SML] upon this earth.[13—D]
Battle Front One: The De-moral(s)-ization of the Church (aka the Beast from Out of the Sea)
His choice of the first battlefront reveals Satan’s plan to destroy Christ’s Church Militant. He plans to de-moral-ize, and thus weaken the Church. I am not using this term to refer to morale, meaning mental and emotional state. Rather, I am using it to specifically point to virtues and vices—specifically vices tied to the lusts of the flesh. It is Satan’s desire to weaken the members of Church Militant by destroying their moral underpinnings; the very thing that makes us strong. This approach is actually explained in Revelation.
What was it Balaam taught Balak? Balaam knew that the Churches strength came from God. Balaam knew that without God, they would become weak and vulnerable. In order to make God angry at the Israelites, Balaam taught Balak to place stumbling blocks before them. To put that teaching into action, Balak employed some of the most beautiful women in his kingdom to lure the men into unclean fleshly and spiritual acts, i.e. sexual intercourse and idolatry.[14] The stumbling blocks were the DNA/salt/dust/stone bodies of beautiful and desirous women. This is why the Spirit informs them of the white stone. He is telling them, if the men conquer their lust of the flesh, then, at the resurrection, their bodies will be raised from the dead, be glorified, and become as pure as snow (as clean as a white stone).[15]
There is no more effective means of luring souls to hell than sins of the flesh. There is one particular sin from which all other subsequent sexual perversions take root. It is so very dangerous because one of the consequences of committing such powerfully induced sin is this: once committed, it will hormonally induce an ever–growing addiction toward experiencing the excitement associated with that sin. Unfortunately, the nature of biologically generated hormonal rewards is that they necessitate new perversions in order to obtain that same level of excitement as was experienced during the first committing of that sin. This constitutes battlefront #1. It is through this front that Satan destroys marriage and the family structure.
According to the recordings of a priest-exorcist:
The demons admit that they penetrate everywhere to bring about the ruination of souls, especially through impurity. Everywhere they are spreading “the blackest deceptions.” One demon who called himself “Luxuria” and who used the possessed person to imitate femininity, told me proudly: “I have by far more servants than your Virgin (Bl. Virgin) has.” [Anonymous Exorcist Priest, Mary Crushes the Serpent: 30 Years' Experience of An Exorcist Told In His Own Words, ed. Fr. Theodore Geigerm, Cottingham Press, Kindle Edition, Location 491-492].
In close chronological proximity to the events at Fatima, there was another event taking place. It involved the work of a particular socialist who was also a nurse. Margaret Sanger belonged to the American Eugenics Society, a group who supported Nazi Germany’s eugenics policies. She was also on the American Advisory Board of the Euthanasia Society of America. Yes, confirmed by Snopes, the Nazis were indeed anti-capitalist and Socialist.[16][17] It was an event that, arguably, launched Satan’s attack on marriage and the family.
In 1916, Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the U.S., for which she was arrested. Equally, if not more, significant: in 1917, she launched the monthly periodical Birth Control Review (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Sanger; see also http://www.lifedynamics.com/library/), thus beginning the spread of her evil/beastly agenda. For those who may not be aware, Sanger also started the American Birth Control League in 1921,[18] which later morphed into Planned Parenthood. By the way, if anyone is in doubt about the evilness of Margaret Sanger, read articles she wrote in her publication, Birth Control Review. Her open racism and willingness to kill those she deemed unworthy will shock you. You can read those articles at the Life Dynamics link above.
Some quotes from Margaret Sanger
1) “[Our objective is] unlimited sexual gratification without the burden of unwanted children… [Women must have the right] to live … to love… to be lazy … to be an unmarried mother … to create… to destroy… The marriage bed is the most degenerative influence in the social order… The most merciful thing that a family does to one of its infant members is to kill it.”
– Margaret Sanger (editor). The Woman Rebel, Volume I, Number 1. Reprinted in Woman and the New Race. New York: Brentanos Publishers, 1922.
2) “We should hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with social-service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities. The most successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal. We don’t want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population. And the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.”
– Margaret Sanger’s December 19, 1939 letter to Dr. Clarence Gamble, 255 Adams Street, Milton, Massachusetts. Original source: Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College, North Hampton, Massachusetts. Also described in Linda Gordon’s Woman’s Body, Woman’s Right: A Social History of Birth Control in America. New York: Grossman Publishers, 1976.
3) “One fundamental fact alone, however, indicates the necessity of Birth Control if eugenics is to accomplish its purpose…Before eugenists and others who are laboring for racial betterment can succeed, they must first clear the way for Birth Control. Like the advocates of Birth Control, the eugenists, for instance, are seeking to assist the race toward the elimination of the unfit. Both are seeking a single end but they lay emphasis upon different methods.”
– Margaret Sanger. “Birth Control and Racial Betterment,” Feb 1919.[20]
Beginning of the Decisive Battle with Satan Over Marriage & the Family
A sacramental marriage is sacred (only if made sacramental by the Holy Spirit) because God instituted it as an image of both the Trinity, and the relationship existing between Jesus and his one and only Church. This is the reason why the spirit of the Antichrist wants to destroy marriage, the spouses, and the children of the spouses. There have been over 60 million abortions in the U.S alone between 1973 and 2017.[21] This figure does not even include spontaneous abortions resulting from the use of artificial contraceptives. Additional horrors include partial-birth abortion and the selling of fetal body parts for money. Worldwide, there has been 1.72 billion babies murdered in the womb.[22] Again, this is what happens when an atheistic government is voted in by those who have, wittingly or unwittingly, become part of the Beast.
According to a Wall Street Journal article, the U.S. marriage rate has dropped to the lowest rate since 1867 (the point at which records became available).[24] More and more Americans are choosing to cohabitate. In 1970, about 70% of the population were married and only 1% cohabitated.[25] In 2019, 7% were cohabitating. Americans are choosing cohabitation because of strained finances, declining religious adherence, and growing acceptance of unmarried cohabitation.[26] This is another example of Scripture informing us that people will believe they need the mark of the Beast in order to buy and sell (Rev 13:16-17).
It is my belief that this event described above marked the beginning of Satan’s final attack on mankind … the decisive battle, as Sister Lucia of Fatima described it above.[27] Artificial and intentional sterility automatically removes the family unit from existing in a state that can be said to be in the image and likeness of God; a God who is a Triune family in an eternal living and fruitful relationship. This was the Beast that comes out of the sea (Rev 13:1). I urge all to ponder these words carefully!
God revealed to St. Hildegard, “And falling thus from disobedience into death, when they [Adam and Eve] knew they could sin [thanks to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—SML], they discovered sin's sweetness [see next paragraph for more about the meaning of sweetness–SML]. And in this way, turning My rightful institution into sinful lust, although they should have known that the commotion in their veins [i.e., hormones] was not for the sweetness of sin but for the love of children, by the Devil’s suggestion they changed it to lechery; and, losing the innocence of the act of begetting, they yielded it to sin. This was not accomplished without the Devil’s persuasion; for that purpose he sent forth his darts, and it did not come to pass without his suggestion ; as he said, ‘My [Devil's] strength is in human conception, and therefore humanity is mine’”[emphasis mine]![28]
When the disordered soul lost control over the body, the sweetness of sin was discovered through the uncontrollable (by the soul) expression of hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin, vasopressin, and others. These hormones are both sweet ... but also addictive (aka slavery to sin). These hormones produce knowledge of good and evil. The biological sciences tell us, unlike most other proteins, hormones are carried to their target cells via the bloodstream. Hence, we understand the “commotion in the veins” as quoted in the previous paragraph. Hildegard informs us that after Adam’s sin, blood carried within itself: 1) sweet, but deadly, poison;[29] 2) shameful and turbulent acts, thus increasing the body’s appetite for those very crimes carried in the blood;[30] and, 3) impure filth which changed Adam’s blood into a liquid of pollution.[31]
Artificial Birth Control, for the first time in history, has provided mankind with the technology to commit grievous and relatively consequence (remember Sanger’s quotes above)–free grievous and deadly sins on a truly massive scale. Sins directly targeting fruitfulness and the family structure. In the past, there always been great evils, but they primarily harmed the bodies of its victims, but not their souls. As Matthew says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt 10:28). Artificial Birth Control not only profoundly harms the body of self and others, it also destroys the soul of those who freely partake of it. It turns man into beasts, no longer in the image and likeness of God, as we have repeatedly shown in this blog series.
Satan together with his spiritual and human followers are the ones who can destroy both. Furthermore, through epigenetic plasticity/change and subsequent heritability (e.g. here), our offspring can be pre-disposed to compulsive addictions—to the third and fourth generation[32][33] as Scripture tells us (e.g., Ex 20:5, 34:7; Num 14:18; Deut 5:9). It is my belief that there is no greater evil that can be committed than the sin of purposely making oneself sterile.
Contraception is bad enough by itself, but its tentacles of evil consequences spreads to every aspect of our society and our world, particularly to the developed countries. Let us look at a brief history of artificial birth control (ABC) and other consequences that result from it. The timeline below come from MedicineNet (https://web.archive.org/web/20191215183243/https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52188):
1898—Nineteen-year-old Margaret Sanger's mother dies at age 50, exhausted from giving birth to 11 children. Sanger becomes a nurse and aids survivors of botched abortions. Later she turns her attention to the development of better contraceptives. Her dream: A birth control pill.
1906—Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the mechanical harvester, is diagnosed with schizophrenia. His wife, Katherine, dreads passing on the mental illness to future children. Later she forms a partnership with birth control pioneer Margaret Sanger. She funds contraception research with her sizeable fortune. This work eventually leads to the development of the birth control pill.
1918—Condoms become legal in the U.S. Troops fighting in World War I ignored official Army advice to abstain from sex. They obtained condoms overseas—and brought them home. [Note: this was only a year after Mary’s warnings to the world at Fatima].
1921—In the 1920s, the U.S. birth rate drops by half [the contraceptive mentality is beginning to take root]. Condom reliability is still terrible by modern standards, but people achieved effective birth control by combining condoms, the rhythm method, male withdrawal, diaphragms, and/or intrauterine devices.
[1938—In a case involving Margaret Sanger, a judge lifted the federal ban on birth control, ending the Comstock era. Diaphragms, also known as womb veils, became a popular method of birth control.]
[1950—‘While in her 80s, Sanger underwrote the research necessary to create the first human birth control pill. She raised $150,000 for the project.’ Incidentally, 1950 is the year in which many modernized countries reached a peak level of personal happiness. Even though per capita incomes raised significantly, happiness progressively dropped.[34] [When a progressively large portion of the population voluntarily transitions into state that takes them out of being in the image and likeness of God, unhappiness cannot help but be the result–SML]
1951—Katherine McCormick funds Gregory Pincus's research into developing an oral contraceptive. Luckily [MedicineNet’s wording] two drug companies, Syntex and Searle, each developed a form of synthetic progesterone. They allow Pincus to explore use of this female hormone in his work.
1960—The Searle drug company receives FDA approval for Enovid - the first birth control pill. "The Pill" revolutionizes contraception. It's 100% effective -- but has terrible side effects, including life-threatening blood clots. Eventually it's realized that the dose is 10 times too high. [This is approximately when the sexual revolution began and the “Beast” grew exponentially]
1965—The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the Comstock laws that banned contraception.[35]
1968—Pope Paul VI Promulgated the Encyclical, Humanae Vitae [http://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html] (on the transmission of human life). In it, he warned us (prophesied, if you will) of the consequences of artificial contraception through illegitimate means. The following are the gist of his warnings:
Infidelity and moral decline: Pope Paul VI predicted that contraception would “lead to conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality.” This can be seen by greatly increased numbers of divorces, abortions, our-of-wedlock pregnancies, and venereal diseases.
Loss of Reverence for Women: Paul VI argued that the man would lose respect for the woman and “no longer (care) for her physical and psychological equilibrium.” He will come to the “point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment, and no longer as his respected and beloved companion.” Women being used as tools is sooo common in our world. Pornography, sex trafficking, date rape, prostitution, sex used as a tool to sell products, etc. are only a few examples of the Pope’s prophecies coming true.
Governmental Abuse of Power: Paul VI believed widespread acceptance of contraception would become a “dangerous weapon... in the hands of those public authorities who take no heed of moral exigencies.” Many governments in the Third World are being coerced into implementing birth control. They are threatened by the UN and foreign governments to withhold funding if they do not engage in population control. China is well known for forced abortions and sterilizations.
Distortions of Man’s Power: Paul VI warned that contraception would lead man to believe he had unlimited dominion over his own body. Sterilization, production of test-tube babies, euthanasia, sex change, transgenderism, and the use of organs transplanted from those who are nearly dead are only the tip of the iceberg; an iceberg to which our ships are on a collision course.
Battle Front Two: The Beast on the Land
As was quoted earlier, “The militant Church has to suffer under a twofold evil: externally, through the persecution of her enemies [the Beast from the “Land” (Rev 13:11)—SML], and interiorly, through the corruption of her members [the Beast from the “Sea" (Rev. 13:1)—SML].”[13—D] Using the quotes from the demons from the exorcism performed in Earling, Iowa, we start our discussion on the Beast on the land:
In their battle against the Church the demons use the wicked people as their allies. They have succeeded in enlisting a large number under their banner. “We have the will of the people on our side,” they say. The demon “Caesar” leads their forces to stir up [atheistic—SML] governments against the Church. “The people are our trustworthy storm troops,” he stated. The Masons are among the main supporters of the demons. Lucifer admits that they are his “dearly beloved children” and calls them “his representatives on earth.” [Anonymous Exorcist Priest, Mary Crushes the Serpent: 30 Years' Experience of An Exorcist Told In His Own Words, ed. Fr. Theodore Geigerm, Cottingham Press, Kindle Edition, Location 497-498].
In 1917 at Fatima, Mary warned the world that, if Russia were not consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by the Pope, in unison with all the bishops of the world, Russia would spread her errors throughout the world. Mary never specified what the errors were, but it was assumed by most that the error was Communism. The basis for this assumption was the Russian Revolution of 1917, which ushered in Communism. I would suggest that Communism is an incomplete assumption. The primary error of Russia was Marxism, of which Communism is a type. To be sure, Marxism led to Communism, Maoism, and Leninism, but it also led to Socialism. In fact, many believe that Socialism is merely Communism-lite. After all, Karl Marx was one of two authors of the Communist Manifesto (Friedrich Engels was the other). However, Marxism opens the door to Socialism as well. The acronym, USSR stands for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (not Communist Republics). Here are three differences between Marxism and Socialism. They are:
1. “Marxism is more theoretical in nature whereas Socialism is more practical in nature.”
2. “Another difference between Marxism and Socialism is that Marxism is political in its concepts whereas Socialism is economic in its ideologies.” Keep in mind, however, the political and economic are inseparable in the governance of a country.
3. “Socialism speaks about the public ownership of the property and natural resources. Marxism speaks about creating a society where there is no discrimination between rich and poor.”
The Spirit of the Antichrist
In all of Scripture, there are only four passages directly referring to antichrist. All four are in the Letters of John. Here are the first two Epistles of John in which he described the antichrist:
- 1 John 2:18: [ Warning against Antichrists ] Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour.
- 1 John 2:22: Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
- 1 John 4:3: and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist, of which you heard that it was coming, and now it is in the world already.
- 2 John 1:7: For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
There is no mention of the Antichrist in Revelations. Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) tells us, “As far as the antichrist is concerned, we have seen that in the New Testament he always assumes the lineaments of contemporary history. He cannot be restricted to any single individual. One and the same he wears many masks in each generation.”[37] Hmm. What are the masks he is wearing in the twentieth century? The two Beasts in Rev 13 are the substance of the Beasts to which was given the spirit of the antichrist, through which war is waged on the Church and its saints. The very point, at which the Dragon took his stand (last verse in Rev 12:17/13:1), is also the point at which God granted to Satan a period of time (100-120 years), coupled with extra power to be used by the Dragon’s followers, to destroy the Church.
This is what “took his stand” means. This was the time and power granted to Satan to take his final stand against the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. I would dare say the spirit of the antichrist arrived on the world stage immediately prior to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s appearances at Fatima, which started on May 13, 1917. The antichrist can be identified with the words Satan spoke to God. In response to the Lords question, “How much power,” Satan replied, “a greater power over those who will give themselves over to my service [SML].” It is to these people that the spirit of the Dragon has been given. It is these people who he will use to destroy the Church. From John’s letter, we know that Satan/The Dragon is, and must be, the spirit of the Antichrist. Therefore, the Antichrist is, in effect, Satan personified and incarnate in these people, to which Satan referred.
If we are, in fact, at the end of that 120 period, i.e., likely occurring circa 2019, that Satan was granted, what can we expect? St. John tells us, “[Warning against Antichrists ] Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour [the end times–SML]” (1 John 2:18). As we discussed in Part I, what John is referring to when he equates antichrist with the hour is this: mankind, both individually and collectively is: 1) tested [via a spiritual and/or physical temptation]; 2) makes a choice, and; 3) experiences the consequences of that choice.” Very shortly after the end of this 100-120 year period, the Church, together with the rest of humanity, will be presented with a choice, a decision for or against God. No one, not a single human being, will escape the requirement to choose [Told to Saint Faustina by Jesus, Diary (nos. 1588, 1146, and 1728)].
According to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, “This fight in which we find ourselves… [against] powers that destroy the world, are spoken of in chapter 12 of Revelation… It is said that the dragon directs a great stream of water against the fleeing woman, to sweep her away… I think that it is easy to interpret what the river stands for: it is these currents that dominate everyone, and want to eliminate the faith of the Church, which seems to have nowhere to stand before the power of these currents that impose themselves as the only way of thinking, the only way of life. — Pope Benedict XVI, first session of the special synod on the Middle East, October 10th, 2010.”[38]
In other words, the multitude of those who chose to become lawless (2 Thess 2:9-12) by disobeying God’s commandments (the spirit of the antichrist), try to overwhelm the faithful. They are the Beast that comes out of the sea. It is they who call evil good, and good evil. Those who utter the lies of their father, Satan. Who defeats the spirit of the antichrist? They will be destroyed by the “breath of his mouth,” the Holy Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit of Christ.
The sin of artificial contraception, together with all of those sexual deviant behaviors that results from it, will blind all those who commit it. It will blind them to the Truth of God. It will make them blind guides who would lead an ever-increasing number of souls to become weak, morally confused, and in a state of grave danger. They prefer the darkness to the light (cf. 2 Cor 4:4; John 3:19-20; John 12:39-40; and Eph 4:17-19). Scripture tells us the following: “And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words ... it opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven” (Rev 13:5-6).[39] Keep in mind, in the case of man, the scriptural mouth is the human body, which sends out the overflow of the inner and human heart of, in this case, man who has willingly become a part of the Beast. Therefore, it uses the mouth it was given to send out heresies and blasphemies.
Referring to Revelations 18:13, Benedict XVI believes that Babylon represents corrupt modern day cities. He writes, “The Book of Revelation includes among the great sins of Babylon – the symbol of the world’s great irreligious cities – the fact that it trades with bodies and souls [does the selling of body parts from fetus’ destroyed in the womb resonate – SML] and treats them as commodities (cf. Rev 18:13) [Does communism ring a bell?]. In this context, the problem of drugs also rears its head, and with increasing force extends its octopus tentacles around the entire world – an eloquent expression of the tyranny of mammon which perverts mankind. No pleasure is ever enough, and the excess of deceiving intoxication becomes a violence that tears whole regions apart – and all this in the name of a fatal misunderstanding of freedom which actually undermines man’s freedom and ultimately destroys it. — Pope Benedict XVI, On the occasion of Christmas Greetings, December 20th, 2010; http://www.vatican.va.”[40]
What does all of this mean in relation to the second Beast in Revelation 13? To answer that, let us quote Part I of this series. Explaining King Nebuchadnez′zar’s dream, Daniel informs us that the four beasts of the king’s dream represent four kingdoms. Another note of interest concerning Daniel’s words are this: Daniel’s dream in Chapter 7 is a recapitulation of Nebuchadnez′zar’s dream in Chapter 2. According to Emmett O’Regan, “Recapitulation [emphasis SML] is a method used to draw emphasis on an area of particular importance to the author — an effect which the Apocalypse achieves splendidly.”[41] I believe that this literary device (recapitulation) was also used in Chapter 13 of Revelation. In it, two Beasts are described in the same Chapter. The Beast from the sea is almost immediately followed by the appearance of the Beast from the land. I believe there is only one Beast, but the second is a recapitulation of the first; adding to the understanding of the genesis (not the book, Genesis) of the one Beast and its development thereafter.
Once the first beast has been sufficiently blinded to Truth and understanding, its power gradually transitions into the Beast from the land. The people become focused on sustaining and feeding their self-centered lusts. So they begin to hand over their self-governing power to those who promise them that he will make sure those lusts are protected and fed, but not using those precise words. Sometimes the power is taken from those who, though still a part of the first Beast, are weak, ignorant, and blind by their sins, by their lukewarm and fearful heart. In addition, while some people may not belong to the group comprising the first Beast, they are not of sufficient numbers to prevent the first Beast from handing power over to the second Beast.
Thus, we can make some generalizations regarding the relationship of the first and second Beast in Rev 13. The first Beast comes from the sea. The second Beast comes from the land. The sea denotes a journey to somewhere that is on the land. It is on the Land that he can govern. The spirit of the antichrist needs to make a journey to the land where he can accomplish his desire to be powerful, to create a kingdom, said kingdom encompassing the entire world. A kingdom from which to fill his unquenchable pride and lust for glory. To have the power to force people to worship Him. The power to destroy his enemies. Only a government and a kingdom are able to provide the support necessary to achieve those goals. As we said in Part I, relative to the meaning of horns and kingdoms in the Book of Daniel:
“It must be interpreted as referring to countries occupied by its citizens who, in turn, elect a government (sometimes government comes to power through force), to which the people give them power. There is a direct linear relationship between the moral character of a nation’s people --> to the morality of the government it elects --> to what the government does with the power that has been given to it by its citizens. There is a saying coined by Joseph de Maistre that sums up this relationship. The phrase is, “Every nation gets the government it deserves.” and also, “In a democracy people get the leaders they deserve [Letter 76, on the topic of Russia's new constitutional laws (27 August 1811); published in Lettres et Opuscules.].’”[42] Franklin D. Roosevelt writes, “Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.”[43]
The quote from Franklin Roosevelt must be understood in light of the quote from Joseph de Maistre. We have talked about Beast #1 in some detail. Let us now discuss the goal for which the spirit of the antichrist will manifest itself through Beast #2. While Beast #1 uses its power to vote in/elect, i.e., transition into Beast #2. The latter will now be able to use that governing power to destroy the Church and its saints. In Revelation, we read, “Then I saw another beast which rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon” (Rev 13:11). The two horns of the lamb, I believe, represent the two things necessary to wage war on any enemy. First, control of the government. Second, possess the technology and the military.
Technology provides the military with the ability to overpower its enemies. Technology produced two atomic bombs that killed between 130,000 and 226,000 people in Japan. Sheen tells us, “The barbarism of the new era will not be like that of the Huns of old; it will be technical, scientific, secular, and propagandized. It will come not from without, but from within, for barbarism is not outside us; it is underneath us. Older civilizations were destroyed by imported barbarism; modern civilization breeds its own.”[44]
Mary, at Fatima, Warns us the spirit of the Antichrist is Here
Let us set the stage for this section. In Dominum et Vivificantem, Pope St. John Paul II tells us,
[This rebellion in the heart] reaches its clearest expression in materialism, both in its theoretical form: as a system of thought, and in its practical form: as a method of interpreting and evaluating facts, and likewise as a program of corresponding conduct. The system which has developed most and carried to its extreme practical consequences this form of thought, ideology and praxis is dialectical and historical materialism, which is still recognized as the essential core of Marxism [SML].
In principle and in fact, materialism radically excludes the presence and action of God, who is spirit, in the world and above all in man. Fundamentally, this is because it does not accept God's existence, being a system that is essentially and systematically atheistic. This is the striking phenomenon of our time: atheism.[45]
Why Did Mary choose to appear in Fatima in 1917? Earlier in this series, I touched upon that reason. She herself specifically gave to the children a warning for the world. She warned them that if the world did not repent from their many grievous sins, Russia would spread her errors throughout the world. She did not specify what Russia’s errors were. Based on everything that was written in this blog series (and much more that has not yet been written) I believe that Mary came to Fatima in 1917 to warn the world that the 100-120 period of Satan’s extra power in the world had started. To warn us that the spirit of the Dragon has been given to the two Beasts described in Revelation 13, and they have begun exercising that extra power granted to Satan for 100-120 years. This warning was so important to God that he allowed an astounding miracle to take place so that the world would know the seriousness of this message. Let us dig deeper.
Mary did not mention the word, Antichrist, but she indirectly gave us its name, which is atheistic Marxism, of which Communism is a type. She was telling us that the spirit of the Antichrist, in the form of two Beasts, is now upon us. What was the very first target the spirit of the Antichrist undertook to destroy the Church? It was marriage and the family.[46] The attack would start with artificial contraception/intentional sterility (see Battle Front One and Battle Front Two above). Cardinal Keith O Brien tells us that the family is, “the basic social unit, which needs to be recognised protected and promoted as the most vital cell of society [SML]. While adding; Sadly, we live at a time when the truth of marriage and family is obscured [SML] and distorted. It is not without reason that human societies throughout history and across cultures have flourished only when they have built their human relationships on the rock of marriage.”[47] Artificial birth control completely removes the family unit from existing in the image and likeness of an eternally fruitful and living Trinity.
At Fatima, Mary warned the world if Russia were not consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by the Pope, in unison with all the bishops of the world, it would spread her errors throughout the world. Mary never specified what the errors were, but it was assumed by most that the error was Communism. The basis for this assumption was the Russian Revolution of 1917 which ushered in Communism in Russia. I would suggest that equating Communism alone with that warning falls short of the compete truth. The primary error of Russia was Marxism, not Communism. Marxism encompasses the fuller truth of the warning. Marxism led to Communism, Maoism, Leninism, and Socialism, i.e., atheistic materialism.[48] It is interesting that the Portuguese Socialist Party was one of the political factions fighting for power in Portugal in 1917. Many believe that Socialism is merely Communism-lite. However, Marxism inevitably opens the door to Socialism as well. They are two aspects of a single Marxist ideology. The acronym, USSR stands for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics—not Union of Soviet Communist Republics.
I believe that all atheistic governing figures of the Communists, Socialists, and so-called Progressives (basically, Progressives adopt the gradual approach to transforming our society and government to Socialism) have collectively been given the spirit of the Antichrist as defined by 1 John 2:22, 1 John 4:3, and 2 John 1:7. These many antichrist’s together form the two Beasts which can be identified as the Antichrist. According to Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “God has defined Himself as ‘I am Who am,’ and the Devil as ‘I am who am not’.... The pre-Communist Russian belief is that he will come disguised as the Great Humanitarian; he will talk peace, prosperity and plenty not as means to lead us to God, but as ends in themselves … But the twentieth century will join the counterchurch because it claims to be infallible when its visible head speaks ex cathedra from Moscow [or Bejing–if George Soros has his way:SML] on the subject of economics and politics, and as chief shepherd of world communism.”[49] The long overdue consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary took place in 1984, by Pope Saint John Paul II. The collapse of the USSR began in the late 1980s. It was officially dissolved in December of 1991. As a result, I am unclear what role Russia will play in end time events. The long overdue consecration will have undoubtedly altered, somewhat, Heavens promises. The lateness probably delayed Russia’s conversion long enough to allow China to become the dominate Communist government in the world.
Sheen also writes, “Communism is the final logic of the dehumanization of man.”[50] What happens when a being created in the image and likeness of a good and loving God is dehumanized? In the case of the antichrist, He makes himself into a Beast. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God [SML] and of his Messiah come in the flesh [CCC 675].” By its very nature, atheistic governing figures of the Communists, Socialists, and Progressives are guilty of the ultimate pride denying the existence of God, elevating themselves to the status of gods. In Revelation 13:15 it is written, “It [the first Beast] was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast should even speak, and to cause those who would not worship [SML] the image of the beast to be slain.” These governing atheists believe they are both supremely capable of, and entitled to, create a sort of heaven on earth. A utopia on earth. Most important (to themselves), they believe they deserve the best of everything, in exchange for the inestimable value of their perfect governance. As Sheen tells us, “If you do not worship God, you worship something, and nine times out of ten it will be yourself. You have a duty to worship God, not because He will be imperfect and unhappy if you do not, but because you will be imperfect and unhappy.”[51]
These Marxist governments always have a short lifespan. They are not sustainable. Yet, despite the miserable track record, they keep cropping up. Why? It is because these followers of Satan are so full of pride, just like their father, Satan. They believe they can succeed where all others have failed. Lucifer committed this same prideful sin when he tried to make himself equal to God, to have his own kingdom. As Sheen tells us, “Pride is the king of vices...it is the first of the pallbearers of the soul...other vices destroy only their opposite virtues, as wantonness destroys chastity; greed destroys temperance; anger destroys gentleness; but pride destroys all virtues.”[52]
Communists, Socialists, Progressives (we will refer to all of these as the governing elite) are the secular modern day Pharisees and Sadducees (we will refer to them as the Ancient Jewish Elite). As with the Ancient Jewish Elite, the governing elite are generally highly educated, i.e., book-learned. I use the term book-learned to make a distinction between intellect/knowledge, on one hand, and Wisdom, God’s Truth, and common sense on the other. Generally, the greater the intellect or the greater the celebrity, so follows the greater temptation to pride. So, too, the greater the temptation to believe yourself to be better/greater/more valuable than the others. To be superior to the common man. This was exemplified by the pride of the Pharisees during their prayers. Jesus tells us, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get’” (Luke 18:11-12).
The ruling Marxists are the elites. They believe as the Ancient Jewish elite did. They felt that Judaism would be doomed if it were not for their intelligence and their leadership. The governing elite believe the common people could not survive without them.
What did Jesus think about these prideful Judaic elites? According to Matthew, Jesus tells them, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matt 23:27).
The elitists of these governments view the peoples as nothing more than tools to serve the elite. The working class have no human value whatsoever. When I was in college in the late 1960s, the professor of my Political Science class enlightened us with his elitist estimate of the value of the ordinary people. The phrase he used was, “The masses are the asses.” Since atheists do not believe in God, man is not esteemed as a being created in the image and likeness of a Good God. Ergo, man possesses no intrinsic value.
Marxists are the secular version of the tower of Babel story in Scripture (Gen 11:1–9). The people inhabiting the land of Shinar believed they could build a tower tall enough to reach Heaven. Like the Shinarans, our modern day Governing Elites believe they can build tower (kingdom) high enough to reach societal utopia. Pride, which is a blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, always leads to hatred, violence, division, and spiritual blindness. In biblical times, this pride led to confusion of language which is symbolic of this division. The Marxist towers always collapse. The spirit they follow is not Holy, but is the spirit of the Dragon, the Father of lies and division. The Governing Elite and those that are governed always end up at war with each other. Proof can be seen below. That is why no Marxist government has lasted more than a few decades.
The culture of death existing in all atheistic societies is a testament to the lack of value placed upon human life, except for their own of course. According to historian Scott Manning, since 1918 (the year after Mary appeared at Fatima) about 150 million people have been killed or starved to death by their own Communist government. This figure does not include the war dead. Nor does it include countries that are solely identified as Socialist.[53] Roughly, 14 million non-military people were killed by the Socialist Nazis in WWII.
More on the Recapitulation of Beast #1 and Beast #2
As was said earlier, the two Beasts of Revelations 13 are really the same spirit of the antichrist. The Beast from the land is the same as the Beast from the sea, but with new information added—with the same spirit of the antichrist processing through his attack plan. Two Beasts: one spirit of antichrist employing two tactical battlefronts. To restate the plan: A) weaken the Church Militant through grave sexual sin, leading them to; B) blindly give their power over to the Beast from the land.
John-Henry Westen writes:
“The Naked Communist is the most concise and straightforward source outlining communist goals and ideology. It was written in 1962 by W. Cleon Skousen, a former FBI agent who used many original sources and the best intelligence of the FBI during its investigation of communist infiltration into the United States. He published in the book a list of 45 ‘current communist goals’ that was also recorded in the Congressional Record in 1963. President Ronald Reagan commented on Skousen, saying: ‘No one is better qualified to discuss the threat to this nation from communism.’”[54]Here are just a few of the items on the list that relate more directly to the Beast from out of the sea:
- Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them “censorship” and a violation of free speech and free press;
- Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV;
- Present homosexuality, degeneracy, and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy;”
- Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with “social” religion
- Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a “religious crutch;”
- Discredit the family as an institution. [The Marxist Communist front group, Black Lives Matters, has, as one of their stated objectives is to destroy the nuclear family. In its place, the State would take over the rearing and educating of the children–SML] Encourage promiscuity, masturbation, and easy divorce;
- Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute “prejudices, mental blocks, and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents;”
- Get control of teachers’ associations; and,
- Put the party line in textbooks.[55]
Since the final battle between the Church and the antichurch revolves around the family, let us look at one example of these goals in action. John-Henry Westen tells us:
At LifeSite last year, we reported on the case of Rebecca Friedrichs, who spent 28 years teaching in California public schools and was the lead plaintiff in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, a 2016 Supreme Court case concerning forced union dues. She detailed how the California Teachers’ Association (CTA) and the National Education Association (NEA), which advocate and donate heavily to a wide range of left-wing causes including abortion and transgenderism, work with far-left groups such as the Women’s March, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) to “push a radical sexual agenda onto our kids and to punish teachers, parents and students who dare to speak out against it.” ...Friedrichs also quoted a former teacher and executive director of Christian Educators Association International (CEAI), who she said did some detailed research showing nearly $800,000 of roughly $1 million in donations by the NEA to a 2014 PAC was directed to Planned Parenthood [emphasis SML].[56]
Pope Paul VI writes a letter that will remain unpublished until 2018, when its content is revealed in the book The Barque of Paul (“La barca di Paolo“), by Fr. Leonardo Sapienza, regent of the Pontifical Household.
It’s June 29, 1972. Paul VI has a clearer and clearer impression that there is something deep and negative that is increasingly afflicting the Church. The path towards secularization and the lack of internal unity are becoming two great problems for the Church throughout the world.
The pope, concerned, writes:
“… We would say that, through some mysterious crack—no, it’s not mysterious; through some crack, the smoke of Satan has entered the Church of God. There is doubt, uncertainty, problems, unrest, dissatisfaction, confrontation.
Was the Second Vatican Council (which had recently concluded) the source of this “crack” through which this “doubt, uncertainty, problems, unrest, dissatisfaction, confrontation” enter? No, it was not. Pope Paul VI had a pretty good idea where the crack came from, and he gives us a hint. In the same letter he writes:
“The Church is no longer trusted. We trust the first pagan prophet we see who speaks to us in some newspaper, and we run behind him and ask him if he has the formula for true life. I repeat, doubt has entered our conscience. And it entered through the windows that should have been open to the light: science [emphasis mine].”
What does science have to do with it? In late July of 1968, Pope Paul VI promulgated Humanae Vitae (HV). In it is written, “But the most remarkable development of all is to be seen in man's stupendous progress in the domination and rational organization of the forces of nature to the point that he is endeavoring to extend this control over every aspect of his own life—over his body, over his mind and emotions, over his social life, and even over the laws that regulate the transmission of life.”[57] It was through science, not the Second Vatican Council, that this domination of the forces of nature had been attained. Never before in history had the scientific ability to control conception on such a large scale been achieved. Pope Paul VI had realized that it was through this crack that the smoke of Satan had entered the Church.
Criticism of HV was fierce, both from inside and outside of the Church. Science was one of the main arguments used to criticize HV. Antagonists would say, let us not repeat the errors the Church made with Galileo. His antagonists included many of his own Cardinals and Bishops. Many in the Vatican rebelled against the very Pope they were bound to obey. Humanae Vitae was not the only papal document from Pope Paul IV that cardinals and bishops chose to ignore.
A watershed moment is a dividing point, from which things will never be the same. It is considered momentous, though a watershed moment is often only recognized in hindsight. Humanae Vitae was assuredly a watershed event in the history of the Church. How the Church responded to HV would change both Church and world history forever. Had the Church recognized and acted upon the dire ramifications of failing to give full support to the teachings contained in HV, I believe we would have probably been able to withstand the attacks of the Beast of Revelation. Sadly, that was not the case.
Cited in the same article from above, Pope Paul VI wrote that is was the shepherd’s duty to lay down his life for his flock. The vast majority of cardinals, bishops, and priests chose not to lay down their lives. Instead, they chose to simply—lay down and be silent. In large part, they are still sleeping. In other words, our shepherds failed to do their job. While they slept, a pack of hungry wolves attacked the sheep, killed many, and scattered the rest. Cardinal Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, accurately characterizes the current status of the smoke that entered through the crack in the Church. He writes:
The Church is dying because pastors are afraid to speak in all truth and clarity. We are afraid of the media, of public opinion, of our own brothers. The good pastor lays down his life for his sheep.
[Jesus] looks us straight into the eyes and asks each of us: will you abandon me? Will you renounce teaching the faith in all its plenitude? Will you have the courage to preach my real presence in the Eucharist? Will you have the courage to call these young people to consecrated life .... Will you have the audacity to recall the truth about the indissolubility of marriage [and the grave evil of artificial contraception–SML]? Will you have the charity to do the same for those who threaten to fault to you for doing so? Will you have the courage gently to invite the divorced and remarried to change their lives? Do you prefer success or will you follow me? Please God that with St. Peter we may answer, full of love and humility, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’ (John 6:68).[58]
December 25, 1910--Priests have become attached to families, to [self-]interest, to exterior things, etc.
In those priests the attachment to riches, to [self-]interest, to families and to exterior things was so great as to blind their sight like a glare, harden their hearts, and render their intelligence dazed to the knowledge of the most sacrosanct and most certain truths.
January 8, 1910--The family kills the priest. Self-interest is the wood worm of the priest.
January 15, 1911--Interest is the poison of the priest. God is not understood by those who are not stripped of everything and everyone.
[Jesus said] “The Church cries bitterly in these times: one would certainly not see so many modernists, so many priests empty of true piety, so many of them given to pleasures, so many to intemperance, many others who look at souls being lost as if it were nothing, without the slightest bitterness, and all the other absurdities they do”. ... And Jesus [said]: “My daughter – to the leaders, to the bishops? The poison of [self-]interest has invaded everyone, and since almost all of them are taken by this pestilential fever, they lack the courage to correct and to check those who depend on them.”[59]
In the last fifty or so years, I could count on one hand (with one or two fingers to spare) the number of homilies I have heard in which there was a teaching about the reasons why artificial birth control (ABC) must be avoided at all costs. The result: very few Catholics view ABC as evil. Very few refrain from using it. I understand that it may upset some of the congregation who hear it. That did not stop Jesus from giving the Eucharistic discourse in John. He knew that he would lose a large chunk of his followers. Even some of his Apostles entertained the thought of leaving.
I am not suggesting the giving of condemning homilies. I am not suggesting any teaching given with an uncharitable attitude. I am not suggesting fire and brimstone. One homily that I heard was an example of the perfect teaching on ABC. It went along the lines of: Please do not do this. Doing this will grievously harm you in many ways. I love you and do not want you to suffer those wounds. These are the ways that you will be spiritually, practically, and physically harmed. I can tell you, he offered the homily in such a way that the congregation gave him an ovation when he finished.
The ancient three-part episcopal role—teaching, governing, and sanctifying the people of God—still stands, but the current scorecard is hovering close to a failing grade. If that were not true, the Church would be in a much greater state than it is. By almost every measure, the Antichrist is winning. We know the Church wins, but it appears that it will only occur through Jesus’ extraordinary intervention.
The laity (myself included) are not without blame. By virtue of our Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are all priests in the order of Melchizedek. While not in the ministerial priesthood, we are obligated to offer sacrifices pleasing and acceptable to God. It is hard to understand the level of pride/self–centeredness it takes to be able to rationalize that we, as individuals, can believe that we got it right and the Church got it wrong. It makes a mockery of that whole, the gates of hell will not prevail against it (“it” being The Church) thing. The Church was given that promise, not the laity.
The Church has done a good job of teaching about the evils of abortion. However, we should keep in mind that abortion is the most extreme example of ABC. However, abortion is the proverbial cart that comes after the horse. It is a direct consequence of the growth of the contraceptive mentality. Focusing our attack on the consequences of an evil, while ignoring the root cause of that evil, is counterproductive. It is like trying to put out a trash fire by cutting by ¾ the amount of gas we are pouring on the fire. We will never end the culture of death, until we eliminate the fire that feeds it.
In this blog series, I have endeavored to make clear that our world is in such perilous condition as a direct result of intentional self-imposed sterility. Every tentacle of sexual deviance can be traced back to its root—artificial birth control in all its forms. About what issues do I hear our clergymen being vocal? Immigration. Racism. Climate control. To be sure, these are valid concerns. These things produce suffering and should be addressed, but not to the exclusion of artificial birth control and all of its derivative sexual perversions. Birth Control has led to the destruction of lives, marriages, families, and souls on a grand and global scale. I find it revealing that, according to Sr. Lucia of Fatima, the final battle with Satan centers on marriage and the family, not immigration, racism (this issue is being used as a means to advance Marxism), or climate control. Why the family? The family is the image of both the Trinity on earth and the relationship between Jesus and his Church. Satan asked for time and power to destroy the Church, so it makes sense that his attack would center on the family. Mortal sexual sins alienate us from the Church.
Is This the End of the World?
Many people interpret Revelation in such a way that they believe, at the end of the Tribulation, we will experience the Second Coming of Jesus, the Resurrection, the Final Judgement, and the End of the World. The words that are misunderstood are end time, last days, etc. In ancient Hebrew Scriptures, latter times/latter days refer to end times or end days.[60] Important to note, end times do not refer to the end of the world. It relates to humanity's hour, the end of an era of the Church. It is not the general interpretation of most knowledgeable Catholics that the end of the world will occur when the Antichrist is defeated, as opposed to merely chained for a period of time. The Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima promised us that her Immaculate Heart would triumph over Satan, and the world would experience a period of peace, the likes of which has never been experienced since before the fall of man.
If you want more details, follow this link to see a timeline of the currently occurring Revelation events. By clicking on each event, you can read a little bit about that event. Some examples are the Warning (the illumination of conscience), the era of peace, the reign of Antichrist, etc.
Too see a list of all blogs and articles with descriptions and links, go here: https://www.stossbooks.com/index.php
Updated 07/26/2024
[1]. Rev. Fr. Edward Leen, The Holy Spirit. (New York, NY: Sheed & Ward, 1939; Sceptor Publishers, 1998, 2008), 29-34.
Endnotes:
[1]. Rev. Fr. Edward Leen, The Holy Spirit. (New York, NY: Sheed & Ward, 1939; Sceptor Publishers, 1998, 2008), 29-34.
[2] Francois-Xavier Durrwell, Holy Spirit of God (original English translation published by Geoffrey Chapman, a division of Cassell, Ltd., 1986; reprint published by Servant Books, Cinncinati, OH, 2006), 14-15.
[3] Ibid., 199.
[4] L.V. Beloussov, V.L. Voeikov. “From Mitogenetic Rays to Biophotons.” Biophotonics and Coherent Systems in Biology. ed. L.V. Beloussov, V.L. Voeikov, V.S. Martynyuk. (Kindle Locations 92-94). Kindle Edition.
[5] Ibid., 105-107.
[6] Ibid., 145-147.
[7] Ibid., 171-172.
[8] Loewenstein, The Touchstone of Life: Molecular Information, Cell Communication, and the Foundations of Life, 14.
[9]. Durrwell, Holy Spirit of God, 14-15.
[10]. Origen, “Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew,” Book XIII, 2, translated by John Patrick, from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 9., edited by Allan Menzies, (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1896.), http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/101613.htm.
[11]. Hildegard of Bingen’s Book of Divine Works: With Letters and Song. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission of publisher. Kindle Locations 657-658.
[12] Emmett O'Regan, “2020: The Silence in Heaven and the Opening of the Seventh Seal,” https://unveilingtheapocalypse.blogspot.com/2020/04/2020-silence-in-heaven-and-opening-of.html, April 11, 2020.
[13] “Then the dragon took his stand on the sand of the seashore.” Note: the labeling of this verse can vary between different Bible translations. Some identify it as 12:17, some as 13:1, and others as 12:18.
[13-B] Anonymous Exorcist Priest, Mary Crushes the Serpent: 30 Years' Experience of An Exorcist Told In His Own Words, ed. Fr. Theodore Geigerm, trans. Fr. Celestine Kapsner, Cottingham Press, Kindle Edition, Location 463.
[13-C] Anonymous Exorcist Priest, Mary Crushes the Serpent: 30 Years' Experience of An Exorcist Told In His Own Words, ed. Fr. Theodore Geigerm, trans. Fr. Celestine Kapsner, Cottingham Press, Kindle Edition, Location 217.
[13-D] Anonymous Exorcist Priest, Mary Crushes the Serpent: 30 Years' Experience of An Exorcist Told In His Own Words, ed. Fr. Theodore Geigerm, trans. Fr. Celestine Kapsner, Cottingham Press, Kindle Edition, Location 480-481.
[14] Ken Ham, “Millions of Years and the ‘Doctrine of Balaam,’” Answers in Genesis, https://answersingenesis.org/the-word-of-god/millions-of-years-and-the-doctrine-of-balaam/: June 1, 1997 (accessed 05/07/2017).
[15] cf. Peter Abelard (circa 1100 AD), “The Story of My Misfortunes,” (Third Millennium Media L.L.C., The Faith Database L.L.C., 2008).
[16] David Emery, “Were the Nazis Socialists,”1995 - 2020 by Snopes Media Group Inc., https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/09/05/were-nazis-socialists/, 1995-2020 (accessed 4/26/2020).
[17] cf. Joshua Philipp, “Nazism, Fascism, and Socialism Are All Rooted in Communism,” The Epoch Times, https://www.theepochtimes.com/nazism-fascism-and-socialism-are-all-rooted-in-communism_2549205.html, June 4, 2018, Updated: June 18, 2018 (accessed 7/4/2020).
[18] Freedman, Estelle B., The Essential Feminist Reader, Random House Digital, Inc., 2007, p. 211.
[19] Kevin Kukla, “12 Disturbing Quotes from Margaret Sanger: Planned Parenthood’s Foundress,” ProLife365, http://prolife365.com/margaret-sanger-quotes/, June 25, 2014 (accessed 7/04/20).
[20] Ibid.
[21] David Sivak, “Fact Check: Have There Been 60 Million Abortions Since Roe v. Wade?” Check Your Fact, https://checkyourfact.com/2018/07/03/fact-check-60-million-abortions/, July 3, 2018 (accessed 4/15/2020).
[22] Rev. Fr. Shenan Boquet, “1.72 billion abortions worldwide in the last 40 years,” LifeSiteNews.com, https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/christian-minister-sues-hotel-for-shutting-down-conference-defending-marriage, Apr 1, 2013 (accessed 4/14/2020).
[23] Rorate Caeli, “Cardinal: What Sister Lucia told me: Final Confrontation between the Lord and Satan will be over Family and Marriage,” https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2015/06/cardinal-what-sister-lucia-told-me.html, 2/16/2008.
[24] Janet Adamy, “U.S. Marriage Rate Plunges to Lowest Level on Record,” Wall Street Journal, https://www.advfn.com/stock-market/stock-news/82330647/u-s-marriage-rate-plunges-to-lowest-level-on-reco, April 29, 2020 (accessed 4/29/2020).
[25] Ibid.
[26] Ibid.
[27] Rorate Caeli, “Cardinal: What Sister Lucia told me: Final Confrontation between the Lord and Satan will be over Family and Marriage,” https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2015/06/cardinal-what-sister-lucia-told-me.html, 2/16/2008.
[28] St. Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias, (Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1990), 80-81.
[29] Hildegard, Scivias, 113.
[30]. Ibid., 417.
[31] Ibid., 257-258.
[32]. Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, "Epigenetic Changes Often Don’t Last, Probably Have Limited Effects On Long-Term Evolution, Research Finds," Science Daily, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher: Science Daily LLC, Sept. 20, 2011 (accessed 9/20/2011).
[33] “In a study published in 2005 (Science, Vol. 308, p. 1466), researchers at the University of Idaho showed that male rats exposed to the crop fungicide, vinclozolin, experienced higher rates of cancer and kidney defects. The effects were also passed down to all of the affected male’s offspring, and through three generations of father to son offspring.”
Quote Source: Emma Young, "Rewriting Darwin: The new non-genetic inheritance," New Scientist, http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19926641.500-rewriting-darwin-the-new-nongenetic-inheritance.html: Reed Business Information Ltd., July 09, 2008 (accessed 02/15/2012).
[34] “Numerous studies from the United States, Europe and Japan confirm that increasing per capita incomes do not result in increasing happiness. In the United States real incomes rose substantially between the 1940s and the 1970s; new detailed studies of that period have confirmed Easterlin's 1974 finding that happiness peaked in the late 1950s and then declined. From 1972 through 1991, a period when per capita income after tax rose by one third, annual survey data from the national Opinion Research Centre likewise show no upward trend in happiness. Surveys of life satisfaction in nine European countries from 1973 through 1989 show a slight upward tend [sic] in two countries, a slight downward trend in two, and no trend in the remaining five, during those years real per capita gross domestic product rose from 25 to 50% in the nine countries. A study of Japan found no increase in subjective well being from 1964 to 1987, despite the fact that real per capita GDP more than doubled.”
The Global Development and Environment Institute Tufts University, The Consumer Society, ed. Neva R. Goodwin, Frank Ackerman, and David Kiron, (Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1997), p. 26.
[36] Joshua Philipp, “Nazism, Fascism, and Socialism Are All Rooted in Communism,” The Epoch Times, https://www.theepochtimes.com/nazism-fascism-and-socialism-are-all-rooted-in-communism_2549205.html, June 4, 2018, Updated: June 18, 2018 (accessed 7/4/2020).
[37] Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), trans. Michael Waldstein, Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life, ed. Johann Auer and Joseph Ratzinger, 1988, p. 199-200.
[39] The use of mouth in the lexicon of Scripture does not only apply to God the Father, but also to man — including the incarnate part of the Second Person of the Trinity, the Word of God. In Scripture, the “mouth” is used to denote that by which is sent out the overflow of the heart (light or darkness), and takes in that which either enlightens (through the grace of the Holy Spirit) or darkens (feeds the pride and lust of the heart) that same heart. For man, the mouth is the entire body. As Pope St. John Paul II wrote, “The body speaks not merely with the whole external expression of masculinity and femininity, but also with the internal structures of the organism, of the somatic [the entire body and its aggregate parts] and psychosomatic [relating to the mind/mental] reaction.”[Pope St. John Paul II, “Responsible Parenthood Linked to Moral Maturity,” Theology of the Body, n. 1] Matthew tells us, “You brood of vipers! how can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil” (Mt. 12:34-35).
[41] Emmett O'Regan, Unveiling the Apocalypse: Prophecy in Catholic Tradition, (Kindle Locations 249-250), Seraphim Press, Kindle Edition.
[42] Wikiquote contributors, "Joseph de Maistre," Wikiquote, https://en.wikiquote.org/w/index.php?title=Joseph_de_Maistre&oldid=2680598 (accessed April 13, 2020).
[43] Franklin D. Roosevelt, https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/franklin_d_roosevelt_139327.
[44] Fulton J. Sheen, https://www.azquotes.com/author/13447-Fulton_J_Sheen.
[45] Pope St. John Paul II, Encyclical Dominum et Vivificantem, n.56, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_18051986_dominum-et-vivificantem.html#-6Q, May 5, 1986 (accessed 5/5/2020).
[46] Rorate Caeli, “Cardinal: What Sister Lucia told me: Final Confrontation between the Lord and Satan will be over Family and Marriage,” https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2015/06/cardinal-what-sister-lucia-told-me.html, 2/16/2008.
[47] Peter Kearney, “Cardinal: Scottish Executive should give ‘unequivocal support to marriage,’” Scottish Catholic Media Office, https://scmo.org/news-releases/perma/1136121417/article/cardinal-scottish-executive-s.html, January 1, 2006 (accessed 5/5/2020).
[48] Joshua Philipp, “Nazism, Fascism, and Socialism Are All Rooted in Communism,” The Epoch Times, https://www.theepochtimes.com/nazism-fascism-and-socialism-are-all-rooted-in-communism_2549205.html, June 4, 2018, Updated: June 18, 2018 (accessed 7/4/2020).
[49] Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Communism and the Conscience of the West (Bobbs-Merril Company, Indianapolis, 1948), pp. 24-25.
[50] Fulton J. Sheen, "Life Is Worth Living". TV Series (1952-1957); transcript was later published in Fulton J. Sheen "Life is Worth Living: First and Second Series" (Second Series, p. 122), 1953.
[51] Fulton J. Sheen, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (2014). “Remade for Happiness: Achieving Life's Purpose through Spiritual Transformation”, p.16, Ignatius Press.
[52] Fulton J. Sheen, https://www.azquotes.com/author/13447-Fulton_J_Sheen?p=3.
[53] Scott Manning, “Communist Body Count,” Scott Manning, https://scottmanning.com/about/, December 4, 2006 (accessed 4/26/2020).
[54] John-Henry Westen, “How communists plotted to overthrow the US, as Fatima seer foretold,” LifeSiteNews, https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/is-the-us-on-the-verge-of-a-communism-revolt, June 17, 2020 (accessed 6/26/20).
[55] Ibid.
[56] Ibid.
[57] Pope Paul IV, Encyclical Letter Humanae Vitae, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, http://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html, July 25, 1968, (accessed 6/27/2020), n. 2.
[58] Jeanne Smits, “Church ‘blinded by the mystery of iniquity,’ Cardinal Sarah says in new book,” Lifesite News, https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/church-blinded-by-the-mystery-of-iniquity-cardinal-sarah-says-in-new-book, Mar 19, 2019 (accessed 6/29/2020).
[59] Servant of God, Luisa Piccarreta, Book of Heaven, v. 10, (Archdiocese of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie), https://catholicdivinewill.blogspot.com/search?q=houses+of+reunion.
[60] Emmett O'Regan, Unveiling the Apocalypse: Prophecy in Catholic Tradition, (Kindle Locations 670), Seraphim Press, Kindle Edition.