+St. Bernardine of Siena+

Introduction

A faithful supporter has blessed us with the discovery of the documents below concerning the end times, which we have excerpted for the convenience of our readers. The importance of these documents cannot be underestimated, because they give a clearer estimation of our present circumstances. Written in earlier ages, they are not contaminated by the expectation of a grand restoration of the Church, predicted in many Catholic prophecies and even promoted by some biblical commentators. Pope Pius XII later laid these expectations to rest when he condemned mitigated millenarianism. But biblical scholars, many of them already infected with Modernism, did not see fit to bring the writings of those promoting such a restoration into line with Pius XII’s teaching. And so those turning to the duly imprimatured works of the past on these matters following the takeover of the Church felt justified in expecting a restoration of the Church, the papacy and the Mass.

But this was not God’s will for us. The Catholic Church Restoration occurred in the 19^th century  following the upheaval of the French Revolution and the subsequent rise of both religious and political Liberalism. During this period, the Church strove to re-establish Her political power and religious influence in society. She also worked diligently to oppose the erosion of traditional religious authority caused by the Enlightenment. The Congress of Vienna in 1815 was held to help stabilize Europe following the Napoleonic Wars and re-establish Catholic monarchies. This period was marked by a renewal of religious fervor and a greater push for doctrinally based Catholic education. Religious orders repressed during revolutionary times were restored and  the Church regained significant amounts of land in France and Italy, confiscated during the revolutions there.

This era seems to have more or less culminated with the convening of the Vatican Council in 1869-70. Wars, sparked by increasing Masonic influence, once more swept across Europe. Modernism, preceded by Liberalism and Americanism, began its deadly campaign against the Church. But already in 1878, there were those who warned that the time of Antichrist was very near. And in in 1903, Pope St. Pius X warned in E Supremi Apostolatus: “So extreme is the general perversion that there is reason to fear that we are experiencing the foretaste and the beginnings of the evils which are to come at the end of time, and that the Son of Perdition, of whom the Apostle speaks, has already arrived upon the earth.” (When St. Pius X wrote these ominous lines in 1903, Giovanni Battista Montini, the future Paul VI, was six years old.) One of these warning is listed as follows:

“All the efforts of Satan are directed and intended to prevent men from ever thinking about the coming of Antichrist, and more especially about the approach of the General Judgment and the end of this world, which affords to him such abundant harvest of souls for Hell. The end of humanity will extinguish the dominion of Satan over men upon Earth and will confine him with his companions and followers in the fiery prison of Hell, during a never-ending eternity of woe. The Devil dreads this increase of misery even more than the reprobates themselves.

“Let us be serious; let us think and reason and speak like men and like Christians. Let us be persuaded that the end of the world cannot be very far away. Scripture, tradition, the Fathers of the Church, most learned, grave and pious authors, older and more modern saints, and innumerable servants of God of every age, class, and condition in life, belonging to almost every country upon Earth, announce its approach. Famine and pestilence, seditions, revolutions, rebellions, wars, schisms, heresies, the frightful increase of vice and crime in society, charity cooling, iniquity abounding upon Earth, earthquakes, destructive conflagrations, terrible accidents on land, shipwrecks on the ocean, sudden deaths, increasing mortality, visions in the sky, disorder in the seasons, spots on the sun, — all nature, in short, announce the pangs of dissolution. But the majority of men affect to be incredulous. This, as we saw above, is an additional sign of the end of the world foretold by our Divine Savior.

“Let us then believe and act like sincere and devout Christians. Let us place our treasure in Heaven and our heart with our treasure. If we are poor in earthly goods, let us rejoice, for we shall leave behind fewer materials as fuel for the universal conflagration.” (The Christian Trumpet, Gaudentius Rossi, C.P., 1873, 1878). Below are excerpts which confirm what is said by Rev. Rossi.

The General History of the Christian Church, from Her Birth to Her Final Triumphant State in Heaven: Deduced from the Apocalypse of St. John

By Charles Walmesley, Bishop of Rama, Great Britain. (Made available by Google Books. Written in 1771 and published in 1834.)

The sixth Age is the last of the Christian Church militant on earth. The time of its commencement cannot be ascertained, much less its final period, that is, the day of judgment, which, as our Saviour says, “no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13: 32). Among various sentiments touching the duration of this world, that seems to have prevailed most, which fixes its period at about six thousand years: but as all is uncertain with respect to this point, we shall not trouble the reader with any discussion about it.

The Apocalyptical description of the sixth age paints it in colours that leave no doubt it will be the most turbulent, the most calamitous, and most persecuting of all other ages. How alarming and how terrible will appear those extraordinary and unnatural signs in the sun, moon, and stars, the earthquakes, the enormous swellings and roarings of the sea, the bloody wars and battles, etc.! Both our Saviour in the Gospel and St. John, in the Apocalypse, express sufficiently the impression these calamities will make on mankind, by saying, “That men will sink away for fear, and call upon the mountains to fall upon them and cover them.” How dreadful will be the destruction made by the terrible army of Antichrist ! How cruel and bloody his persecution, which will last three years and a half! These  shocking events, which throw confusion in the whole system of nature, will be certain presages of the approaching dissolution of the whole structure of the world. Happy those men, who shall take due warning from them, and shall consider them in a true light.

And here we ought to acknowledge the particular favour the Almighty God is pleased to grant us, in giving us previous notice of the disasters attending the sixth age, that we may prepare for them. And this duty is the more incumbent on this, since we touch so near that period, that the next generation or next but one, will probably see some part of it. For after the fifth vial is poured out, which we have shown will be done about fifty years hence, we do not know how soon the commencement of the sixth age may follow. There even seem to appear already some indications of the approach of that period. For the Almighty, in his, wisdom and mercy, before he pours down heavy disasters, generally sends lesser calamities by the way of admonition: and thus we see in these present times greater irregularities in the seasons of the year than used to be, more dearth and distress, earthquakes more frequent, etc., all which may be esteemed a prelude to those much more dreadful disasters of the next age.

Who would not then judge it highly necessary that parents should prevent their children of such unparalleled calamities that are to happen, and which it may be their lot to share in. They should be made acquainted with the principal transactions of the next age, as they are recorded in the Apocalypse. For disasters, when foreseen, generally make less impression. The pastors of the Church will probably think it expedient to inculcate the same to their flocks, because those who shall exist in the next age, ought to be prepared and fortified in a peculiar manner with a lively faith, with the love of God, and an “ardent desire of their own salvation. Since many of them may be destined, by divine appointment, to pass through a most severe trial in the persecution of Antichrist, they cannot be too well grounded in the above-mentioned principles. The account we have from St. John and the prophet Daniel of that persecution, indicates, it will surpass in violence and cruelty all the persecutions of the first age of Christianity: what degree of fortitude therefore must be requisite to support the faithful on so trying an occasion? “The Church now admonishes you,” says St. Cyril, “and announces to you the things that relate to Antichrist before they come to pass. Whether they will happen in our time or later, we know not: but, as you are prevented of them, it is fit you should prepare yourself” (Catech. 15).

Let the history of former persecutions be assiduously read, in order to acquire some idea of them, with which when the mind is familiarized, they will appear less terrible. Prepared by these means, and animated by the influx of divine grace, the faithful servants of God will hope to be able to undergo the same hardships and sufferings, which the primitive Christians sustained, and of which we read in St. Paul the following description: “Some were racked,” says he. “Others had trials of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bonds and prisons. They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheep-skins, in goat-skins, being in want, distressed, afflicted: of whom the world was not worthy: wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth” (St. Paul to the Hebr. 11: 35, &c).

Let especially a diligent and repeated perusal be made of the trials of the martyrs: that by viewing their invincible fortitude and constancy, the faithful may be inspired with the same spirit. They will see with what courage the primitive Christians appeared before the tribunals of the pagan judges, with what noble fortitude they answered to the questions put to them, with what unconcern they viewed the racks and other instruments prepared for their torture, with what inflexibility they continued to profess their faith in the midst of torments, and with what resolution they bowed down their heads under the hand of the executioner. “We say we are Christians,” says Tertullian, “and proclaim it to the whole world; and under the hands of the executioner, and in the midst of all the torments you inflict upon us, to compel us to unsay it. Torn and mangled, and weltering in our blood, we cry out as loud as we are able: that we are worshippers of God through Christ” (on Apoc. 21).

Those invincible heroes of antiquity who thus sealed their faith with their blood, are the models we must set before our eyes, and which we must copy after. They had always in view that heavenly recompense which waited for them after their combat, and which infinitely surpassed whatever they could suffer in this world. They said to themselves, “The sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8: 18). They recollected what our Saviour had said: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer — Be faithful unto death: and I will give thee the crown of life” (Apoc. 2: 10). And again:  “Blessed are ye when they shall revile you and persecute you. — Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven” (Matt. 5: 11-12).

This heavenly prospect animated their courage and sweetened their torments. They had likewise before their eyes the divine pattern of their Lord and Saviour, who had trodden the same path before them for their encouragement. And what homage can be more acceptable to him, than to offer our lives to him who laid down his for our sake? How beautiful a spectacle in the sight of God is a Christian entering the lists with affliction, and with a noble constancy combating menaces, racks and tortures ! When like a conqueror he triumphs over the judge that condemns him. For he is certainly victorious who obtains what he fights for (Min. Fel. in Octav). Full of such thoughts and sentiments, and inspired with interior joy, those champions congratulated one another on the view of their approaching triumph, saying: the persecutor wrests from us our lands, but heaven is open to us: the enemy of Christ threatens, but Christ protects us. They put us to death, but we are crowned with immortality; by killing us they deprive us of this world, but paradise is offered us in its stead: our temporal life is extinguished, but is changed into eternal (Cyprian de exhort, mart. c. 12).

Such ought to be the reflections of those who shall exist in the next age. The complexion of that period will be similar to that of the first age under the persecuting Roman emperors and will exceed it in violence and cruelty. The consideration therefore of the behaviour of the primitive Christians is the best preparation that can be recommended to their successors in the last age. Let them add to it another reflection, which should never be absent from their mind, namely, the immortal glory and happiness, which Christ expressly promises and describes as the portion of all those who shall sacrifice to him their lives in the persecution of Antichrist. “These are they who are come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he, that sitteth on the throne, shall dwell over them. They shall no more hunger or thirst, neither shall the sun fall on them or any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them, and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Apoc. 7:14, &c).

Besides the reasons we have given above, the necessity of beginning to inculcate the preceding lessons to the present rising generation appears the more, when we consider the general decay of religion which now prevails. So little is the practice of morality attended to, so little even is religion thought of that we see already no small progress made toward that apostacy, as St. Paul calls it, or towards that general defection from faith, and that degeneracy of morals, which will take place before the great minister oi Satan, Antichrist, appears. How swift indeed must be the decline of true faith, while free-thinking grows at such a pace?

While everyone seems to fix it as a principle, to believe nothing more than his reason comprehends, or that coincides with his own private humour? What practice of morality can we expect from people, who are immersed in worldly pleasures, or in pursuits of private interest, who never spend a moment of thought about eternity, nor scarce ever address their God and Creator in a short prayer? And is not this the general course of life of the present generation of mankind? Certainly then, due care should be taken to prevent as many of the new rising race as possible from being infected by this pestiferous corruption, and to prepare them to be enrolled in the list of the few elect of the approaching time.

When a tide of irreligion and infidelity has broken in, and is seen to swell every day, what wonder if the period approach, when God will bring all to the test, and try them as metal in a fiery furnace, in order to discriminate between the good and the bad, and to separate the sound from the unsound grain? The few that will remain firm and stanch under all temptations and persecution, will shine with great lustre in those days, when the bulk of mankind will suffer themselves to be seduced so far, as to go over to Antichrist, adore him as a God, and renounce their Creator their religion, and their own conviction. Notwithstanding the great power of Antichrist, and his faculty of performing surprising wonders, the small body of the faithful will bear away the palm of victory, by their constancy in maintaining the Cause of God at the expense of their lives, and by their fortitude in not yielding to promises, threats, or torments. And thus the fruit of their perseverance will be, to see their victory completed, and the cause of religion fully vindicated, by the just judgments of God upon the impious, when he will exterminate in the most public and terrible manner that satanic man Antichrist, with his associates, will extirpate idolatry from the earth, and restore peace to his Church.

To these reflections we shall add one remark, that of the six vials of the wrath of God, hitherto considered, three, namely, the first, third, and sixth, are poured out for the punishment of idolaters, and the other three, viz. the second, fourth, and fifth, for the punishment of heretics.

The seventh age is the last and longest of all. It is the age of eternity. We see it ushered in by the tremendous scene of the general judgment of mankind; of whom a part are admitted into the heavenly Jerusalem or everlasting bliss, and the other or greater part are doomed to suffer inexpressible torments for all eternity in the lake of fire and brimstone. Whoever will take the pains to meditate a little on the great disparity of these two states, will certainly be moved, if he has not lost all sensibility, to use his utmost endeavours to gain the one and prevent his falling into the other. Both the happiness of the saved, and the torments of the damned, far surpass indeed our conception; but if they be even considered only in a general view, who would not shudder at the thought of being condemned to an eternal prison, in devouring flames that will never be extinguished?

“Which of you can dwell with devouring fire? Which of you can dwell with everlasting burnings?” (Isaiah 23:14). And on the other hand, if we reflect on the possession of God, the source of all delight, joy, and felicity; with which we shall be filled according to the whole capacity of our being, and this without even the least interruption or allay, are we not transported with the most vehement desire of attaining such a happy state? “They shall be inebriated with the plenty of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the torrent of thy pleasure” (Psalm 25: 9). To this all-happy state let us then “by our good works make our election secure.” Let us spare no pains for it during the short period of our existence here. The recompense will infinitely exceed our labour, and the time of our labour bears no proportion to eternity.

Blessed is he, that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy: and keepeth those things which are written in it” (Apoc.1: 3). And again: “Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book” (Apoc. 22: 7). That this advice may be attended to is our sincere wish, and here we close the present work with the blessing delivered in the last verse of this admirable prophecy: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (End of Walmesly text)

Commentary by T. Benns

The two authors above highlight the importance of recognizing the age of Antichrist and educating others to recognize it, that they may prepare for it spiritually. They speak of the terrible torments that will distinguish this age but they identify these namely with physical torments, not mental agonies. While some have and no doubt will be subjected to both, it is mainly the mental tortures that we suffer from today on so many different levels. Of course no one in the 18^th century could have foreseen the many forms of mental misery that would proliferate in the coming centuries. In fact we ourselves are not even fully aware of all the many assaults via chemicals in the foods we eat, in the water, in the air, in various waves sent into the atmosphere and other attacks adversely affecting our physical and mental health. And this is not even to mention the many lies we have been told about these things, the deceits practiced by Novus Ordo and Traditional pseudo-clergy, or the propaganda spread by these groups and the media.

Already in the 18^th and 19^th century, they could see then what was fast approaching. And here we are, caught in the whirlwind. But at least we know where we stand in time. Those who expect a restoration of the Church and a time of peace have been sadly misled. The end of the fifth age and the advent of Antichrist marked the end of the Church’s time on earth, as St. Thomas Aquinas also wrote. The Church will survive unto the consummation in the small band of faithful left, as Rossi and Walmesley note. They will triumph over their enemies with the coming of Christ, the only King of Zion. And if they persevere until the very end, they will reign forever with Him in Heaven.