What happened, did I scare you?

What happened, did I scare you?

Why should I be scared if I am in the state of grace and I have the Blessed Virgin to protect me?

Quote from: poche

Witnesses to what? Henoch and Elias lived in completely different times and would have seen completely different things.  

Did you read the quote from St. John? It appears they are both showing up again for the end game. It doesn't speak of what happened in their own times, but declares they will show up AGAIN as the two witnesses to the Apocalypse.

The news story shows the destruction of St. Elijah (Elias). Unlike some people around here, I don't claim any special powers or knowledge of mysteries.  I just found the similarities a little eye-opening.

When they arrive they will initially be overcome by the evil, but God will restore them to full power and might.

At that point "The second woe is past: and behold the third woe will come quickly.".

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Why should I be scared if I am in the state of grace and I have the Blessed Virgin to protect me?

Your bland insouciance overwhelms me. How do you KNOW you will be in the state of grace, and will have the Blessed Virgin's protection at the end of your life? One of the Six Sins Against the Holy Ghost is the presumption of God's mercy. I'll pray for you.

What has happened to St. Paul's admonition to work out one's salvation in fear and trembling?  The Church lost and the devil gained when the Requiem Mass was done away with. You must be one of those new and improved "Catholics" who, when a loved one dies, declares in the newspaper obituary that the deceased has gone to be with Lord.

I try to have trust in the providence of God. If God is for us then who can be against us? I will trust in the Blessed Virgin. If she decides not to protect me then it will be because of my sins and hopefully I will live my Purgatory in this life. If she does protect me it is because she is the Mother of God and so I will have nothing to fear.

Galatians 6:6-10

1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each man will have to bear his own load.

6 Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Poche, read Revelations/Apocalypse, in fact it would do us all well to read the scriptures.

Is this because the name of the monastery was St. Enochs?

No, it's because the name of the monastery is St. Elijah. I'm sorry. You must have been out sick when we had that lesson.

About the apocalypse... people remember you are more likely to die from disease or car accident.

Yes, but if you are actually there for the event, then you are absolutely 100% likely to die from the event. Or do think that if you're there for the final cosmic upheaval, and your car gets flung over a cliff, you've technically been killed in a car wreck? Did you ever wonder when you were in school as to why the other kids got put on the long bus and you had to make do with the short one?

If you are in the state of grace (And you can know this if you make a good confession on a weekly or monthly basis and truly examine your conscience) and cling to Our Lord and Our Lady, accept sacrifice with a joyful heart and hopeful spirit, pray the rosary every day - you have nothing to fear.

Obviously, that's true as it stands. But you can't know for sure that at the time of your death you will be fulfilling those requirements. I see that you and Pooch will be whistling down the road with a blue bird on each of your shoulders, but as for me I'll be approaching death with the fear and trembling in high gear. That doesn't mean I have an inordinate fear of death, or that I don't beg for the Lord's mercy, and know that if I have obeyed him, I'll receive it. But I still need Him to deliver me from evil on a daily basis, and for the Virgin to be there at the hour of my death. Did you read my statement above that presumption of mercy is a sin against the Holy Spirit. Lutherans believe that if one has faith, one may do what one wills. Are you a Lutheran?

The people who tend to dread the apocalypse the most are people who are hoping that they don't have to think about death until their old age.

No, no, no, I'm not going to let you get away with that. I have no idea what kind of people dread the apocalypse the most, and neither do you.

From what I've heard about purgatory from our priests and reading the meditations and revelations from the saints - it is far worse than the impending apocalypse whenever that happens.

In your slip-shod manner of thinking, you are missing a distinction that is not that subtle. The experience of being in purgatory versus being in the final judgement is one thing, and the significance of each event is totally a different matter.

No, it's because the name of the monastery is St. Elijah. I'm sorry. You must have been out sick when we had that lesson.

Not sure what lesson you are talking about.
Elias is the same guy as Elijah.

I'm still not sure what is the connection you are trying to make between the prophets returning and the destruction of an ancient monastery.

Yes, but if you are actually there for the event, then you are absolutely 100% likely to die from the event. Or do think that if you're there for the final cosmic upheaval, and your car gets flung over a cliff, you've technically been killed in a car wreck? Did you ever wonder when you were in school as to why the other kids got put on the long bus and you had to make do with the short one?

I have no idea regarding the buses. Private school - my bus was my mom. :)

The point is that all of us are going to die. It's very silly to worry about a greater event that may not happen for many years or centuries even yet - when in fact, you might die today.

Obviously, that's true as it stands. But you can't know for sure that at the time of your death you will be fulfilling those requirements. I see that you and Pooch will be whistling down the road with a blue bird on each of your shoulders, but as for me I'll be approaching death with the fear and trembling in high gear. That doesn't mean I have an inordinate fear of death, or that I don't beg for the Lord's mercy, and know that if I have obeyed him, I'll receive it. But I still need Him to deliver me from evil on a daily basis, and for the Virgin to be there at the hour of my death. Did you read my statement above that presumption of mercy is a sin against the Holy Spirit. Lutherans believe that if one has faith, one may do what one wills. Are you a Lutheran?

If I were a non-Catholic, why would I be on a Catholic board and speaking enthusiastically about the faith and urging people to pray the rosary, live better lives, cling to God, go to Mass, receive the sacraments every chance they get....? These are things I firmly believe will not only keep you in the state of grace, but also will give you peace in your life. Receive our Lord in communion every Sunday. Speak with him. Don't just recite words or immediately resume following Mass with very little thought of how blessed you are. Go to confession frequently. Make a good act of contrition frequently throughout every day. Make the hail mary be ever on your lips.

There is no reason to fear death if you live a good life right to the very end. Stay close to God and Our Lady.

In your slip-shod manner of thinking, you are missing a distinction that is not that subtle. The experience of being in purgatory versus being in the final judgement is one thing, and the significance of each event is totally a different matter.

I'm not sure what you are saying.

Purgatory is hell. It's a horrible place. There are revelations from the saints about purgatory and it's literally the same thing as hell - right down to the no sense of time. You might be in purgatory for an instant and it will feel like thousand of years.

Focus on making sure if you die today or tomorrow - that you die prepared. Do every thing possible to ensure you go straight to heaven. Don't worry about things beyond your control.

I believe it will be literal and that they will actually preach and do all the damage the Apocalypse says they will do. I don't believe a single person in the planet will not be aware of them.

I'm glad you have put some thought into it. Frankly, I've never been too interested in what you think.