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Author Topic: What is really meant by the "Great Apostasy"?  (Read 618 times)

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Offline sedevacantist

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What is really meant by the "Great Apostasy"?
« on: February 15, 2018, 02:25:14 PM »
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    • As I mentioned already in a previous thread, the Dimond Brothers believe they are the Two Witnesses of the Apocalypse. Because of this mistaken belief of theirs, they interpret current events as if they are the fulfillment of prophecy. They've been operating under this illusion for some 20 years now; and during that time, have concocted an elaborate Apocalyptic Fantasy Land which has absolutely no basis in Scripture or reality. Unfortunately, the vast majority of sedevacantists seem to have adopted the Dimonds' version of the end times - not only those under their spell, but those among the CMRI as well. The "Great Apostasy" is a classic example. As far as I can tell, the standard interpretation of this prophecy originated with the Dimonds decades ago, and has spread like wildfire throughout the Traditional Movement. Now, whether or not they are initially to blame is up for debate. Nevertheless, they seem to be the ones championing it more than any other. 

    Mind you, the Great Apostasy is no minor issue. According to St. Paul, this event is the very sign given to us by God which would signal the coming of the Antichrist - the most dangerous man to ever walk this earth. It is precisely this event that signals his coming. No. This is no minor issue by any means. To get this prophecy wrong is potentially a fatal mistake. So what is the real meaning of "Great Apostasy"? The Dimonds teach that we're in the middle of this phenomenon right now - and nearly all sedevacantists believe this as well. They claim the "Apostasy" refers to the state of unbridled heresy rampant in the Novus Ordo Church. The truth is, the Great Apostasy hasn't even begun yet. Let me explain... 

    In His great mercy and wisdom, God has already supplied Catholics with a prototype of this mysterious phenomenon. That prototype is the Arian Heresy of the 4th century. This is our model and our example. The Dimonds even agree on this point. Unfortunately, they fail to grasp the essence of the Arian Heresy, and therefore misdiagnose the present crisis. The essence of the Arian Heresy was not simply the spreading of heretical doctrine. No, it was far worse: The essence of the Arian Heresy was a WORLD-WIDE DENIAL OF THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST. That’s what it was all about. From one end of the world to the other, nearly every single Catholic rejected the Divinity of Christ. This was the essence of the Arian Heresy. And this is the prototype given to us by God. When the real Apostasy occurs, nearly every single man, woman, and child who claims to profess Christianity will deny Christ's Divinity. This includes Traditionalists, Novus Ordos, Protestants, No Name Fundamentalist Wackos, and everyone in between. All of them will reject the Divinity of Christ. THIS is the great “Falling Away” prophesied by St. Paul.

    Indeed, as further proof that this is the correct understanding of the real “Apostasy”, St. John says that a denial of the Divinity of Christ is the very “spirit of antichrist” (1 John 4:3). In another of his letters, he says that anyone who denies the Divinity of Christ is an antichrist (2 John 1:7). So then, according to Scripture, a denial of Christ's Divinity is the very “Spirit of Antichrist”. This blasphemous outrage characterized the very essence of the Arian Heresy – the prototype given to us by God - and so it will characterize the very essence of the Great Apostasy as well. 

    Incidentally, the reason why the “Falling Away” MUST precede the manifestation of the Antichrist is because he will never be successful on the world stage until it occurs. That is to say, a denial of the Divinity of Christ is absolutely necessary for the accomplishment of Lucifer's plans of a One-World Religion. You see, because the Antichrist will not only claim to be God, but the Messiah as well, a world-wide denial of the REAL Divine Messiah is absolutely necessary for his success. Keep in mind, “Christianity” (true and false) comprises almost 1/3 of the population of earth – far too many people for the Antichrist to achieve world-wide recognition as a Messianic God-man. In fact, he would become nothing but a laughing stock unless the real Divine Messiah was completely removed from the scene (and those who believe in him). And Satan knows it. So again, the Great Apostasy MUST necessarily precede the manifestation of the Antichrist, just as St. Paul says. Proper order of events is absolutely crucial for the success of Lucifer’s plans of world domination.     And needless to say, a proper understanding of this cataclysmic phenomenon is vital to ones' recognition of his agent - the Antichrist. Again, no small matter...
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    Offline forlorn

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    Re: What is really meant by the "Great Apostasy"?
    « Reply #1 on: February 20, 2018, 02:10:06 PM »
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    • No, apostasy is a very plain and simple word that means leaving the true faith. The number of actual Catholics has dwindled by several orders of magnitude this century. There are probably far less than a million left, whereas before Vatican II there were over a billion practicing Catholics.
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    Offline sedevacantist

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    Re: What is really meant by the "Great Apostasy"?
    « Reply #2 on: February 20, 2018, 03:09:23 PM »
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    • Quote from: forlorn on February 20, 2018, 02:10:06 PM
    No, apostasy is a very plain and simple word that means leaving the true faith. The number of actual Catholics has dwindled by several orders of magnitude this century. There are probably far less than a million left, whereas before Vatican II there were over a billion practicing Catholics.
    Right. Apostasy means abandoning the true faith. The question, however, is not about the definition of Apostasy. If this were true, we would be tempted to refer to the Protestant revolt as the prophetic fulfillment. This is not about the definition. Instead, the question is this: "What does the Great Apostasy refer to"? That's the question. The saints of the 4th century thought it referred to the Arian heresy - and yet we now know they were mistaken. Did Catholics the world over defect from the Catholic Faith during this time. Sure they did. But was it the Great Apostasy prophesied by St. Paul? No it wasn't. And the same mistake is being made today. Your interpretation is mistaken. And why? Because you swallow what the Dimonds tell you.

    The ONLY reason they interpret today's crisis as the prophesied event is because they believe they are the Two Witnesses, and therefore, (according to their thinking), everything happening in the world today MUST be the fulfillment of the Apocalypse. This is the only reason they interpret today's crisis the way they do. 

    Scripture, on the other hand, says that the "Spirit of the Antichrist" is the Denial of the Divinity of Christ. This is the "Spirit" that will prevail during the Apostasy - that is, during the reign of the Antichrist. It's necessary for the success of his reign, as I explained in the OP.

    In the end, a proper understanding of the Apocalyptic Era based upon Scripture leads to the proper conclusion. Listening to the Dimonds, on the contrary, will lead you astray.
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    Offline forlorn

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    Re: What is really meant by the "Great Apostasy"?
    « Reply #3 on: February 20, 2018, 04:45:46 PM »
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    • Quote from: sedevacantist on February 20, 2018, 03:09:23 PM
    Right. Apostasy means abandoning the true faith. The question, however, is not about the definition of Apostasy. If this were true, we would be tempted to refer to the Protestant revolt as the prophetic fulfillment. This is not about the definition. Instead, the question is this: "What does the Great Apostasy refer to"? That's the question. The saints of the 4th century thought it referred to the Arian heresy - and yet we now know they were mistaken. Did Catholics the world over defect from the Catholic Faith during this time. Sure they did. But was it the Great Apostasy prophesied by St. Paul? No it wasn't. And the same mistake is being made today. Your interpretation is mistaken. And why? Because you swallow what the Dimonds tell you.

    The ONLY reason they interpret today's crisis as the prophesied event is because they believe they are the Two Witnesses, and therefore, (according to their thinking), everything happening in the world today MUST be the fulfillment of the Apocalypse. This is the only reason they interpret today's crisis the way they do.

    Scripture, on the other hand, says that the "Spirit of the Antichrist" is the Denial of the Divinity of Christ. This is the "Spirit" that will prevail during the Apostasy - that is, during the reign of the Antichrist. It's necessary for the success of his reign, as I explained in the OP.

    In the end, a proper understanding of the Apocalyptic Era based upon Scripture leads to the proper conclusion. Listening to the Dimonds, on the contrary, will lead you astray.
    and between 5 and 6 billion people alive today deny His Divinity. and most of the rest are heretics of one form or another. 
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    Offline sedevacantist

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    Re: What is really meant by the "Great Apostasy"?
    « Reply #4 on: February 20, 2018, 04:50:36 PM »
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    • Once again:

    Incidentally, the reason why the “Falling Away” MUST precede the manifestation of the Antichrist is because he will never be successful on the world stage until it occurs. That is to say, a denial of the Divinity of Christ is absolutely necessary for the accomplishment of Lucifer's plans of a One-World Religion. You see, because the Antichrist will not only claim to be God, but the Messiah as well, a world-wide denial of the REAL Divine Messiah is absolutely necessary for his success. Keep in mind, “Christianity” (true and false) comprises almost 1/3 of the population of earth – far too many people for the Antichrist to achieve world-wide recognition as a Messianic God-man. In fact, he would become nothing but a laughing stock unless the real Divine Messiah was completely removed from the scene (and those who believe in him). And Satan knows it. So again, the Great Apostasy MUST necessarily precede the manifestation of the Antichrist, just as St. Paul says. Proper order of events is absolutely crucial for the success of Lucifer’s plans of world domination. And needless to say, a proper understanding of this cataclysmic phenomenon is vital to ones' recognition of his agent - the Antichrist. Again, no small matter...
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    Offline AnthonyB

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    Re: What is really meant by the "Great Apostasy"?
    « Reply #5 on: February 21, 2018, 02:07:32 PM »
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    • When I survey the pitiful state of the post-Vat2 Church, I find it easy to believe we are experiencing the Great Apostasy.  Honestly, if I didn't believe that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church founded by Christ, I would have left many years ago.
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    Offline sedevacantist

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    Re: What is really meant by the "Great Apostasy"?
    « Reply #6 on: February 21, 2018, 06:01:48 PM »
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    • Quote from: AnthonyB on February 21, 2018, 02:07:32 PM
    When I survey the pitiful state of the post-Vat2 Church, I find it easy to believe we are experiencing the Great Apostasy.  Honestly, if I didn't believe that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church founded by Christ, I would have left many years ago.

    It was estimated that between 97 and 99% of Catholics denied the Divinity of Christ during the Arian Heresy of the 4th century. And yet this was not the Great Apostasy (though many saints thought it was). Mind you, these heretics weren't simply professing heretical doctrines. They were denying that Christ was the Son of God. Think about that for a moment. What we're seeing today from the Novus Ordo is nothing compared to the chaos of the Arian Heresy.
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