Weather experts admit being baffled by strange meteorological behavior worldwide, the international community is bogged down by economic crisis, new diseases are stalking mankind, crimes are becoming commonly diabolical. Not to mention congressmen and other people in government. Read: Apocalypse.
Seriously, more and more people are entering the fold of Apocalypse believers. As in Apocalypse now. That’s what I had bet on even before the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. My perception is now even stronger that the Bible’s last book is unfolding, buttressed by mystical developments that include an explosion of supernatural apparitions reviving old prophecies and supplanting them with new.
One favorite mystical prophecy , with considerable following world wide over the recent centuries, is attributed to St. Malachy. It’s one of my favorites.
St. Malachy , a monk, was born in Armagh, Ireland in 1094 AD. He died as he himself predicted on Nov. 2, 1148 at Clarivaux, France. He was canonized as the first Irish saint by Pope Clement III in 1190 AD.
He wrote his most spectacular prophecies on the last 10 popes, each one catalogued with an epigrammatic verse such as “tears of the sun”.
Here are his prophecies of the last popes. The actual names of the popes were later supplied by his followers who found uncanny conformity with the saint’s epigrammatic verse and the popes who were later elected to head the Catholic Church.
1. The Burning Fire. PIUS X. 1903-1914. This Pope showed a burning passion for spiritual renewal in the Church.
2. Religion Laid Waste (Religio Depopulata). BENEDICT XV. 1914-1922. During his reign, communism moved into Russia where religious life was laid waste, and World War I happened.
3. Unshaken Faith. PIUS XI. 1922-1939. This Pope faced tremendous pressure from fascist and sinister powers in Germany and Italy, but he was an outspoken critic of Communism and Fascism which enraged Hitler.
4. An Angelic Shepherd. PIUS XII. 1939-1958. This Pope had an affinity for the spiritual world and received visions. He was later described as Angelic Pastor.
5. Pastor and Mariner. JOHN XXIII. 1958-1963. “ Pastor et Nauta” or “Pastor and sailor”. John was a pastor to the world and the Patriarch of Venice, whose waterways are famous for gondolas.
6. Flower of Flowers. “Flos Florum” PAUL VI. 1963-1978. Paul’s coat-of-arms depicts three fleurs-de-lis, corresponding to Malachy’s prophecy. His coat of arms included three fleurs-de-lis (iris blossoms).
7. Of the Half Moon. “De Medietate Lanae,” or “from the half moon” JOHN PAUL I. 1978-1978. He became pope on August 26, 1978, when the moon appeared exactly half full. It was in its waning phase. He died the following month, soon after an eclipse of the moon. Some say he was murdered.
8. The Labor of the Son. “De Medietate Lunae” JOHN PAUL II. 1978-2005. Amazingly, Pope John Paul II was the only pope who was born both on the day of an eclipse of the sun and entombed on a day when the sun was eclipsed.
9. The Glory of the Olive. The olive is part of the insignia of the Benedictine Order. On April 19, 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope and chose the name Benedict XVI.
10. PETER THE ROMAN – The 112th prophesy states: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Petrus Romanus, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations; after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people.”
But don’t panic. There seems to be a general agreement that the end referred to in most prophecies refer to the end of an era in the history of Christianity, not the end of the world. The consensus is that there will be the Millenium or a thousand years of peace before the Last Judgement.
NB: This piece is dedic ated to politicians who obviously live their opulent lives according to the prescription: drink and be merry, for tomorrow you die.
In next column, we’ll tackle testimonies on Hell.
Seriously, more and more people are entering the fold of Apocalypse believers. As in Apocalypse now. That’s what I had bet on even before the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. My perception is now even stronger that the Bible’s last book is unfolding, buttressed by mystical developments that include an explosion of supernatural apparitions reviving old prophecies and supplanting them with new.
One favorite mystical prophecy , with considerable following world wide over the recent centuries, is attributed to St. Malachy. It’s one of my favorites.
St. Malachy , a monk, was born in Armagh, Ireland in 1094 AD. He died as he himself predicted on Nov. 2, 1148 at Clarivaux, France. He was canonized as the first Irish saint by Pope Clement III in 1190 AD.
He wrote his most spectacular prophecies on the last 10 popes, each one catalogued with an epigrammatic verse such as “tears of the sun”.
Here are his prophecies of the last popes. The actual names of the popes were later supplied by his followers who found uncanny conformity with the saint’s epigrammatic verse and the popes who were later elected to head the Catholic Church.
1. The Burning Fire. PIUS X. 1903-1914. This Pope showed a burning passion for spiritual renewal in the Church.
2. Religion Laid Waste (Religio Depopulata). BENEDICT XV. 1914-1922. During his reign, communism moved into Russia where religious life was laid waste, and World War I happened.
3. Unshaken Faith. PIUS XI. 1922-1939. This Pope faced tremendous pressure from fascist and sinister powers in Germany and Italy, but he was an outspoken critic of Communism and Fascism which enraged Hitler.
4. An Angelic Shepherd. PIUS XII. 1939-1958. This Pope had an affinity for the spiritual world and received visions. He was later described as Angelic Pastor.
5. Pastor and Mariner. JOHN XXIII. 1958-1963. “ Pastor et Nauta” or “Pastor and sailor”. John was a pastor to the world and the Patriarch of Venice, whose waterways are famous for gondolas.
6. Flower of Flowers. “Flos Florum” PAUL VI. 1963-1978. Paul’s coat-of-arms depicts three fleurs-de-lis, corresponding to Malachy’s prophecy. His coat of arms included three fleurs-de-lis (iris blossoms).
7. Of the Half Moon. “De Medietate Lanae,” or “from the half moon” JOHN PAUL I. 1978-1978. He became pope on August 26, 1978, when the moon appeared exactly half full. It was in its waning phase. He died the following month, soon after an eclipse of the moon. Some say he was murdered.
8. The Labor of the Son. “De Medietate Lunae” JOHN PAUL II. 1978-2005. Amazingly, Pope John Paul II was the only pope who was born both on the day of an eclipse of the sun and entombed on a day when the sun was eclipsed.
9. The Glory of the Olive. The olive is part of the insignia of the Benedictine Order. On April 19, 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope and chose the name Benedict XVI.
10. PETER THE ROMAN – The 112th prophesy states: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Petrus Romanus, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations; after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people.”
But don’t panic. There seems to be a general agreement that the end referred to in most prophecies refer to the end of an era in the history of Christianity, not the end of the world. The consensus is that there will be the Millenium or a thousand years of peace before the Last Judgement.
NB: This piece is dedic ated to politicians who obviously live their opulent lives according to the prescription: drink and be merry, for tomorrow you die.
In next column, we’ll tackle testimonies on Hell.
