"When Fiction becomes Reality"

“Are you Ready” a reflection I wrote about a future church in the year 2155 AD.  It was published here March 2017.  Never did the thought appear that it could be a prophecy; or was it?

Recent news reports have shown that a lot of the violence, supposedly because of Black Lives Matter, does not reflect peaceful protests.  It is apparent that an outside force has taken the opportunity to use this as an excuse to destroy our way of life in the United States.  It is bad enough that historical artifacts, statues among them, have been destroyed.  But, now statues of the Blessed Mother are also being destroyed, defaced, and the Catholic Church has become a target.  Our faith is under attack.  

This brings us to a question of are these incidents just random occurrences or is there a deeper pattern that may very well be satanic, subtly speaking, as a way to bring the faith of many down?  If that be true then we must go to the letters of St. John.  “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now many antichrists have appeared.”  (I Jn. 2: 18).  “Who is the liar?  Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.  Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.”  (I Jn. 2: 22).  Attacks on the Church are not only beginning, they have been for many years.  However, it is happening in the open and will get worse.   

With the churches remaining closed due the Covid-19 it is understandable that many are unable to attend Mass and receive the Sacraments.  However, there is more than just a disease which will have a negative influence on our future way of worship.  Will government be ready to handle the attacks on the Church as well as secular institutions?  Many cities are considering removing their police forces, not standing for the rights of citizens, disregarding our Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Will the Church have to go underground for worship?  Has the way of life, as we are used to, become like the early Christians celebrating in caves for fear of the so-called watchers I referred to in my story?  Who would we trust?

In Mathew’s Gospel Jesus speaks of eschatological events; “If anyone says to you then, Look, here is the Messiah!  Or there he is!  Do not believe it.  False messiahs and false prophets will arise, and they will perform signs and wonders great as to deceive, if that were possible, even the elect.”  (Mt. 24: 23-24).

We have many false teachers in government and rebellious factions that want to lead the faithful away from the true teaching of Jesus.  This will be one of the powerful ways of using their philosophy to destroy true worship of our Living God.

If one desires to bring the Church down, attack the family, the adhesive that holds the Church together.  If one wants to tear down society and goodness, remove the Word of God and force the churches to close or go underground.  Without true worship the evil influence of evil-minded people will certainly prevail.

Watching the news paints a grim picture and does not promise a good outcome for our country.  We are living at a time where those who could change the future for the good are not.  Too many governors, mayors, and others in charge, that we voted for, are tearing down laws that are meant to govern us peacefully, and I am afraid that our future is in trouble.  

No longer can we depend on public safety members when the leaders will not lead.  It appears that lawful persons are becoming enemies of a few who should not be in office.  And the influence goes deeper than just politics.  

Is Satan’s influence really at the base of so much disruption that no one can see it?  Read the story, “Are you Ready”.  There may be a parallel to the present occurrences.

Ralph B. Hathaway, Summer 2020