The coordinated terrorist attacks on November 13, 2015, in Paris have shaken the world. Mass shootings and bombings have left 129 people dead. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claims responsibility for the attacks. And now the pope suggests this could be a harbinger of the end of the world ...
Muslims and Christians both believe in the end of the world. Both believe Jesus Christ plays a key role in these final events and that He will soon return. And both believe in the resurrection of both the wicked and the righteous before the final judgment.
But these aren't the only ones who believe in the end of the world. Many other groups, even secularists, believe in some type of soon-coming apocalyptic scenario, such as global warming alarmists.
Now another voice, a powerful world figure who doesn't often speak about the last days, in the aftermath of last weekend’s tragedy in France, has now done so. In his Sunday morning address to 10,000 pilgrims in Saint Peter’s Square, Pope Francis preached about the “end times.” He encouraged listeners to think about their death, the day they will meet God and give an accounting for their life.
The pope also expressed his “deep sorrow for the terrorist attacks that bloodied France late on Friday” and condemned the massacre as an “unspeakable affront to human dignity.” He added, “Such barbarity leaves us shocked and we wonder how the human heart can conceive and carry out such horrible events, which have shaken not only France but the whole world.”
Then, in an interesting focus on the end of the world, the pope drew attention to “apocalyptic elements, like war, famine, and cosmic catastrophes.” He repeated, “In those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.”
The pope also brought out that “the most important thing is not knowing when the end will come, but being ready for it when it does.” He discouraged an unhealthy curiosity to know details of the future by turning to psychics and horoscopes, but said we are called to “watchfulness.” He said, “The Lord tells us that everything passes and only He and his Word remain as a light to guide and strengthen our steps.”
While there are many differences in our views with the bishop of Rome, it is noteworthy that the pope has called attention to the end of the world. We also know that a beast-like power will arise in the last-days to force worship on the entire world.
See how these two are connected by clicking here.