The Apocalypse and discernment of the will of God.

The last book of the New Testament, known as the Book Revelation or the Apocalypse, can be read for ignoble noble purposes. Ignoble purposes include mere curiosity, craving for secrets, and the intention of making foolish predictions (cf. MT 24:36). Noble purposes include the desire to know God, to revere his holiness, and to discern and obey his will. On this point, regardless of its mysterious content, the Apocalypse contains indications of the will of God which are clear, emphatic, and practical. Since the will of God is our salvation (MT 18:14) and sanctification (1 Thess 4:3), it is prudent therefore to search the canonical text of the Apocalypse in a spirit of discernment.

The Apocalypse contains an enumeration of virtues often matched with specific rewards as well as a catalogue of vices matched with specific punishments. The most frequently mentioned virtue translates into English as "overcoming." For example, addressing the Church at Smyrna, the sacred author writes, "He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death" (Apoc 2:11). To the Church at Thyatira, he writes, "And to him who overcomes, and who keeps my works unto the end, I will give authority over the nations" (Apoc 2:26). The Church of Laodicea is told, "He who overcomes, I will permit to sit with me upon my throne, as I also have overcome and have sat with my Father on his throne" (Apoc 3:21). In context, overcoming seems to refer to heroic and sustained effort against all odds. Other repeatedly recommended virtues are patience, industry ("works"), and repentance.

On the other hand, a vice that is emphatically denounced in the Apocalypse--to a degree no doubt incomprehensible to the modern western mind--is fornication. It bears a literal and a figurative interpretation. For example, the angelic chorus sings, "Aleluia! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. For true and just are his judgments who has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his servants at her hands" (Apoc 19:1-2), Thus, in one short passage, fornication is mystically associated with corruption, the wrath of God, and the martyrdom of the saints. Unrepentant fornicators, together with cowards, murderers, and liars, do not inherit the kingdom (Apoc 21:8). Other behaviours that bankrupt the soul are idolatry, falsehood, self-deception, sorcery, theft, blasphemy, drunkenness, and unbelief.

In the present era of debased cultural norms, it is of the utmost pastoral concern that the generality of Catholic become undeceived about the way their actions in time affect their prospects in eternity. The sexual revolution was a lie from start to finish, perpetrated by frauds and imbibed by gullible and willing, but nevertheless pitiable, victims. Used judiciously as a teaching aid, the Apocalypse can help to expose the sham.

(New Catholic Edition of the Holy Bible, Confraternity Edition, New York, 1962.)