The Dark Proofs

 

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To be certain, this generation has been given a certain “privilege”, if you want to call it that. It is the opportunity to witness on a near-global scale what happens when entire nations abandon God. 

I call it the “dark proofs” of God’s existence — those things that occur when we reject what is written in His Word.

It can begin with something as small as exerting my will over God’s will in the smallest thing — when I don’t “seek first the Kingdom of God” but seek my own desires first. There is suddenly a disruption of peace, a shift in interior harmony that makes me sad, restless, or irritable. When Jesus said, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,”^[1]Matt 5:48 He really meant it — not because God will go into fits of rage if you are anything less. Rather, Jesus was really saying, be whom you were created to be because anything else will make you less happy than you could be.

Jesus is demanding, because He wishes our genuine happiness. —POPE JOHN PAUL II, World Youth Day Message for 2005, Vatican City, Aug. 27th, 2004 

 

The Dark Proofs

The dark proofs become much more obvious, however, once sin becomes more grave. Exorcists tell us when people commit mortal sin or become involved in witchcraft or the occult, they open themselves up to demonic influence, if not possession. It’s a “proof” of the existence of God, insofar as it confirms exactly what the Scriptures tell us about the existence of principalities and powers — fallen angels who are intent on dragging souls with them into eternal perdition. The proofs we observe are revealed most obviously in supernatural demonic manifestations of the possessed who defy gravity, speak in foreign languages, etc., but also in frequent mass murders, erratic compulsive behaviors, widespread foul language, public lewdity, breakdown of marriage and families, and heightened interest in the occult. In that regard, St. Paul pretty much nailed our times:

There will be terrifying times in the last days. People will be self-centered and lovers of money, proud, haughty, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, irreligious, callous, implacable, slanderous, licentious, brutal, hating what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, as they make a pretense of religion but deny its power. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

The same spiritual principles apply for nations as a whole. When grave sin becomes institutionalized, such as abortion or assisted suicide, we open the door to powerful demonic spirits that foment a “culture of death.”  When we “celebrate” on our streets, in our schools, and even our churches intrinsically disordered sexuality, we invite dysfunction and psychosis. When prayer, Scripture, and freedom of religion are banned from the public square, we invite darkness that ultimately takes political forms of practical atheism, such as Socialism and Communism.

Everything I’ve described above is precisely what is happening systematically, particularly in the West. What’s left of Christendom is quickly collapsing. In its place, a new form of Communism is emerging. I say “new” because, while it bears the language of collectivism at times (like “No one will be left behind” or “No one’s safe until we’re all safe”), at its heart is really a revolutionary individualism. 

In seeking the deepest roots of the struggle between the “culture of life” and the “culture of death”… We have to go to the heart of the tragedy being experienced by modern man: the eclipse of the sense of God and of man [that] inevitably leads to a practical materialism, which breeds individualism, utilitarianism and hedonism.—POPE JOHN PAUL II, Evangelium Vitae, n.21, 23

 

An Eschatological Character

In fact, this individualistic character of the collapse of the West and beyond bears an eschatological character — related to the “end times.” Here’s why. 

The Scriptures, from the Old Testament to St. John’s vision in the book of Revelation, speak of a coming “Day of the Lord.”^[2]cf. Two More Days and The Day of Justice While some evangelical sects have understood this to refer to the last 24-hour day on earth, the Early Church Fathers explained that it is symbolic of the “thousand year” period St. John wrote about following the death of the Antichrist.^[3]cf. Rev 20:1-6 

The most authoritative view, and the one that appears to be most in harmony with Holy Scripture, is that, after the fall of the Antichrist, the Catholic Church will once again enter upon a period of prosperity and triumph. —The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life, Fr. Charles Arminjon (1824-1885), p. 56-57; Sophia Institute Press

Several theologians and many approved prophetic revelations speak of this coming “Era of Peace,” as it’s called. Papal theologian for John Paul II as well as Popes Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul I wrote:

Yes, a miracle was promised at Fatima, the greatest miracle in the history of the world, second only to the Resurrection. And that miracle will be an era of peace which has never really been granted before to the world. —Mario Luigi Cardinal Ciappi, October 9th, 1994, Family Catechism, p. 35

The late John Haffert, one of the world’s most respected and prolific promoters of the message of Fatima and the “Triumph of the Immaculate Heart”, wrote:

The conversion of the world is sure to come… The Triumph will be a conversion event that will be so powerful and universal that all will be compelled to praise God for the magnificent works He has done in His creature, Mary … It will be a historical event of such magnitude that it will make all former moments of glory seem like shadows … —The Great Event, pp. 48-49

Monsignor Arthur Calkins, an expert on mystical theology and private revelation, wrote that this Triumph is “absolute,” and “…will usher in a new era of peace and the spread of Christ’s reign, [and] may be much closer than any of us would imagine.”^[4]cf. livingfatima.com

Of course, the 36 volumes of Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta are all about this reign of Christ when His kingdom will come, and will be done “on earth as it is in Heaven.”^[5]cf. The Resurrection of the Church and The Thousand Years

If this period of peace promised at Fatima is this “reign” that St. John wrote as the “Day of the Lord” in Revelation 20:1-6, then it will be preceded by two “dark proofs” in particular that will manifest themselves to the world… 

 

First Dark Proof

St. Paul wrote that the Day of the Lord will be preceded by a general revolt from Christianity — that is an apostasy, the falling away of once faithful Christians.

Let no one deceive you in any way; for that Day will not come, unless the rebellion (apostasy) comes first… (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

The footnote to this Scripture in the Douay-Rheims Holy Bible ^[6]Baronius Press Limited, 2003; p. 235 adequately summarizes what the Early Church Fathers taught: that this revolt or apostasy is essentially the collapse of Christendom:

This revolt, or falling off, is generally understood, by the ancient fathers, of a revolt from the Roman empire, which was first to be destroyed, before the coming of Antichrist. It may, perhaps, be understood also of a revolt of many nations from the Catholic Church which has, in part, happened already, by the means of Mahomet [ie. Islamism], Luther [ie. Protestantism], etc. and it may be supposed, will be more general in the days of the Antichrist.

The spiritual crisis involves the entire world. But its source is in Europe. People in the West are guilty of rejecting God… The spiritual collapse thus has a very Western character. —Cardinal Robert Sarah, April 5th, 2019, catholiceducation.org

Hence, we see today new forms of Communism — that is, the State — attempting to replace the Church as the moral authority. 

 

Second Dark Proof

Along with this general revolt against the Catholic Faith, St. Paul writes that the Antichrist will then appear:

…the man of lawlessness [will be] revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

In other words, the Antichrist embodies individualism. Have you noticed how within just a generation, vast portions of society have focused upon Self? We even call our devices and platforms “iPhones”, “iPads”, “iRobots”, “iCloud”, and so on. Education has suddenly become more about affirmation rather than formation; identity politics and so-called “rights” have displaced common sense and the common good; and entertainment and sports industries have exponentially morphed into platforms for celebrity cults.

Thus, it is no surprise to see the explosion of industries that alter the body, from tattoo parlors to sex change surgeries. Worship of self takes its most blatant form in transhumanism — the manipulation of our bodies from their original intent and design and combining them with technology.

The West refuses to receive, and will accept only what it constructs for itself. Transhumanism is the ultimate avatar of this movement. Because it is a gift from God, human nature itself becomes unbearable for Western man. —Cardinal Robert Sarah, April 5th, 2019, catholiceducation.org

We see then in these two primary dark proofs the very antithesis of what Jesus refers to as the greatest commandment:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)

Love of the State replaces love of God; love of self replaces love of neighbor. 

 

The Remedy

Perhaps what is most disturbing about all of this is what St. Paul writes next:

The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion, to make them believe what is false, so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

How do we not get swept away in this ‘strong delusion’? How do I know that I won’t be, or already am not deceived? St. Paul gives a simple antidote:

…stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

In a word, be faithful:

• Be faithful to Sacred Tradition, which has remarkably and faithfully been handed down over two millennia. If you don’t agree with or understand a certain teaching of the Catholic Faith, don’t rebel — humble yourself before that truth, asking God to help you understand what is being taught.

• Return to the Sacraments, especially frequent reception of the Eucharist and, at least, monthly Confession. 

• Pray and Read the Scriptures every day, since “the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”^[7]Hebrews 4:12

• Fast, knowing that we are indeed engaged in a battle, “not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.”^[8]Ephesians 6:12

• Pray the Rosary, which popes and Our Lady alike have consistently recommended to the faithful as a true help and remedy for individuals, families, and even nations (including consecration to Our Blessed Mother). 

While the dark proofs can be a source of evidence of the veracity of God’s Word, the Lord would much prefer that you follow Him in order to encounter and experience the Divine Proofs — those fruits and miracles that come to those who are simply faithful. 

 

So grateful for your prayers and support.
Thank you!

 

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