december 2, 2012 - corpus christi parish · 2012-12-01 · december 2, 2012 first sunday of advent...
TRANSCRIPT
December 2, 2012First Sunday of Advent
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36608
Email: [email protected] ! Website: www.CorpusChristiParish.com
TELEPHONE NUMBERSParish Office: 342-1852 • Fax 342-6313School Office: 342-5474, ext. 1 • Fax 380-0325Rel. Ed. Office: 342-5474, ext. 7 • Fax 380-0325Preschool Office: 342-2424 • Fax 343-3119Youth Ministry: 342-1852 • Fax 342-6313
PASTORAL STAFFVery Rev. James F. Zoghby, V.F., PastorRev. John S. Boudreaux, Associate PastorDeacon Arthur W. Robbins, DeaconSr. Donna Cooper, R.S.M., Visitation ChaplainMrs. Linda M. Hawkins, Pastoral AssistantMrs. Joan T. McMullen, School PrincipalMrs. Kathleen Q. Jester, Parish Catechetical LeaderMrs. Judi B. Ankiewicz, R.C.I.A. CoordinatorMrs. Colleen DeVoe, Youth Ministry Co-DirectorMrs. Brenda Martens, Youth Ministry Co-DirectorMr. Matthew F. Purvis, Music DirectorMr. Jay H. Henley, Gym Manager
TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH
Please fill out a Census Form. Census Forms areavailable in the church vestibule and parish office.
COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS & SERVICES
For rental information and kitchen services, please callthe parish office at 342-1852 or 342-1420.
SUNDAY MASSES
Vigil: 5:30 p.m. SaturdayMorning: 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
WEEKDAY MASSES
6:30 a.m.: Monday through Friday8:15 a.m.: Monday through Saturday
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and by request, particularlyafter the 6:30 & 8:15 a.m. weekday Masses.
BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANOINTING OF SICK
Please call the parish office (342-1852) or informationand scheduling baptism, marriage, anointing of sick.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.)
Please see published schedule for specific dates andtimes, or call the parish office (342-1852).
SUNDAY SCHOOL (C.C.D.) Grades K–12, Sundaysduring school year, 10:05-10:55 a.m. in school bldgs.
SCHOOL, SACS-accredited for Grades K through 8.For info & registration, please call the school office.
PRESCHOOL, State-licensed for 6-week to 4-yr. olds.For info & registration, please call the preschool office
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Ce le brat in g Adve n t
Stewardship Put your gifts at the service of one another. Love cancels a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8, 10
Thanks to all who have returned a pledge envelope thus far.If you have not yet done so, please return your pledge now so thatyour pledge can be included in our first report in next weekend’sbulletin. The pledge envelope is an expression of faith and lovefor God in our faith community. As suggested, take thisopportunity to see what percentage of your income you offer, andconsider raising it by 1%. Pledge envelopes can be placed in thefirst or second collection. This expression of faith, gratitude andlove should be prayerful, planned, the first fruits and theproportion that expresses our acknowledgment of God gifts.
Angel TreeOur (multiple) Angel Tree is in the vestibule to provide gifts forclients of Catholic Social Services’ Service Center and RefugeeResettlement Program. If you take an “angel” from the tree, save itand attach it as a tag on the wrapped gift you bring.
ADULT RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.)
Continuing Ed. for Catholic and other adults whowant to learn about and/or join the Catholic Church
Wednesday Nights, 7:00-8:30 in the Adult Education Room
Bible Study GroupsSundays, 8:45 -10:45 a.m. in the school counselor's conferenceroom. Breakfast is served also. We are studying Isaiah.Tuesdays, 1:45 - 3:00 p.m.,in the Adult Ed. Room. Study of Exodusand Comparison to Hollywood Version. Info: Judi Ankiewicz, 344-0321.Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Conference Rm. (2 Flr, Communitynd
Ctr). The Acts of the Apostles. Info: Dave Burchette, 367-6660.Thursdays, 9:00-10:45 a.m., Conf. Rm (2 Flr), Com. Ctr. Penny Claiborne, 776-nd
5850, [email protected] or Joanne Donaghey, 554-6753, [email protected]
SUNDAY SCHOOL (CCD)Classes resume today: 10:05-10:55 a.m., in school buildings.
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL
Open HouseThis Friday! Dec. 7, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 6, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
All interested parents are invited to tour our SACS-accredited school and meet our faculty and staff. You may also call the school office at 342-5474, ext. 1, to arrange a personal tour at your convenience. Our many programs provide a unique learning opportunity for all students.
Daily Religion Class ! Weekly Mass ! Elementary andJunior High Resource Program ! Accelerated Reader
Program ! 7th & 8th Grade Latin Elective ! InteractiveBoards in all classrooms ! iPads ! Science Lab ! National
Junior Honor Society ! Scholars’ Bowl Team ! DukeScholars’ Program (52% of current 7 Graders are Duke Scholars) ! th
Corpus Christi News (CCN) ! Computer Club ! Shakespeare-After-School Drama Club ! Green Club ! Running Club ! Scouting ! Elementary Band (5-8) !
School Newspaper & Yearbook ! CYO Sports
Also Announcing K3 & K4 Classes:We are pleased to announce the addition of our 3K & 4K program
for the 2013-2014 school year, providing the opportunity forchildren to learn, play and grow in a safe, developmentally-appropriate environment, helping them to develop socially,
physically and spiritually, and giving them the building blocks fora life-long love of learning and academic success.
Info: www.CorpusChristiParish.com/School or 342-5474, ext. 1.
Nine McGill-Toolen Juniorswere inducted into the
National Latin Honor Society Last Week
Six of the nine areCorpus Christi School Graduates:
Emily Lannan, Paige LaGarde, Collin Phillips,Jake Picicci, Cameron Schaerfl, Ben Waddell
High School YouthSunday, Dec. 2, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Join us for our 1 -Sunday-of-the-st
Month meeting during which we will do a special service project,making care packages with letters to our service men and womenoverseas. Freshmen Confirmation Candidates are especiallyurged to attend and get their service hours. We’ll have pizza at6:30 p.m., and then begin preparing our packages. Please bringgift wrap or individual powdered drink mix for our care packages — the type of drink mix you can add to a bottle of water.Sunday, Dec. 16: 5:30 p.m. Mass, followed by Dollar Tree DirtySanta Christmas Party. Bring a $1 item and a snack to share.
Widowed Persons’ Support GroupFor information call parishioner Glen Porter at 666-8977.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA DECEMBER 2 , 2 0 1 2
IMMACULATE CON CEPTION HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
Masses: Friday, Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m. & Saturday, Dec. 8, 8:15 a.m.
Children’s First ReconciliationMonday, Dec. 3, 7:00 p.m. Adults are welcome too.
Wednesday Night Dinner5:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Banquet Hall
$9.00 for Adults ! $4.00 for Children (Age 12 & under)
Dec. 5 ~ Carved Roast Beef with Roasted Garlic Au Jus, Herb Baked Chicken, Fried Fish • Potatoes Au Gratin • Squash Medley • English Peas w/Pearl Onions • Assorted Cakes & Pies.
Must RSVP with your name & number in your party: 1. Return an RSVP Card, or 2. Call 342-1288 or 3. Email [email protected]
Children & Adult Singers!Christmas Concert: TONIGHT! 6:00 p.m. in the church.Christmas Eve: 7:30 Mass. Rehearse: Dec 4, 11, 18 at 7 p.m. Info: Matthew Purvis at [email protected].
Men of St. JosephTuesdays, 7 to 8 a.m. in the Family Room
Also Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. in Room 6 (2 Floor)nd
All men are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion.Info: Jim Donaghey, [email protected] or www.MenOfStJoseph.com.
Wed. Evening Info: Walter Bracewell, 599-1650 or [email protected]
Women of MaryWednesdays, 7-8 p.m., in the Family Room
.. All women are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion.Info: Sr. Deborah Kennedy, R.S.M., 316-3960.
That Man is You! Men’s ProgramThursdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in “The Parish House”
(Behind our parking lot at the S.E. corner of Evergreen Rd. & McKenna Dr.)Dec. 6: The Cry of the Child & A New Springtime
POW example of Facing the Brutal Truth • How Men Have Succumbed toTemptation • The Attack on Fatherhood is Real & Relentless • A Father’sLegacy • The Story of Eminem • Failed Leadership Always Has a PersonalPrice. Blessed John Paul II Shows the Power of True Leadership • JP IISets Foundation for Family in the Third Millennium • Seven Last Words ofJP II • JP II Was Faithful Unto Death • Fruit of JP II’s Leadership is theNew Springtime • Graces of Great Jubilee Still Producing [email protected] or 281-974-3541 or Damian Bell, [email protected]
Boy Scout Meetings: Dec. 2, 5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 5-6 p.m. To
join, or for information, contact Mr. Edgar Maier at [email protected] or228-935-6315. Also visit www.troopwebhost.org/Troop29mobile/.
Cub Scout News: 12/4 & 12/11 Den Meetings 6 pm. 12/16 Toys for
Tots Toy Drive Deadline &and Pack Christmas Party 12:30 Community Center.To join Cub Scouts or for info: Contact Walter Bracewell, 599-1650, or Mike Martin,633-5218, or visit ccspack29.scoutlander.com.
The Women’s Club Women’s Annual Advent Retreat: Tomorrow night, Monday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. in the atrium. Bring a soup salad or bread to share.
Society of St. Vincent de PaulPoor Box, Food, Clothing donations put in the designated places inthe vestibule are distributed by our St. Vincent de Paul Society
To obtain assistance, call 432-5173 and leave name & phone no.Meetings: 1 & 3 Wed., 7 p.m., Com. Ctr. Conf. Rm. (2 Flr.)st rd nd
Knights of ColumbusMeeting: 2 Tues., Dec. 11, 7 p.m., at The Parish House.nd
Contact: Grand Knight, Bob Wheat, 490-9350.
Respect LifeGabriel's Project - To serve as a Prayer Angel for a woman requesting help with herpregnancy, to give assistance, or to donate using the pay pal account: [email protected]. Maria at 251-753-2416. Teen Peeps - Religious Christmas Cards for sale, all proceeds for 2B-Choices forWomen Crisis Pregnancy Center, visit [email protected] under the TeenPeeps link. Or contact Maria at 251-753-2416.
20's & 30's Young AdultsChristmas Celebration with Archbishop Rodi
Thursday Dec. 13. 6:30 p.m. Praise & Worship Music & 7 p.m. Mass with the Archbishop in the Cathedral Crypt, followed by dinner and festivities at the Portier House. All those in their 20's and 30's are invited. Bring a friend & Christmas treat to share. Contact Lise Lirette 415-680-8594 for more info.
Attention Catholic SinglesInterested in joining an excellent Catholic singles organization?The Catholic Alumni Club International is looking to expand intothe Mobile area. We provide a group dedicated to social, cultural,civic and spiritual relationships in a Catholic setting. For more info,contact Cheryl at [email protected] or www.caci.org.
Cougars Running Wild — 5K & 1-Mile Fun RunSat., Dec. 8: 5K Race starts at 3 p.m.; the Fun Run around 4 p.m. at Mobile (Langan)Municipal Park. Fun for the whole family with a Kids Activity Area and food sponsoredby Firehouse Subs, Krispy Kreme, Godfather’s Pizza, and the Knights of Columbuswill be cooking hot dogs. Register online at Active.com or at the parish or schooloffices. Registration fees until Dec. 6 are $15 for adults and $12 for children (15 &under.) The Fun Run registration fee is $10 for all. All registered participants will beeligible for many fantastic door prizes from Complete Skin Care Center, Rick’sSporting Goods, The Shed, McCoy’s, Run N Tri, Zoghby’s , Heros, and many more.
AA — Alanon — OA — CODAAA: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Cougar Den.
Alanon: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg.OA: Sat., 9 a.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg.
CODA: Tues., 6:45 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg.
First Friday Eucharistic Adoration: Dec. 7, beginning afterthe 8:15 a.m. weekday Mass, and continuing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sign-up sheet is in the vestibule: At least two persons are needed for each hour.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA DECEMBER 2 , 2 0 1 2
FlowersThe flowers before the altar this weekend
have been placed in memory ofSharon Lary
on the 3 anniversary of her death.rd
Given by The Lary Family.
FlowersThe flowers before the pulpit this weekend
have been placed in memory ofHoward McFarlane
on the 7 anniversary of his death.th
Given by his wife, Virginia McFarlane.
Around the Archdiocese: Providence Hospital’s
annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Thursday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. in theMain Lobby. Purchase lights, at $5 each, in memory of a loved one or as anhonorarium by contacting Karen Dixon in the Volunteer Office, 633-1335. Scrolls withthe names are displayed in the lobby during the season. The public is invited. Volunteers needed for The Service Center of Catholic Social Services’ ChristmasAngel program. Set-up & distribution of gifts will be on Dec. 10-13 at Prince of PeaceChurch during the day. A Xmas grocery distribution will at The Service Center willbe on Dec. 13 & 14 and Dec. 17 & 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Info: Jamie Landry at 434-1510or email [email protected]. The McGill-Toolen Catholic High SchoolBand and the Elementary Prep School Band present a Christmas Festival andSilent Auction Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. at the McGill-Toolen Portier CenterGymnasium. We will also be selling homemade Christmas goodies, pizza by the sliceand soft drinks. Come and support your favorite high school and elementary schoolmusicians. Some of the items up for bid include an autographed photo of Phil Everly,and an Everly Brothers CD signed by Phil Everly, dinner for 10 prepared by Mr. Noahand Mr Porter with entertainment by Phil Proctor, a ShiTzu puppy, veterinary servicesdonated by Rehm Animal Clinic, a cultured marble vanity top donated by DavidFromdahl/Kitchen and Bath Center, Mobile Symphony Tickets, Mobile Ballet Tickets,$100 gift card donated by Zoghby's and so much more.
SPECIAL COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND: Retired Religious.
FIRST COLLECTION TODAY for tithing offerings.SECOND COLLECTION TODAY for Corpus Christi Building Fund.
NOV. 18 BUILDING FUND ONLINE & COLLECTION: $2,318.00TH
NOV. 18 TITHING ONLINE & COLLECTION: $22,511.05TH
NOV. 25 BUILDING FUND ONLINE & COLLECTION: $2,185..25TH
NOV. 25 TITHING ONLINE & COLLECTION: $27,730.04TH
Thank You and God Bless Youfor your tithes, contributions & bequests to Corpus ChristiChurch. To make a direct donation of stock, ask yourstockbroker, or call Steve Setterstrom at Citigroup Global Mkts.at 470-1060.Receive a detail listing of your contributions by mail, email orfax: Call 342-1852 or email [email protected]
Online Giving With Online Giving you can either make a one-time contribution or set up a recurring automatic withdrawal from a checking or savings or credit card account: Go to www.CorpusChristiParish.com; click “Church”; then click the green Online Giving icon, and follow theinstructions to contribute to the tithing or building fund or special collections.For assistance, call 1-800-348-2886, ext 4, or parish office, 342-1852.
Advent Colors In the liturgical renewal, the Church distinguishes,perhaps more clearly today, the difference between theseason of Advent (a season of joyful expectancy) andthe season of Lent (a specifically penitential season). While the official color for the season of Advent isviolet, the “Ordo” for Mass suggests that “bluer hues ofviolet might be used for Advent” to express thedifference between Advent and Lent. Some liturgistspromote violet or purple for Lent and a deep blue as thecolor for Advent – expressing Advent’s theme of joyfulexpectancy and the role of Mary in the mystery of theChristmas event. Although we do not use bluevestments because blue is not one of the official colorsin our Latin rite (white, green, violet and red are thefour official colors), blue trim on violet vestments is anacceptable way to express the difference between theAdvent and Lenten seasons (in the same way that bluetrim is often used on white vestments for feasts ofMary). Today, Advent wreaths may be made witheither violet or blue candles. There is also the option ofusing the traditional rose-colored candle for the thirdSunday of Advent to symbolize the nearness ofChristmas joy announced in the first word of thatSunday’s Entrance Antiphon: “Rejoice” (Latin,Gaudete). In the Advent season, we pray that the Lordmay “find us waiting, eager in joyful prayer.” cf. The “Ordo” and “Catholic Customs & Traditions” by Greg Dues
Do We X-out Christ?The Greek letter × (“Chi”) looks like the
letter “X” in our English, but it’s the first
letter of “Christ” in Greek. The Greek ×(Chi) has been used as an abbreviation
for Christ or Christos since the beginning of Christianity.Thus, “Xmas” is simply an abbreviation for “Christmas.”“Christmas” is itself an abbreviation of “Christ Mass.”
THE CHI RHO. In Greek, thefirst two letters of the title Christare Chi (×) and Rho (Ñ), an early
abbreviation of “CHRist” [XP]. The Chi (×) was oftensuperimposed on the Rho (Ñ) as amonogram for “Christ.” Some-times, the Chi (×) was rotated toline up with the vertical line ofthe Rho (Ñ), forming a cross.
Corpus Christi Christmas ConcertCombined Adult & Children’s Choirs
and Orchestra
Tonight! Sunday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. in the church
Advent Communal Reconciliation ServiceMonday, Dec. 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Advent Anointing of the SickSat., Dec. 15, at 5:30 p.m. Mass and Sunday, Dec. 16, at 7:00 a.m. Mass.
Christmas Mass ScheduleChristmas Eve, Dec. 24
4:00 p.m.5:30 p.m.7:30 p.m.
Christmas Day, Dec. 257:00 a.m.9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
The End Is Near! Again.Predictions of the end of the world go back thousands of
years. Even the early Christians believed that Jesus wouldcome back at the turn of the century. St. Paul himself had toreconsider and realize that his work and that of the wholeChurch was really just the beginning. Some of the earlysaints predicted the end of the world. St. Clement thoughttime would run out about 60 A.D. St. Martin of Toursthought 400 would be the end.
In 960, Bernard, a visionary in Germany announced thatthe world would end on Good Friday in 992. It didn’t.An astronomer named John of Toledo calculated that amajor calamity would destroy the earth in September of1186. Many people in Europe and Asia were so convincedby his calculations that they dug shelters. The Byzantineemperor ordered all the windows of his palace boardedover, and, in England, the Archbishop of Canterburyordered a national fast of atonement. Obviously, the worlddid not end.
A group of London astrologers speculated that the worldwould end by a flood in February of 1524. By mid-January, at least 20,000 people had left their homes forhigher ground. When the German astrologer andmathematician Johannes Soeffler agreed that a floodwould destroy the world on Feb. 20, 1524, Count vonIggleheim order a 3-story ark to be constructed for hisfamily. When the rain began to fall on Feb. 20, a panickycrowd trampled the count to death while attempting toboard his ark. The world did not end.
German monk and mathematician Michael Stiffelcalculated that the end would come on Oct. 18, 1533.When it did not, he was soundly beaten by the citizens ofLochan.Solomon Eccles, a Quaker prophet, made a similarprediction in London in 1665. When Eccles was arrested,the hysteria he had stirred up abated. The world did notend.
Nor did the end time arrive as Mary Bateman of Leeds,England, said it would. In 1806, Bateman claimed that herhen was laying eggs inscribed with the words, “Christ iscoming!” When Bateman began selling “tickets” toheaven for a shilling each, she was arrested, convicted andeventually hanged.
In January 1843, William Miller, founder of the AmericanAdventist Movement, announced that the end of the world
would take place by March 21, 1844. Thousands believedhim, and tension mounted as the year-long vigil began,heightened by the appearance of a comet. Alas, the fatefulyear came to an end, and the world didn’t.
In York, Pennsylvania, grocery store owner Lee T.Spangler announced that the world would end by fireduring October, 1908. On the last day of October, the onlything that fell on York was a light rain.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses frightened gullible followers atleast three times with their predictions of the end of theworld in 1914, 1918 and 1974.
In San Francisco, seismographer and meteorologist AlbertPorsta, who had made a reputation for himself predictingearthquakes, announced that, with the conjunction of sixplanets on Dec. 17, 1919, a magnetic current would piercethe sun and the earth would be completely incinerated. Alarm was widespread. Cases of suicides and hysteriawere reported throughout the world. Proven wrong, Porstareturned to predicting the weather.
In Los Angeles, a girl named Margaret Rowan announcedthat the angel Gabriel had told her the world would end onFeb. 13, 1925. It did not. Nor did the world end in 1931,as predicted by the Prophetical Society of Dallas, Texas. Neither was Charles Long of Pasadena, Calif., correctwhen he wrote a 70,000-word tract outlining details of theend of the world, which was to happen at 5:33 p.m. onSept. 21, 1945.
Many Italians who had long placed their trust in the oldadage, “Rome and the world are safe as long as theColiseum stands” were given over to hysteria when in1954, engineers discovered huge cracks in the 1800-year-old amphitheater. Someone suggested that it was a sign ofdoom and that the world would end on May 24 of thatsame year. Thousands besieged the Vatican asking thepope for absolution. Despite a sharp rebuke from PopePius XII, who told the people, “The world will seeTuesday and many more Tuesdays to come,” thousandsgathered in St. Peter’s Square to await the end on May 24. The end did not come, and builders were sent to repair theColiseum.
TV preacher Herbert Armstrong used to predict that theworld would end in 1972, and Jack Van Impe foundevidence in Scripture that communists would invadeAmerica in 1976. CBN’s Pat Robertson once declared that
“the zero hour” was at hand. He wrote to the members ofthe 700 Club: “In the fall of 1982 we may well see theentire world engulfed in flames.” Although he no longerspecifies dates, he still says he expects to be alive whenChrist returns. Hal Lindsey, author of the famous bookThe Late Great Planet Earth, predicted 1980 to be the end,and has had to revise his dates every 10 years or so.
Other books have predicted: “Christ Returns by 1988 –101 Reasons Why,” “88 Reasons Why The End Will TakePlace In 1988,” “89 Reasons Why The World Will End In1989,” “September 15, 1994: Last Day And Return ofChrist,” and, “ The End of The Age - May 31, 1998.”
While most of the world was celebrating the turn of thecentury in 2000, many people were cringing in fear,dreading the disaster that would be Y2K. There waswidespread panic as the year 1000 approached as well.
There are several Catholic groups who are warning of theimminent return of Christ based on non-approved claimsof apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Pope Benedict has
called on Christians notto heed doomsdaywarnings that the worldwill end on December21, 2012. Several filmsand documentaries havepromoted the idea that
the ancient Mayan calendar predicts that doomsdayis on Dec. 21, 2012. As many as 90,000 people areexpected to attend a massive event in Guatemala Cityon Dec. 21, 2012 just in case the world actually doesend, while tour groups are promoting doomsday-themed getaways.But the pope said that Jesus “does not describe theend of the world, and when he uses apocalypticimages, he is not acting the prophet. On thecontrary, he wants to stop his disciples of everyepoch from being curious over dates and forecasts,and wants to give them the key to... the right road towalk today and tomorrow to enter into eternal life.”
The Book of Revelation is one of the most misunderstood and abusedbooks of the Bible. It is easily misunderstoodbecause it is filled with symbolism whosemeaning is often lost on today’s audience. It isabused because some people take advantage ofthe mysterious symbols in the book and assigntheir own meanings to them in order to frightenothers into thinking that the end of the world is
near. So, why is the Book of Revelation written in such a strange and unique style? It’s actually a form of literaturecalled apocalyptic literature which deals, not with a catastrophic event (as the word apocalypse is understood today)but with a revelation intended to provide encouragement and hope for people who are suffering through trials andtribulations.
In the Old Testament, the Book of Daniel is an example of apocalyptic literature. When the Book of Revelation waswritten (around the year 100 AD), the early Christian Church was suffering many persecutions. For many, it seemedas though the “end” was near and, for some, it indeed was. The Book of Revelation was written to speak to this struggleand to offer hope in the midst of what seemed like a lost cause. Some of the symbolism in the Book of Revelation isindeed a coded language so as to protect Christians who practiced their faith illegally in the Roman Empire. Forexample, it is believed that the numbers 666 are a code or symbol to represent the Emperor Nero who was seen as theepitome of evil to Christians.
In essence, the Book of Revelation tells the story of the eternal struggle between good and evil – a struggle in whichevil often seems to have the upper hand. In every age, this seems to be true from time to time. Like the earlyChristians, we are in need of hope in the face of seemingly desperate situations when all hope seems lost. Despite themany frightening images in the Book of Revelation, the story climaxes in the ultimate triumph of good. The Book ofRevelation does not predict anything for the future except for one event: the glorious victory of Jesus Christ at the endof the world. We do a great disservice to the Bible when we try to make it a series of predictions for our own times.
