"Christ describes frightening scenes. The last days preceding the second coming will be marked by a final trial which will shake the faith of many believers. Jesus asks: 'But when the Son of Man comes will he find any faith on earth?' (Lk 8: 28). This is a mysterious phrase but its immediate meaning cannot be eluded. Only a 'little flock' will persevere in the faith until the end, awaiting the Lord's coming. The greater part of mankind, including many believers, will have lost the faith. In another context Jesus adds to the eclipse of faith a cooling of charity. Indeed, it is not possible to lose one without losing the other. Thus he describes the 'trials' of the end times: 'Many false prophets will arise; they will deceive many, and with the increase of lawlessness, love in most men will grow cold; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved' (Mt 24: 11). Jesus situates the the end of the world in the context of great apostasy from the faith. The rejection of Christianity by many who had adhered to it will take place in a world where the Gospel of the Kingdom has been proclaimed to the ends of the earth (cf. Mt 24: 14). The coming of Christ as judge will take place in a context of betrayal. - Fr. Livio Fanzaga
"The Dragon is clearly Satan. Then comes the battle of Michael and his angels against the dragon, whereby the dragon is vanquished and falls. From the deep he (the dragon) calls up a terrible creature, the first apocalyptical beast...Here is the antithesis (of Christ): revelation of the Antichrist. He will be a man of stupendous talents and spiritual force, of great knowledge and might. He will also be filled with religious power. Indeed, he will even have a certain resemblance to Christ, for it will be said also of him that he is mortally wounded and yet alive, in other words, that he has sacrificed himself and vanquished, so that there will be something perversely redemptory about him that is directed against the living God and His Christ. This beast defies God, blaspheming against Him and His name. All men save those registered in the book of the Lamb submit to its power. Then a second beast arises, coming up out of the land. Outwardly, it resembles a Lamb, but it speaks like a dragon. It proclaims the Antichrist, erects his image, performs miracles, and persuades men to worship him. Perhaps we are meant to see in this beast the evil counterpart of him who proclaimed the Savior, the Precursor, John the Baptist. From all sides, from all races, this beast summons men, leading them to the Enemy of God." (Romano Guardini, The Lord, p. 510).
As a student of Catholic prophecy and as one who tries to read the signs of the times, I find it interesting to say the least that the new presidential limousine is referred to by the Secret Service as "the beast." Never before has the presidential limousine been referred to by this moniker. Why now?
Could the president shut down the internet? WND article here.
