I am no expert on Catholic Prophecy but have read quite a lot and from what I have read there are TWO distinct periods of Godlessness predicted: one at the period of the lesser tribuation and one at the time of the Great Tribulation. Christ spoke clearly of the Great Tribulation and the signs that would precede it. Thus the lesser tribulation will also have similar characteristics of the Great Tribulation - earthquakes, war, famine, disease, deception, anti-christs, goldlessness, persecution and so on. First there is the period of the LESSER TRIBULATION [which I believe we are going through at the moment], purifications - in this period these are tied in with Garabandal and secrets of Medjugorje. There may well be an anti-Christ of sorts, and a persection of Christians in this period. We know of the Warning, Miracles, Permanent Signs followed by Chastisements. The first three secrets are warnings for the world, the last 7 are perhaps punishments, as at the time of the Pharaoh of Egypt. The punishments will bring mankind to its knees [the last one perhaps being the 3 days of darkness followed by cleansing of the world]. These events will usher in the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and a period of peace will be granted to to the World [Fatima prophecy] and Christ will rule in mens hearts [thus no need for Marian apparitions]. This I believe will be the Eucharistic Reign of Christ the King when a unified Church will see great Eucharistic Miracles, a great Evangelisation, outpouring of the Spirit and conversionof the World. Later comes the Great Tribulation as predicted by our Lord - but the chastisements of this period will be greater because the sins of the World will be greater. This period will also see The Anti-Christ reign, the abolition of the Mass and a great massacre of Christians before the actual intervention of Christ [perhaps the sign mentioned by St Faustina of the Cross illuminating the sky is for this period]. Christ will reign, & God's Kingdom will come [as we pray for in the our Father] and God's will will be done on earth as in heaven. Both are periods of Godlessness as in the days of Noah and in both periods God will intervene. I really don't believe the actual Anti-Christ is here or will be here in my lifetime [that is why I am suspicious of private revelation which mention The Anti-Christ in the world today]. However, the period of tribulation is upon us and the world will know that there is a God, a father God of Mercy and Justice who will correct his erring children. Just as I have lived through a period of disobedience I hope to live to see a period of obedience to the divine will and if I survive the lesser tribulation maybe I will see the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I don't know timescales but the secrets will be in my lifetime [if God spares me] as I am only a couple of years older than the oldest seers.
Garabandal, The Catholic writer, Mark Mallet, believes the AntiChrist will make his appearance soon. Much of what he writes concerning the signs of the times is clear and persausive. But I'm not sure his view regarding the AntiChrist is correct. The suppression of Holy Mass would be the obvious indicator of that scenario. Like you, I hope to live and experience the beginning of the Era of Peace. God's Will be done! Safe in the Father's Arms!
Garabandal. I have studied up on these things as much as you have or in such detail, though I always love to read up on it. I also do not think we are trucking towards the immediate end of the world. In case those times are a secret, as Jesus said not even know by the angels. I also think what is to come before the immediate end will be far ,far different from what we are going through now. I think for instance that there will be a greater division between good and evil. The good will be very holy and the bad will be evil incarnate. But I think as we go through the Tribulation it will seem very much like the End of the World. Terry mentioned about Mark Mallet saying he thought that the antiChrist was here/ I didn't know this. I have a lot of respect for Mark and would listen to all he says. Another thing that makes me thoughtful are the words of Our Lady at Kibeho in Rwanda which point very firmly towards the Second Coming of Christ. Also yesterday when I was reading St Faustina she also seems to point to the Second Coming. The apparition at Knock was of course taken right out of the Book of the Apocalypse. So I suspect we are in the End Times. The 'End Times' can last quite a few centuries I suppose. But I suspect from round about 1860 we moved into the final confrontation when , 'Satan has come down to Earth in great wrath for he knows he has but a short time left' I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy. If they will not adore My mercy, they will perish for all eternity… tell souls about this great mercy of Mine, because the awful day, the day of My justice, is near. —Divine Mercy in My Soul, Diary of St. Faustina, n. 965 ...and at Kibeho in Rhwanda: Our Lord 'Too many people treat their neighbours dishonestly. The world is full of hatred. You will know my Second Coming is at hand when you see the outbreak of religious wars. Then, know that I am on the way' Our Blessed Mother 'I have come to prepare the way for my Son for your good and you do not want to understand. The time remaining is short and you are absent-minded. You are distracted by the goods of this world which are passing. I have seen many of my children becoming lost and I have come to show them the true way' I don't say I understand these things. I don't. But I take them away in my heart to pray over.
The idea of a lesser and greater tribulation was endorsed by Yves Dupont in his book on Catholic prophecy. Catholic Prophecy 'The Coming Chastisement' by Yves Dupont, 1973 Page 90 There are 2 different stages within the Latter-Days period: the first heralding the final stage, being of lesser intensity; the final stage bringing about the consumation of the world. To each of these 2 stages will the proximate signs of the End apply. Thus, we are now about to enter the first stage, the Great Disaster which is imminent and which will be followed by a period of peace'. Page 91 'I regard it as certain that there will be 2 different stages. The 1st stage will only be the beginning of sorrows, and it will be shortened for the sake of the elect, and the Gospel will then be preached throughout the World. This will be the period of peace under the Great Monarch, the period of conversions and general prosperity which we and our children may enjoy - in short, the period of peace promised by our Lady of Fatima' I take the idea of general prosperity to be spiritual and not material.
