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Title: Knowing God Through Sacred Scripture


1
Faith and Revelation
  • Knowing God Through Sacred Scripture

2
The Church Transmits Gods Revelation
  • Chapter 7

3
Chapter Objectives
The student will be able to understand
  • The Church as present from the beginning of time
  • The power to forgive sins
  • Doubting Thomas
  • The Road to Emmaus appearance
  • Jesus confirmation of St. Peters vocation
  • The final preparation of his Apostles
  • The election of St. Matthias
  • Pentecost
  • St. Peters first sermon
  • Jesus, Son of David and Davids Lord
  • The primitive Church
  • St. Stephen
  • Sabbath and Sunday worship
  • The first Gentile conversion
  • Saul
  • The conversion of Cornelius
  • The Council of Jerusalem
  • The End Times
  • The Book of Revelation and the liturgy
  • The two beasts of Revelation
  • The New Jerusalem
  • Gods Final Judgment

4
Keys to Chapter 7
  • After his Resurrection, Christ gave his Apostles
    a final, forty-day preparation.
  • Pentecost brought the Church to life, and St.
    Peter and the Apostles converted thousands.
  • The history of the primitive Church is a turning
    from the Jewish to the Gentile world.
  • Christs conversion of St. Paul gave the Church
    perhaps her greatest evangelist.
  • The Church faces persecution and temptation in
    joyful hope of the Second Coming of Christ and
    the appearance of the New Jerusalem.

5
In This Chapter We Will Discuss
  • The Founding of the Church.
  • The Divine mandate given the Church by Jesus
    Christ.
  • The beginnings of the Church following the feast
    of Pentecost.
  • What God has revealed about the end of time.

6
The Church Transmits Gods Revelation
  • Lesson Objectives
  • The Church as present from the beginning of time
  • The power to forgive sins
  • Doubting Thomas
  • The Road to Emmaus
  • Christs confirmation of St. Peters vocation

7
Jesus Christ The Fullness of Divine Revelation
Basic Questions
In what sense has the Church been in existence
from the beginning? The Church, as a human family
living in communion with God and one another, has
been present in a hidden way from the beginning.
8
Jesus Christ The Fullness of Divine Revelation
Basic Questions
Why does the Church have the power to forgive
sins? Christ gave his disciples his divine power
to forgive sins.
9
Jesus Christ The Fullness of Divine Revelation
Basic Questions
What did Christs appearance to St. Thomas
reveal? Christs appearance to St. Thomas
confirms both the necessity of faith and his
physical Resurrection.
10
Jesus Christ The Fullness of Divine Revelation
Basic Questions
What did Christs appearance on the road to
Emmaus reveal? His appearance on the road to
Emmaus revealed Christ fulfilled the Messianic
prophecies of the Old Testament.
11
Jesus Christ The Fullness of Divine Revelation
Basic Questions
What did Christs appearance on the shore of Lake
Galilee reveal? Christ confirmed St. Peters
authority as chief shepherd of his Church when he
appeared to the Apostles in Galilee.
12
Anticipatory Set
Incorporate Christs appearance on the road to
Emmaus into opening prayer and then discuss Why
do you think the two disciples did not recognize
Christ? How did the two disciples unconsciously
know their companion was Christ even before they
knew it with certainty? What message did Christ
teach the two disciples?
13
Focus Question
What are the two beginning points of the Churchs
history?
They are Pentecost and the moment of creation.
14
Focus Question
Why is the moment of creation properly speaking
the beginning of the Church?
Gods original intentby creating Adam and Eve in
his imagewas a family of men and women living in
communion with their Creator and with each other.
This is the self-same nature of the Church.
15
Focus Question
What destroyed this original plan?
Original Sin destroyed it.
16
Focus Question
What is the essence of both the Old and New
Testaments?
The Old Testament reveals how God worked to
restore the communion between himself and man.
The new Testament reveals the ultimate act of
restoration through Christs Sacrifice on the
Cross, his Resurrection, and the gift of the Holy
Spirit at Pentecost.
17
Focus Question
Just before his Ascension, what did Christ
instruct his disciples to do?
They were to continue his mission on earth.
18
Focus Question
Why would the Apostles naturally be overwhelmed
with their task?
There were only eleven of them, and they were
mostly uneducated. Their leader had been mocked,
tortured, and crucified by both the religious and
political authorities.
19
Focus Question
What assistance did Christ promise his Apostles?
He promised the Holy Spirit who would teach you
all things, and bring to your remembrance all
that I have said to you.
20
Guided Exercise
Complete a paragraph shrink on two paragraphs (p.
234, Meditating on his truth if not in
name.).
21
Focus Question
What power did Christ give his Apostles on the
night of his Resurrection?
He gave them the power to forgive sins.
22
Focus Question
How was the Apostles power to forgive sins an
extension of Gods power to forgive sins?
Only God has the power to forgive sins. Christ,
being God, properly exercised this power during
his public ministry. Christ gave the Apostlesand
they to their successorsthis divine power.
23
Focus Question
What does the story of Doubting Thomas reveal?
First, it reveals faith is necessary to grasp the
reality of Christs Resurrection. Second, it
reveals the Resurrection was not an allegorical
story or a symbolic representation of a
transformation that took place within the
Apostles Jesus Christ really rose from the dead,
bearing the marks of his Crucifixion.
24
Guided Exercise
Conduct a think/pair/share of the following
question Christ said to St. Thomas, Have you
believed because you have seen me? Blessed are
those who have not seen and yet believe (Jn
20.29). How do those words apply to modern-day
Christians?
25
Focus Question
What did the risen Christ explain to the two
disciples on the road to Emmaus?
Christ illumined the Scriptures, showing how the
history of Revelation pointed toward the events
that had just taken place in Jerusalem. Christ
was the fulfillment of all the covenants and the
hope for mankind.
26
Focus Question
When did the two disciples recognize their
companion was Christ?
They recognized him in the breaking of the bread.
27
Focus Question
What was the meaning of the breaking of bread in
the early Church?
It meant the celebration of the Eucharist, the
Mass.
28
Focus Question
Why were the Apostles probably surprised Christ
told them to return to Galilee?
They were then in Jerusalem, the capital of
Israel, and many were expecting Christ to
reestablish the Kingdom of Israel immediately,
whereas Galilee was an out-of the-way place.
29
Focus Question
What prophecy was fulfilled by the Apostles
return to Galilee?
Isaiah foretold Galilee would be the place where
the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel would
begin In the latter time (God) will make
glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the
Jordan, Galilee of the nations (Is 91).
30
Focus Question
What did the miraculous catch of 153 fish
symbolize?
Greek naturalists had identified 153 different
kinds of fish in the world. Symbolically, the
Apostles had caught every different kind of fish.
Since Christ had called the Apostles to be
fishers of men, this implied the Apostles, with
Christs help, would win converts from every
land.
31
Alternative Assessment
Read Christs appearance to St. Mary Magdalene
(Jn 20 1-18) and then write about what this
passage reveals.
32
Focus Question
Why did Christ ask St. Peter three times if he
loved him?
By the charcoal fire on the shore of Lake of
Galilee, Christ gave St. Peter the opportunity to
reverse his threefold denial of Christ by the
charcoal fire in the courtyard of Jerusalem.
33
Focus Question
What vocation did Christ confirm to St. Peter?
St. Peter was to be the shepherd who would tend
Christs lambs, that is, all believers. In
other words, Christ was repeating his invitation
to St. Peter to be the rock upon which he would
build the Church.
34
Pentecost
  • Lesson Objectives
  • The final preparation of the Apostles
  • The election of St. Matthias
  • Pentecost
  • St. Peters first sermon
  • Jesus Christ, Son of David and Davids Lord

35
Pentecost
Basic Questions
What did Christ do during the forty days he
appeared to his Apostles after his
Resurrection? Christ taught his disciples about
the Kingdom of God during the forty days after
his Resurrection. The disciples waited in
Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit.
36
Pentecost
Basic Questions
Why did the Apostles replace Judas? The Apostles,
representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel, elected
St. Matthias to replace Judas.
37
Pentecost
Basic Questions
What is Pentecost? On Pentecost, the Apostles
were filled with the Holy Spirit.
38
Pentecost
Basic Questions
What was the message of St. Peters first sermon
at Pentecost? St. Peters first sermon showed
Christ, the very Person his audience had a hand
in crucifying, was raised from the dead,
fulfilling the prophecy God would not abandon his
soul to Hades or let his Holy One see
corruption.
39
Pentecost
Basic Questions
What is the answer to the riddle, How can
Davids son be Davids Lord? David called the
Messiah both his son and his Lord because Jesus
Christ was a descendant of David, thus his son,
and the preexisting Son of God, thus Davids
Lord.
40
Anticipatory Set
Read about the Ascension of Christ and the
election of St. Matthias (Acts 1).
41
Focus Question
What prophecy of St. John the Baptist had Christ
not yet fulfilled?
He was to baptize with the Holy Spirit and with
fire.
42
Focus Question
What did Christ say the Apostles ministry would
be?
After having received the Holy Spirit, they would
be Christs universal witnesses.
43
Focus Question
What does the phrase in Jerusalem and in all
Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth
describe?
It describes the restored Davidic Kingdom the
center at Jerusalem, then Judea (that which was
left after the division between Israel and
Judah), Samaria (the lost kingdom of Israel), and
the ends of the earth (all the Gentile nations).
44
Focus Question
According to the Catechism, no. 1546, what is the
nature of the common priesthood of all
believers?
The Church is a Kingdom of priests. Each baptized
person participates in Christs priesthood
according to his own vocation.
45
Focus Question
How would this New Kingdom be different from
Davids?
Davids was a temporal empire. The Church
encompasses all nations and times with Christ
reigning from Heaven, guiding his ministers to
handle the earthly affairs of the Kingdom.
46
Focus Question
How did Christ spend the time between his
Resurrection and his Ascension?
He prepared the Apostles for their mission as he
had spent forty days in the desert preparing for
his own.
47
Focus Question
Why did Christ instruct the Apostles to remain in
Jerusalem?
They were to await the coming baptism of the Holy
Spirit.
48
Guided Exercise
Write on how Zechariahs prophecy (Zec 211-12)
had been fulfilled in the Church.
49
Focus Question
On what authority did St. Peter decide the Church
needed to choose a successor of Judas?
Christ had told St. Peter to feed his sheep,
that is, to be the chief shepherd of the Church.
50
Focus Question
Why is it important there be twelve Apostles?
St. Peter understood the choice of the Twelve was
significant a symbol of the Twelve Tribes of
Israel. Appointed by Christ to be the leader of
the Apostles and of the Christian community, he
decided it was necessary to replace Judas before
the restoration of the Kingdom began.
51
Focus Question
What criteria was used to choose the successor of
Judas?
Judass replacement had to have been with Christ
from his Baptism until the Ascension so he could
be an eyewitness to the Resurrection.
52
Focus Question
What does Pentecost mean, and what did the Jews
celebrate at this feast?
Pentecost is from the Greek word fifty it is the
fiftieth day after Passover and the feast on
which the Jews celebrated the giving of the Law
to Moses on Mt. Sinai.
53
Focus Question
How was Pentecost an international event?
Jews from all over the world gathered in
Jerusalem to celebrate this festival.
54
Focus Question
What two similes did St. Luke use to describe the
descent of the Holy Spirit?
There was a sound like the rush of a mighty wind,
and tongues as of fire appeared.
55
Guided Exercise
Complete a focused reading of the paragraph, In
Greek, the word (p. 240) using the following
question In the Church, what is the connection
between the words office and bishop?
56
Focus Question
How did the assembled Jews from the various
nations react to the Apostles speaking in
various languages?
They were amazed, although some said they were
drunk.
57
Focus Question
What was St. Peters message to the crowds in
Jerusalem?
Christ and the events unfolding before their eyes
fulfilled the covenants and inaugurated the
restoration of the Kingdom of Israel. They were
seeing what the prophet Joel foretold the Spirit
of God poured out on everyone.
58
Focus Question
What does the question, How can Davids son be
Davids Lord, mean when applied to Christ?
How can Christ be both the Son of God and the Son
of David? If Christ is truly divine, how could he
also have been born of man?
59
Focus Question
Why is it understandable Christ asked people this
riddle during his public ministry?
It is the core of who the Messiah is a Son of
David and the Son of God.
60
Focus Question
Was this question ever answered in the Gospels?
No.
61
Focus Question
Who answered this question?
St. Peter, at Pentecost, inspired by the Holy
Spirit, answered it.
62
Focus Question
What were some of the challenges St. Peter faced
with his audience during his sermon at
Pentecost?
Some mocked the Apostles, saying they were drunk
others had earlier turned against Christ and
demanded his Crucifixion and many looked down on
the Apostles because they were from Galilee.
63
Focus Question
What approach did St. Peter adopt to persuade the
crowd?
He appealed to their understanding of the
Scriptures and showed how Christ fulfilled them.
64
Guided Exercise
Create a paragraph shrink on the paragraph
Jesus, being of both human and divine (p.
244).
65
Focus Question
According to St. Peter, why did David call his
son my Lord?
The Son of David is also the Son of God he
entered history to accomplish the task of
mankinds salvation, and he now lives and reigns
at the right hand of God the Father.
66
Focus Question
How does St. Peter explain the behavior of the
disciples at Pentecost?
He explained the prophecy of Joel had been
fulfilled these are the last days in which God
was pouring out his Spirit on ordinary sons and
daughters of Israel.
67
Focus Question
What was the point of Christs miracles according
to St. Peter?
They were the evidencewhich many in St. Peters
audience had personally witnessed or heard about
from othersChrist was the Messiah sent to them
by God.
68
Focus Question
According to St. Peter, how does Psalm 16
prophesy the Messiah would rise from the dead?
Thou wilt not let the Holy One see corruption
(Acts 1335 cf. Ps 1610).
69
Alternative Assessment
Write about how Christ gave new meaning to the
Jewish Feast of the Pentecost as he had done for
the Passover?
70
The Primitive Church
  • Lesson Objectives
  • The Primitive Church
  • St. Stephen
  • Sabbath and Sunday worship
  • The first Gentile conversion

71
The Primitive Church
Basic Questions
How was the primitive Church? The primitive
Church grew quickly under St. Peters leadership
and devoted herself to preaching, the Eucharist
and the prayers, and caring for one another.
72
The Primitive Church
Basic Questions
Who was St. Stephen? After he was arrested and
brought before the Sanhedrin, the deacon St.
Stephen delivered a courageous but inflammatory
summary of Jewish history. Accused of blasphemy,
St. Stephen was stoned to death, the first
martyr.
73
The Primitive Church
Basic Questions
How did the early Church worship? The primitive
Church publicly worshiped in synagogues on the
Sabbath and then privately celebrated the
Eucharist on Sunday.
74
The Primitive Church
Basic Questions
Who was the Ethiopian eunuch, and why was he
important? Led by the Holy Spirit, St. Philip
showed the Ethiopian eunuch Christ was the
fulfillment of the Scriptures (Old Testament).
When he asked for Baptism, the Apostle complied.
The Ethiopian, who was barred from Judaism
because he was a eunuch, was the first Gentile
baptized into the Church.
75
Anticipatory Set
Complete a focused reading of the Catechism, no.
781 (p. 273), using the following question In
what particular way does God desire his universal
salvific will be carried out?
76
Focus Question
How did St. Peter show his authority at
Pentecost?
He preached to the crowd and urged them to
repent, believe, and be baptized. About three
thousand were baptized that day.
77
Focus Question
What did the followers of Christ do during these
days?
They devoted themselves to the Apostles
teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of
bread, and the prayers (Acts 242). They
listened to the Apostles preaching, took part in
the Eucharist, and prayed. They shared their
belongings with each other and the poor.
78
Focus Question
Who spoke for the Church when the Apostles were
arrested by the Sanhedrin?
St. Peter
79
Focus Question
Why was the Sanhedrin forced to release the
Apostles?
If they were to arrest the Twelve, they feared
there might be a riot.
80
Focus Question
What was the Way?
It was what the early Church called herself.
81
Focus Question
What are deacons?
They are men the Apostles ordained to assist in
the day-to-day activities of the Church.
Extension Deacon means servant.
82
Guided Exercise
Conduct a think/pair/share of the following
question What was the effect of the persecution
the Jewish authorities launched against the
Church?
83
Guided Exercise
Brainstorm reasons many of the early conversions
were relatively easy to achieve.
84
Focus Question
Why did St. Stephen come to the attention of the
Jewish authorities?
He worked miracles and was a dynamic speaker.
85
Focus Question
What was the subject of St. Stephens preaching
before the chief priests?
He explained the coming of Christ had been
prophesied throughout the Scriptures (Old
Testament).
86
Focus Question
Why did the court declare St. Stephen had
committed blasphemy?
He said he was having a vision and saw Christ
standing at the right hand of God. Extension Thi
s was a problem for the Sanhedrin because St.
Stephen was saying Christ, whom they had
condemned to death, was Gods anointed.
87
Focus Question
What did the authorities do to St. Stephen?
They stoned him to death thus, he is the first
Christian martyr.
88
Focus Question
What did the early Christians consider their
place in Judaism?
They considered themslves Jews who kept the
Sabbath and followed Jewish Law.
89
Focus Question
How did the early Christians worship?
They worshiped at the synagogue publicly on the
Sabbath and celebrated the Eucharist privately on
Sunday.
90
Focus Question
What does it mean to say the synagogue and Temple
are united in the Christian Mass?
The first part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the
Word, is descended from the synagogue liturgy
with its scriptural readings and prayers. The
second part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the
Eucharist, came from the Temple liturgy of the
thank offering and the Passover as Christ
celebrated it at the Last Supper.
91
Focus Question
Who was the first Gentile to whom an Apostle
preached?
St. Philip preached to an Ethiopian eunuch.
92
Focus Question
Why did St. Stephen preach to him?
He was sent by an angel.
93
Focus Question
Why was it not surprising the eunuch was reading
the prophecy of Isaiah?
Since the time of Solomon, there had been a
Jewish presence in Ethiopia, and, as a result,
there were a good number of converts to the
Jewish faith living there.
94
Focus Question
Why could the Ethiopian eunuch not become a Jew
or proselyte?
According to Deuteronomy 231, a eunuch could not
be a part of the Jewish community.
95
Focus Question
What did Isaiah promise pious eunuchs?
God promised they would one day be more important
to him than sons and daughters. Extension This
is fulfilled by those who make themselves eunuchs
for the sake of the Kingdom of God, that is,
accept the vocation to celibacy.
96
Focus Question
What was an effective argument the early
Christians used to gain converts?
They showed how Christ fulfilled the Scriptures.
97
Focus Question
What was the significance of the Baptism of the
Ethiopian eunuch?
He was the first Gentile baptized a Christian,
bypassing Judaism. This was a sign the Gospel was
for everyone. Extension Ethiopia was the
farthest part of the known world.
98
Alternative Assessment
Complete Practical Exercise 8 about St. Stephen
and the effect of the martyrs.
99
Saul and the Conversion of the Gentiles
  • Lesson Objectives
  • Saul
  • The conversion of Cornelius
  • The Council of Jerusalem

100
Saul and the Conversion of the Gentiles
Basic Questions
Who was Saul? Saul was a zealous Jew who
persecuted the Church until Christ personally
appeared to him and made him an Apostle.
101
Saul and the Conversion of the Gentiles
Basic Questions
What is the significance of the conversion of
Cornelius? God revealed to St. Peter the
proselyte Cornelius and all his household should
be baptized without becoming Jews first.
102
Saul and the Conversion of the Gentiles
Basic Questions
What was the significance of the Council of
Jerusalem? At the Council of Jerusalem, St.
Peters decision that Gentile converts did not
have to follow the Mosaic Law was accepted by the
Church.
103
Anticipatory Set
Conduct a think/pair/share using the following
questions Do you think the Apostles imagined
soon everyone would be living the Mosaic Law and
making pilgrimages to the Temple? Why might they
have assumed this?
104
Focus Question
Who was Saul?
He was an educated Jew and Roman citizen who was
zealous for the Mosaic Law and willing to go to
any length to curb abuses of it.
105
Focus Question
Why did Saul lead the persecution of the early
Church?
The new practices and teachings being introduced
by the believers of Christ seemed an abomination
to him.
106
Focus Question
What did Christ mean when he said to Saul, Why
do you persecute me?
Saul was persecuting the Church, the Mystical
Body of Christ. Therefore, he was persecuting
Christ himself.
107
Focus Question
Who was Cornelius?
He was a Roman commander and a proselyte of the
Gate.
108
Focus Question
What did the voice in the kill and eat vision
mean by, What God has cleansed, you must not
call unclean?
First, all foods are clean, that is, may be
eaten this is a departure from Jewish dietary
regulations. Second, if a man has been cleansed
by Baptism, he is acceptable to God.
109
Focus Question
How did St. Peter know Cornelius and his
household should be baptized.?
They had received the gift of the Holy Spirit,
and this convinced St. Peter they had the right
to be baptized. Extension Cornelius and his
household received the Holy Spirit before they
were baptized.
110
Focus Question
Where did Sts. Paul and Barnabas go?
They traveled to Antioch, preached Christ, and
won many Gentile converts.
111
Focus Question
What was the first name used to describe
followers of Christ, and what new name did they
receive in Antioch?
They called their religion The Way. In Antioch
they were called Christians for the first time.
112
Focus Question
How did St. Paul correct St. Peter?
When these Jewish Christians appeared, St. Peter
withdrew from eating with the Gentile Christians.
St. Paul confronted St. Peter publicly, arguing,
If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and
not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles
to live like Jews? (Gal 214).
113
Focus Question
How did Ananias argue with Christ?
He was afraid to go to Saul because Saul was such
a danger to Christians.
114
Focus Question
Why were Christians in Jerusalem reluctant to
bring St. Paul to the Apostles?
They had a hard time believing Saul had really
converted to Christ.
115
Focus Question
What was the basic question the Church had to
answer with respect to Gentiles?
Did a Gentile have to become a Jew before he
could become a Christian?
116
Focus Question
When was the Council of Jerusalem?
It was held about AD 52.
117
Focus Question
What position did St. Peter take during the
council?
Both Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity
are saved by grace, not by following the Mosaic
Law. Therefore, Gentile converts should not be
burdened with Jewish customs and laws.
118
Focus Question
Why was it remarkable St. James supported St.
Peter?
It was remarkable someone who loved and followed
the Mosaic Law so perfectly would be so detached
as not to impose it on others.
119
Alternative Assessment
Write how the Church might be different if the
Council of Jerusalem had decided everyone who
converted to Christianity had to follow the
Mosaic Law completely.
120
Guided Exercise
Write the points St. Peter makes in Acts 15
7-11.
121
Guided Exercise
Answer Practical Exercise 9 about the Churchs
decision in the Council of Jerusalem as a
fulfillment of Mosaic Law.
122
The End Times and the Heavenly Liturgy
  • Lesson Objectives
  • The end times
  • The Book of Revelation and the liturgy

123
The End Times and the Heavenly Liturgy
Basic Questions
What are the end times? The New Testament can be
said to reference three end times the end of
the Old Covenant, which occurred with the
destruction of the Temple AD 70 the final
historical epoch, which began after the
Resurrection of Christ and the absolute end of
history when Christ will return in glory.
124
The End Times and the Heavenly Liturgy
Basic Questions
How is the Book of Revelation like the
liturgy? The Book of Revelation is a kind of
vision of the heavenly liturgy, and, like the
Mass, it has two parts that are akin to the
Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the
Eucharist.
125
Anticipatory Set
Incorporate Matthew 241-44, one of Christs
discourses about the end of the age, into opening
prayer.
126
Graphic Organizer
Review Matthew 241-44 and complete the following
table about the three kinds of end-times
statements in Christs teaching.
Type of Statement Example in Matthew 24
End of the World
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Life of the Church
127
Focus Question
What did the Early Christians seem to expect
would take place soon?
They seemed to believe the end of the world was
imminent.
128
Focus Question
What did Christ predict?
He said some of those standing with him would
see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom (Mt.
1628), and this generation will not pass away
(Mt 2434) before the things he described will
take place.
129
Focus Question
What actually did end?
Though the earth itself was not destroyed, the
world of the Old Covenantthe world of man
separated from Godwas brought to a sudden and
catastrophic end.
130
Focus Question
What do Christians seek regarding the end of the
world?
Christ will establish a new Heaven and a new
earth without pain and suffering in which his
people will dwell in the eternal love of God.
131
Focus Question
Can anyone predict when the end of the world will
come?
No that is reserved for God.
132
Focus Question
What is the first key to understand the
prophecies in the Book of Revelation?
The first key is to examine the historical
setting in which the book was written.
133
Guided Exercise
Conduct a think/pair/share using the following
question How was the destruction of the Temple
the end of the world?
134
Focus Question
How did the revolt go at first?
At first it was successful, but then the Romans
sent their best general, Vespasian, who turned
the tide in Romes favor.
135
Focus Question
What did Christians do when the Romans closed in
on Jerusalem?
They withdrew from Jerusalem to the town of Pella
in the mountains across the Jordan. This
fulfilled Christs words, Let those who are in
Judea flee to the mountains.
136
Focus Question
What happened to the Temple?
As Christ had prophesied, the Temple was razed
and not rebuilt.
137
Focus Question
How did Christs original followers interpret
these events?
They saw them as the fulfillment of Christs
words, Truly, I say to you, this generation will
not pass away till all these things take place.
The Greek word generation usually refers to a
period of about forty years, and the destruction
of Jerusalem and the Temple came almost exactly
forty years after Christs prophecy.
138
Focus Question
To what two ends of time does the Book of
Revelation refer?
It refers to the end of the world when Christ
will return and the historical epoch that began
after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, that is,
the last 2000 years.
139
Focus Question
What had St. John the Apostle witnessed by the
end of his life?
He had witnessed the end of Israel, which had
been destroyed by the Romans.
140
Focus Question
What did Florus do?
His cruel rule of Judea was marked by massacres
of innocent Jews.
141
Focus Question
How did fanatical Jews respond to Floruss
oppression?
They revolted, attacked Roman soldiers, and
murdered any Jews they suspected of collaborating
with the Romans.
142
Focus Question
What is the second key to open up the Book of
Revelation for understanding?
The Mass, or Divine Liturgy, is the second key.
143
Focus Question
Of what is the Book of Revelation a vision?
It is a vision of the heavenly liturgy, that is,
the loving act of worship and praise that occurs
continually in Heaven. The liturgy Christians
celebrate on earth is a participation in the
heavenly one.
144
Focus Question
How are the Book of Revelation and the liturgy
related?
The structure of the Book of Revelation is the
same as that of the liturgy. The Book of
Revelation is divided into two parts, the first
corresponding to the Liturgy of the Word and the
second corresponding to the Liturgy of the
Eucharist.
145
Focus Question
When did St. Johns vision take place?
It took place on Sunday, the Lords Day, when
Christians everywhere were celebrating the Mass.
146
Focus Question
Who is one like a son of man?
It is Christ.
147
Focus Question
How is the beginning of the Book of Revelation
similar to the beginning of the Mass?
This section, a call to repentance, is like the
Penitential Rite before the Liturgy of the Word.
148
Guided Exercise
Review St. Johns vision of Christ knocking at
the door (Rev 320), and then discuss the
following question How does the open door
relate to human freedom.
149
Focus Question
What do the seven seals represent?
They are a series of symbolic events that hold
reference to both events of the time and lasting
truths of the Faith.
150
Focus Question
How do the four horsemen suggest the Jewish war
of revolt?
The first horse rides out to conquer the other
three bring war, famine, and death. The Jewish
rebels started the war against Rome to free
Israel, but the result was a terrible war, the
starvation of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and
the deaths of over one million.
151
Focus Question
What is the mark received by the 144,000?
The cross-shaped Tau is put on the foreheads of
the servants of God. 12,000 from each of the
tribes of Israel, to protect them from
destruction.
152
Focus Question
What is the dual meaning of those who are
marked?
They are both the Jewish Christians who fled to
the mountains across the Jordan and the full
number of those who will be saved at the end of
time.
153
Focus Question
How does the seventh seal recall Exodus?
The seven angels blow seven trumpets, and each of
the first six trumpets release a plague to punish
the earth, recalling the plagues the Egyptians
suffered. As in Exodus, the wicked refuse to
repent.
154
Focus Question
What is the overall story told in this section of
Revelation?
God calls people to repentance. Some repent
others do not. God protects those who remain
faithful to him, and those who are not faithful
are left to suffer the misery of their
abandonment.
155
Focus Question
In St. Johns vision of God enthroned with all
the heavenly beings forever worshiping him, of
what would St. Johns original hearers be
reminded?
They would have thought of the Temple in
Jerusalem.
156
Focus Question
What is the relationship between the Lion of
Judah and the Lamb?
These are both symbols of Christ. Extension The
Lion of Judah is the image of a conquering
champion. The victory of salvation was won by the
Lamb of God, who was slain.
157
Focus Question
When was the Ark of the Covenant supposed to have
reappeared according to 2 Maccabees?
It would be rediscovered when God gathers his
people together again and shows his mercy (2 Mc
27).
158
Focus Question
What did St. John introduce immediately following
the Ark?
St. John gave the vision of a woman with child
pursued by the great red dragon.
159
Focus Question
What does the great dragon in the vision want to
do?
It wants to devour the child after he will have
been born.
160
Focus Question
What is the destiny of the child?
He is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron,
and he is caught up to God and to his throne.
161
Focus Question
What happened to the woman?
She fled into the wilderness where she was
protected by God.
162
Focus Question
How is the Blessed Virgin Mary the New Ark of the
Covenant?
The Ark of the Covenant contained the tablets of
the Law, some manna from Heaven, and Aarons rod.
Mary bore in her womb the child who is the Word
of God, the Bread of Life, and the one who will
rule the nations with a rod of iron. Mary carried
Christ in her womb therefore, she contained
these things insider her as the Ark contained its
contents.
163
Focus Question
How is the woman like the Church?
As the woman was attacked by the dragon but
protected by God in the wilderness, the Church
was attacked by the Devil but was kept safe in
Pella.
164
Focus Question
How does the vision of the woman with child
relate to Adam and Eve?
The serpent tempted Adam and Eve and conquered
them. Christ and Mary, the New Adam and Eve,
overcame the dragon.
165
Alternative Assessment
Write about St. Johns vision as an allegory of
the saving actions of Christs life, Death, and
Resurrection.
166
The End of the World
  • Lesson Objectives
  • The two beasts of Revelation
  • The New Jerusalem
  • Gods Final Judgment

167
The End of the World
Basic Questions
What are the two beasts of Revelation? The two
beasts in Revelation 13 represent corrupt
governments that persecute the Church and seduce
mankind.
168
The End of the World
Basic Questions
What is the New Jerusalem? The New Jerusalem is
the city of the redeemed. It has no Temple
because God will directly dwell with his people.
169
The End of the World
Basic Questions
What is Gods Final Judgment? God will recompense
us for the good or evil we have done. Persons and
even particular churches will be lost if they
choose not to adhere to the Faith, of which the
seven churches of Asia are an example.
170
Anticipatory Set
Read the Catechism, no. 676 (p. 273) and then
discuss the Antichrist.
171
Focus Question
What are the meaning of the horns and the diadems
of the first beast?
The horns symbolize power, and the diadems
symbolize royal authority.
172
Focus Question
What is the significance of the beast having
seven heads?
This beast possesses a kind of diabolic
perfection.
173
Focus Question
Overall, what does the beast represent?
The beast seems to represent the seductive power
of temporal might. This may refer both to the
powerful, tyrannical governments of the day such
as the Roman Empire or the dynasty of Herod and
to any corrupt government that has existed since.
174
Focus Question
What kind of creature is the second beast?
It is a lamb in disguise, a kind of counterfeit
Christ that can work miracles yet seduces man to
evil.
175
Focus Question
What is the significance of the number 666?
It might be a numerological reference to Nero or
to anyone who can seduce with the tyranny of
power.
176
Guided Exercise
Write about how the New Jerusalem is already
present on earth through the Mass.
177
Guided Exercise
Conduct a think/pair/share of the following
question The New Jerusalem can be compared to a
bride adorned for her husband. What does this
comparison tell us about the New Jerusalem?
178
Focus Question
What is the overall narrative of the Book of
Revelation?
It is the symbolic retelling of the conquest of
Christ over sin and death. Extension This is
the same narrative re-presented during each Mass.
179
Focus Question
What is the New Jerusalem?
It is the new place where God dwells with his
people.
180
Focus Question
What is an effect of God dwelling with his people
in the New Jerusalem?
There is no longer suffering, sadness, or death.
181
Focus Question
How is the New Jerusalem like the Garden of
Eden?
God and his people dwell together as it was in
the Garden, and Gods original intent for
creation is realized because his people live in
joy, love, and worship.
182
Focus Question
Why is there no Temple in the New Jerusalem?
God himself is the Temple and provides the citys
light.
183
Focus Question
How does the New Jerusalem fulfill what the
prophets foresaw through the Davidic Covenant?
According to the Davidic Covenant, the kings of
the earth shall bring their glory into Jerusalem,
and its gates shall never be shut. This is what
is promised in the New Jerusalem.
184
Focus Question
What does the Book of Revelation accomplish?
It reveals (1) the intention of Gods will in
history after the Resurrection of his Son, (2)
the Church as the Bride of Christ manifesting God
to the world until the end of time, and (3) the
way Heaven is available on earth to those who
live a Christian life of godly worship.
185
Focus Question
What warning does the Book of Revelation issue?
St. John urged the seven Churches to repent and
be faithful to Christ. None of these churches now
exists. Each person has to decide whether to be
faithful to Christ or be seduced by the beast.
186
Focus Question
What is the final promise God made in the Book of
Revelation?
God will reward or repay everyone according to
what he or she has done.
187
Alternative Assessment
According to Sacred Scripture, no one can really
imagine how Heaven will be. Write about what
you think or hope about Heaven.
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