Everything we have heard in the previous meditations on the Antichrist clearly shows just how dangerous the anti-Christian spirit is for humanity. It is the devil’s most tenacious—and perhaps final—attempt to extend his dominion over the world, subjugate it, and be worshiped by mankind.
God permits these trials and includes them in His plan of salvation, for nothing happens without our Lord’s knowledge and without His commanding it in accordance with His will. Read More
“My love gives life to man at every moment” (Message from the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
If we, the faithful, were to fully awaken to this reality, our entire lives would become a hymn of praise to God’s love. If all people knew and recognized this, the world would be different, and many shadows would dissipate. God’s love would shine like a radiant sun in the hearts of all. Read More
“I long to enrich you more and more!” (Message from the Father to Sister Eugenia Ravasio).
To understand our beloved Father’s heart, we must allow His words to sink deeply into our hearts. In them, we discover the nature of His love for us. God wants to make us sharers in His immeasurable riches. He longs to fill us with His gifts and is waiting only for us to be ready to receive all that He wants to give us. Read More
As his name suggests, the Antichrist will present himself as an imitator of the Redeemer. Yet he will attempt to hide his deep aversion and hostility toward Christ. He may even quote the Gospel, emphasizing passages that refer to human needs in order to give the impression that he is motivated by Christian charity and to present himself as a defender of justice and mercy. In reality, he will offer a kind of “intraworldly gospel” that denies God’s transcendence and humanity’s need for redemption. He will carefully conceal his satanic mission: to achieve global domination and enter the temple of God to usurp His place (cf. Mt 24:15). Read More
Today we’ll take a look at another book that addresses the topic of the Antichrist.
Like Robert Benson, Michael O’Brien—an author who is still alive—presents his apocalyptic narrative in the form of a novel. The main character of his trilogy is a Jewish convert who becomes a Catholic priest: Father Elias. Read More
“Jesus delights in showing me the only path that leads to that divine fire. That path is the surrender of the little child who falls asleep without fear in his father’s arms…” (St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus). Read More
The second author I will discuss in this series on the threat of the Antichrist is the English Catholic priest Robert Hugh Benson. His book The Lord of the World was published in 1907.
It is a futuristic novel with apocalyptic overtones. It is of particular interest to us as believers because it portrays the conflict between a world that has abandoned the faith and the Church. Moreover, it offers a vision of what the figure of a future Antichrist might be like.
Benson’s novel was written a few years after Soloviev’s narrative. Given the similarity of theme and the resemblance of certain passages, it is reasonable to assume that Benson was familiar with Soloviev’s work. It is also possible that both authors drew inspiration from other sources discussing the Antichrist.
Robert Benson depicts the rise of a world ruler whose uncanny power extends over all things. People regard him as a new messiah who proclaims a universal message of peace. Julian Felsenburgh, as Benson names him, even succeeds in winning over believers and priests with his charisma.
“Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will and being exactly what God wants us to be.” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)
St. Thérèse’s God-given simplicity shows us that every person can walk this path of holiness. For us, this means seeking to know God’s will. Jesus made it clear that we show our love for Him by following His commands and living in God’s grace. If we live this way, we will understand the Lord’s instructions more and more clearly, and, endowed with the Spirit of Counsel, we will learn to discern God’s will ever more fully in whatever situation we find ourselves. Read More
“A soul in a state of grace has nothing to fear from a bunch of cowardly devils.” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)
Today and tomorrow, we’ll examine how the Antichrist is portrayed in the literature I’m familiar with.
He is primarily described as a political figure endowed with extraordinary charisma who offers solutions to pressing political and social problems.
This Antichrist, as I have encountered him in literature, is said to exude a powerful fascination that people find almost impossible to resist. Outwardly, he appears to be a spiritual person who seems endowed with virtues, possesses great foresight, and is open to religious questions.
Thus, a different image of the Antichrist is initially presented here—one that differs from the various anti-Christian figures we have come to know on the political stage throughout history as violent tyrants.
Today, I would like to begin by discussing what is perhaps the most important book on this subject: A Short Tale of the Antichrist by Vladimir Solovyov.
