The Beast, The Image, And The English Reformation -Time LIne 1517 - 1564

1517-1564: The Reformation.

The Reformation. The church is in terrible shape, and everyone agrees change is necessary. Lutherans rediscover justification by faith and personal relationship with Christ. They popularize the Bible, and retain most of the traditions of the church (though not scholasticism, allegory, or the historic episcopate). Calvinists (Presbyterians, Puritans, Reformed, Congregationalists, etc., also Zwinglians) reject everything not expressly commanded in the Bible. Anabaptists (Baptists, charismatics, etc.) deny there has been any continuity in the historic Church. Humanists (liberals, Unitarians) introduce scientific study of old documents and traditions and emphasize the ethical teachings of Jesus. Roman Catholics rediscover scripture, tradition, reason, and mystical experience in their own counter-reformation. Ultimately, we Anglicans are influenced about equally by all five movements. The history of the English reformation, however, is not very edifying.... 1521Lutheran books appear in England. Cambridge students form a study-group at the White Horse Tavern; Thomas Cranmer is perhaps among them. Henry VIII writes a book on the sacraments against Luther. The bishop of Rome gives him a golden rose and names him "defender of the faith". 1525Henry VIII, who long ago got special permission from the bishop of Rome to marry his brother's virgin widow Catherine, has been upset because she cannot bear him a son. This is the year Henry meets pretty Anne Boleyn. This begins the "King's affair." The bishop of Rome will not annul Henry's marriage to Catherine, because Catherine's nephew is holding him prisoner.... 1526Cardinal Wolsey presides at a massive burning of Lutheran books. 1527Thomas Bilney, respected Cambridge preacher and Lutheran sympathizer, is dragged from his pulpit. (He is burned in 1531.) 1528Simon Fish, a London attorney and amateur actor who has fled to Antwerp after spoofing the clergy, writes "A Supplication for Beggars", which urges an end to taxes for Rome. (Henry VIII really likes this book.) 1529Henry VIII decides he does not need to get permission from the bishop of Rome to have his marriage annulled. (The idea is probably Thomas Cromwell's.) He declares himself head of the English church (whatever that means), forcibly cuts the Anglican bishops off from communion with Rome, calls the Reformation Parliament, and marries Anne Boleyn. Services at the churches, however, remain essentially the same. (The mass is in Latin, there is no sermon or systematic Bible reading, and the people are passive and receive communion only at Easter, getting only the consecrated bread.) 1532Cranmer made archbishop of Canterbury. (This effectly ends clerical celibacy among Anglicans, as Cranmer is twice-married). The "Act in Restraint of Appeals" prohibits appeals to the bishop of Rome. 1534"Act of Succession." Everyone must swear allegiance to Henry VIII as head of the English church. Thomas More, his Prime Minister and author of "Utopia", and John Fisher, saintly bishop of Rochester, refuse to swear. 1535Henry VIII beheads Fisher and More after the bishop of Rome makes Fisher a cardinal. Henry is sorry to have to do this, and his court wears mourning for two weeks. Henry had intended to execute Mary, his daughter by Catherine, who also refused to swear. He was dissuaded from doing this by Cranmer. 1536Henry VIII executes Anne Boleyn and marries Jane Seymour. He continues to oppose the introduction of an English-language Bible for his people. 1536(Brussels) William Tyndale, a priest and Lutheran sympathizer who is responsible for an illegal English translation of the Bible, is strangled at the stake. Tyndale's last words are "Lord, open the King of England's eyes." 1536Henry VIII ensures the permanent popularity of the English reformation by abolishing the monasteries and sharing the loot with almost everyone. 1538John Rogers (alias Thomas Matthew) prints the Tyndale Bible translation (finished by Miles Coverdale) in Paris. It is approved by the Henry VIII as the "Great Bible" to be read by all his people. 1538Jane Seymour dies following the birth of Henry VIII's only legitimate son, Edward. 1539The Six Articles, against Lutheranism. Hugh Latimer, bishop of Winchester, resigns in protest. Henry VIII is still occasionally burning Lutherans and hanging Roman Catholics. 1540Henry VIII marries and divorces Anne of Cleves, executes the now-unpopular Thomas Cromwell, and marries Katherine Howard. 1543Katherine Howard beheaded. Henry VIII marries Katherine Parr. 1544Cranmer instructed to write prayers and a litany (for the army) in English. He does this so well that he is asked to make a prayer book in English, based on the service at Salisbury Cathedral. 1545Henry VIII's last speech to Parliament. He says Papist, Lutheran, Anabaptist are names devised by the devil to sunder one man's heart from another. 1546(Germany) Council of Trent. Bishops in communion with the bishop of Rome decide that the church "venerates equally" the Bible and the written and unwritten traditions (whatever that means). This is the beginning of the Tridentine Church (today's Roman Catholic church). England is becoming a haven for Protestants from the continent. 1547Henry VIII dies. He has executed around 60 people for "religious" reasons, among a total of about 130 political executions. He is succeeded by his sickly teenaged son, Edward VI. Chantries suppressed. 1548Prayer of Humble Access, for the people to say in English, introduced into Latin mass. 1548"Images" ordered removed from all churches by the council of regents. This also means no vestments, ashes, palms, holy water, or crucifixes. This causes so much resentment that an order suppressing all preaching follows. 1549First Book of Common Prayer (Cranmer's work), introduced on Day of Pentecost. It is written in English, emphasizes the people's participation in the eucharist, and requires the Bible to be read from cover to cover. Fast days are retained (supposedly to help fishermen), but saints' days are not. Roman Catholic rebels in Cornwall claim they cannot understand English. 1550New ordinal requires that a Bible be given to newly-ordained bishops (not a staff) and priests (not eucharistic vessels). 1550"Hooper's visitation". A bishop surveys the parish priests and finds them concerned about their work but poorly educated. 1552Book of Common Prayer revised to suit Protestants. No more "real presence" at the eucharist (the "black rubric" permits kneeling, however). No vestments, no signing of the cross at confirmation, no holy oil, no reserved sacrament, no prayers for the departed. 1553Forty-two articles drafted. The Calvinist influence is obvious. 1553(Geneva) Calvin burns Michael Servetus, a Unitarian who has fled to escape the Spanish Inquisition. Liberals lose their illusions about Calvinism. 1553Edward VI dies. People are tired of Protestant looting of churches. Mary Tudor ("Bloody Mary"), a militant Roman Catholic, becomes queen. Popular at first, she soon marries the hated Philip II of Spain. Persecution of Protestants begins; Mary appoints new bishops and fires all married priests. During her reign, about 300 Protestans are burned, including 5 bishops, 100 priests, 60 women. An attempt by Cardinal Pole (Mary's archbishop of Canterbury) to restore monasticism fizzles when, among 1500 surviving monks, nuns, and friars, fewer than 100 are willing to return to celibacy. All this ensures Roman Catholics will remain unpopular in England. 1555Mary burns bishops Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley at the stake (Oct. 16). 1556Mary succeeds in brainwashing Thomas Cranmer, who signs a retraction which he later repudiates. Mary burns him at the stake (March 21). 1558Mary dies. (Cardinal Pole dies minutes later.) Elizabeth I, a Protestant, becomes queen. Despite many problems (including frequent assassination plots from Roman Catholics), she supports the enterprising middle class and England prospers. 1559Ordination of the moderate Matthew Parker as archbishop of Canterbury. 1559Book of Common Prayer revised. Elizabeth I reintroduces the surplice, explaining that it is a clergyman's uniform. The Black Rubric is gone. A special license is required to preach. There is no church music except metrical psalms sung to ballad tunes. 1560Saints' days are reintroduced. 1560John Jewel writes "An Apology for the Church of England". Rome, not England, is schismatic. 1563Thirty-Nine Articles drafted as a doctrinal statement by a convocation of the Church of England. 1563"Foxe's Book of Martyrs." The bishop of Rome is portrayed as the Antichrist; Foxe writes speeches as needed for such "Protestant martyrs" as Thomas Cromwell. 1568Archbishop Parker produces the "Bishop's Bible".


Revelation 13

1.And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9. If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 11. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon12. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell

on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.










House of Commons Members = 649
King + 1
Wives + 6
Total = 666

"Thou shalt not Kill"

An Eyewitness Account of the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre
by François Dubois
From the Musée Cantonal Des Beaux-Arts, Lausanne Switzerland


August 24, 1572, was the date of the infamous St. Bartholomew's Day
Massacre in France. On that day, over 400 years ago, began one of the most
horrifying holocausts in history. The glorious Reformation, begun in
Germany on October 31, 1517, had spread to France—and was joyfully
received. A great change had come over the people as industry and learning
began to flourish, and so rapidly did the Truth spread that over a third
of the population embraced the Reformed Christian Faith.
However, alarm bells began to ring at the Vatican! France was her eldest
daughter and main pillar—the chief source of money and power. . . . King
Pepin of the Franks (the father of Charlemagne) had given the Papal States
to the Pope almost 1000 years earlier. Almost half the real estate in the
country was owned by the clergy.
Meanwhile, back in Paris, the King of France and his Court spent their
time drinking, reveling and carousing. The Court spiritual adviser—a
Jesuit priest— urged them to massacre the Protestants—as penance for
their many sins! To catch the Christians off-guard every token of peace,
friendship, and ecumenical good will was offered.
Suddenly—and without warning—the devilish work commenced. Beginning at
Paris, the French soldiers and the Roman Catholic clergy fell upon the
unarmed people, and blood flowed like a river throughout the entire
country. Men, women, and children fell in heaps before the mobs and the
bloodthirsty troops. In one week, almost 100,100 Protestants perished. The
rivers of France were so filled with corpses that for many months no fish
were eaten. In the valley of the Loire, wolves came down from the hills to
feel upon the decaying bodies of Frenchmen. The list of massacres was as
endless as the list of the dead!
Many were imprisoned—many sent as slaves to row the King's ships—and some
were able to escape to other countries. . . . The massacres continued for
centuries. The best and brightest people fled to Germany, Switzerland,
England, Ireland and eventually America and brought their incomparable
manufacturing skills with them. . . . France was ruined. . . . Wars,
famine, disease and poverty finally led to the French Revolution—the
Guillotine—the Reign of Terror—the fall of the Roman Catholic
Monarchy—atheism—communism etc., etc.
When news of the Massacre reached the Vatican there was jubilation!
Cannons roared—bells rung—and a special commemorative medal was struck—to
honor the occasion! The Pope commissioned Italian artist Vasari to paint a
mural of the Massacre—which still hangs in the Vatican!
Medal struck by Emperor Gregory XIII (1572-85) to commemorate the
slaughter of over 100,000 French Christians!!

Emperor Gregory had the great red dragon of Satan as his heraldic
symbol! The Gregorian Calendar is named after him.

The Huguenots won a short period of relief from persecution with the
ascension of Henry IV to the throne. The Edict of Nantes gave full freedom
to his Protestants subjects. The signing of this Edict inaugurated an era
of peace and great prosperity for France. However, for granting his
subjects liberty of conscience, the king was stabbed to death by a Jesuit
named Ravaillac. This Edict of Toleration was revoked in 1685, and a new
storm of persecution ensued. The exodus began again with over a million
Huguenots fleeing France to avoid certain torture and death.
The descendants of the survivors that reached America were determined that
this tragedy should not occur here. Many of them were prominent in the
founding of the country. They knew that an armed citizenry in France would
have prevented this tragedy from ever happening—and as a result—they gave
us the First and Second Amendments to the Constitution. They knew that
freedom of religion and an armed citizenry go hand in hand:
Amendment 1
Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment 2
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free
State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be
infringed.



Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are, Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That
to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed. . . .



The French Protestants were called Huguenots: President George Washington
had a Huguenot ancestor, as did at least 5 other Presidents: John Adams,
John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, James Garfield, and Theodore Roosevelt. A
Huguenot refugee named Apollos de Revoire settled in Boston, and had a son
who signed his name Paul Revere! Remember his famous midnight ride? Three
members of the Continental Congress - Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and
Elias Boudinot were Huguenots. Other great names include Francis Marrion,
General George Patton, Clair Chennault, Admiral Dewey, Du Ponts, Henry
Thoreau, Longfellow etc., etc. A Huguenot colony was founded in Florida in
1562 (years before the English landed), but was later destroyed by Spanish
raiders.


According to the Syllabus of Errors of Pope Pius IX, it is an ERROR to say
that the "church" has not the right to use force.
"24. The Church has not the power of using force, nor has she any
temporal power, direct or indirect. -- Apostolic Letter "Ad
Apostolicae," Aug. 22, 1851."





According to the Syllabus of Errors of Pope Pius IX, it is an ERROR to say
that the "church" has not the right to use force.
"24. The Church has not the power of using force, nor has she any
temporal power, direct or indirect. -- Apostolic Letter "Ad
Apostolicae," Aug. 22, 1851."















The Oath of a Knight of Columbus



"I, ___ ___, now in the presence of Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin
Mary, the Blessed St. John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles, St. Peter and
St. Paul, and all the Saints, Sacred Hosts of Heaven and to you, my
Ghostly Father, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus founded by
St. Ignatius Loyola, in the Pontification of Paul III, and continued to
the present, do by the Womb of the Virgin, the Matrix of God, and the Rod
of Jesus Christ, declare and swear that his Holiness, the Pope, is
Christ’s Viceregent and is the true and only Head of the Catholic of
Universal Church throughout the earth; and that by virtue of the keys of
binding and loosing given his Holiness by my Savior, Jesus Christ, he hath
power to depose heretical kings, princes, states, commonwealths and
governments and they may be safely destroyed. Therefore to the utmost of
my power I will defend this doctrine and his Holiness’ right and custom
against all usurpers of the heretical or Protestant authority whatever,
especially the Lutheran Church of Germany, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and
Norway and the now pretended authority of the Churches of England and
Scotland, of the Calvinists, of same now established in Ireland and on the
continent of America and elsewhere, and all adherents in regard that they
may be usurped and heretical, opposing the sacred Mother Church of Rome.
"I do now denounce and disown any allegiance as due to any heretical
king, prince, or state, named Protestant, or Liberals, or obedient to any
of their laws, magistrates or officers.
"I do further declare that the doctrines of the Churches of England
and Scotland, of the Calvinists, Huegenots, and others of the name of
Protestants or Masons to be damnable, and they themselves to be damned who
will not forsake the same.
"I do further declare that I will help, assist and advise all or any
of his Holiness’ agents, in any place where I should be, in Switzerland,
Germany, Holland, Ireland, or America or in any other kingdom or territory
I shall come to and do my utmost to extirpate the heretical Protestant or
Masonic doctrines and to destroy all their pretended powers, legal or
otherwise.
"I do further promise and declare that, notwithstanding I am
dispensed with to assume any religion heretical for the propagation of the
Mother Church’s interests, to keep secret and private all her agent’s
counsels from time to time, as they entrust me, and not divulge, directly
or indirectly, by word, writing, or circumstances whatever, but to execute
all that should be proposed, given in charge, or discovered unto me by
you, my Ghostly Father, or any of the Sacred Order.
"I do further promise and declare that I will have no opinion or will
of my own or any mental reservation whatsoever, even as a corpse or
cadaver (Perinde ac Cadaver), but will unhesitatingly obey each and every
command that I may receive from my Superiors in the Militia of the Pope
and of Jesus Christ.
"That I will go to any part of the world withersoever I may be sent,
to the frozen regions North, jungles of India, to the centers of
civilization of Europe, or to the wild haunts of the barbarous savages of
America without murmuring or repining, and will be submissive in all
things whatsoever communicated to me.
"I do further promise and declare that I will, when opportunity
presents, make and wage relentless war, secretly and openly, against all
heretics, Protestants and Masons, as I am directed to do to extirpate them
from the face of the whole earth; and that I will spare neither age, sex,
or condition, and that I will hang, burn, waste, boil, flay, strangle and
bury alive these infamous heretics; rip up the stomachs and wombs of their
women and crush their infant’s heads against the walls in order to
annihilate their execrably race. That when the same cannot be done
openly, I will secretly use the poisonous cup, the strangulation cord, the
steel poniard, or the leaden bullet, regardless of the honor, rank,
dignity, or authority of the persons whatever may be their condition in
life, either public or private, as I at any time may be directed so to do
by any agent of the Pope or Superior of the Brotherhood of the Holy Father
of the Society of Jesus.
"In confirmation of which I hereby dedicate my life, soul, and all
corporal powers, and with the dagger which I now receive I will subscribe
my name written in my blood in testimony thereof; and should I prove false
or weaken in my determination, may my brethren and fellow soldiers of the
Militia of the Pope cut off my hands and feet and my throat from ear to
ear, by belly opened and sulfur burned therein with all the punishment
that can be inflicted upon me on earth and my soul shall be tortured by
demons in eternal hell forever.
"That I will in voting always vote for a K. of C. in preference to a
Protestant, especially a Mason, and that I will leave my party to do so;
that if two Catholics are on the ticket I will satisfy myself which is the
better supporter of the Mother Church and vote accordingly.
"That I will not deal with or employ a Protestant if in my power to
deal with and employ a Catholic. That I will place Catholic girls in
Protestant families that a weekly report may be made of the heretics.
"That I will provide myself with arms and ammunition that I may be in
readiness when the word is passed, or I am commanded to defend the Church
either as an individual or with the Militia of the Pope.
"All of which I, ____ ____, do swear by the Blessed Trinity and
Blessed Sacrament which I am now to receive to perform and on my part to
keep my oath.
"In testimony hereof, I take this Most Holy and Blessed Sacrament of
the Eucharist and witness the same further with my name written with the
point of this dagger dipped in my own blood and seal in the face of this
Holy Sacrament."
Oath Taken by a Perspective Member of the Knights of
Columbus, as recorded in Congressional Record of the U.S.A., House Bill
1523, Contested election case of Eugene C. Bonniwell, against Thos. S.
Butler, Feb. 15, 1913.

Major international conference on Catholic peacemaking announced

11 Jan 2008

A major international conference on Catholic peacemaking is to take place later this year, bring together an interdisciplinary group of scholars and peacebuilding practitioners from countries around the world that have been torn by conflict, it was announced yesterday.

The Catholic Peacebuilding Network (CPN), along with 17 co-sponsors, will convene the conference on the future of Catholic peacebuilding in April, at the University of Notre Dame.

This event will bring together an interdisciplinary group of scholars and peacebuilding practitioners from countries torn by conflict to reflect on the theological, ethical and practical dimensions of the Church's work on conflict prevention, conflict mediation, and post-conflict reconciliation.

Topics will include: peacebuilding as vocation; peacebuilding in official Catholic social teaching; development, human rights, and peace; the Church and peace processes; ethics of political reconciliation; and inter-religious peacebuilding.

The conference is a capstone to CPN conferences in the Philippines, Burundi and Colombia over the past three years. It is the final part of a multi-year research project on the theology, ethics and praxis of Catholic peacebuilding, said Gerard F. Powers, CPN coordinator and director of policy studies at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame.

"Twenty-five years after the US Catholic bishops issued their seminal pastoral letter on war and peace seems a fitting time to reflect on the future of Catholic peacebuilding," Powers said. "This conference will deepen our understanding of the theoretical and practical dimensions of this mostly unheralded work of the Church around the world."

The CPN is a coalition of peacebuilding academics and practitioners, clergy and laity, which seeks to enhance the study and practice of Catholic peacebuilding.

In addition to the CPN, conference co-sponsors include the University of Notre Dame's Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Graduate School, and Program on Catholic Social Traditions; Boston College's Department of Theology and Center for Human Rights and International Justice; Catholic Relief Services; Catholic Theological Union's Bernardin Center for Theology and Ministry; The Catholic University of America's Office of the President and Life Cycle Institute; Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs; the Sargent Shriver Peace Institute; the University of San Diego's School of Peace Studies; Washington Theological Union; the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns; Pax Christi International; the Sant' Egidio Community in the United States, and Woodstock Theological Center.

1 Thessalonians 5

1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

The Latest Peace and Safety News (Click Here)

The Return of Jesus is Nigh

The Last Days

1 Thessalonians 5

1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Revelation 16

12. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

13. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

15. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

16. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

17. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

18. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.

19. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

21. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

2 Timothy 3

1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11. Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 4

1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

4. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

5. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

7. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

9. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

1 John 2

3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

7. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

2 Peter 3

3. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Daniel 12

1. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

4. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

5. Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.

6. And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

7. And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

8. And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

9. And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

10. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

11. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

13. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

1 Thessalonians 4

13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Luke 21

8. And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

9. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

10. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

11. And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

12. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

13. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

14. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

15. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

16. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

17. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

18. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

19. In your patience possess ye your souls.

20. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

21. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

22. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

23. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

24. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

25. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

29. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30. When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

31. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

33. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.