The Rescuer by Michael D. O’Brien
Because you have kept my message of endurance, I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming quickly. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may take your crown. (Rev 3:10-11)
First published April 24th, 2008.
BEFORE the Day of Justice, Jesus promises us a "Day of Mercy". But is this mercy not available to us each second of the day right now? It is, but the world, particularly the West, has fallen into a deathly coma… a hypnotic trance, fixated upon the material, the tangible, the sexual; upon reason alone, and science and technology and all the dazzling innovations and false light it brings. It is:
A society which seems to have forgotten God and to resent even the most elementary demands of Christian morality. —POPE BENEDICT XVI, U.S. visit, BBC News, April 20th,2008
In just the past 10 years alone, we have seen a proliferation of temples for these gods erected all over North America: a veritable explosion of casinos, box stores, and "adult" shops.
Heaven is telling us to prepare for a Great Shaking. It is coming (it is here!) It will be a grace from the merciful heart of Jesus. It will be spiritual, but it will also be physical. That is, we need our comfort and security and pride to be shaken so that the spiritual is awakened. For many, it is has already begun. Does it not appear to be the only way to get the attention of this generation?
VISION OF THE SHAKING
An American friend of mine whom I have quoted here before had another vision recently:
I sat down to pray the Rosary and as I finished the Creed, a powerful image came to me… I saw Jesus standing in the middle of a wheat field. His Hands were stretched out over the field. As He stood in the field, a breeze began to blow and I watched the wheat swaying in the breeze but then the breeze became stronger and stronger and turned into a powerful wind blowing with a tornado like force… uprooting large trees, destroying homes…. then it got completely dark. I could see nothing at all. As the darkness lifted I saw destruction all around… but the wheat field was unscathed, it stood strong and upright and He was still right there in the middle and then I heard the words, "Do not be afraid for I am in the midst of thee."
As I finished reading this vision the other morning, my daughter suddenly woke up and said, "Dad, I just dreamed of a tornado!"
And from a Canadian reader:
Last week after Communion, I asked the Lord to reveal to me anything I need to see so I can cooperate with Him and His graces. I then saw a tornado, like a great storm or "shaking" as you say. I said, "Lord, give me an understanding of this…" I then had Psalm 66 come to me. As I read this psalm about a song of praise and thanksgiving, I was filled with a peace. It is about God’s wonderful mercy and love for his people. He has put us to the test, placed heavy burdens upon us, taken us through fire and flood, but has brought us to a place of safety.
Yes! This is a summary of the present and coming pilgrimage of the People of God. Is it a coincidence that I began writing this from New Orleans? How many are the families that, though they lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, were kept safe from the storm!
DIVINE PROTECTION
During the coming harvest—The Time of the Two Witnesses—and the outright persecution which follows, God will protect His Bride. It is foremost a spiritual protection, for some will be called to martyrdom (not forgetting that there have already been more martyrs this past century than all the centuries combined since the time of Christ). But they will be given the supernatural graces for their glorious calling. All of us will experience increased trials, but we too will be given extraordinary graces.
Though an army encamp against me my heart would not fear. Though war break out against me even then would I trust. (Psalm 27)
And again,
He keeps me safe in his tent in the day of evil. He hides me in the shelter of his tent, on a rock he sets me safe. (Psalm 27)
The rock He has set us upon is the rock of Peter, the Church. The tent He has established is Mary, the Ark. The safety He promises is the Holy Spirit, given to us as our advocate and helper. Whom or what, then, shall we fear?
The Lord protects all who love him; but the wicked he will utterly destroy. (Psalm 145)
THE TRIUMPH OF THE WOMAN
We must hold fast to the "message of endurance" the Lord has given us. This message of endurance consists above all in trusting in His Divine Mercy, in the free gift of salvation Christ won for us. This is the hope which the Holy Father is proclaiming to the world. The message is also a call to pray the Rosary faithfully, to go to Confession frequently, and to spend time before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament so as to gird ourselves for the coming battle.
But we have a distinct advantage. We already know that we will triumph! We must hold fast then, setting our eyes upon the crown which awaits us. For though the Church will become small again, she will be more beautiful than ever. She will be restored, renewed, transformed, and prepared as a Bride about to meet her Groom. This preparation has already begun in souls.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion: for this is the time of mercy. (Psalm 102)
The Church will be vindicated. The Truth, which in this time of tribulation she fights and dies and is mocked for, will be revealed as the Way and the Life for the whole world, confounding the "wise" and vindicating the children of the Most High. What a glorious period awai
ts the Bride of Christ!
For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her vindication shines forth like the dawn and her victory like a burning torch. Nations shall behold your vindication, and all kings your glory; you shall be called by a new name pronounced by the mouth of the Lord. You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal diadem held by your God. (Isaiah 62:1-3)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it. (Rev 2:17)
Will the name we bear not be the Name above all names to which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess? Oh Jesus! Your Name! Your Name! We love and adore your Holy Name!
Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. (Rev 14:1)
