The vision Daniel interpreted has been the pattern of history (Dn 2:31ff). Great kingdom after great kingdom has been destroyed. Even the Temple and the city of God, Jerusalem, were destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. (Lk 21:6). Jesus prophesied that the fall of Jerusalem would be a prefigurement of the end of the world. "The present heavens and earth are reserved by God's word for fire; they are kept for the day of judgment, the day when godless men will be destroyed" (2 Pt 3:7). "What we await are new heavens and a new earth where, according to His promise, the justice of God will reside" (2 Pt 3:13).

Despite the historical proof of the accuracy of Jesus' prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction, many people, even Christians, doubt that Jerusalem's destruction prefigures the end of the world. However, most of the major critics of Christ's prophecy of the world's end have already been thrown on the garbage heap of history. For example, Karl Marx portrayed Christian eschatology as an escape from taking responsibility for justice in this world. He called Christianity "the opium of the people." Although millions still believe Marx's critique of Christianity, the breakdown of Marxist Communism in the Soviet Union has shown its weakness. The critics of Christianity and of its eschatology are passing away, but God's word will last forever (Lk 21:33).

Let the world end and Jesus return.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 10, 1999

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 16, 1999