Chapter 29: The End of History
UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
ANTICIPATORY SET
Opening Prayer on Christ’s discourses about the end of the age
(Mt 24:1–44).
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
BASIC QUESTIONS
What did Christ teach about the end of the world?
When did the end of the world of the Old Covenant take place?
KEY IDEAS
The end of history will occur when Christ returns in glory to judge the
living and the dead and reward each person according to his deeds.
The end of the Old Covenant came with the destruction of Jerusalem
and its Temple about AD 70.
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What did the early Christians seem to expect would take place soon?
They seemed to believe the end of the world was imminent.
What did Christ predict?
He said some of those standing with him would “see the Son of Man
coming in his kingdom” (Mt 16:28) and “this generation will not pass
away” before the things he described would have taken place (Mt 24:34).
What actually did end about AD 70?
The world of the Old Covenant came to a sudden and catastrophic end
with the destruction of the Temple.
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
To what do Christians look forward at the end of the world?
Christ will return in glory, reward each person according to his or her works, and give the
faithful eternal happiness with him in Heaven (the Beatific Vision).
Who can predict when the end of the world will come?
No human person can predict it.
According to the Catechism, no. 676, when will the world achieve an earthly
paradise?
It will never achieve this; all promises of an earthly paradise—separate from Christ’s
return and judgment at the end of time—are false.
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
For what was Florus known?
His cruel tyranny over Judea was marked by floggings and massacres of Jews.
How did zealous Jews respond to Florus’ oppression?
They revolted, murdering any Jew they suspected of collaborating with the Romans.
What success did such zealotry have?
Initially it was successful, but the Romans eventually sent their best general, Vespasian,
who turned the tide in Rome’s favor.
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Complete the following table to identify three kinds of statements in
Christ’s discourse.
Three Types of Statements about the End Times
Statements about the end of the world.
Statements about the destruction of
Jerusalem and the Temple.
Statements about the life of the Church
before the end of the world.
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
Three Types of Statements about the End Times
Statements about the end of the world.
They will see the Son of Man coming
on the clouds of heaven.
About that time or hour no one knows
. . . only the Father.
Statements about the destruction of
Not one stone will be left on another.
Jerusalem and the Temple.
When you see the abomination of
desolation you must flee to the hills.
Statements about the life of the Church
You will be handed over for
before the end of the world.
punishment and execution.
Many false prophets will arise.
Keep awake because the Son of Man
will come when you least expect him.
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What did the Christians do when the Romans came to Jerusalem?
They withdrew from Jerusalem to a town called Pella across the Jordan.
This kept with Christ’s admonition, “Let those who are in Judea flee to
the mountains” (Mt 24:16).
What sufferings did the inhabitants of Jerusalem face under Titus?
Jerusalem was crammed with refugees who suffered terrible starvation.
The inhabitants died of starvation or were killed in battle. The rest were
sold as slaves or thrown to the lions. Jerusalem was destroyed.
What happened to the Temple?
The Temple was razed, never to be rebuilt.
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
GUIDED EXERCISE
A think / pair / share using the following question:
How was the destruction of the Temple the end of the world?
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
CLOSURE
Write a paragraph about the differences between the end of the world and
the end of the Old Testament era.
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Study Questions 1–7 (p. 521)
Workbook Questions 1–9
Read “The Vision of the Heavenly Liturgy” through “The Heavenly
Eucharist” (pp. 508–514)
1. The End of the Old Covenant (pp. 504–507)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Free write for five minutes about what you consider the most important
idea of the lesson.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
ANTICIPATORY SET
Read Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation and identify the characters
presented.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
BASIC QUESTION
 How does the Book of Revelation correspond to the parts of the Mass?
KEY IDEAS
 The Book of Revelation is a kind of vision of the heavenly Liturgy, and,
like the Mass, it has two parts which are akin to the Liturgy of the Word
and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
 The first part, with its call to repentance, is like the Penitential Rite of
the Mass. The opening of the scrolls is like the reading of the Word.
 The second part of the Book of Revelation is like the Liturgy of the
Eucharist because Christ is presented just as at Mass.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the second key that opens the Book of Revelation for the reader’s
understanding?
The Mass, or Divine Liturgy, is the second key.
According to the Catechism, no. 1136, what is the heavenly Liturgy, that is,
the action of the members of Christ in Heaven?
The heavenly Liturgy is “wholly communion and feast.”
How is the Book of Revelation related to the Mass, or Divine Liturgy?
The structure of the Book of Revelation is the same as that of the Mass, or
Divine Liturgy. The Book of Revelation can be divided into two parts, the first
like the Liturgy of the Word and the second like the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
When did St. John’s vision take place?
It took place on a Sunday—the Lord’s Day—when Christians everywhere
were celebrating the Mass, or Divine Liturgy.
Who is the one like a son of man?
It is Christ.
How does the Book of Revelation begin, and to what part of the
Mass is it related?
This section, a call to repentance, is like the Penitential Rite that precedes
the Liturgy of the Word.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
GUIDED EXERCISE
To understand more deeply the portrait of the glorified Christ in the
Book of Revelation (cf. 1:12–20), describe the vision of Christ in your
own words.
GUIDED EXERCISE
Read St. John’s vision of Christ at the door (cf. Rev 3:20) and then
analyze the illustration of William Holman Hunt’s “Light of the
World,” which can be found on the Internet.
Discuss the following question:
How does the vision of the door represent human freedom?
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
In St. John’s vision of God enthroned with all the heavenly beings forever
worshiping him, of what would his original readers have been reminded?
They would have recalled the Temple in Jerusalem.
What is the relationship between the Lion of Judah and the Lamb?
These are both symbols of Christ. The Lion of Judah is the image of a conquering
champion, and the victory of salvation was won by the Lamb of God who was
slain.
How do the four horsemen suggest the Jewish revolution?
The first horse rides out to conquer. The other three bring war, famine, and death.
The Jewish rebels started the war with success against Rome to free Israel, but the
result was a terrible war, the starvation of the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the
siege, and then the death of over one million.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What mark do the 144,000 receive?
The cross-shaped Greek letter Tau is put on the foreheads of the People
of God—12,000 from each of the Twelve Tribes of Israel—to protect
them from destruction. These symbolic numbers refer to the New
Jerusalem.
In the historical context of Revelation, who are the 144,000?
They are the Jewish Christians who fled to the mountains across the
Jordan.
How does the seventh seal recall Exodus?
The seven angels blow seven trumpets, and each of the first six trumpets
releases a plague to punish the earth. As they did during the Exodus, the
wicked refuse to repent. The number seven represents spiritual perfection.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What reminds readers of the Liturgy of the Word in the first half of the Book of
Revelation?
The emphasis is on the content of the written scrolls.
When was the Ark of the Covenant supposed to have reappeared according to
the Second Book of Maccabees?
The Ark would be rediscovered when “God gathers his people together again and
shows his mercy” (2 Mc 2:7).
What did St. John introduce immediately after he mentioned the Ark?
St. John gave a vision of the woman with child.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What did the great dragon in the vision wish to do?
It wanted to devour the child as soon as he was born.
What was the destiny of the child?
He was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, and he was caught up to God and to his
throne.
What happened to the woman?
She fled into the wilderness where she was protected by God.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How is the Blessed Virgin Mary the New Ark of the Covenant?
An ark is a container. The Ark of the Covenant contained the tablets of the Law,
some manna, and Aaron’s rod. The Blessed Virgin Mary bore in her womb the
Word of God incarnate, the Bread of Life, and the one who will rule the nations
with a rod of iron. She contained God like the Ark of the Old Covenant had
contained representations of God.
How is the woman like the Church?
As the woman was attacked by the dragon but kept safe in the wilderness, the
Church was attacked by the Devil but was kept safe in the wilderness of Pella.
How does the vision of the woman with child relate to Adam and Eve?
The serpent (dragon) tempted and conquered Adam and Eve. Jesus Christ and the
Blessed Virgin Mary—the New Adam and New Eve—overcame the dragon.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
CLOSURE
Free write for five minutes about how the Book of Revelation reflects
the Mass, or Divine Liturgy.
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Study Questions 8–15 (p. 521)
Practical Exercises 1–2 (p. 522)
Workbook Questions 10–26
Read “The Beasts” through “Christian Churches and Communities” (pp.
514–519)
2. The Heavenly Liturgy (pp. 508–514)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Have each student review the Anticipatory Set (p. 508) and re-identify each
of the mysterious characters.
3. The End of History (pp. 514–519)
ANTICIPATORY SET
Analyze the illustration by Durer on page 515.
Then discuss the photographs of the two men superimposed. Why is
this “collage” appropriate?
3. The End of History (pp. 514–519)
BASIC QUESTIONS
What are the two beasts of Revelation 13?
What is the New Jerusalem?
What will happen at the end of time?
KEY IDEAS
The two beasts of Revelation 13 represent corrupt governments that
persecute the Church.
The New Jerusalem is the city of the redeemed; it has no Temple because
God will dwell directly with his people.
God will recompense everybody for the good or evil he or she has 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.
3. The End of History (pp. 514–519)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the seven-headed beast in Revelation 13?
It would have reminded St. John’s readers of the Roman Empire or the dynasty
of the Herods. It also represents any corrupt government that persecutes
Christians.
How do people worship the beast today?
People worship the beast today when they compromise their faith to get on a
government’s good side.
Extension: Whenever people put aside what is right in order to gain power or
wealth, they are worshiping the beast.
What does the number 666 mean?
The number six represents imperfection, and the number three symbolizes
completeness. Thus, the sign of the Beast (Satan)—three sixes—is the complete
imperfection, or complete evil.
3. The End of History (pp. 514–519)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the true message of the Book of Revelation?
It is a message of consolation and hope for Christians because, though
they suffer plagues and tribulations, in the end is guaranteed triumph for
Christ and his Church.
What are some images used to describe the New Jerusalem?
It will be very beautiful, like a bride adorned for her husband; there will be
no sadness or suffering; and, best of all, God will dwell with his people
face to face (the Beatific Vision).
Why will there be no Temple in the New Jerusalem?
God, dwelling among his people, himself will take the place of the Temple.
3. The End of History (pp. 514–519)
GUIDED EXERCISE
A think / pair / share using the following question:
Why is worship in Heaven the same as worship on earth?
3. The End of History (pp. 514–519)
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the grace of final perseverance?
God gives this grace to help people stay faithful to Christ until the end of
their lives.
What is the recompense of God?
It is the reward God will give for all good works accomplished with the
assistance of his grace.
When will be the end of the world?
Only God the Father knows.
3. The End of History (pp. 514–519)
GUIDED EXERCISE
A focused reading of the paragraphs “If we needed any more...”
through “Behold, I am coming...” (p. 518) using the following question:
What is the warning of the seven churches of Asia?
3. The End of History (pp. 514–519)
CLOSURE
Free write for five minutes about something you did not understand from this
lesson.
By writing about something not understood, you may come to understand it.
3. The End of History (pp. 514–519)
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Study Questions 16–20 (p. 521)
Practical Exercise 3 (p. 522)
Workbook Questions 27–33
3. The End of History (pp. 514–519)
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Work with a partner to discuss answers to the Basic Questions of this
lesson:
What are the two beasts of Revelation 13?
What is the New Jerusalem?
What will happen at the end of time?
The End