Apocalypse: Warning, Hope, and Consolation

by Michael D. O'Brien

Of all the dimensions of the Faith, eschatology is probably the one that is the most neglected today—and one most believers are most suspicious of. Typically, books on the subject are either written by fundamentalist fear-mongers whose eschatology seems to come from the National Enquirer, or by their enemies, who soothe “peace, peace” when there is no peace, or by scholars who squint at gnats and swallow camels. Like Christ, this book will offend both Pharisees and Sadducees, both Herodian collaborators and Zealot revolutionaries. The book is a wake-up call. It is utterly relevant to our times. A plethora of views that echo the words of Christ, of scripture, of the Fathers, and of modern writers such as Lewis, Chesterton, Tolkien, Ratzinger, John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Christopher Dawson, Josef Pieper, Cardinal Newman, and the Catechism. These are united in a harmonious chorus to tell us that we sit at the edge of an abyss which we have ignored or masked. We sit in the Titanic’s deck chairs enjoying martinis. When Catholics hear and heed the message of this book, and not before, she will recover the passion and energy of our ancestors who, when they looked into the future, saw both a great light and a great darkness, both glory and gore, both wonder and war, where we see only a vague fog. —Dr. Peter Kreeft, author of C. S. Lewis for the Third Millennium and Christianity for Modern Pagans The comfort zone of Christians in once Christian societies is disappearing rapidly and a new totalitarianism, as the world has never seen before, is on the rise, preparing the way for a secular messiah—the Antichrist. Michael O’Brien is a whistleblower for sleeping Christianity, the whistle being the Word of God. We have acquired a habit of dumbing ourselves to the very severe warnings of our Lord Jesus Christ himself. But “we are people who can look into the reality of a dark age and find there the approaching victory of Christ.” Michael O’Brien’s book is a powerful call to prepare ourselves by making use of the many avenues of grace “that heaven is pouring out for us at this time.” —Gabriele Kuby, author of The Global Sexual Destruction of Freedom in the Name of Freedom The crisis we are facing today in the Church, in the family and in society in general is at an unprecedented level. Throughout history God has raised up prophets to warn about the severity of offenses to Almighty God. Michael O’Brien has for most of his life been such a voice in the wilderness. His clarion call about the Apocalypse we now face is an essential warning for all those with ears to hear. —John-Henry Westen, founder and publisher, Lifesite News Born in Ottawa in 1948, Michael O’Brien is the author of twenty-eight books, notably the novel Father Elijah and eleven other novels, which have been published in fourteen languages and widely reviewed in both secular and religious media in North America and Europe. His essays on faith and culture have appeared in international journals such as Communio, Catholic World Report, Catholic Dossier, Inside the Vatican, The Chesterton Review and others. For seven years he was the editor of the Catholic family magazine, Nazareth Journal. Since 1970 he has also worked as a professional artist and has had more than 40 exhibits across North America. Since 1976 he has painted religious imagery exclusively, a field that ranges from liturgical commissions to visual reflections on the meaning of the human person. His paintings hang in churches, monasteries, universities, community collections and private collections throughout the world. Michael O’Brien lives near Combermere, Ontario. He and his wife Sheila have six children and eleven grandchildren.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity

172 pages, Paperback

Published September 28, 2018

About the author

Michael D. O'Brien is a Roman Catholic author, artist, and frequent essayist and lecturer on faith and culture, living in Combermere, Ontario, Canada.

Reviews

[Javier Muñoz · Rating 3 out of 5]

El autor del famoso libro "El Padre Elías", escribe este ensayo que, a partir del libro del Apocalipsis, desgrana una serie de reflexiones de utilidad para los católicos en este mundo actual.
La parte más interesante, desde mi punto de vista, es la primera parte del libro, donde profundiza en el sentido del Apocalipsis desde la raíz bíblica.
Su tesis principal, siguiendo el mensaje del Apocalipsis, es que en un mundo postcristiano, donde se nota la presencia del Anticristo de manera evidente, con el hombre como sustituto de Dios, como dios del mundo y de sí mismo, la respuesta de los creyentes debe ser la valentía y el testimonio, arraigados en la vida sacramental, evitando cualquier tipo de tibieza.
Personalmente, esperaba más de este libro, desgranando el mensaje del libro de San Juan y sus implicaciones teológicas, y no tanto unas reflexiones sobre el mundo actual que, aun estando bien desarrolladas, no aportan nada diferencial.
No obstante, recomiendo su lectura.

[Andrew Corrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael O’Brien here unfolds a view of the “end times” described in scripture, not least in Revelation (Apokalupsis). Obviously, this area is a minefield, but a careful path is walked between sensationalism (exemplified by books like The Rapture) and unconcern. Nevertheless, it’s not a cautious book in any sense: there is plenty to challenge and convict the faithful. As a secondary point, it provides a theological backdrop to the novels in the Children of the Last Days sequence.
Like the Lord of the Rings, it’s one of those things - if you like it you do, if you don’t you boo.

[Jefff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking...

[Tracy Dankanich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and truthful read! Eye opening for sure!

[Carlos Carrasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me parece un compendio de argumentos muy interesante en relación al final de los tiempos. Me parece un acercamiento bastante alejado de los extremos del milenarismo y de la relajación total. Ofrece una perspectiva del final de los tiempos esperanzadora, centrada fundamentalmente en Cristo. Una invitación a fundamentar nuestra esperanza en el que ya venció: Cristo. Esta esperanza reclama no querer depender de nosotros, un abandono total en las manos de nuestro Creador. Es además una invitación a beber de la fuente de la sabiduría y no buscar la salvación a través del conocimiento como lo sugiere el gnosticismo. En conclusión, una obra muy recomendable.

[Pete Orsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read over none of Michael O’Brien‘s novels including island of the world which at the time I was not impressed with. This book changed my opinion of what he was saying in islands of the world. This is book is just Mike O’Brien sharing with us his Mediaton on the End of Time. It is a subject worth meditating on and this book is a great help.

[Tammy Schilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book from my favorite living author. Short and succinct, it provides excellent commentary on the end times and the signs of our times. If the world and the church are making you feel like a crazy person, you will be assured that you are not, and given a reasonable eschatology through which to understand it.

[Manuel Taboada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensatas y agudas reflexiones para los últimos tiempos. Todo católico debería leer este libro, reflexionar y a continuación informarse adecuadamente para poder identificar los signos de los tiempos. No le doy 5 estrellas porque pensé que de alguna manera recopilaría lo que se sabe de los Novísimos y de la Parusía, pero el diagnóstico sobre la situación de Occidente, las estructuras del mal, los errores cometidos y las propuestas acerca de cuáles deberían ser las actitudes del cristiano para lo que se avecina son acertadísimas y justifican su lectura.

[Terry Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book!

Thanks Michael and God Bless You for writing this!