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“Ask a Priest: What If a Priest Is Warning of the End?”
Q: How can I respond to a friend who believes in the prophecies of a certain priest who claims to receive instructions from St. John, the Blessed Mother and others regarding the end of times? He instructs his followers to hoard food and build refuges to prepare for “The Warning.” How can I kindly explain to my friend that no one knows when the end of times will happen? She is convinced he is a prophet. – G.L.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: As you mention, no one, save God, knows when the end times will arrive. “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32).
So, if the angels in heaven don’t know the hour, it’s unlikely that anyone in this world knows it.
Moreover, talk of private revelations and warnings to hoard food always sound a bit suspect.
If the end times are really coming, a genuine prophet would be calling people to repent, not to stockpile vittles.
There has been a lot of end-times speculation lately. It’s the kind of thing that pops up when people and whole societies are facing a crisis.
Perhaps you could encourage your friend to keep calm and hopeful, and to keep her attention on Christ, the King of the universe. In his hands we will find our only security.
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I have read the same things on line, and have I must admit stocked a bit of food as I felt panic.
I was so worried that I have been praying and God has helped me by answering my prayers he gave me a feeling of peace and calm that has stayed with me for weeks now. It was a beautiful answer to my prayers. It feels almost like a hug! I have had some stressful days in my private life and although I have shed some tears that sense of peace and calm has continued and it has helped me through the tears.
The sense of security one has from stockpiling a little food is nothing compared to the sense of security that God gives. God has given me peace, God loves me. He loves all his children. His love is so pure .
I think as winter approaches then having a few bits and pieces in is always handy in case one cant get out to the stores and to always donate some tins to foodbanks is good too as people are in great need just now. A small pantry is what our grandmothers would have had in order to stock up a few bargains but not to the extend were they would buy the shops out! So it is nature to stockpile a bit as it can be handy and useful especially if you are wanting to stay indoors more and be all cosy.
But our relationship with God is important and our pray, so sometimes when things happen in the world we get so caught up in panic or just simple being human that we end up looking at what others are saying and we get a bit overwhelmed etc and we forget to listen to God.
I was happy that you asked this question today and that the priest answered. I was happy also to read that only God knows when the end of the world will come, that gives me comfort as I trust God. Whatever happens in life God is always there. And that is what matters and that makes me happy.
I hope that your friend will be okay as I know what it is like to feel panic and unseasy. I hope that she prays and I hope that God helps her in the way she needs. The priests words should help a lot too as that helped me today.