Latest news with #BookofRevelation
Spectator
3 days ago
- General
- Spectator
It seemed like the end of days: the eerie wasteland of 14th-century Europe
In the early 1370s, Louis I of Anjou, the second son of the French king, commissioned a vast series of tapestries, now on display at the Château d'Angers, representing the Book of Revelation. In the middle of the narrative is a group of men on horseback wearing distinctively English armour; one wears pheasant feathers in his helmet – another mark of English soldiery. As for the Apocalpyse itself, its horsemen were led by Edward III. Edward's 50-year reign dominated 14th-century England. But, as we see in Sceptred Isle, Helen Carr's gripping narrative account of the period, Edward himself was dominated by the dream of taking the French crown. It led him to launch two great invasions, one in 1346 and the other in 1359. It is not hard to understand why the French experience of English armies was something like the end of world. According to one chronicler: 'The English destroyed, burned and plundered many little towns, capturing or even killing the inhabitants.' Cernay was reduced to ashes. The people of Orly were massacred in their parish church. There were many Cernays and Orlys. But Edward failed to take Reims, where the kings of France had been crowned for centuries. He never attempted Paris. Between Edward's two invasions both countries – and the whole continent – were ravaged by another apocalyptic horror in the shape of the Black Death. In the space of a couple of years at the end of the 1340s it killed around half the population of Europe. In London, they buried 200 corpses a day; in St Albans there weren't enough living to bury the dead.
Malaysian Reserve
19-05-2025
- General
- Malaysian Reserve
Seismic Shift in Korean Churches? Pastors Flock to Verify Shincheonji's Teachings
ANAHEIM, Calif., May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A major Bible seminar hosted by Chairman Man Hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony drew over 500 pastors on May 17 at the Shincheonji Peace Training Center in Cheongpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Originally planned for 200 participants, the seminar had to move outdoors to accommodate the unexpected turnout. Titled 'Bible Seminar on the Fulfillment of Revelation,' the event reflected growing interest in Shincheonji's teachings among pastors, even those who had previously regarded the group as heretical. At the seminar, Chairman Lee testified to the prophecies and fulfillment of all 22 chapters of Revelation. He shared how he came to faith without formal theological training and why he now preaches the fulfillment of Revelation as witnessed firsthand. 'Everyone wants to go to heaven and gain eternal life, but Revelation warns that altering the text leads to curses and prevents entry into heaven (Revelation 22:18–19). Shouldn't this be addressed?' Lee emphasized, 'What I intend to convey is the reality of the prophecies recorded from Revelation chapter 1 to 22—what I have seen and now testify to.' 'Let's put aside pride and think objectively. Be honest with yourself. More than anything, be confident that you are worthy of entering heaven,' Lee added. 'Is belonging to a traditional denomination what makes one orthodox? Jesus didn't belong to any denomination of his time. We must know the Bible clearly. If anything I've said is wrong, please point it out.' Many pastors were reportedly shocked by Lee's ability to explain the entire Book of Revelation without opening a Bible, despite lacking formal theological education. One pastor who had previously considered Shincheonji a cult said, 'Now that I've examined it for myself, I realize it isn't. If the teachings align with the Bible, we must acknowledge them.' He added, 'We must not repeat the mistake of rejecting God's work, as people did during Jesus' first coming.' As more pastors seek direct verification of Shincheonji's teachings, a shift in perception appears to be spreading across the religious community. According to Shincheonji, 858 Korean churches have signed MOUs for scriptural exchange, and 100 have adopted the Shincheonji name. Chairman Lee concluded, ' Jesus ' promises have always been fulfilled, and Revelation will be no different. Let's become one in the Bible and one family under God.' Shincheonji expects that the rest of 2025 will see an even greater wave of follow-up education and religious change across Korea. Contact: Scott Alwin 626-230-5039 395416@
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Seismic Shift in Korean Churches? Pastors Flock to Verify Shincheonji's Teachings
ANAHEIM, Calif., May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A major Bible seminar hosted by Chairman Man Hee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony drew over 500 pastors on May 17 at the Shincheonji Peace Training Center in Cheongpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Originally planned for 200 participants, the seminar had to move outdoors to accommodate the unexpected turnout. Titled "Bible Seminar on the Fulfillment of Revelation," the event reflected growing interest in Shincheonji's teachings among pastors, even those who had previously regarded the group as heretical. At the seminar, Chairman Lee testified to the prophecies and fulfillment of all 22 chapters of Revelation. He shared how he came to faith without formal theological training and why he now preaches the fulfillment of Revelation as witnessed firsthand. "Everyone wants to go to heaven and gain eternal life, but Revelation warns that altering the text leads to curses and prevents entry into heaven (Revelation 22:18–19). Shouldn't this be addressed?" Lee emphasized, "What I intend to convey is the reality of the prophecies recorded from Revelation chapter 1 to 22—what I have seen and now testify to." "Let's put aside pride and think objectively. Be honest with yourself. More than anything, be confident that you are worthy of entering heaven," Lee added. "Is belonging to a traditional denomination what makes one orthodox? Jesus didn't belong to any denomination of his time. We must know the Bible clearly. If anything I've said is wrong, please point it out." Many pastors were reportedly shocked by Lee's ability to explain the entire Book of Revelation without opening a Bible, despite lacking formal theological education. One pastor who had previously considered Shincheonji a cult said, "Now that I've examined it for myself, I realize it isn't. If the teachings align with the Bible, we must acknowledge them." He added, "We must not repeat the mistake of rejecting God's work, as people did during Jesus' first coming." As more pastors seek direct verification of Shincheonji's teachings, a shift in perception appears to be spreading across the religious community. According to Shincheonji, 858 Korean churches have signed MOUs for scriptural exchange, and 100 have adopted the Shincheonji name. Chairman Lee concluded, " Jesus ' promises have always been fulfilled, and Revelation will be no different. Let's become one in the Bible and one family under God." Shincheonji expects that the rest of 2025 will see an even greater wave of follow-up education and religious change across Korea. Contact: Scott Alwin 626-230-5039 395416@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Shincheonji Church of Jesus
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Tiny Greek island ignored by tourists named most underrated place to visit in EU
Dodge the sky-high hotel prices and insufferable crowds of holidaymakers by visiting this idyllic island that has somehow managed to avoid the blinding tourist spotlight Avoid the coach loads of bustling tourists with this 'sacred island' that has been criminally overlooked for decades. Last year, Greece saw a record-breaking number of tourists, with more than 40 million travellers flocking to its mainland and Instagram-worthy cluster of islands. Enticed by cobalt waters, ubiquitous history, and a penchant for cheap gyros, the influx of visitors sparked heavy backlash from fed-up locals - resulting in a slew of protests erupting across the country last year. Slogans demanding tourists 'go home' were spray painted in hotspots, prompting the country to ramp up its tourist tax (up to €15 per night for five-star hotel stays in the peak season). Even tourists have been deterred by the insufferable crowds, especially in hotspots like Santorini - a tiny island with just 15,000 residents - where millions of tourists fill up narrow streets in search of the perfect sunset snap every year. It's a similar situation over in Mykonos, where you've got more chances of winning the lottery than finding a free sun lounger. However, peacefully tucked away in the Aegean Sea lies the picturesque island of Patmos - which has somehow managed to avoid the blinding tourist limelight. Declared as a 'sacred' island in 1981, this history-rich hotspot is a perfect alternative to Greece's insanely crowded destinations. "Much of this place's allure is owed to its villages: their winding alleys, stone-paved squares, and traditional houses will make a lasting impression on you, as will the good food you'll taste," hailed Visit Greece. "The island's beaches with the amazing waters are also a great asset that will steal your heart away!" Patmos, which is acclaimed for its religious legacy, is believed to be the place where John the Evangelist (aka John the Theologian) wrote the Book of Revelation. Head over to the Monastery of St. John to learn more about the island's history - and make sure to check out the nearby Cave of Apocalypse, which won TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Award in 2024. Most tourists make a visit to the medieval town of Chora, known for its tiny whitewashed villages and quaint coffee shops. "Look especially for the traditional bakeries where you can buy cheese pies, local dairy products and a special confection, called poughi [pouch] made with honey and nuts wrapped in a pouch-like dough," Visit Greece added. After a day of exploring, head down to one of Patmos' pristine beaches to watch the sun melt into the horizon. Unlike Santorini, you'll be able to get the perfect Instagram picture without having to crop out the heads of selfie-stick-waving tourists. There are no direct flights to Patmos from the UK, which may explain its lack of tourism. However, getting there isn't too difficult, and is well worth the effort. First, you'll have to fly to Kos, which takes an average of four hours and 10 minutes. You can get direct flights here from a slew of UK airports, including Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow and London Stansted. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £88 in July. After touching down in Kos, you'll have to get a ferry over to Patmos, which takes just over two hours. For a return economy ticket in the summer, this will cost around €130.98 (around £111.07). Accommodation on the island hugely varies depending on your budget. For example, a week's stay (Monday, July 7-14) at the luxury Patmos Eye Boutique Hotel & Villas - which includes your own private pool - costs a staggering £2,387, based on two adults sharing. However, staying in a more basic twin room at Hotel Athina costs just £574 on the exact same dates.
Axios
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
What's in a pope's name: Saints, inspirations and a message
Whoever succeeds Pope Francis to become the Catholic Church's 267th pope, his first major decision will be to choose his papal name. Why it matters: That name, rooted in centuries of church history, dogma and devotion, will signal the new pope's agenda within the church and beyond. The birth of a name After a winner emerges from the highly secretive conclave of cardinals and accepts the post, the church will announce its famous "Habemus Papam" (Latin for "We have a pope"). He'll take a papal name (Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio) and will be introduced to the world. No official rules govern the selection of a name — it's entirely up to him. What's in a name? Tradition dating back about 1,000 years indicates that a new pope will choose a name in honor of a Catholic saint. He also can select a name in honor of a recent pope, combine names of a recent pope or saint, or pick a new regnal name — something that's been done just twice in the last 1,100 years. "It's the most important decision he'll make, and signal to the world his tone," Allen Sánchez, executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, tells Axios. Zoom out: John has been the most popular name for popes, with 21 popes selecting the name in honor of John the Evangelist. Tradition links John to the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation, though scholars debate whether the same John wrote those books, or if any John wrote them. The second and third most popular names have been Gregory and Benedict. The intrigue: No pope has dared to pick Pope Peter II as his name, because St. Peter wasthe original pope. The name vibe today The name the new pope selects could have geopolitical implications and declare the direction he wants to take on issues such as war, climate change, and health and government policies. If the next pope chooses: Francis II, he'll signal that he wants continuity with Pope Francis, who focused on the poor, climate change, interfaith dialogue, and decentralizing church power. Despite church doctrine opposing homosexuality, Francis made a point of emphasizing the civil rights of those in the LGBTQ community. Francis honors St. Francis of Assisi, who led a life of poverty. John XXIV, he'll echo Pope John XXIII, who launched Vatican II (a reform movement of the 1960s) and could signal a desire to push the church toward more modernization and engagement with contemporary culture. Leo XIV, it's a sign he'll seek links to doctrinal clarity and a conservative-leaning defense of traditional church teachings. Pius XIII, he'll send ultra-traditional vibes with pushback against liberal trends in the church. Paul VII, he'll suggest he wants to build on the work of Pope Paul VI, who in the late 1960s tackled modern issues such as birth control — rejecting means such as the pill, sterilization and abortion, but accepting natural methods. Bold naming options The next pope could follow Pope Francis and select a new regnal name that could send a powerful message. If the next pope chooses: Oscar I, he would honor St. Óscar Romero of El Salvador, the archbishop of San Salvador, who was assassinated in 1980 after speaking out against violence. Pope Oscar I would signal a strong commitment to social justice. Joseph I, he'd be giving a nod to St. Joseph, signaling paternal care and humility. Martin VI, he'd send a message about racial justice, referencing St. Martin de Porres, patron saint of racial harmony and mixed-race people. Maximilian I, he'd honor St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish priest who was killed at Auschwitz. He's the patron saint of journalists and addicts, and his name would signal support for free speech and a commitment to fight genocide. Jude I, he'd signal that he's here for the marginalized, the poor, and people seeking hope. St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes and is hugely popular in Latin America, the American Southwest and Asia. Between the lines: Jude I would refer to Judas Thaddaeus, sometimes identified as Jude, the brother or cousin of Jesus, and not Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.
