The Falling Away

In a great deal of Catholic writing, there might appear to be a presumption that the machinations of the Antichrist will come about because of the ill will of those who hold to the evil of the Antichrist and are proponents of it. It is true they are evil in their intent and actions, but they are not the reason. The reason, according to Sacred Scripture, is the falling away of those who had embraced the true faith, in Christ.

2Thes:2:

1 ¶ And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our gathering together unto him:

2 That you be not easily moved from your sense nor be terrified, neither by spirit nor by word nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand.

(DRV)

First of all St. Paul warns against date setting, since Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself warned us to not do that.

2Thes:2:

3 ¶ Let no man deceive you by any means: for unless there come a falling away first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition

4 Who opposeth and is lifted up above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God.

5 Remember you not that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6 And now you know who withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity already worketh: only that he who now holdeth do hold, until he be taken out of the way.

(DRV)

Second, St. Paul tells us what not to have anything to do with, namely the falling away – the Apostasy, but for us to remain faithful to Christ.

According to St. Justin Martyr: who withholdeth, he who now holdeth, refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. How can Christ who is the Almighty God, “be taken out of the way?” The answer is by people denying the faith they once held in Him, such as by having anything to do with the Vatican II pseudo-council pantheistic heresies.

Therefore the direction that St. Paul gives us is to be faithful in the faith. The same direction that St. Jude gives us.

2Thes:2:

13 ¶ (2-12) But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, beloved of God, for that God hath chosen you firstfruits unto salvation, in sanctification of the spirit and faith of the truth:

14 (2-13) Whereunto also he hath called you by our gospel, unto the purchasing of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 (2-14) Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle.

16 ¶ (2-15) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who hath loved us and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope in grace,

17 (2-16) Exhort your hearts and confirm you in every good work and word.

(DRV)

Jude:1:3:

3 ¶ Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. (DRV)

Created In the Image And Likeness Of God - therefore racism is damned.

All Men Are Created In the Image And Likeness Of God.

Gn:1:26:
26 ¶ And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. (DRV)

This is a core Catholic belief. It is self evident to all people with a conscience. It also explains something quite opposite to it.

When Adam sinned it took place because of the envy of the devil.

Rom:5:12:
12 Wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world and by sin death: and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned. (DRV)

Wisdom 2:
23 For God created man incorruptible, and to the image of his own likeness he made him. 24 But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world: 25 And they follow him that are of his side. (DRV)

What was the devil's temptation? It was this:

Gn:3:
1 ¶ Now the serpent was more subtle than any of the beasts of the earth which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman: Why hath God commanded you, that you should not eat of every tree of paradise?
2 And the woman answered him, saying: Of the fruit of the trees that are in paradise we do eat:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of paradise, God hath commanded us that we should not eat; and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we die.
4 And the serpent said to the woman: No, you shall not die the death.
5 For God doth know that in what day soever you shall eat thereof, your eyes shall be opened: and you shall be as Gods, knowing good and evil.
6 ¶ And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and delightful to behold: and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave to her husband, who did eat.
(DRV)

and you shall be as Gods

They chose to be their own gods. This is the base of racism. For if one were one's own god in one's own image and likeness, then one would be the founder of a race of gods who would look the same as oneself and be connected by bloodline, and one would consider oneself better than others.

But the Apostles, basing themselves on the teaching of Jesus Christ, taught that all men are equal in their creation by and in the sight of God.

Acts:17:26, 27:
26 And hath made of one, all mankind, to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, determining appointed times and the limits of their habitation.
27 That they should seek God, if haply they may feel after him or find him, although he be not far from every one of us. (DRV)

Therefore racism is of the devil and to be absolutely condemned.

The Catholic Faith calls all men to come to salvation in Jesus Christ. The Catholic Faith also calls in the Name of Christ the King of all Nations for equal justice here on earth for all men.