Does the Book of Revelation disclose the date of the end of the world? When will the seven years of tribulation happen? Are we actually living in the end times?
The Book of Revelation is probably the most frightening and most perplexing book of the New Testament. Full of signs and symbols, predictions and warnings, it speaks of extraordinary times marked by falling stars, a bloodcovered moon, the collapse of empires, and widespread havoc. Such hyper-dramatic language characterizes all apocalyptic literature.
Fr. Alfred McBride, O. Praem. sets the record straight with an authentic Catholic interpretation of the Book of Revelation. He gives you three keys to understanding the Book of Revelation and offers sustaining hope for Christians who have or who will experience the trials and persecutions that have always accompanied members of the Church.
In addition to discussing the end of the world, Fr. McBride presents authentic Catholic teaching on topics including the Rapture, the "mark of the beast," the Antichrist, the thousand years of peace and more in this course, Unveiling the Apocalypse.
Lectures
- Three Keys for Understanding the Book of Revelation
- Father McBride discusses apocalyptic language, the role of prophets, and interpreting the Book of Revelation on three levels of time and history.
- Letters and Warnings to the Seven Churches
- The Letters all contain common elements: Jesus 'knows' the situation, he commends righteousness and condemns wickedness, and he calls for repentance or perseverance.
- A Vision of Heaven and the Seven Seals
- St. John was privileged to behold the revelation of the Lamb who opens the Seven Seals and unleashes the Four Horsemen.
- Trials and Tribulations
- 144,000 are sealed by the angel of God; the Seven Trumpets sound terror and catastrophe; and the abyss of Hell opens.
- A Woman Clothed with the Sun
- A great sign appears in the sky: a woman clothed with the sun, crowned with twelve stars, and the moon under her feet.
- The Antichrist
- St. John says that the Antichrist, who appears as a dragon, a leviathan, and a behemoth, will become a divinized tyrant with awesome powers and its own earthly throne.
- Christ’s Thousand Year Reign
- The expression 'a thousand years' appears six times in Revelation 20:1-7 and its meaning has been debated since the Early Church.
- A New Heaven and a New Earth
- In the Book of Revelation, we witness the wedding feast of the Lamb, risen and victorious, praised in the throne room of Heaven.
Lecture Sample
Meet Your Professor
Father Alfred McBride is a member of the Order of the Canons Regular of Premontre, commonly referred to as the Nobertines. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1953, and holds a doctorate in religious education from the Catholic University of America. During his ministry, he has served as professor, novice master, university president, and was the founder and executive director of the department of religious education at the National Catholic Educational Association.
In 2008, the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University named Father McBride as one of the most influential religious education leaders of the 20th century. In 2011, the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership granted Father McBride its prestigious annual Catechetical Award for outstanding and exemplary contributions to the ministry of catechesis.
Father McBride has published over 40 books, including The Second Coming: Meditation and Commentary on the Book of Revelation (Our Sunday Visitor, 1992) and Millennium: End of Time? A New Beginning? (Our Sunday Visitor, 1998). He has authored more than 200 articles which have been published by Crisis, Our Sunday Visitor, Lay Witness, and Catechesis Today.
- Lesson Plan
- Quizzes
- Final Essay
- Lecture Notes
- Answer Key
- Author:
- Fr. Alfred McBride, OPraem
- Imprint:
- TAN Courses
- Publication Date:
- 7/12/2012
