The New Heaven and New Earth

A Response to Mark Miravalle's Critique of Maria Divine Mercy (Part 2)

By Arthur Policarpio

This article is a continuation of the author’s response to Dr. Mark Miravalle’s critique of the messages given to “Maria Divine Mercy” (MDM). We tackle in this article Dr. Miravalle’s contention that “a form of the heresy known as Milleniarism is present in several instances of the alleged messages.”

Miravalle expounds on this in his article, quoted verbatim below:

Millenarianism asserts that there will be a literal “1000 year” reign of Jesus on the earth (April 9, 2012 Message), during which time there would be no pope on earth, but rather a type spiritual papacy by which St. Peter will rule the Church from heaven over a type of “paradise on earth” (see Messages, 89, 124, 141; 88, 109, 111, 251, 258). The Catholic Church has rightly condemned Millenarianism and the concept of a literal 1000 year period during which Jesus would reign over an earthly paradise (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 676).

What is “Milleniarism” and Why is it Condemned by the Church?

Milleniarism (from "millenium", Latin for "thousand years") is a belief by some Christian denominations that there will be a “paradise on earth” in which Christ will reign for 1000 years - prior to the Second Coming and final judgement of all mankind. This belief is derived primarily from the Book of Revelation 20:1–6.

As Mark Miravalle has correctly pointed out, the Catholic Church condemns Milleniarism. In particular, the Catechism specifically rejects the belief that there will be a paradise on earth, where Jesus will bodily reign, prior to the Second Coming and final judgement.

Below are excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (n. 676) about this:

The Antichrist's deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism, especially the "intrinsically perverse" political form of a secular messianism.

Is Milleniarism Found in the Messages to Maria Divine Mercy?

1. Jesus will bodily come again prior to the Second Coming 2. He will reign on earth physically prior to the Final Judgement

Does Jesus, through Maria Divine Mercy, preach Milleniarism? The answer is NO. Jesus clearly says that:

1. He will NOT come again physically prior to the Second Coming 2. He will NOT reign on earth physically prior to the Final Judgement

In a January 9, 2012 message to Maria Divine Mercy, Jesus explains clearly that the new era of peace will take place after His Second Coming:

My Second Coming will bring to an end the torment you have endured for thousands of years on earth. So great is this Glorious event, that no man will fail to gasp in wonder and astonishment as I appear in the skies. You, of this generation, have been chosen to benefit from this journey with me into My New Paradise, during the Era of Peace, over which I will reign.

No one must be excluded. Not one soul must be allowed to fall through the net. It is My greatest desire to bring you all with Me into My Kingdom. This is the glory which mankind has waited for since My death on the cross.