The Book of Daniel in the Old Testament contains many cryptic prophecies that foreshadowed various future events. It’s hard to pin them down on any one thing and in many cases, while they were fulfilled in one way, they were also left open and remain unfinished.
Take for example this opening verse of chapter 12:
At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time; but at that time your people shall be delivered, every one whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:1-3)
According to these verses, St. Michael the Archangel will come down to earth to protect the People of God at the end of the world. This will coincide with a great “time of trouble.” However, St. Michael will lead the people during this tribulation and afterwards, the resurrection of the dead will occur.
Is that time now?
In a certain sense, ever since the time of the Apostles, the world has been in the “Final Age.” The “End Times” has been ongoing for the past 2,000 years and we will never know the exact time when this world will pass away.
However, it’s interesting to note that recently devotion to St. Michael has spiked. Pope Francis has called on the entire Church to pray the St. Michael prayer at the end of the Rosary. Many bishops throughout the world have reinstated the St. Michael prayer at the end of Mass as well.
During this great “time of trouble” in the Church and world, the Pope asks us to gather under the standard of St. Michael and invoke his intercession against the attacks of the devil.
This also coincides with a renewed interest in the Sword of St. Michael, an imaginary line that links seven different monasteries from Ireland to Israel. Each location is dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel and some sources claim it “represents … the blow the Saint inflicted [on] the Devil, sending him to Hell.”
What’s remarkable is that these monasteries dedicated to St. Michael are on a nearly perfect axis, making it appear that these ancient Christians knew something we did not.
All of this has inspired me to do my part to help other Christians gather underneath the banner of St. Michael. I have created a new comic book series on this sacred line of monasteries, called Finnian and the Seven Mountains. In it, St. Michael plays a prominent role in helping a young man on a quest to defeat evil once and for all and ends up on an adventure discovering each of these seven monasteries.
–> Learn more about Finnian and the Seven Mountains
Whatever the case may be, now is the time to invoke St. Michael’s protection for us and our family members. Let us spark a renewed devotion to this heavenly helper and prepare our souls, ready to welcome the Bridegroom whenever he comes again.
–> Download a FREE preview of Finnian and the Seven Mountains today!