136    The Bible and the Future of the World 

there will be feasting and great rejoicing, to coincide with the final steps in 

the unification of all Christian Churches in one holy Catholic Church. The 

father rejoices in this new unity of his family and the feasting continues (Lk 

15:24). In 2024, the Church continues feasting and rejoicing. The Church 

issues various documents and the people hold various  celebrations and 

gatherings, all aimed at supporting and rejoicing in the accomplishment of 

Christian unification. 

    Then the prodigal son's elder brother comes in from the fields and raises 

objections to his brother's return and to all of the blessings given to him (Lk 

15:25 29). In the late 2020's (especially  A.D. 2025 to 2029) Some Roman 

Catholics and some Eastern Christians raise objections to the unification of 

the Protestant Churches with the Catholic Church, especially to the various 

blessings given to the formerly Protestant Churches (such as roles of 

authority and leadership and teaching). The Church tries to correct these 

persons who object and to refute their objections, but they do not listen. 

    The father then corrects his elder son more definitively (Lk 15:30 32). In 

the early 2030's (A.D. 2030 to 2032), the Magisterium of the Church 

corrects these objections to unification more definitively, by means of an 

Ecumenical Council, the first since unification. 

    This renewed and reunited Church will be fully a Roman Catholic 

Church, led by the Pope and faithful to all of the teachings of all the 

Ecumenical Councils and Popes throughout history. The Church at that 

time will have seven parts, five parts for the formerly Protestant Churches, 

one part for the Eastern Churches, and one part for the Latin Rite of the 

Roman Catholic Church. Soon after, a Pope will be elected who will not be 

a Roman Catholic; he will be from one of the formerly Protestant branches 

of the one Catholic Church. Some Roman Catholics will not be pleased with 

this choice for Pope, but it is God's will. He shall rule with equity. 

    The political and social context of Christian unification is as follows. The 

famine spurs the Christian Churches to think about changing and to decide 

to return to unity. There is much persecution of Christians in the occupied 

lands (because the Arab forces won World War III and conquered Europe 

and parts of Africa). During unification, there is an end to the famine and 

some relief from the persecutions. But during the early 2030's, the 

persecutions of Christians and the Church itself increases, reaching a severe 

level. By the mid 2030's there are very many Christians being jailed or killed 

merely for practicing the Christian faith. 

The Great Persecution of Christians 

    Under the Arab occupation, life and worship will be difficult for 

Christians. And, sometime after the unification of the Churches, there will