204    The Bible and the Future of the World 

deception to lead people astray from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. For 

during that perilous time, there will not only be a false Savior, the 

Antichrist, but also these false resurrections. There will be false miracles and 

a false Eucharist (the abomination). In many ways, the events of this time 

will be an evil imitation of events in the life of Jesus the true Christ. 

    Any means of publication, communication, or entertainment can be used 

for evil or for good. The phrase  bad books  (or  evil books ) refers to all 

types of media, including: books, magazines, television shows, videos, 

movies, electronic games, internet sites, and whatever additional kinds of 

media are developed in the future. The Virgin Mary is warning us about a 

time when there will be much evil in all these things. 

    How much evil there will  be on earth for temples to be built for the 

worship of evil spirits! Even some priests will be led and controlled by the 

forces of evil on earth. No one can be said to be a servant of God merely 

because they have power to perform miracles and wonders. It is the virtues 

of humility, love, meekness, self denial and self sacrifice, faith and patient 

endurance which show that one truly follows Christ. Do not be led astray by 

miraculous powers. 

    The success of evil on earth during this dark time will occur because of the 

lack of true faith on earth. The people will be led astray by false teachings 

and the bad example of those who live unholy lives. Even many leaders in 

the Church will be very sinful: seeking power, self indulgence, and wealth, 

while abandoning humility, self denial, and poverty. 

    Recall that during the time of Jesus' ministry many of the Jewish leaders, 

scribes, and Pharisees also sought power, honor, and riches. Jesus criticized 

them at length for these sins (Mt 23). So also, in the time leading up to the 

reign of Antichrist, many leaders of the Church will become like those 

scribes and Pharisees. You see then, Jesus was not merely criticizing the 

religious leaders of His own time, He was speaking about this future time for 

the Church. 

    Jesus warned us about false prophets (Mt 7:15 23). He was referring to 

leaders in the Church who have gone astray. In those days it will be difficult 

for those faithful servants of God who must endure some evil leaders 

because these, for a time, will have power within the Church. Jesus' true 

disciples will know to follow the Shepherd, not the wolves in sheep's 

clothing. 

    To those who are under a vow of obedience, I say, your obedience to God 

requires you to be disobedient to sin. If you are told under obedience to 

commit a sin, or to assist someone else in committing a sin, you must refuse. 

Your vow of obedience is first of all obedience to God. Never does the vow 

of obedience require anyone to be obedient to one who has abandoned