Page:Mahometanism in its relation to prophecy - or, an inquiry into the prophecies concerning antichrist, with some reference to their bearing on the events of the present day (IA mahometanisminit00philrich).pdf/234

 their future conversion to Christ be, but the occasion of the spiritual resurrection of the whole earth?

Can anything be more consoling than these prophecies of sacred Scripture? What a happy prospect they hold out before us! If these grand events are to be preceded by woes and tribulations, we know from the same prophecies that these will be of short duration, whereas the glorious period of the Church, during which St. John tells us that Satan will be bound in chains, is to last for the space of a thousand years.—(Apoc. xx. 2.)

Now, whether this period is to continue for a thousand literal years, or not, we cannot tell. But there is every reason to believe that it will be a very long period; and some persons have thought that it might last even for three hundred and sixty thousand years. But this is a question into which we abstain from entering; we content ourselves with the belief that its duration will be worthy of the goodness of God, and a fitting compensation to the Catholic Church, even here upon earth, for all her previous trials, sorrows, and persecutions.

Some persons have thought that the second advent of our blessed Redeemer would precede this binding of Satan, and this glorious period of the Church's earthly triumph. And most