14    The Bible and the Future of the World 

since Christ, i.e. the Millennium. The Church experiences a time of 

adversity after the holy years of the Millennium, but is suddenly saved from 

danger by Jesus (Rev 20:9). 

    This account, like many others in the Holy Scriptures, was a real event 

which foreshadows future events. Peter did walk on water at Jesus' 

command and then began to sink when he doubted. This interaction 

between Jesus and Peter foreshadows  some future event, where Peter 

represents the Pope, but I cannot tell what that event will be. 

Beware of Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt 16:1 12) 

     Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of 

bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  (Mt 16:12). 

    In every age, faithful Christians must beware of religious leaders and 

religious teachers who have gone astray from the teaching of Jesus Christ. 

All faithful disciples should know that there are some false disciples who 

have obtained roles of authority and leadership in the Church. These are like 

the Pharisees and Sadducees. True disciples of Jesus believe the teachings of 

Jesus' Church. True disciples worship God in their hearts. 

    Whoever fights against the teaching of the Church fights against the 

teaching of Jesus. Whoever opposes the Church's authority, opposes Jesus' 

authority. For a Catholic, true faith can be summed up in one belief: 

 I believe that the teaching of the Holy Catholic Church 

is God's teaching, without exception.  

    Even today there are some priests, some religious, many theologians, and 

even a few bishops, who speak out against the Church's teachings. They 

choose their words to please their listeners. Notice that these false teachers 

say what their listeners wish to hear, but it was not that way with Jesus. 

     Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, `This is a hard saying; 

who can listen to it?' But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples 

murmured at it, said to them, `Do you take offense at this? Then what if you 

were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before?'    

(John 6:60 61). 

     After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with 

him.  (John 6:66). 

    Jesus' teaching includes the Way of  the Cross. Some disciples reject the 

Cross. The teaching of false disciples usually lacks the Cross. They 

discourage Christians from carrying their crosses.  Prior to and during the 

time of the Antichrist (666), the Church will reaffirm its teaching and some 

will take offense and draw back.