16    The Bible and the Future of the World 

    But some unfaithful Christians will be taken by surprise at the Church's 

transfiguration. Many who use religion and false holiness to exalt 

themselves will be utterly crushed and cast down. It shall come upon them 

like a thief in the night. Yet not every problem in the Church and the world 

will be solved by this change. 

    A transfiguration of the Church is completed at the end of the Forty 

Years. During the time of great trials (in the 2030's), the Church will suffer 

much and change much. When the trials are over, the Church will have 

great success in preaching the Gospel worldwide (especially in the 2040's). 

The children of God will shine like the sun. The holiness of the Church at 

that time will be like the holiness of the early Church, when the Apostles 

and the Virgin Mary were still on earth. 

    A still greater transfiguration occurs after the nearly seven years of the 

Church's greatest suffering (in the 25th century). Again, a time  of trials 

becomes a time of conversion and increase in holiness. After this time of 

great suffering, the holy years of the Millennium begin, when Christ's 

teachings shall reign for over a thousand years (Rev 20:3 7). This time 

begins during the mid 25th century  A.D. It is then that Christianity will 

become the only religion on earth. 

    A most wonderful transfiguration of the Church occurs at the end of the 

Millennium. Holy Scripture describes the Church at that time as a holy city, 

the new Jerusalem. 

     Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the 

first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy 

city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a 

bride adorned for her husband....  (Rev 21:1 2). 

The Three Booths of the Transfiguration (Mt 17:4, Mark 9:5 6, Luke 9:33) 

     And Peter said to Jesus, `Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I 

will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for 

Elijah.'   (Mt 17:4). 

    Moses, Elijah, and Jesus represent Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Peter 

represents the Pope. Peter wanted to make three booths for Jesus, Moses, 

and Elijah. So also, at the time when the Church is transfigured, the Pope 

(Pope Benedict XVI) will suggest making three  booths,   i.e.  three places, 

one for each of these three religions (cf. Zechariah 14:16 19). This Pope will 

be the next Pope after John Paul II, the one Saint Malachy calls  the glory 

of the olive.  He will take the name Pope Benedict XVI. He will be black 

like Saint Benedict the Black.  He will be a peace maker.  This event will 

occur late in the first decade of the 21st century (in 2009).