66    The Bible and the Future of the World 

severe, nor as widespread, as the Church's later suffering will be. Thus the 

tribulation, as it is called, is divided into two parts. The lesser tribulation 

(which is still quite severe) occurs in the 21st century (A.D. 2010 to 2040) 

and the greater tribulation occurs in the 25th century (especially during the 

Antichrist's reign from 2430/2431 to 2437). 

My Kingship is Not of this World (John 18:33 37) 

     Jesus answered, `My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of 

this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the 

Jews; but my kingship is not from the world.'   (John 18:36). 

    During the time of Jesus' Passion, Israel was an occupied nation. So also, 

during the time of the Church's Passion, Christians shall be like the people 

of an occupied nation unwelcome in their own countries, among their own 

people. Secular leaders and some religious leaders will actively oppose the 

Church during the time of the Church's great suffering. 

Jesus, Scourged (Mt 27:26) 

     Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, 

delivered him to be crucified.  (Mt 27:26). 

    Jesus prayed in agony in the garden. He was condemned to death. He was 

scourged and crowned with thorns. Jesus suffered much even before His 

Crucifixion on the Cross. So too, will the Church suffer much even before 

the years that are called the Crucifixion of the Church. 

    The book of Daniel describes one week of years (Dan 9:27), which is 

seven years, when the Church will suffer Her Passion. Later in the book of 

Daniel it becomes clear that the seven years is not seven full years, but six 

years plus some months (Dan 8:14; 14:31,40). And for half of that week of 

years, which is 3  years, the suffering is the most intense (Dan 12:11). This 

most intense time is called the Church's Crucifixion. Thus, the Church will 

suffer greatly for nearly seven years, with the worst of the worst lasting 3  

years. This suffering of seven years will occur in the 2430's; a foreshadowing 

of that later suffering will occur in the 2030's. 

    Jesus' scourging is  a symbolic prophecy of this future suffering of the 

Church. According to Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, Jesus was 

scourged by three pairs of men for a total of about 3/4 of an hour.

8

 When a 

fourth pair of men began to continue the scourging, one from the crowd 

came forward and cut Jesus free. The scourging of Jesus by six plus men was 

a living prophecy of the six plus years of great suffering which the Church 

will endure.