Pope Resigns/Lighting Bolts Hit Vatican/What Could it Mean (updated March 2, 2013)

by Michael K. Jones

Just hours after Pope Benedict announced he would step down as Pontiff on February 12, 2013, two lighting bolts hit the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican. As a result, the internet was swarming with speculation, rumors and even concerns of future freighting events to come. The question we should ask here is if the lighting strike is a sign from God or just nature at work?

This picture shows the actual lighting strike but for those who wish to view it; there is a video online as well. Watching the video over and over again, one might catch a glimpse of a figure in the bright flash following the lighting strike. While pausing the video over and over at the flashpoint, I see an image of a dove with wings spread wide open, descending on top of the dome. To some this might suggest a sign of peace which is associated with the image of the dove. It is also possible there are other meanings to consider.

Scripture tells us that like the 10 virgins, we need to keep an eye out for the times which are coming. Matthew chapter 24 also tells us, we need to watch out for the warning signs which indicate future events of concern. In Matthew 24 we also find we should follow these signs as a woman who is in labor with birth pangs. Other bibles choose to omit the words, “birth pangs,” in favor of the words, “all these things are the beginning of sorrow.” Either way, the beginning of anything is the start of other things to come. Like the beginning of sorrow, birth pangs also have a starting point.  Nearing time of delivery, the pangs of birth become more and more frequent and intense. The long and short is, Matthew 24 is basically telling us that frequency and intensity is how we should keep watch for signs of the time.

Medjugorje seer Mirjana receives messages on the 2^nd of each month. These messages are shared with the world. Three times now Our Lady has commented about the signs of the times, also known as, "Warning Signs". In one message Our Lady asks the question, “Do you not see the signs of the times?”

UPDATE ALERT: Our Lady has now talked to Mirjana 4 times about signs of the times, adding Her most recently comment on March 2, 2013, just 18 days after this article was written. This is the March 2, message. “Dear children; Anew, in a motherly way, I am calling you not to be of a hard heart. Do not shut your eyes to the "warnings" which the Heavenly Father sends to you out of love. Do you love Him above all else? Do you repent for having often forgotten that the Heavenly Father, out of His great love, sent His Son to redeem us by the Cross? Do you repent for not having accepted the message? My children, do not resist the love of my Son. Do not resist hope and peace. Along with your prayers and fasting, by His Cross, my Son will cast away the darkness that wants to surround you and come to rule over you. He will give you the strength for a new life. Living it according to my Son, you will be a blessing and a hope to all those sinners who wander in the darkness of sin. My children, keep vigil. I, as a mother, am keeping vigil with you. I am especially praying and watching over those whom my Son called to be light-bearers and carriers of hope for you – for your shepherds. Thank you.”

Anyone who keeps an eye open need only watch the evening news to know signs of the times are here. In fact in the past 12 months, far more signs have caught my attention beyond all previous years.

It is impossible to give the reader a full scoop of all warning signs given in the past 12 months, there are just too many. Here are just a few events. The doomsday clock is set at 5 minutes to doomsday as recommended by scientists. Part of the reason the clock is at 5 minutes is because scientists agree global warning is critical and something must be done now. Also the concerns of wars and growing nuclear powers are concerns to the doomsday scientists. In late summer of 2012 a river in China and another in Australia turned blood red. Last I heard, no one could explain the red rivers. In Egypt when God sent Moses to free the Hebrews from bondage, the waters also turned red. Recently Australia also had record heat causing uncontrollable fires. The high temperatures in Australia lead weathermen to add two new colors to the heat index scale. The fires in Colorado and New Mexico were the likes never seen before in these two U.S. States.  Folks in New York and New Jersey are still trying to recover from hurricane Sandy. 7 days after Sandy, a powerful nor'easter hit the same region. On Friday February 8, 2013, the East Coast of the U.S. had a blizzard nor’easter with winds upwards 80mph. The winds and snow caused major power outages to millions in several states. The blizzard dumped over 40” in the State of Maine and over 30 in Massachusetts. For days hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents were left stranded in the bitter cold and dark as electrical crews fixed thousands of down power lines. In the past three weeks to follow, in this same region there have been three more large snow storm and a major wind and rain storm. February 13, 2013, news reports tell us Sacramento, CA, was invaded by a swam of locust eating everything in their path. Locust in February does not at all seem usual. A week later parts of California got snow. Now seven days later after the blizzard of 2013, a close encounter with asteroid DA14 was upon us all. A fragment of the asteroid broke off zooming down to the earth some 20 miles per second. The meteor crashed in Russia causing injury to thousands, carrying the force of several nuclear bombs as it hit. North Korea recently conducted nuclear testing, as Iran is also developing nuclear capabilities as well. We are constantly reminded about, poor air quality and contaminated rivers, lakes and even oceans. The rain forest vital to our survival is being chopped down to desert waste. Famine is found in most countries these days. Plagues of diseases are rampant and new strains of flu and viruses are emerging at alarming rates. The world economy seems it is on the verge of collapse. A few years ago the stock market crashed causing the failure of business.  Many investors once wealth are now poor and bankrupted, while CEO’s walked away with millions of dollars. The poor can’t pay their bills and taxes. Unable to afford the cost of life, tent cities are popping up around our Nation. The list of warning signs far exceeds the few I mention here.  All things considered, we can’t discount the fact that the lighting strikes at the Vatican could also be a warning sign.

If you would like to read them, there is only two places where lighting could be mentioned in Scripture, (Isaiah 30:30) and (Matthew 3:16).

(Isaiah 30:30) King James version say’s, “And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shrew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger and with the flame of a devouring fire with scattering and tempest and hailstone.”

(Isaiah 30:30) Catholic version say’s, “And the Lord shall make the glory of his voice to be heard, and shall show the terror of his arm, in the threatening of wrath and the flame of devouring fire; he shall crush to pieces with whirlwind and hailstones.” The scriptures are written differently but both speak of the wrath of God that comes due to His indignation (justified anger.) Is it possible the lighting bolt is a warning sign of the Lord’s anger in relation the coming conclave assembled to elect a new pope?

(Matthew 3:16) King James version say’s, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:”

(Matthew 3:16) Catholic version say’s, “And when Jesus had been baptized, he immediately came up from the water. And behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and coming upon him.”

When Our Lady appears in Medjugorje, the visionaries say there is a flash of light. The light can not be described except to say it is like lightening. There is also a rumble, like thunder, but the rumble is beyond any earthly thunder ever heard before. During my first Medjugorje pilgrimage in 1989, I witnessed the flash of light that was quickly followed by the rumble of noise. I experienced this just as Ivan was having his apparition of Our Lady, on Apparition Hill. Not everyone saw the light but many did because I heard a multitude making a sound of awe. The sound of awe was unlike anything I have ever heard people express before or since. I don’t know if other’s heard the rumble as at this point Apparition Hill was silent. The rumble I heard made me think, the end of the world was here. Reflecting on this later, I was asked to describe the light and rumble. All I could say was the light was all consuming and the rumble was like someone ripping the universe apart. Having experienced this in 1989, I am well aware that flashes of light and rumbles can indeed be a sign and or warning. This leads me to consider the possibility that the flash of lighting at the Vatican could also be a sign or warning.

Though not approved by the church, the apparitions at Garabandal offered some predictions of future events that may apply here. Is it possible the next pope could be the anti-christ or at least a modernist, seeking to take away the traditions of the church? Could it be such a pope would be in favor or modern ideas and concepts that are far away from God? According to seer Conchita of Garanbandal, this was to be the last (true) Pope before the Coming of Christ. There are also prophesies of chastisements and warnings, promised through the Garabandal apparitions. Note: it has been some years since I studied Garabandal and I could certainly use a refresher on this topic. What is written here about Garabandal is from what little I think I recall. The info may not be exact or complete.

In Medjugorje we have been prepared for over 30 years for the coming warning signs and chastisements. Our Lady told Medjugorje seer Mirjana, “Can’t you see the warning signs?” Such a comment does not mean warning signs are coming anymore but means the warning signs are here. Sad but true, the world chooses to bury their heads in the ground rather to notice warning signs sent by God. In so doing, people believe what they don’t see, won’t hurt them. Scripture certainly tells us that for those who think this way it is “as a blind man who leads a blind man. For if a bind man leads a blind man, both fall into the pit.” For those who can understand, the hope here is God’s love and mercy. In His love and mercy, God would not have us blinded so we fall into the pit. God instead sends warning signs because He loves us. In sending these warnings, God hopes the world will change its ways before it is too late. 

In my life time I have seen many signs and wonders. Many of these were followed with proof of confirmation. I believe in signs and wonders and have no doubt more are coming. Scripture also tells me signs and chastisements are coming. Our Lady of Medjugorje is giving the six Medjugorje seers secrets to be revealed at a later date. These secrets are warning signs and chastisements to the world, because of a godless chosen path. In the daily news I am seeing one warning sign after another, even as a woman would have birth pangs. Fatima, Medjugorje and Garabandal apparitions are warnings of coming events. What does it take for the world to open its eye? It is also vitally important we understand that chastisements do not come because God wants them but comes because of the choice of men. The world itself is drawn to a path that is far away from God. Chastisements are the consequences of a path chosen.

Revelation’s Chapter 12 tells us of a woman with a crown of 12 stars who is pursued by the serpent also called devil and satan. Unable to capture this woman, the serpent goes to make war with the rest of Her offspring (children) who keep the Commandments of God and give testimony to Jesus Christ. Our Lady of Medjugorje told us we must read the bible to find the scripture meant for us. This tells us that Medjugorje is noted in Scripture. In Revelation 12 a woman appears who has a crown of 12 stars. Our Lady of Medjugorje appears with a crown of 12 stars. Is this a connection? Are we the children of Our Lady as Revelation 12 suggests? In each message Our Lady of Medjugorje gives us she say's, "Dear Children..." Unable to capture the woman, will the serpent of old come after those who believe in Medjugorje, as we read will happen in Revelation 12? We who believe are well aware of the many attacks we have endured. After three Medjugorje Commission, each was found tainted and bias. Medjugorje continues to hang in the balance of division and uncertainty. This all shows that we who believe are under attack. We know Pope John Paul believed in Medjugorje. It is thought that Pope Benedict also believed but will a new elected pope believe or will he be divided or against? If Revelation 12 has any merit, those who believe will continue to be pursued as the devil seeks to make war with us. All the signs are here if we only take the time to look at them.

There is not a day that goes bye that I do not see a sign of some type. The message of Medjugorje Our Lady gave in September 1989 surely applies here. "Dear children! Today I invite you to give thanks to God for all the gifts you have discovered in the course of your life and even for the least gift that you have perceived. I give thanks with you and want all of you to experience the joy of these gifts. And I want God to be everything for each one of you. And then, little children, you can grow continuously on the way of holiness. Thank you for responding to my call."  Signs are not for the select few but are for everyone who seeks the will of God in their lives. Therefore knowing all to well that signs exist, it seems too much of a mere coincidence that shortly after announcing the pope is going to step down, lighting strikes Saint Peter’s Basilica. Though this is only my personal speculation, it seems to me the lighting strike is not so much a positive sign as it is more a quickening sign of birth pangs on a path of many sorrows to come. If there is any merit to what is written here, we should see an elevated level of serious events in the news that will seemingly happen one after another.

There is yet hope in the love and mercy of God.  Prayer from the heart accomplishes much. Here I am reminded and end with a Scripture of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 5 verses 3-5. "Rejoice over tribulation knowing tribulation becomes endurance and endurance becomes tried virtue and tried virtue becomes hope and hope will never disappoint for the charity of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit that is given us." 

Would you like to read more of our articles on "The Signs of the Times?" Visit  http://www.medjugorjeusa.org/signsign.htm