The explosion of war in Ukraine has brought out many different apocalyptical movements within the Christian community. There are those who view these events through the lens of the disputed interpretation of the Third Secret of Our Lady of Fatima. Others see current events as foreshadowed by one visionary or another. Evangelical Christians, among others, see the unfolding of events foreseen in the New Testament writings, particularly in the Book of Revelation. Such groups are attempting to put a clear timeline on these events, expecting the denouement to history in the near future. 

While our historical period is riddled with strife, conflict, persecution, terrorism and the threat of nuclear annihilation so is every age similarly afflicted. The uniqueness of our historical era is not so much the reality of the horror of how human beings treat one another, but how much we are aware of human tragedy as the result of mass media and instant communications. Our age is no worse, and in some ways even much better, than many other periods. 

That is not to suggest, however, that there is little or nothing in the present moment about which to be concerned. The very threat of nuclear war is sobering enough. While other times of recent history have seen such threats, the situation in Ukraine is deeply concerning. Persecution of Christians, and members of other religious faiths, is a global problem, especially in Africa. Likewise, we still see pockets of genocide and ethnic cleansing throughout the world.

The challenge of our times -- of any time -- is how we respond to them. Apocalyptic literature was borne in a period of persecution and oppression and remains the consolation of those who are oppressed and persecuted. Similarly, apocalyptic styles of literature are not unique to the Judeo-Christian world, as virtually every culture envisions the end of history, and the beginning of a new age.

The end times are always envisioned to begin, not with a period of peace and healing, but during conflict and tension. 

Every time is a time of conflict and tension. It is arguably possible that there has not been a year without a war since 1816. Leading up to 1816, and throughout most of the 19th century, there were some major conflagrations throughout the world. One of the effects of sin is that we are more inclined to war than we are to peace; to division more than unity.

Some people see now a surge of anti-Christian prejudice and bias growing within our country. While such has been seen in parts of Europe in the past several decades, here in the USA it has been a less serious issue. Sadly, there is no time in history when Christians have not been persecuted somewhere in the world and, all too often, by other Christians. Just because we are experiencing a bit of a backlash now in our country does not forebode doom. The tens of thousands of Christians in Africa who have experienced martyrdom over the past few decades, and the many millions who live yet under threat and suspicion, would certainly be underwhelmed by some of the slanted anti-Christian rhetoric we catch on occasion.

History teaches us that the Church always lives under the threat of persecution and oppression, as the Gospel is unwelcome in the world in every age. 
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One important factor distinguishes Judeo-Christian apocalypticism from every other, is the abiding sense of hope that characterizes the message. While every ancient mythology understands and imagines that creation had a definitive beginning and that there will also be a definitive ending, the majority of them do not foresee hope for the future. Similarly, Judeo-Christian apocalypticism diminishes the sense of suffering in light of the fulfilled promise of God’s kingdom to come.

Herein lies our real task as Christians and certainly as Catholics. Every age is the end of time. Every age points us to the fulfillment of God’s promise of the Kingdom. We live in hope of the end, not fear. We also know that it happens in God’s time and not our own. We have always failed at reading the signs of the times, and we will do so again. 

Instead of worrying about whether or not this is the time of the completion of history, we must continue the task of evangelizing the world and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations. If this is truly the end-times, then we should be tireless in our work to ensure that all people are saved. Of course, that should be our focus even if we aren’t convinced that this is the end of times.