Welcome!
Patti, I have had the same thoughts about this and many other things. Like what about all the Senators, Congressmen, politicians, etc. who have been raised in the church and might have heard growing up about even some of these prophecies, like Damascus becoming a ruinous heap, etc.? Surely some of these men have read these things in the Bible, I used to wonder about George Bush wondering about certain things too. I'm sure they've had mothers and fathers who have pointed these things out to them at some point.
The Pope, surely, must have heard about St. Malachi's prophecies... I agree.... (scratchin my head). 
Makes me wonder do they get the same feeling of awe that we do.
Interesting, indeed. I agree and can see what you are all saying. Then a thought nags at me. The RCC teaches "Replacement Theology". If they adhere to that theology, how can they possibly interpret any prophecy? Pope Benedict esplained his interpretation of Revelation 12. He explained (his expalnation, anyway) that the "woman" is the Church. Specifically, the RCC. We all know that the woman is Israel. I have had people of my former upbringing in the RCC tell me to be prepared to go through the Tribulation. They don't believe in the Rapture.
I say, "WHAAAAAAAAA?"
I agree with you BrotherJohn. That was pretty much my experience too. Matthew 24 is addressing the Jews and not the church, but being that the RCC adheres to replacement theology, they believe it was referring to the RCC and all other denominations were excluded because they were not considered part of the RCC. When I was little, they were still saying the Mass in Latin which shows you how disconnected I was when we went every Sunday. Didn't understand a lick of it except a few things that were taught to me. I know a guy who refuses to return to the RCC until they return to the Latin Mass. We were told (and this is no joke) that all who did not belong to the RCC were bound for Hell and we were to be thankful for just having to go to Purgatory. LOL..Some poor guy is down there doing time on a meat rap for eating a hot dog and forgetting it was Lent.
Lol, Shiloh. That last line and picture made me laugh. But I was once caught up in those doctrines myself, and most believers I know in person still are as well, including family. I have prayed that the Lord will open their eyes as well. He hasn't, yet. But I trust Him and His plan.
Up until a couple months ago I had a figurine of "Our Lady of Fátima" in my bedroom that my mom had given me around a year ago, a figurine which allegedly had been "blessed" or whatever by some priest. I had also been struggling with a certain besetting sin for a long time and I had asked the Lord over and over again to deliver me from it because it was really wearing me out. As I learned more about the false Mary worship doctrine and idolatry, I felt led to take that figurine out of my room. So I did and my mom confronted me, I just said I didn't want it in my room and didn't explain why. I was really private about my faith and still am a bit, even though I have no problem admitting to it. So I asked the Lord that if He wanted me to have explained to her why I didn't want it in my room, for Him to provide another opportunity for that. The very next day my mom came to me again and asked if I still didn't want that figurine in my room and pressed me again as to why. I took it as the "other opportunity" from the Lord and so I explained it to her, but she didn't listen. It's part of the pedestal the Catholic Church's doctrine has put itself on, dragging others to deception with it. After this whole thing happened I was freed from that besetting sin I was struggling with. I would say the Lord rewarded me by freeing me from it, but I didn't do anything and most certainly not something deserving of a reward. But also I know that He is good and merciful, and I won't question His decisions or timing.
I had also at an earlier time explained to one of my "believing" friends the falsehood of some of the Catholic Church's doctrines, since she is also a Catholic or at least had been, like me. But she didn't listen either. This is why I just trust the Lord in what He has planned. I sure can't get them to listen, being the "least" in both my family and somewhat that as well in group of friends. Due to this, I found myself more often than not asking Him why he had chosen me to wake me up and prepare me for today, and not someone else of my family or group of friends. I think He has given me an answer with verse 9 of 2 Corinthians 12:
"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (KJV)
Speaking of Scripture, Shiloh, you mention Matthew 24 being addressed to the Jews, and I hadn't fully realised it yet. I guess there's a lot I still need to learn about the Word. But it makes sense. Salvation was offered to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles, which I guess is also implied by the verse 14 I mentioned, speaking of the Gospel being preached around the world. But I mean, when I read the whole chapter I take into consideration some parts of it which can be applied to the Church (the Bride) as well.
Regarding the replacement theology you mention, unfortunately it is actually "a thing," yes. Israel and the Jewish people were not very popular topics in Mass. So much so that I didn't even know what the tribes of Israel were when I first read the Book of Revelation. I am letting out a 'sigh' right now thinking about how serious the deception and false teachings are. 
Rieom, no rapture in my childhood Church either.
BrotherJohn, I completely understand what you are saying about idolatry and "Our Lady of Fatima" statue. I used to have one that was given to me by my grandmother and it was a music box with a litttle jewely drawer at the foot. She used to make me play that every night. I secretly got rid of it after years and we had every "Saint" statue known to man around our house. We had to pray to them too. All I ever heard was, "Pray to the Blessed Virgin", "pray to Saint so and so"...
One time, I lost something and was looking all over for it and was told to pray to Saint Francis..."Dear Saint Francis, please come around. There is something that's missing that needs to be found." Remember that one? It worked too! You know why? After repeating that continually while searching frantically for a long time, it was me who found it...lololol...and NOT Saint Francis.
I can't say I remember that one, especially since it's in English, but... Lol! If you had sat there waiting for Saint Francis to come looking for it you never would have found it, that's for sure. 
Well, I just about don't know what else to do, except truly just pray and trust the Lord.
I had another discussion with my mom today regarding the false doctrines of the Catholic Church, due to there being this Sunday one of those family get togethers due to one of those town celebrations in "honor" of a certain Saint or Our Lady of Something. I tell her what the Bible says about all of it and ask her where in the Bible it tells us to do what those false doctrines say, but she doesn't listen and to support the Mary worship always mentions this part of John 19:27:
"Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother!" (KJV)
and then she says that John represents the whole Church and for this we are all supposed to take it as Jesus telling us that Mary is also our mother.
"When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." John 19:26-27 (KJV)
The way I am led to understand verses 26 and 27 is that Jesus saw that they were both grieving and so gave Mary as a mother to John, because He loved them both and didn't want them to grieve Him. It even says that from that hour John took her into his own home (as a very personal thing), not that therefore everyone should start regarding Mary as their mother. I am interested in knowing your opinion on these verses.
Then a few moments after I basically gave up on trying to explain to her since it wasn't going anywhere, she came to me with an article showing the destruction of Haiti where everything was basically torn down except a statue of "Our Lady." I told her I didn't want to see any of it and so she left.
You know, I start thinking about these things and there's that little voice that tells me "What if...?", but it doesn't make sense. Why would Mary worship not be taught in Scriptures if that was the case for us to do? Why would the Lord even have led me and even us here to where we are now if it wasn't the case?
How has the deception gotten so wide that even believers don't want to go by what the Bible says, even if it says otherwise or doesn't say it at all, but choose to go by what man-made "tradition" has come to, and even interpretations of alleged "holy priests"?
I'm like... What is this?
These "celebrations" mean nothing to me, but sadly, I should go to that on Sunday or my family will think I'm being antisocial. I hope the Lord comes for us before then, as I really don't want to take part in such things. I trust the Lord in that He knows what He is doing, even if it doesn't make sense to me at the moment. It breaks my heart to see my family trapped in this deception, but apparently all I can do now is pray and trust the Lord. Will you mention my family in your prayer, please? And me as well, that the Lord may lead me in the right direction always?
Thank you and may the Lord bless you. 
Good testimony of your learning history, Perian! It's so awesome how the Lord prepared us for now over the course of our lives in a variety of ways. 
