CCC 672

Before his Ascension Christ affirmed that the hour had not yet come for the glorious establishment of the messianic kingdom awaited by Israel⁵⁶¹ Cf. Acts 1:6-7. which, according to the prophets, was to bring all men the definitive order of justice, love and peace.⁵⁶² Cf. Is 11:1-9. According to the Lord, the present time is the time of the Spirit and of witness, but also a time still marked by "distress" and the trial of evil which does not spare the Church⁵⁶³ Cf. Acts 1:8; I Cor 7:26; Eph 5:16; I Pt 4:17. and ushers in the struggles of the last days. It is a time of waiting and watching.⁵⁶⁴ Cf. Mt 25:1, 13; Mk 13:33-37; I I Jn 2:18; 4:3; I Tim 4:1. The glorious advent of Christ, the hope of Israel