The 856-year-old French cathedral partially collapsed on Monday night, April 15, when a raging fire tore through Notre-Dame’s roof and spire. Parisian firefighters tackling the blaze, which started around 6.30pm local time (5.30pm BST), have managed to extinguish the last flames on Tuesday morning, April 16. As a result of the tragic fire, the 12-century’s roof and spire are gone but vast swathes of the stone structure and interior are intact. French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to restore Notre-Dame to its former glory within five years but there are some who fear the sinister impact of the fire.
Pastor Steve Cioccolant, of Discover Ministries in Melbourne, Australia, has warned of the prophetic message the Notre-Dame fire has sent out to the world about the collapse of Christianity.
In an online video, the preacher said: “Sad, sad day for France. It’s like waking up to 9/11 but this is for France.
“It’s morning time here in Australia and you can see that the Notre-Dame cathedral is on fire.
“I’ve been there at least a couple of times. You can see the spire actually falling right there – the roof is completely collapsed and you can see these French Parisian reacting.
“They’re saying that ‘our city’s on fire, Paris is on fire, our county is collapsing’, which I think is quite prophetic the way that people are responding.
“Let’s just go to the scripture. We can always find comfort and wisdom in the scripture.
“At this time it just reminds me of Mark Chapter 13, where Jesus foretold the destruction of the Temple.”
The biblical scripture in question references passages in the New Testament prophesying the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple.
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Mark 13 reads: “As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’
“‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.’
“Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?’
“Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.
“‘When you hear of wars and rumour of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”
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Pastor Cioccolant then recited passages from Luke 19, which speaks of enemies sweeping in from every side.
Historically, the passages talk about the holy city of Jerusalem and the collapse of the Second Temple.
But the preacher warned the symbolic collapse of Notre-Dame could be a prophetic symbol of wavering faith in France and Europe.
He said: “We should be now watching how this priceless cathedral gets restored.
“Is somebody going to propose that, well, ‘we’re secular, we’re humanist, we’re atheist now and we should erect something that is more fitting for France?’
“In any case, it is a sad day, say day for France.”
