Catechism Confusion

[tnavarro61]

I am self-studying the Catechism and I am confused:

[b]58[/b] The covenant with Noah remains in force during the times of the Gentiles, [i][u]until [/u]the universal proclamation of the Gospel.[/i] The Bible venerates several great figures among the Gentiles: Abel the just, the king-priest Melchisedek - a figure of Christ - and the upright "Noah, Daniel, and Job". Scripture thus expresses the heights of sanctity that can be reached by those who live according to the covenant of Noah, waiting for Christ to "gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad".

[b]71[/b] God made an everlasting covenant with Noah and with all living beings (cf. Gen 9:16). [i]It will remain in force as long as the world lasts.[/i]

The word until in 58 seems to say that the Covenant with Noah ended with the universal proclamation of the Gospel, but in 71 it says, the covenant will remain in force as the world lasts.

Forgive my stupidity and limited understanding. But please answer.

God bless you!

[Brother Adam]

The first question to ask is what is the "universal proclamation of the Gospel"? Does it refer to the end of time or to the coming of Christ? The catechism references Luke 21:24:

"They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."

So the universal proclamation has to do with the end of time, the 2nd coming, the end of this world, the judgment, eternal salvation, heaven, and hell. The natural conclusion then is that both paragraphs in the catechism speak of the same idea and event. The covenant with Noah and its promises remain valid through the end of time. God will never again flood this world.