The pounding on the door was followed by the sound of men yelling for Habila to come out with his family.
Habila rushed to get dressed. When he entered the front room with his wife, Vivian, and their young son close behind, he faced intruders wearing robes and masks. One was armed with an AK-47. Habila said a short prayer to the Lord.
After announcing that they were there to do the work of Allah, the men began to question Habila. They asked him his name, his profession, whether he was a policeman or in the military, and whether he was a Christian or Muslim.
“I am a Christian,” he replied.
Vivian was terrified, knowing the men were members of Boko Haram.
The intruders told Habila that they were giving him the opportunity to live—and live a better life—if he would only become a Muslim and say the shahada [Islamic profession of faith that includes, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”]. They even asked him to join them as a member of Boko Haram.
All the while, Habila was prepared to die. “I am a Christian and will always remain a Christian,” he replied, “even to death.”
+ In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentences
Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
I arise today, through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to secure me: against snares of devils,
against temptations of vices, against inclinations of nature,
against everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and anear, alone and in a crowd.
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Revelation 12:10-12 (ESV) – to be read aloud
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
Reflection
THE SECOND VISION – THE SEVEN TRUMPETS (8:2-14:20)
Interlude (12:1-14:20)
Overview (12:10-12)
The great tribulation about to break upon the church was a direct result of the defeat of Satan in heavenly conflict. The salvation, power, and Kingdom of God are present realities. Although defeated, Satan is still a powerful foe…. The point of this passage is not to establish a chronology but to reveal the supernatural cause behind Satan’s opposition to the church whenever and wherever it occurs. It should be no surprise that as the end draws near, this hostility will increase in intensity. (Mounce, p.238)
The triumph of God’s Kingdom (12:10-11)
Somewhere in the World a Believer is Being Martyred Right Now……..Today
The defeat of Satan leads to the establishment of the authority of the Messiah in the world. The result is Satan’s accusations against God’s people are frustrated…. The victory over Satan… actually was accomplished in history at the cross. The shed blood of Christ is the real means of victory over Satan. The secondary means of victory… is the martyrs’ witness to the saving power of the blood of Christ.
Their very martyrdom was their victory over Satan: it proved that his accusations against the brethren were empty. It is clear that victory over Satan is a spiritual victory which is often won even in the terrible experience of martyrdom. (Ladd, p.172-3)
Rejoice! (12:12)
While the rejoicing is called for from the inhabitants of heaven it is plain that people on earth can rejoice too. Their citizenship is in heaven. And, though they suffer grievous troubles on earth, they are assured that these are temporary and that already the triumph is being savoured in heaven. But for now there is woe for them on earth and sea. The devil has come down in great anger, knowing that he has only a little time, the time that remains before the second advent…. The troubles of the persecuted righteous arise not because Satan is too strong, but because he is beaten. He is doing all the harm he can while he can. But he will not be able to do this much longer. (Morris, 158)
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Canticle
Christ, as a light – illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield – overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me – on my left and my right.
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Peanut Gallery: In September, we will begin reading through the Book of Revelation (ESV). Our purpose will be devotional, i.e. to discover the word of blessing that God has for us in these troubled times… to find hope and help for our daily lives.
The general format for Morning Prayer is adapted from the Northumbrian Community‘s Daily Office, as found in Celtic Daily Prayer (see online resources here.) On Sundays, we’ll return to the USCCB readings (see online resources here) and various liturgical resources in order to reflect the Church’s worship and concerns throughout the world. Photo illustrations and music videos, available online, are included as they illustrate or illuminate the readings. I will try to give credit and link to sources as best I can.
The Peanut Gallery 