Month: October 2014

Morning Prayer: 22 Oct – Revelation 14:9-13 ~ eternal torment and blessing

Morning Prayer

+ 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.

Revelation 14:9-13 (ESV) – to be read aloud

hell_forever_and_ever

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

Reflection

THE SECOND VISION – THE SEVEN TRUMPETS (8:2-14:20)

Interlude (12:1-14:20)

Call to endurance (14:9-13)

The third angel pronounces a much worse fate for those who do worship the beast and bear his mark. They are to drink the wine of God’s fury and endure eternal torment in burning sulfur. This fierce warning is directed both to the pagan population and to those within the Christian community tempted to deny their faith in view of the coming persecution. That the warning is directed at apostate Christians as well, follows from John’s added comments in vv 12 and 13, which speak of the coming trial and promised blessedness for those who die in the Lord. (Mounce, p.272)

Eternal torment (14:9-11)

What will be the fate of those who persist in the worship of the beast?

Those who have set themselves in irreversible hostility to God must become the objects of divine wrath before Gods Kingdom is established. It is inconceivable that men who hate God’s Messiah and join in the persecution of God’s people should enter the Kingdom of God. The perfect reign of God and the establishment of his rule in the world includes the necessity of judgement of those who refuse to embrace his rule. (Ladd, p.194-5)

The intention of the torment described is to startle readers into the realization of the eternal consequences of denying their faith in Christ and worshiping the beast…. The punishment of the damned is not a temporary measure…. Without hope of acquittal, they pay the eternal price of having chosen evil over righteousness. (Mounce, p. 274)

Eternal blessing (14:12-13)

The saints are described in terms of their obedience to divine revelation and their continuing reliance on Jesus…. Faithfulness to Christ may issue in martyrdom, but the faithful dead are blessed in that they have entered victoriously into their rest.

The blessedness consists in the cessation of all the trials and sufferings… and their rest is from the troubles that have arisen from their steadfastness in faith. They are blessed because their deeds follow after them. God will not forget all that they ave endured in loyalty to the faith…. Their deeds follow after them in the sense that there can be no separation between what a person is and what a person does. (Mounce, p.275-7)
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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
_____________________________________

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.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.

Morning Prayer: 21 Oct – Revelation 14:6-8 ~ last call

Morning Prayer

+ 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.

Revelation 14:6-8 (ESV) – to be read aloud

The Fall of Babylon (Tapestry of the Apocalypse); Angers, France
The Fall of Babylon
(Tapestry of the Apocalypse); Angers, France

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”

Reflection

THE SECOND VISION – THE SEVEN TRUMPETS (8:2-14:20)

Interlude (12:1-14:20)

Impending Judgement Announced (14:6-13)

The tableau of the Lamb and his followers standing victorious on the heavenly Mount Zion is followed by a series of three angel proclamations (vv 6-11). These three are interrelated and progressive. The summons to worship the Creator (vv 6-7) leads to a prediction of the downfall of the great citadel of paganism (v 8) and then to a vivid portrayal of the torment awaiting all who worship the beast (vv 9-11). The unit is then brought to a close with a voice from heaven pronouncing blessed those who die in the Lord. (Mounce, p.269)

Call to Repentance (14:6-7)

The angel addressed himself not to the saints but to unbelievers…. In light of the angel’s proclamation that the end is about to take place and judgement is about to fall, men of all nations are summoned to repent. It is not yet too late; final judgement has not yet fallen; there is still time to turn in repentance and find the mercy of God. (Ladd, p.193)

The eternal gospel calls on people to fear and honor the Creator, for the hour of judgement is at hand. God has revealed himself in nature so that people are without excuse (Rom 1:19-20). To fear God is to reverence him; to give him glory is to pay him the respect and honor that is his due. (Mounce, p. 271)

Fall of Babylon (14:8)

Babylon… stands for the capital city of the final apostate civilization, the symbol of human society organized politically, economically, and religiously in opposition to and defiance of God…. Babylon has seduced all the nations by the enticements and allurements of her wealth and luxuries; but this cup of sensual delight will turn out to be the cup of God’s wrath. (Ladd, p.194)

Babylon is a symbol of the spirit of godlessness that in every age lures people away from the worship of the Creator. It is the “dark counterpart of Jerusalem,” the final manifestation of “secular humanism” in its attempt to destroy the remaining vestiges of true religion. Society set free from God is its own worst enemy. (Mounce, p.271)
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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
_____________________________________

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.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.

Morning Prayer: 20 Oct – Revelation 14:1-5 ~ a glimpse of glory

Morning Prayer

+ 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.

Revelation 14:1-5 (ESV) – to be read aloud

Three angels with the Lamb Apocalypse Tapestry, Angers
Three angels with the Lamb
Apocalypse Tapestry, Angers

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.

Reflection

THE SECOND VISION – THE SEVEN TRUMPETS (8:2-14:20)

Interlude (12:1-14:20)

The Redeemed and the Lamb (14:1-5)

The first vision… pictures the destiny of the people of God who have been preserved through the great tribulation but who have fallen prey to the wrath of the beast. They are seen in the messianic Kingdom. This vision is not actually realized until chapters 20-22, but as he often does, John gives his readers anticipatory visions of what are yet to be to steady them for the hard experiences that lie immediately ahead. (Ladd, p.188-9)

The 144,000 (14:1,3)

The one hundred and forty-four thousand is the same company which was sealed in 7:9-17; and here, as there, they represent the total body of the redeemed… the saints who were suffering martyrdom in the last chapter are now seen in their final salvation in the new Jerusalem…. They are virgins in the sense that they have refused to defile themselves by participating in the fornication of worshiping the beast but have kept themselves pure unto God…. Theirs is a perfect, uncomplaining discipleship. As the path of perfect devotion to the will of the Father led the Lamb to his sacrificial death on the cross, so discipleship to him may well lead to sharing in his cross (Matt 10:38; Mark 8:34). They follow the Lamb because they are not their own but have been redeemed – purchased for God at the cost of the blood of the Lamb (5:9). (Ladd, p. 191-2)
__________


__________

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
_____________________________________

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.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.

29th Ordinary Sunday: Isa 45:1,4-6; Ps 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10; I Thes 1:1-5; Mt 22:15-21 ~ give God His due

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

As we come to the source of life, may the life of Christ might be in us and in all of humankind.
_____

In Your wonderful providence, O God, You willed that the kingdom of Christ should extend throughout the earth and that all people should partake in His saving redemption; grant that Your church may show and tell the wonders of Your love for all. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 45:1,4-6 (NLT)

This is what the Lord says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again.
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“And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. I am the Lord; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me, so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the Lord, and there is no other.

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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
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Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
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Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens!
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O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts.
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Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.
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Psalm 96, “Chantez a Dieu, chanson nouvelle” (Sing to the Lord a New Song) by 16th century Dutch composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck.


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A Reading from the Letters: I Thessalonians 1:1-5 (NLT)

This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give you grace and peace.

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 22:15-21 (NLT)

Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

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Intercessions:

God of glory and power – hear our prayer:

+ For church leaders everywhere – that they may lead with faith and courage…. Lord hear us.

+ For missionaries bringing help and hope to a broken world – that God’s Spirit may sustain them…. Lord, hear us.

+ For all believers – that we might have zeal to share the Good News of Jesus into our own neighborhoods…. Lord, hear us.

+ For leaders of nations and all those elected to serve us – that they may fight corruption and injustice…. Lord, hear us.

+ For tax collectors and all who work for the state – that they may respect the rights of all citizens…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those who collect charitable donations and for all who contribute – that God may reward generous hearts…. Lord, hear us.

+ For those who have died serving Christ in foreign lands – that they may receive their reward in heaven…. Lord, hear us.

God of glory and power, You will judge all peoples fairly – hear our prayers and graciously grant them, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Benediction:

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 18 Oct – Revelation 13:16-18 ~ the mark of the beast

Morning Prayer

+ 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.

Revelation 13:16-18 (ESV) – to be read aloud

62245-barcode-666

Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

Reflection

THE SECOND VISION – THE SEVEN TRUMPETS (8:2-14:20)

Interlude (12:1-14:20)

The mark of the beast (13:16-18)

The second beast requires all people to receive the mark of the first beast on their right hand or forehead.

Its significance in the present passage is to parody the sealing of the servants of God in chapter 7. As the elect are sealed upon their foreheads to escape the destruction about to fall upon the earth, so the followers of the beast are to escape his wrath against the church by bearing his mark…. In the final days of Antichrist it will represent the ultimate test of religious loyalty. Only those who would rather die than compromise their faith will resist the mark of the beast. (Mounce, p.259-60)

The mark of the beast served both a religious and economic purpose…. John expects the beast, aided by the false prophet, to achieve a totalitarian rule in which he has complete control over politics, religion, and economics with the purpose of compelling the worship of all men. (Ladd, p.185-6)

The number of the beast (13:18)

No verse in Revelation has received more attention than this one with its cryptic reference to the number of the beast…. The history of interpretation demonstrates that no consensus has been reached on whom or what John had in mind. (Mounce, p.261)

The most we can say is that the number of the beast is a prophecy of a future situation, no one has yet solved the meaning of the number, but its meaning will be plain when the time comes. (Ladd, p.187)

In summary (chapters 12 & 13)

Chapter 12 introduced us to the great dragon, the primary adversary of God. In chapter 13 we met the two great forces used by Satan to accomplish his nefarious plans. The stage is set for the final encounter. What is crucial at this point is to recognize the true nature of the struggle. While the Lamb was victorious on the cross, the full and public acknowledgment of that victory awaits a final moment. Believers live in the already/not yet tension of a battle won but not quite over. While the victory as been achieved, the defeated enemy must still be permanently removed from the field of battle. That will take place when the conquering Messiah returns to establish his eternal rule. (Mounce, p.263)

__________


__________

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
_____________________________________

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.

This will not be a Bible Study per se: we will not attempt to unravel the “mysteries” of Revelation… that is far beyond our abilities and is not our interest here. However, so as not to get too far afield, we will rely on three study resources: primary – A Commentary on the Revelation of John (George Elton Ladd); supplemental Revelation (Leon Morris) and  The Book of Revelation (Robert H. Mounce).

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.