Morning Prayer: 26 Nov – Revelation 21:1-8 ~ all things new

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 21:1-8 (ESV) – to be read aloud

all-new

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Reflection

THE THIRD VISION (17:1-21:8)

The New Creation (21:1-8)

Throughout the entire Bible, the ultimate destiny of God’s people is an earthly destiny…. Biblical thought always places man on a redeemed earth, not in a heavenly realm removed from earthly existence…. “Behold, I am making all things new,” suggests the renovation of what already exists.

New Jerusalem: The New Testament conceives of a heavenly Jerusalem as the dwelling place of God, the true homeland of “the saints, and the dwelling place of the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb. 12:22; see Gal. 4:26; Phil. 3:20). While this heavenly Jerusalem is represented as the dwelling place of the departed saints, heaven is not their ultimate destiny, but only the temporary abode of the saints between death and resurrection (Rev. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 3:8; Phil. 1:23). In the consummation after the resurrection (20:4), the heavenly Jerusalem will descend from heaven to take up its permanent location in the new earth.

God with us: In the coming of Christ, God took up his dwelling temporarily among men (Jn 1:14)…. During the church age, God indwells his church, which is his temple (Eph 2:22); but this is a dwelling “in the Spirit,” which can be apprehended only by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:17). In the consummation, all this is changed; faith will be changed to sight, and “they shall see his face” (22:4).

This is a reality which we cannot visualize; but direct, unmarred fellowship between God and his people is the goal of all redemption…. The essential blessing is direct, untroubled fellowship with God. (Ladd, p.275-7)

Perfected Church: In John’s vision the first heaven and earth are replaced by a new heaven and a new earth…. The entire presentation stretches the limits of human vocabulary and thought to emphasize the glorious reality of God dwelling among his people.

John’s vision includes a new Jerusalem as well…better understood as a symbol of the church in its perfected and eternal state. The point is that Jerusalem is the site of the temple, the place where the Presence dwells. In 1 Cor 3:16-17 the people of God form the temple where God dwells: here (in Revelation) they are the city. The vision itself takes the form of a magnificent city symbolizing the eternal fidelity of those who follow the Lamb. The holy city (cf. Isa 52:1; Matt 4:5) is of heavenly origin. It comes down from God, that is to stay, the church is not a voluntary organization created by human beings but a fellowship initiated and given by God (cf. Matt 16:18). (Mounce, p. 381-2)
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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.

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: 25 Nov – Revelation 20:11-15 ~ the last judgement

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.

Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV) – to be read aloud

"The Last Judgement" by Viktor Vasnetsov 1904. Oil on canvas 690*700. Located in the Crystal Museum, St. George's Cathedral, Gus Khrustalny, Vladimir Region, Russia. — “The Last Judgement” by Viktor Vasnetsov 1904. Oil on canvas 690*700. Located in the Crystal Museum, St. George’s Cathedral, Gus Khrustalny, Vladimir Region, Russia.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Reflection

THE THIRD VISION (17:1-21:8)

The Final Victory (19:6-20:15)

The Last Judgement (20:11-15)

The Last Judgment Hans Memlinc Triptych, 1466-1473 National Museum, Gdańsk Poland — The Last Judgment, Hans Memlinc
Triptych, 1466-1473
National Museum, Gdańsk
Poland

The time has now come to judge the rest of the dead (v. 5). With this vision we close forever the chapter on sin and stand ready to enter the eternal state of glory. (Mounce, p. 374)

This is clearly the final judgement which decides the eternal destiny of men…. This passage takes us back to the first anticipation of the end at the opening of the sixth seal (6:12ff / Mat 24:29ff.) This describes a great cosmic convulsion when the sun became black, the moon became like blood, the stars fell, the sky vanished, and the mountains were shaken. This announcement of the end is now fulfilled in the statement of this passage.

The Last Judgement, mural from Voroneţ Monastery, Romania.

Re-creation: Behind such statements is a profound theology. Earth was created to be the dwelling place of man, and man as a creature of God stands in solidarity with the rest of creation. Therefore, the created world is pictured as sharing the results of man’s sin, finding itself in bondage to decay, groaning and travailing until now (Rom. 8:19-22). The old order is a fallen order, laboring under the curse of man’s rebellion. Therefore, before the new redeemed order can be inaugurated, God’s judgement must fall upon the old order, but it is not one of destruction but the prelude to re-creation…. The old order passes away to make room for the new. (Ladd, p. 271-2)

The Book of Life: The New Testament is insistent on the justice of God’s final judgement in that it will not be arbitrary and capricious, but based squarely upon the deeds of men (Rom. 2:6ff.)…. It is significant [however] that this text does not intimate that anyone was saved on the basis of his good works…. If no one was saved by his works, there is yet another possibility: the book of life. This includes the names of all who have believed in Christ…. Salvation is to be found alone through the Lamb of God. (Ladd, p. 273-4)
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Canticle

Blessing

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Morning Prayer: 24 Nov – Revelation 20:7-10 ~ Satan’s final destruction

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.

Revelation 20:7-10 (ESV) – to be read aloud

And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Reflection

THE THIRD VISION (17:1-21:8)

The Final Victory (19:6-20:15)

The Millennium (20:1-10)

Satan Destroyed (20:7-10)

These four verses portray the release of Satan from his thousand-year imprisonment, the gathering of the nations for a final assault on the people of God, the fire from heaven that devours the enemy, and the devil’s final destiny in the lake of burning sulfur.

Perhaps the most reasonable explanation for this rather unusual parole [of Satan] is to make plain that neither the designs of Satan nor the waywardness of the human heart will be altered by the mere passing of time. Once loosed from prison, Satan picks up where he left off and people rally to his cause. (Mounce, p. 371-2)

Even after Christ himself has reigned over men during the millennium, when the deceiver is set free from his prison, he finds the hearts of men still responsive to his seductions. This makes it plain that the ultimate root of sin is not poverty or inadequate social conditions or an unfortunate environment; it is the rebelliousness of the human heart. (Ladd, p. 269)

In Revelation, both Gog and Magog are symbolic figures representing the nations of the world that band together for a final assault upon God and his people. No specific geographical designations are intended. They are simply hostile nations all across the world…. The war itself should be distinguished from that in 17:14 and 19:19 in that it follows the thousand-year reign.

The devil does not share the same fate as those he has led to the final assault. They are consumed by fire from heaven, but he is cast into the lake of burning sulfur. In the preceding chapter the beast and false prophet were cast into the fiery lake of burning sulfur (19:20). They are now joined by the arch culprit, the devil himself. (Mounce, p. 373-4)

The language describing Satan’s destruction and torment is picturesque – describing a real fact in the spiritual world: the final and everlasting destruction of the forces of evil which have plagued men since the garden of Eden. (Ladd, p. 270-1)
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Take it back….

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Canticle

Blessing

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Morning Prayer: 23 Nov – Revelation 20:4-6 ~ the millennial reign

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.

Revelation 20:4-6 (ESV) – to be read aloud

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Reflection

THE THIRD VISION (17:1-21:8)

The Final Victory (19:6-20:15)

The Millennium (20:1-10)

The millennial reign (20:4-6)

Overview: Sitting on thrones are “judges” before whom stand all those who have been faithful to the Lamb, even to death. Having proven their loyalty to the Lord by not worshiping the beast, they were brought to life to reign with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. The faithful, over whom death has no power, will serve as priests to God during the millennium. After the thousand years are over, the rest of the dead will come to life. With the binding of Satan in vv 1-3 the stage is now set for the triumphal reign of the church victorious. Exactly what this reign involves and when it takes place is a question that as met with a great variety of answers in the history of NT eschatology. The interpretation that follows is essentially premillennial but with considerable hesitation on the fine points of chronology. As time merges into eternity, the standard measures of life as we know thewm prove inadequate to communicate the fulness of eschatological truth. (Mounce, p. 363-4)

The Peanut Gallery: This passage is way beyond my abilities to sort out and leaves many unanswered questions as to the fine points. For our purposes, I will highlight a few of the interesting (to me) observations made by Mounce.

Judges: All we know for sure about the occupants of the thrones is that they have been given the authority to judge…. The judgement appears to be connected in some way with the vindication of the martyrs and their right to assume the empire of the defeated powers of wickedness…. Since the text itself remains silent about the occupants of the thrones, it may be wise not to go beyond suggesting that they may be a heavenly court (as in Dan 7:26) that will assist in judgement. (Mounce, p. 364-5)

Souls: The souls of those who had been martyred for faithfulness in bearing the testimony of Jesus and the word of God… are the souls of those under the altar in 6:9 and all who are to meet a similar fate until the the of their vindication (6:11). They are called souls because at this point they are still awaiting the resurrection…. [They are] representative of all who gave their lives in faithfulness to their commitment to Christ. (Mounce, p. 365)

Interpretation: These martyrs are said to come to life and reign with Christ for a thousand years, How people interpret this simple statement reveals their position on the millennial question…. The strong presumption is that “they came to life again” is to be understood as a bodily resurrection. (Mounce, p. 366)

The millennium: The millennium is not, for John, the messianic age foretold by the prophets of the OT, but a special reward for those who have paid with their lives the price of faithful opposition to the claims of the Antichrist…. The essential truth of the passage is that the martyrs’ steadfastness will win for them the highest life in union with God and Christ. (Mounce, p. 370)

Blessed and holy: Those who participate in the first resurrection are… blessed threefold: they are not subject to the second death, they will be priests of God and Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years The second death is defined in 20:14 and 21:8 as being cast into the lake of fire. It is to share the eternal fate of the devil, the beast and the false prophet, which is to e tormented day and night forever and ever. While the first resurrection is “selective” and the second absolutely universal, the first death is virtually universal (some will be alive at the parousia) and the second is selective. At Sinai God promised the Israelites that if they would obey his voice and keep his commandments they would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). The faithful, by remaining true to Christ in the final trial by Antichrist, are thus priests of God and Christ. As a royal priesthood (cf. 1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6; 5:10) they reign with him a thousand years. (Mounce, p. 370-1)
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Canticle

Blessing

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Christ the King Sunday: Ez 34:11-12, 15-17; Ps 23; 1 Cor 1:20-26, 28; Mt 25:31-46 ~ the Shepherd King

Christ the King Sunday

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

At the end of time, Christ the King will come in glory to judge the living and the dead. He will ask how we treated the hungry and thirsty, the stranger, the naked, those sick or in prison, promising a great reward to those who show love.
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Almighty God, You have conferred upon Christ Jesus sovereignty over every age and nation. Direct us, in the love of Christ, to care for the least of His brothers and sisters, that we may be subject to His dominion and receive the inheritance of Your kingdom. Grant 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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Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet your tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King!

Praise him for his grace and favor to his people in distress. Praise him, still the same as ever, slow to chide, and swift to bless. Alleluia, alleluia! Glorious in his faithfulness!

Fatherlike he tends and spares us; well our feeble frame he knows. In his hand he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes. Alleluia, alleluia! Widely yet his mercy flows!

Angels, help us to adore him; you behold him face to face. Sun and moon, bow down before him, dwellers all in time and space. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace!
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A Reading from the Old testament: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 (NLT)

The Parable of the Good Shepherd Separating the Sheep from the Goats, Scenes from the Life of Christ. (Mosaic) Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy — The Parable of the Good Shepherd Separating the Sheep from the Goats, Scenes from the Life of Christ. (Mosaic)
Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.
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“I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes — feed them justice!

“And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to his people: I will judge between one animal of the flock and another, separating the sheep from the goats.”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 23 (NLT)

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 1:20-26, 28 (NLT)

So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.
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God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 25:31-46 (NLT)

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
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Intercessions:

Shepherd God, You care for all the flock. Hear our prayers –

+ For those in leadership roles in the Church – that they may show the kindness of the Good Shepherd…. Lord, hear us.
+ For leaders of governments – that they may work for justice and truth…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who visit us as strangers – that we may give them a warm welcome…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our brothers and sisters in prison – that we may support them and their families…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those suffering because of the Ebola Virus in West Africa – that they have the care they need…. Lord, hear us
+ For the people we love — particularly those in need of support at this time…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have recently died – that they may dwell in the Lord’s house for ever…. Lord, hear us.

Loving God, caring shepherd, You look after Your people at every moment of their lives: hear the prayers we offer, in trust and faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen
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Benediction:

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
(1 Th. 3:12-13)

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

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