Category: Life in Christ

Morning Prayer: 06 Nov – Revelation 17:1-6 ~ Babylon the harlot

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 17:1-6 (ESV) – to be read aloud

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.”

The Woman on the Beast: angel shows St. John's vision of the great Harlot seated on a seven-headed monster, from the Lambeth Apocalypse, c.1260
The Woman on the Beast: angel shows St. John a vision of the great Harlot seated on a seven-headed monster, from the Lambeth Apocalypse, c.1260

And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery:

“Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”

And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.

When I saw her, I marveled greatly.

Reflection

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

The Prostitute and the Scarlet Beast(17:1-18)

The vision (17:1-6)

Babylon (17:1-2)

Here the harlot is Babylon, the symbol of human civilization with all its pomp and circumstance organized in opposition to God (vs. 18)…. Babylon became the personification of wickedness, and John has taken over the Old Testament symbolism and used Babylon to represent the final manifestation of the total history of godless nations. The city had a historical manifestation in first-century Rome, but the full significance of the wicked city is eschatological… seducing all the world to worship that which is not God…. She seduces the nations to share her ungodly character. They have joined in her sins against God. (Ladd, p.221-2)

The blasphemous beast (17:3)

Blasphemy in this context refers to the self-deification of the Antichrist and his demand for the worship of his subjects. His blasphemies… consist of the derogation of deity by his own claim to self-deification. (Ladd, p. 223)

The abomination of desolation (Mt 24:15)

The phrase that describes the Antichrist in our Lord’s Olivet Discourse is literally, the abomination of desolation, i.e., the abomination that brings desolation. The main thought is that with the promise of wealth and luxury, the woman entices men away from the worship of God. (Ladd, p. 224)

Mother of harlots (17:5-6)

Babylon is the “mother of harlots.” She was not satisfied herself alone to entice men away from God; she insisted that her daughters join her in her nefarious and blasphemous designs. Along with her blasphemous harlotry she gave birth to all sorts of abominations, which filled the earth. (Ladd, p..224)

As the capital of the beast, she will be the city most noted for the persecution and martyrdom of the saints. Nothing as far-reaching as this had yet befallen the Christian church…. John looks for a day when the chief city of the beast will be infamous for her persecution of the saints primarily on religious grounds…. John is thinking of eschatological Babylon. (Ladd, p.225)

__________

__________

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: 05 Nov – Revelation 17:1-6 ~ the great prostitute

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 17:1-6 (ESV) – to be read aloud

Whore of Babylon Russian , ca. 1800 Russian engraving
Whore of Babylon
Russian , ca. 1800
Russian engraving

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.”

And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery:

“Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”

And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.

When I saw her, I marveled greatly.

Reflection

THE THIRD VISION (17:1-21:8)

The Prostitute and the Scarlet Beast (17:1-18)

The vision in summary (17:1-6)

John now views the punishment to be meted out to the notorious prostitute with whom the kings of the earth have committed adultery and whose adulteries have intoxicated the inhabitants of the earth (vv 1-2). Taken into the desert by the Spirit, John sees a prostitute astride a scarlet, seven-headed beast (vv 3-6). In her hand is a golden cup filled with the filth of her adulteries, and on her forehead she bears the title “Mother of Prostitutes.” Her ultimate sin is that she has gorged herself on the blood fo God’s people. She is the one responsible for the suffering and bloodshed brought upon the struggling church. (Mounce, p.307)
__________

The Day of His Grace Is Past by Barney E Warren, 1911

image

O soul, be afraid, thou shalt reckon with God,
And pass ’neath the scourge of His wrathful rod;
Thy heart torn with anguish shall hear at the last,
“The day of His grace is past.”

Refrain:
The day of His grace is past,
The day of His grace is past;
How sad when He’ll say, “Depart ye for aye,”
When the day of His grace is past.

O soul, be afraid, in thy sins thou shalt die
If Christ thou reject while He’s passing by;
Thy doom shall be sealed at the trumpet’s loud blast,
When the day of His grace is past.

O soul, be afraid, for the judgment shall come,
And thou shalt be turned from that blissful home;
Wilt thou be contented with that which thou hast
When the day of His grace is past?

O soul, be afraid, in His presence thou art,
Dismayed thou shalt stand when Christ says depart,
With demons in torment fore’er to be cast,
When the day of His grace is past.
__________

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.

04 Nov – Biblical Reasons to Vote (Re-blog Gateway Church)

Biblical Reasons to Vote – click here to view original

What can I do?

Vote! Voters shape the future of our nation. Casting your vote is a powerful way to make your voice heard and take a stand for righteousness. It’s not only one of our great American rights, it’s also our responsibility as Christians.

Biblical Reasons to Vote

The leaders we elect in this election cycle will determine our future on important issues such as:

  • The definition of marriage.
  • The right to life.
  • Government vs. private health care.
  • The national debt.
  • Our religious freedoms.

The policies and laws our leaders enact will affect our state and nation for decades to come. As Christians, we want to see public policies established that reflect biblical values. However, in order to see these policies enacted, we have to elect principled leaders. In order to see principled leaders elected, Christians must make their voice heard by voting.

But can voting really make a difference?

Absolutely! You see, it’s estimated over 60 million committed Christians live in the U.S., and only about 30 million of them vote in any given election. At the same time, every presidential election in the past 25 years has been won by less than 10 million votes. So what would happen if 30 million newly registered Christians voted in the next election? Not only would it impact the election, it could change our nation!

What can I do?

Vote! Voters shape the future of our nation. Casting your vote is a powerful way to make your voice heard and take a stand for righteousness. It’s not only one of our great American rights, it’s also our responsibility as Christians.

Together, we can elect principled leaders who will return America to its great and godly heritage as “one nation under God.”

Our Founding Fathers and Patriots on Voting

“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote … he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”
Samuel Adams, 1722–1803 (The “Father of the American Revolution”)

“Should things go wrong at any time, the people will set them to rights by the peaceable exercise of their elective rights.”
Thomas Jefferson, 1743–1826 (Third President of the United States)

“The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics, or the Lord will curse them … God cannot sustain this free and blessed country, which we love and pray for, unless the church will take right ground.”
Charles Finney, 1792–1875 (Evangelist and Author)

“Providence has given our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as privilege and interest of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
John Jay, 1745–1829 (First Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court)

“Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature.”
James Garfield, 1831–1881 (20th President of the United States)

“Voting at elections is one of the most important rights of the subject.”
Alexander Hamilton, 1757–1804 (Secretary of the Treasury and Author of The Federalist Papers)

Scriptures

“Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.”
Deuteronomy 1:13

“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”
Exodus 18:21

“He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”
2 Samuel 23:3

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
Proverbs 29:2

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Psalm 11:3

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
1 Timothy 2:1–2

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.
Psalm 33:12

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13–14, 16

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:17–18

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1

“Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants.”
Leviticus 25:10 (Inscribed on the Liberty Bell)

“Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me? Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They answered and said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Luke 20:22–25

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Romans 13:1

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.
1 Peter 2:13–14

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
1 Peter 2:17

All Scripture is from the New King James Version (NKJV) © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.
_____

See website: Gateway Church – click here.

Morning Prayer: 04 Nov – Revelation 16:17-21 ~ plague 7 / utter 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.

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 16:17-21 (ESV) – to be read aloud

The destruction of Babylon The Nuremberg Chronicle, written in Latin by Hartmann Schedel and one of the best documented early printed books appearing in 1493.
The destruction of Babylon
The Nuremberg Chronicle, written in Latin by Hartmann Schedel and one of the best documented early printed books appearing in 1493.

The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.

Reflection

THE SECOND VISION (4:1-16:21)

The Seven Last Plagues (15:1-16:21)

Plagues poured out (16:1-21)

Plague 7 (16:17-21)

The climax [of God’s wrath] comes with the seventh bowl. This speaks of utter destruction. It does not say that all people will be killed; they must still face Almighty God for judgement. But this bowl does mean the complete fragmentation of earthly life. (Morris, p. 194)

The seventh bowl brings the judgement of God upon Babylon, the seat of the beast’s power. The detailed statement of the judgement and fall of Babylon follows in the next two chapters (17-18). (Ladd, p. 217)

It is done (16:17-19)

The seven plagues (15:1) have run their course and the human race stands on the threshold of eternity. The loud voice is the voice of God. (Mounce, p. 303)

While the present vision sees the utter ruin of the city by an earthquake [and the nations which have given their support to the beast], all that this destruction means is described in different terms in the two chapters that follow. (Ladd, p. 218)

The cup of God’s wrath (16:19)

“God remembered great Babylon.” These are poignant words. During the short period of the reign of the Antichrist it will seem as though God has forgotten his people. Evil will seem to be the victor; no deliverance is in sight. But God does not forget. God remembers, and he will remember to give the mighty enemy of his people her just due. (Ladd, p. 218)

No longer does the kindness and patience of God (intended to lead people to repentance, Rom 2:4) restrain his righteous indignation against all who have by their own free will decided irrevocably for evil. If God were not to punish unrighteousness, the concept of a moral universe would have to be discarded. (Mounce, p. 304)
__________


__________

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: 03 Nov – Revelation 16:12-16 ~ plague 6 / stay alert

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 16:12-16 (ESV) – to be read aloud

image
(a view of the Valley of Jezreel, also known as the Valley of Megiddo, or Armageddon)

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.

And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)

And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

Reflection

THE SECOND VISION (4:1-16:21)

The Seven Last Plagues (15:1-16:21)

Plagues poured out (16:1-21)

Plague 6 (16:12-16)

This bowl is different from the others in that it does not inflict a plague upon men but serves as a preparation for the final eschatological battle. (Ladd, p.212)

The Euphrates dried up (16:12)

The river Euphrates in the Old Testament is the boundary of the promised land, beyond which were hordes of heathen peoples waiting for the opportunity to invade the people of God…. The drying up of the river symbolically represents the removal of the barrier which holds back the pagan hordes.

The undefined “kings from the east” indicates John’s expectation of a confederation of kings in support of the beast to do battle with the Lamb. (Ladd, p.212-3)

Demonic spirits (16:13-14)

John sees three evil spirits coming out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet…. suggesting the persuasive and deceptive propaganda that in the last days will lead people to an unconditional commitment to the cause of evil.

John envisions that the entire structure of human opposition to the kingdom of God will come crashing down in defeat… not by the gradual turning of people to the truth but by the dramatic and sudden return of the warrior Christ. People duped by the subtle [demonically inspired] propaganda of secularism have cut themselves off from the source of truth and must bear the inevitable consequences. (Mounce, p.299)

Stay alert (16:15)

When all the forces of the beast are gathered for the last battle, the believer will enter a period of supreme crisis…. The faithful are admonished to be on the alert for this great event…. The kind of spiritual preparedness that Christ requires is the discernment that cuts through the propaganda of Satan and his henchmen (cf. 13:13-15). (Mounce, p.300-1)

For those who are awake to his coming, the return of the Lord will be no surprising, unexpected event but a glad deliverance from the tragic situation in the world in which they have found themselves. (Ladd, p.215)

Armageddon (16:16)

The cryptic nature of the reference has… defeated all attempts at a final [geographical] answer…. Wherever it takes place, Armageddon is symbolic of the final overthrow of all the forces of evil by the mighty power of God. The great conflict between God and Satan, Christ and Antichrist, good and evil, that lies behind the perplexing course of history will in the end issue in a final struggle in which God will emerge victorious and take with him all who have put their faith in him. (Mounce, p.302)
__________


__________

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.