Daily Readings - Fri Nov 25 2022
Revelation
1And I saw an Angel, descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the abyss and a great chain2And he apprehended the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and he bound him for a thousand years3And he cast him into the abyss, and he closed and sealed it, so that he would no longer seduce the nations, until the thousand years are completed. And after these things, he must be released for a brief time4And I saw thrones. And they sat upon them. And judgment was given to them. And the souls of those beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the Word of God, and who did not adore the beast, nor his image, nor accept his character on their foreheads or on their hands: they lived and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years11And I saw a great white throne, and One sitting upon it, from whose sight earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing in view of the throne. And books were opened. And another Book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged by those things that had been written in the books, according to their works13And the sea gave up the dead who were in it. And death and Hell gave up their dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works14And Hell and death were cast into the pool of fire. This is the second death15And whoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the pool of fire
Luke
29And he told them a comparison: "Take notice of the fig tree and of all the trees30When presently they produce fruit from themselves, you know that summer is near31So you also, when you will have seen these things happen, know that the kingdom of God is near32Amen I say to you, this lineage shall not pass away, until all these things happen33Heaven and earth shall pass away. But my words shall not pass away
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through profound visions of the end times, beginning with Revelation's depiction of cosmic struggle and ultimate renewal. The first reading describes the binding of Satan, symbolizing the temporary restraint of evil, followed by a vision of the deceased being judged based on their deeds. This transitions into a glorious new creation, where heaven and earth are reborn, and God dwells among His people. In Luke's Gospel, Jesus uses the fig tree parable to illustrate the importance of discerning signs of God's kingdom, urging vigilance and preparedness.
These passages, though distinct, share a common theme of God's ultimate triumph and the call to faithful readiness. Revelation, written to comfort persecuted early Christians, uses apocalyptic imagery to assure them of God's victory. Luke's narrative, part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, teaches the disciples to recognize the nearness of God's kingdom through observable signs. Together, they invite us to trust in God's plan and remain attentive to spiritual realities.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to stay faithful amidst challenges, watchful for signs of God's presence, and trustful in His promises. The moral lesson is one of hope and vigilance, reminding us to anchor our lives in God's sovereignty. As we navigate life's uncertainties, may we find strength in the assurance of God's ultimate victory and remain steadfast in our faith, ever-prepared to embrace His eternal plan.