Daily Readings - Tue Nov 26 2024
Revelation
14And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.15And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.16And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.17And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.18And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.19And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
Luke
5And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,6As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.7And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.9But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter vivid imagery from Revelation and Luke, both touching on themes of transformation and the end times. Revelation 14:14-19 describes a figure on a cloud with a sickle, reaping the earth, symbolizing God's judgment and the harvest of souls. Another angel harvests grapes, casting them into God's wrath, a metaphor for the consequences of unrepented sin. This apocalyptic vision, written to comfort persecuted Christians, uses symbols to depict the ultimate triumph of God over evil.
In Luke 21:5-11, Jesus discusses the temple's destruction, warning his disciples against false messiahs and the chaos of wars and natural disasters. These events, while unsettling, are not the end but part of the journey. Historically, this passage reflects the temple's destruction in 70 AD, yet it also points to future eschatological events, urging believers to remain steadfast.
Both readings remind us to trust in God's plan amidst turmoil. They encourage perseverance and faith, emphasizing that current struggles are part of a larger divine narrative. The moral lesson is clear: stay faithful, avoid false promises, and find strength in God's enduring presence. Let us embrace this trust, living each day with hope and devotion, knowing God's ultimate triumph will bring us peace.