Author: admin

***

Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22

I, John, heard the Lord saying to me:
“To the angel of the Church in Sardis, write this:

“‘The one who has the seven spirits of God
and the seven stars says this: “I know your works,
that you have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
Be watchful and strengthen what is left, which is going to die,
for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.
Remember then how you accepted and heard; keep it, and repent.
If you are not watchful, I will come like a thief,
and you will never know at what hour I will come upon you.
However, you have a few people in Sardis
who have not soiled their garments;
they will walk with me dressed in white,
because they are worthy.“‘

The victor will thus be dressed in white,
and I will never erase his name from the book of life
but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father
and of his angels.

“‘Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”“

“To the angel of the Church in Laodicea, write this:

“‘The Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the source of God’s creation, says this:
“I know your works;
I know that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were either cold or hot.
So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold,
I will spit you out of my mouth.
For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything,’
and yet do not realize that you are wretched,
pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich,
and white garments to put on
so that your shameful nakedness may not be exposed,
and buy ointment to smear on your eyes so that you may see.
Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise.
Be earnest, therefore, and repent.

“‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
then I will enter his house and dine with him,
and he with me.
I will give the victor the right to sit with me on my throne,
as I myself first won the victory
and sit with my Father on his throne.

“‘Whoever has ears ought to hear
what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

The Word of the Lord.

***

***

The Book of Revelation includes a compilation of letters written to seven different churches, including the church in Sardis, an ancient city located in western Turkey.

Seven centuries prior to Revelation being written, Sardis was one of the greatest cities on earth, admired for its immense wealth. 

The city center was tucked away high on a hill, surrounded by flat-faced mountains. Many considered Sardis to be unconquerable because there was only one steep, slippery way in or out. 

Yet the city was destroyed twice several centuries apart for the same reason: no one guarded the city gates. By the time John wrote this letter, the city – and the local church – were in steep decline.   

As he says in our first reading, “I, John, heard the Lord saying to me: ‘To the Church in Sardis, write this: You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.’”

They were dead because no one watched.

***

This is the most frequent command in the bible: “watch.” 

We are all responsible for guarding our minds, bodies, hearts, and souls. Satan, the great tempter, is cunning and patient, often waiting until our guard is down to approach our “city gates” – when we’re tired, frustrated, proud, or buzzed.

When he strikes, how often we fall, losing the grace we cannot live without.

***

As we approach the holy season of Advent, the Lord encourages us to double-down on our defenses – pray, confess, be humble and disciplined.

Unlike Sardis, keep watch, ready to receive the Lord upon his return.

***

***
Image credits: (1) Forsythe Church of Christ, YouTube (2) The Archeological Exploration of Sardis (3) Tumblr

***

Revelation: 1:1-4, 2:1-5

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him,
to show his servants what must happen soon.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
who gives witness to the word of God
and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud
and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message
and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.

John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace
from him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits before his throne.

I heard the Lord saying to me:
“To the angel of the Church in Ephesus, write this:

“‘The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand
and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands says this:
“I know your works, your labor, and your endurance,
and that you cannot tolerate the wicked;
you have tested those who call themselves Apostles but are not,
and discovered that they are impostors.
Moreover, you have endurance and have suffered for my name,
and you have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you:
you have lost the love you had at first.
Realize how far you have fallen.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Otherwise, I will come to you
and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you repent.”’”

The Word of the Lord.

***

***

From now until the start of Advent, we’ll be reading from the Book of Revelation, which contains strange, almost mythical, language. 

Often when we think of Revelation, we might imagine the end of the world, that final battle between the Archangel Michael and the ancient, serpentine beast, Satan. 

While the book does address the end of time, there are four primary themes: the nearness of God; persecution; endurance in faith; and above all, worship.

***

The author begins by addressing seven different churches in Asia, each of which held a large pagan temple where the gods of Rome were worshiped. 

Whereas pagan worship was seen as blasphemy, Christians were encouraged to worship the one, true God, particularly at Mass, even if it cost them their lives. Death here on earth was better than being cut off from Christ forever, a “second death.”

***

Another challenge for these early Christians – as it remains today – was to be in the world, but not of it. 

At that time, the Roman Empire was the strongest empire the world had ever known. It provided its citizens with security, housing, food, and water. The pressure was to assimilate and “do as the Romans do,” paying your taxes and worshiping Roman gods.

While the emperor had their pockets, he couldn’t capture Christian hearts. Many freely accepted death instead of bending their knee to a mortal king.

***

Perhaps there’s a word in that for us today.

The challenge in every age is to put God first in our lives, seeking the things of heaven over earth, remaining steadfast in our faith, even in times of trial. 

As we approach this Advent season, perhaps we might ponder: What prevents us from worshiping God with all of our heart, mind, and soul? 

Busyness, spiritual malaise, a particular sin?

***

May we strive to overcome these obstacles through discipline and grace, saying what we mean, and meaning what we say:

Come, Lord Jesus.

***

***

Image credits: (1) David Jeremiah Blog (2) AWFUMC (3) Redbubble

***

Gospel: Mark 13:24-32

Jesus said to his disciples:
“In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’
with great power and glory,
and then he will send out the angels
and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.

“Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates. 
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place. 
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.

“But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

In his retirement, Thomas Jefferson, our nation’s third president, carried out a project he had contemplated for years.

He took a razor blade and cut and pasted various passages from the Gospels into a single narrative of Christ’s life from his birth to his crucifixion. However, Jefferson intentionally left a few things out: any mention of angels, miracles, or signs of Christ’s divinity.

All that was left were the Lord’s moral teachings. This became known as, “The Jefferson Bible,” which was held in secret until Jefferson’s death. 

The original script has been preserved by the Smithsonian in Washington.

Jefferson did what many human beings are tempted to do: he created a version of God in his own image and likeness, keeping what he liked and tossing out what he didn’t.

***

At first glance, today’s Gospel passage might be one of those extra sections we’d be tempted to cut out, because Jesus speaks about something uncomfortable, the end of the world – and by inclusion, the end of our own lives here on earth.

“The sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken,” he says.

Who wants to live to see that? And why are we hearing such a jolting Gospel passage now? 

Here we are in the middle of November, getting into the holiday spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas, waiting for relatives to visit, turkey at the table, Santa Claus, twinkling lights, and, of course, the most important event – the birth of our Savior!

‘Tis the season to be jolly!

And, suddenly, wham!

We’re hit with a passage like this, the end of the world.

Why?

***

As with any page in the Bible, all things must be put into their proper context.

First, consider who will bring an end to the world – not the Evil One, but Jesus Christ, our friend; our Savior; the one who has, “loved us and given himself for us.” A face-to-face encounter with the Son of God is meant to be a moment of tremendous awe and joy!

In two short weeks, when we start singing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” we should mean it. Come, Lord, save us. Save us from the fear, anxiety, and suffering that, at times, paralyze us.

***

Secondly, consider what is ending versus what is not. 

What is coming to an end are depressing things like: darkness, war, sin, suffering, and death. Things that have plagued our world ever since Adam and Eve had their offspring and their son, Cain, murdered his brother, Abel.

What will not end is life. Jesus tells us plainly, “Whoever believes in me has eternal life.”

Not here, but in heaven. The place where our swords will be beaten into plowshares, our spears into pruning hooks; where the lion lays down with the lamb; where we will walk and not grow weary, run and not grow faint.

In that sense, the end of this world is a good thing, because it brings an end to darkness. Saint John foresaw this moment as he describes in the Book of Revelation:

“I saw a new heaven and a new earth. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying… ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.’”

That’s good news!

Yet how do I feel about it? Does this idea of Christ’s return inspire fear or hope in my heart? 

***

Remember, Christians are people of the resurrection. We are called to be joyful, even with a passage like this.

*** 

But this Gospel passage is not only about the physical world – or our own lives – ending at some unknown point in time; it’s also about our need to detach ourselves from it now.

Saint Mark wrote his Gospel, in part, as a spiritual “gut check,” reminding Christians that all things – with the exception of love – are passing. We should be careful not to become like the rich young man, too attached to worldly things to ever let go.

As we approach yet another holiday season, perhaps we might consider: How attached am I to material things? What might I give away? Have I stored up any treasure in heaven?

***

While the end of the world seems distant and dreary, for Christians, it’s simply good news. May we say what we mean and mean what we say:

Come, Lord Jesus. 

***

***

Image credits: (1) Unsplash (2) Common Ninja (3) WELS Congregational Services