hope

The fourth angel poured his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to burn people with fire. The people were burned by intense heat, and they cursed the name of the God who had power over these plagues. But they didn’t change their hearts and lives and give him glory. The fifth angel poured his bowl over the beast’s throne, and darkness covered its kingdom. People bit their tongues because of their pain, and they cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores; but they didn’t turn away from what they had done. Then the sixth angel poured his bowl on the great river Euphrates. Its water was dried up so that the way was ready for the kings from the east. Then I saw three unclean spirits, like frogs, come from the dragon’s mouth, the beast’s mouth, and the mouth of the false prophet. These are demonic spirits that do signs. They go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. (Look! I’m coming like a thief! Favored are those who stay awake and clothed so that they don’t go around naked and exposed to shame.) The spirits gathered them at the place that is called in Hebrew, Harmagedon. Then the seventh angel poured his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out from the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” There were lightning strikes, voices, and thunder, and a great earthquake occurred. The earthquake was greater than any that have occurred since there have been people on earth. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. God remembered Babylon the great so that he gave her the wine cup of his furious anger. Every island fled, and the mountains disappeared. Huge hailstones weighing about one hundred pounds came down from heaven on the people. They cursed God for the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible. (Revelation 16:8-21, CEB)

Where is the hope in this passage?

All of the things done are to those who do not follow God, who do not see God’s way. This is hopeful because it shows those of us who do follow God that God is victorious. We will have the victory. There is no need for us to fight because the battle is won.

Hope is knowing that even in the midst and face of death, that is not the end.

Hope is knowing we are secure in the arms of Jesus and we are victorious.

Hope is knowing God is always with us.

Loving People. Loving God.

Sores and blood…

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple say to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of God’s anger on the earth.” So the first angel poured his bowl on the earth, and a nasty and terrible sore appeared on the people who had the beast’s mark and worshipped its image. The second angel poured his bowl into the sea, and the sea turned into blood, like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing in the sea died. The third angel poured his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they turned into blood. Then I heard the angel of the waters say,

“You are just, holy one, who is and was,
        because you have given these judgments.
They poured out the blood of saints and prophets,
        and you have given them blood to drink. They deserve it!”
And I heard the altar say,
        “Yes, Lord God Almighty, your judgments are true and just.” (Revelation 16:1-7, CEB)

I have a love/hate relationship with Revelation. Many today read it as a road map to the return of Christ, but it is a book of hope to those suffering when it was written. It is not a book of things to come, but a story to show hope for those who are following Christ and living how God has called us to live.

We need to see these passages as giving hope to those who stand against the norm and lift up justice and peace for all, because God is with them.

Stand firm. Knowing God is with you.

Loving People. Loving God.

What?

“Now immediately after the suffering of that time the sun will become dark, and the moon won’t give its light. The stars will fall from the sky and the planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken. Then the sign of the Human One will appear in the sky. At that time all the tribes of the earth will be full of sadness, and they will see the Human One coming in the heavenly clouds with power and great splendor. He will send his angels with the sound of a great trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from the four corners of the earth, from one end of the sky to the other. “Learn this parable from the fig tree. After its branch becomes tender and it sprouts new leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you know that the Human One is near, at the door. I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away. (Matthew 24:29-35, CEB)

Jesus is telling people about the end of time. He says, “I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until all these things happen.” This generation won’t pass away, and yet many generations have passed since this was said, so what does it mean?

Well, honestly I do not know. And yet, many people want us to take every word of the bible literally, and if we do how do we rectify this? There really isn’t a way as far as I know. But the next sentence actually gives me hope. Jesus says after this, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.” Many things are going to fade away but the promises of God never will. Even when the world falls apart and everything is pain and utter evil, God’s words and promises will always be with us.

This is hope. No matter what happens or how bad things get, God is always with us.

Loving People. Loving God.

increase…

Now Timothy has returned to us from you and has given us good news about your faithfulness and love! He says that you always have good memories about us and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. Because of this, brothers and sisters, we were encouraged in all our distress and trouble through your faithfulness. For now we are alive if you are standing your ground in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you, given all the joy we have because of you before our God? Night and day, we pray more than ever to see all of you in person and to complete whatever you still need for your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus guide us on our way back to you. May the Lord cause you to increase and enrich your love for each other and for everyone in the same way as we also love you. May the love cause your hearts to be strengthened, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his people. Amen. (1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, CEB)

In the world around us today it seems that hate is on the rise. There is conflict and genocide. People holding other people back because they don’t fit the mold of what they think people should be.

And here Paul writes the Thessalonicans, “May the Lord cause you to increase and enrich your love for each other and for everyone in the same way as we also love you.” Increase your love for each other and everyone as Paul and Timothy and God have love for them. As God has love for you, you should love everyone.

God’s love for you is unconditional and limitless. According to the Law and the Bible, we have done so many things to keep us from God, and yet, because God created you, God loves you. That is how we should love others, every other person. Without limit.

Not when they fit the mold for what we think people should be, we love them because God created them. Period.

Loving People. Loving God.

talk to be understood

Brothers and sisters, don’t be like children in the way you think. Well, be babies when it comes to evil, but be adults in your thinking. In the Law it is written: I will speak to this people with foreign languages and foreigners’ lips, but they will not even listen to me this way, says the Lord. So then, tongues are a sign for those who don’t believe, not for those who believe. But prophecy is a sign for believers, not for those who don’t believe. So suppose that the whole church is meeting and everyone is speaking in tongues. If people come in who are outsiders or unbelievers, won’t they say that you are out of your minds? But if everyone is prophesying when an unbeliever or outsider comes in, they are tested by all and called to account by all. The secrets of their hearts are brought to light. When that happens, they will fall on their faces and worship God, proclaiming out loud that truly God is among you! (1 Corinthians 14:20-25, CEB)

I read this and thought of a recent conversation I had with a fellow member of one of the classes I am taking to get my Doctor of Ministry Degree. She said something about WELCA, and then asked if I was a Lutheran. Because WELCA is an insider ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) term. I said yes I know what WELCA means and she continued on. WELCA is Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for those reading who may not be ELCA.

But we all do this, no matter what denomination we are in, we use insider language that people who are not churched or part of our denomination may not know. The ministry I serve is housed at an Episcopalian Ministry site and their leadership team is called the vestry. Not a term I usually use, but need to know it when talking with people from that ministry.

We need to use words and phrases that make sense to outsiders so they can hear God’s love.

How do we communicate with the world, to share grace and mercy?

How do you talk to the world to show forth love?

Loving People. Loving God.

Don’t know…

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten young bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Now five of them were wise, and the other five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps but didn’t bring oil for them. But the wise ones took their lamps and also brought containers of oil. “When the groom was late in coming, they all became drowsy and went to sleep. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the groom! Come out to meet him.’ “Then all those bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. But the foolish bridesmaids said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps have gone out.’ “But the wise bridesmaids replied, ‘No, because if we share with you, there won’t be enough for our lamps and yours. We have a better idea. You go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were gone to buy oil, the groom came. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding. Then the door was shut. “Later the other bridesmaids came and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us.’ “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore, keep alert, because you don’t know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13, CEB)

We need to be prepared to stay the course and follow a long time. It is not ours to know when the end will come. We just need to love and be prepared to go the distance.

We should not ask for a sign to give us the details but know we will not know.

Love is to be shared, and that is what we are called to do. So let us share and not worry about when the end will come. But let us be diligent in being love to the world so all may know that God loves them.

Loving People. Loving God.

a sign

Now Jesus left the temple and was going away. His disciples came to point out to him the temple buildings. He responded, “Do you see all these things? I assure that no stone will be left on another. Everything will be demolished.” Now while Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” Jesus replied, “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the Christ.’ They will deceive many people. You will hear about wars and reports of wars. Don’t be alarmed. These things must happen, but this isn’t the end yet. Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in all sorts of places. But all these things are just the beginning of the sufferings associated with the end. They will arrest you, abuse you, and they will kill you. All nations will hate you on account of my name. At that time many will fall away. They will betray each other and hate each other. Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because disobedience will expand, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered. This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all the nations. Then the end will come. (Matthew 24:1-14, CEB)

Why do we want to know a sign of when these things are going to happen?

People read the current events and say we are in the end times because everything that the bible says is going to happen is happening. And you know what it happened before and it will happen again.

We need to not be worried about when the end is coming. We need to love as God loves us and help everyone understand the faith.

We need to not be deceived and moved from sharing love and being love.

Loving People. Loving God.

Hope

Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the gold altar that is before God. It said to the sixth angel, who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” Then the four angels who had been made ready for that hour, day, month, and year were released to kill a third of humankind. The number of cavalry troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. And this is the way I saw the horses and their riders in the vision: they had breastplates that were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The horses’ heads were like lions’ heads, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur. By these three plagues a third of humankind was killed: by the fire, smoke, and sulfur coming out of their mouths. The horses’ power is in their mouths and their tails, for their tails are like snakes with heads that inflict injuries. The rest of humankind, who weren’t killed by these plagues, didn’t change their hearts and lives and turn from their handiwork. They didn’t stop worshipping demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can’t see or hear or walk. They didn’t turn away from their murders, their spells and drugs, their sexual immorality, or their stealing. (Revelation 9:13-21, CEB)

Fire, smoke, and sulfur-breathing horses are the things of nightmares, not hope.

Plus they really don’t look hopeful, do they? The horses’ heads are like lions’ heads and they breathe wicked stuff. And the smoke, sulfur, and fire kills a third of the people left.

It is not a pleasant picture, but we who are in the kindom of God are the ones who are not killed and we stand fast. This vision is hope-filled for us because it is against those who oppress us.

So take heart and know you aren’t alone and have God on your side.

Loving People. Loving God.

Hope

Then the seven angels who held the seven trumpets got ready to blow them. The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood appeared, and was thrown down to the earth. A third of the earth was burned up. A third of the trees were burned up. All the green grass was burned up. Then the second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain burning with fire was thrown down into the sea. A third of the sea became blood, a third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. Then the third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star, burning like a torch, fell from heaven. It fell on a third of the rivers and springs of water. The star’s name is Wormwood, and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it became so bitter. Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars so that a third of them became dark. The day lost a third of its light, and the night lost a third of its light too. Then I looked and I heard an eagle flying high overhead. It said with a loud voice, “Horror, horror, oh! The horror for those who live on earth because of the blasts of the remaining trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the abyss. He opened the shaft of the abyss; and smoke rose up from the shaft, like smoke from a huge furnace. The sun and air were darkened by the smoke from the shaft. Then locusts came forth from the smoke and onto the earth. They were given power like the power that scorpions have on the earth. They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree. They could only hurt the people who didn’t have the seal of God on their foreheads. The locusts weren’t allowed to kill them, but only to make them suffer for five months—and the suffering they inflict is like that of a scorpion when it strikes a person. In those days people will seek death, but they won’t find it. They will want to die, but death will run away from them. The locusts looked like horses ready for battle. On their heads were what seemed to be gold crowns. Their faces were like human faces, their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. In front they had what seemed to be iron armor upon their chests, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of many chariots and horses racing into battle. They also have tails with stingers, just like scorpions; and in their tails is their power to hurt people for five months. Their king is an angel from the abyss, whose Hebrew name is Abaddon, and whose Greek name is Apollyon. The first horror has passed. Look! Two horrors are still coming after this. (Revelation 8:6-9:12, CEB)

We have to remember when we hear/read about the trumpets blowing and a third of something being destroyed, that this vision of John’s was about hope.

It is about being in a time of darkness and oppression and not really seeing how it will turn to good. It is about being held down and not seeing the good around you.

This vision is one of hope that even in darkness and what seems to be utter destruction all around we will come through.

We will be triumphant because God is always with us and on our side.

So do not lose hope. Even when it seems everything is falling apart around you, God is still there.

Loving People. Loving God.

honor who?

Then Pharisees and legal experts came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why are your disciples breaking the elders’ rules handed down to us? They don’t ritually purify their hands by washing before they eat.” Jesus replied, “Why do you break the command of God by keeping the rules handed down to you? For God said, Honor your father and your mother, and The person who speaks against father or mother will certainly be put to death. But you say, ‘If you tell your father or mother, “Everything I’m expected to contribute to you I’m giving to God as a gift,”then you don’t have to honor your father.’ So you do away with God’s Law for the sake of the rules that have been handed down to you. Hypocrites! Isaiah really knew what he was talking about when he prophesied about you, This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. Their worship of me is empty since they teach instructions that are human rules.” (Matthew 15:1-9, CEB)

We think that we can do what we need to do for our faith by going to church 1 hour a week. But the real sign of a follower of Jesus is the other hours of the week…

Do you think that going to church is really what God wants? I remember at the congregation I served in Wisconsin, I had a member make signs for over the doors that went out of the building that said “Servants Entrance”. So we would be reminded every time we left the building, now is when the service begins.

Our honoring of God happens in how we treat people and love people the time we are not in worship.

Who do you honor?

Loving People. Loving God.