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Theo Tigno•
11/28/2006 9:04 am
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Tuesday, November 28th 2006 |
Revelations 14:14-19
I, John, looked and there was a white cloud,
and sitting on the cloud one who looked like a son of man,
with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.
Another angel came out of the temple,
crying out in a loud voice to the one sitting on the cloud,
"Use your sickle and reap the harvest,
for the time to reap has come,
because the earth's harvest is fully ripe."
So the one who was sitting on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth,
and the earth was harvested.
Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven
who also had a sharp sickle.
Then another angel came from the altar, who was in charge of the fire,
and cried out in a loud voice
to the one who had the sharp sickle,
"Use your sharp sickle and cut the clusters from the earth's vines,
for its grapes are ripe."
So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and cut the earth's vintage.
He threw it into the great wine press of God's fury.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for the safety of Pope Benedict on his trip to Turkey.
New American Bible Note:
"The reaping of the harvest symbolizes the gathering of the elect in the final judgment, while the reaping and treading of the grapes symbolizes the doom of the ungodly (cf Joel 3:12-13; Isaiah 63:1-6) that will come in Rev 19:11-21."
Revelations: book of love or book of doom? It's all perspective, really. It's all perspective to the heart that looks at today's reading.
There are some who say that God's mercy and love will save everyone and in the end, everyone will get to heaven. It's a nice Hallmark card, but it completely negates the freedom that we have been given to ultimately choose God or reject Him. With love, He gives us free will.
With love, we are not alone. Jesus Christ, the Second Person of The Most Holy Trinity, pursues us. He came to this earth and died for us so that we may come to know The Truth and so that we may live in freedom of the slavery of sin. He came to us to redeem our hearts. He came to lovingly rule over our hearts as a humble Servant Who ultimate gave His life in service.
The Holy Spirit, Third Person of The Most Holy Trinity, continues to lead us to The Father. He continues to reveal The Truth to each of us as we are willing to be led. He continues to purify us so that we may truly be "holy and pleasing in His sight."
Book of love or book of doom? It's all a matter of if we choose the victor or if we choose the ruler of this earth, the evil one. Today, take a look at your life and ask The Holy Spirit's guidance to reveal to you what parts of your soul is keeping you from choosing victory... from choosing Love. Take care and God Bless.
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