October 1st - Reflection

Revelation 2:12-29 (NRSV)
Call to faithfulness

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword:


"I know where you are living, where Satan's throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent then. If not, I will come to you soon and make war against them with the sword of my mouth. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.

"And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze:

"I know your works - your love, faith, service, and patient endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her fornication. Beware, I am throwing her on a bed, and those who commit adultery with her I am throwing into great distress, unless they repent of her doings; and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call 'the deep things of Satan,' to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden; only hold fast to what you have until I come. To everyone who conquers and continues to do my works to the end,
I will give authority over the nations;
to rule them with an iron rod,
as when clay pots are shattered -

even as I also received authority from my Father. To the one who conquers I will also give the morning star. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Reflection
Listen carefully, hold fast, keep the faith and endure until Christ comes again. A message of hope over and over again in the midst of struggle and pain, God sends a message of hope in Christ.

That message holds today in many situations of life. Rejoice in the blessings, cling to faith, and hear the message of hope God provides. For God does provide daily bread. God gives to all people. God gives us everything we need. Food, clothing, shelter, work, education, the Church, family and friends. All we have comes from God. We are richly blessed.

So if we need endurance to make it, cling to this hope. Listen to what is said and keep focus. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Sometimes your message seems hidden in apocalyptic language, but it comes through clear...You are my only hope and I cling to you. You are salvation and life. You alone are my focus. Keep my ears and eyes open to listen and see you. Lead me this day and direct my steps that I may glorify you alone. --- Amen