Friday 25th November 2022. Read Rev. 20:1-4,11-21:2, Ps. 84:3-6,8, Luke 21:29-33
“Then I saw thrones and those seated on them were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4)
When God made man, he had no intention that our life would be limited; that we would die, or that we would have to suffer eternally. God’s intention for man as contained in Genesis 1:26 states: “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
Being made in the image and likeness of God, humans are made to be immortal, powerful, great, and in charge of every other thing that exists. But something went wrong! The inability of Adam and Eve to resist the temptation to sin brought death, limitation, and weakness. As attractive as sin may be, it always comes with its consequences – and the greatest consequence of sin is man’s disqualification from enjoying life as God originally intended.
The book of Revelations may appear very difficult to understand but the message is very clear – God will judge the world and it is only those whose names are found in the book of life that will eventually merit heaven. We live in an age where the talk about heaven and hell almost sounds archaic, you barely hear any preacher mention heaven or hell these days.
The very word ‘sin’ even is not as common as before. We are more concerned with how to get the best of all that life on earth has to offer, how to be comfortable here and now and whatever would help us achieve our dreams of wealth, health and luxury even if it means going against God’s commandments.
There is no better time to think of heaven other than now. Today is a day to repent, to begin afresh; to perform acts capable of ensuring our names are in the book of life. These are the last days.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, may I be found worthy on judgment day. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of week 34 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Rev. 20:1-4,11-21:2, Ps. 84:3-6,8, Luke 21:29-33)
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu
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