Category Archives: A Lamp for Today

Rev 3:1-6, Amos 2:4-12, 5:16-20, 6:1; Isaiah 42:3 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of the One possessing the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up, and strengthen the things thatContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 9: Strengthen the Things that Remain!”

Rev 2:18-29; Daniel 7:9-14; Daniel 10:1-9; 2 Kings (4 Kingdoms) 9:30-37 Each of the words to the churches comes with a self-given title by Jesus, and emphasizes one or more of the features of the vision that John has seen just before Jesus speaks. The Thyatiran Church hears from “the Son of God,” who hasContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 8: Rewarding Works with the Morning Star”

Revelation 2:14-17; Numbers chapters 24-25 and 31; Hebrews 4:12 The third message of the risen Jesus to the churches, and specifically to the church in Pergamum, shows the complexity of human nature, and even the ambiguous character of a worshipping community. The Lord begins by reminding the angel of that church that He is theContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 7: The Sword and the Stone”

Rev 2:8-11, Genesis 15:1-19, Daniel 1 And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and took up life again. I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and areContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 6: Admitted to God’s Counsel”

During Lent, we are reminded day by day and week by week of the importance of endurance—of being in this race for the long haul.  In the prayer of St. Ephraim, we ask for God to give us the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love.  These four characteristics, it seems, were both lacking andContinue reading “Lighting up the Apocalypse 5: One for All, and All for One”

Rev. 1:17b-20; Genesis 1-3;Dan 10:7-12a; Isaiah 22:22; Psalm 31:14-17a/LXX 30:15-18a “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, and those that are, and those thatContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 4: Our Times are in His Hands”

Rev. 1:9-17; Ex 20; Daniel 7:9-14; 10:16, 19, Ezek 43:2. John, in the first eight verses of the Apocalype, has introduced us thoroughly to the Author and Subject of his vision—the LORD God, as seen in Jesus the Christ, from Whom all beginnings come, and to Whom all of creation hastens, as our goal. NowContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 3: Our Brother Communicant Shows Us the LORD”

Rev 1:4-8; Isaiah 11; Daniel 7:13-27; Zechariah 12-13 This week we tackle Rev 1:4-8, in which John makes his first address to those reading the account of his vision. Here is the passage: John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was andContinue reading “Lighting Up the Apocalypse 2”

Rev 1:1-3, Daniel 2-4, Exodus 23-4. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to His servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, evenContinue reading “Lighting up the Apocalypse 1”

Hebrews 13:17-21, Judges 1-5, Psalm 1, St. John Chrysostom’s Sermon 34 on Hebrews This Sunday we read the conclusion of that rich letter to the Hebrews, the authorship of which was debated even by some fathers.  Whether the letter is indeed by St. Paul, or by another master of theology, rhetoric, and pastorship from thoseContinue reading “The Complete Community”