John tells us in our second reading about his own
claim to having a divine commission as a prophet and a seer. He says that he
“was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day,” indicating that he was in the presence
of the LORD and it was the LORD who commissioned him to speak out, which he
clearly states in the last verse of the reading. “Now writ what you see, what is, and what is to take place hereafter.”
Note Most people believe in God, or the existence of
God, but what kind of God? God is known only through Jesus Christ. The Epistle
presents the first in a series of visions of the LORD God in the person of
Jesus Christ.
V.13 makes clear that the eternal Son is in the midst
of His Church when tribulation comes. Although He now wears a human form He is
the glorified Messiah whose divine attributes are graphically described in Vv.
13-17.
Almighty God, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [2]-
[1]Image of Christ
appearing to St. Thomas http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg
[2]
Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis
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