the happiest ending
"The Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever." —Revelation 22:5
Today is the last day of the Church year, and the Church calls us to read the last chapter of the Bible, which gives us a picture of heaven. We see "the river of life-giving water, clear as crystal, which issued from the throne of God and of the Lamb and flowed down the middle of the streets" (Rv 22:1-2). We see "the trees of life which produce fruit twelve times a year, once each month" (Rv 22:2). Best of all, we see Jesus "face to face" (Rv 22:4). We definitely have "a future full of hope" (Jer 29:11).
The Bible's last chapter will be fulfilled very soon because the Lord is coming very soon (Rv 22:7). To be prepared for His final coming and to inherit the kingdom of heaven, we must:
- bear Jesus' name on our foreheads (Rv 22:4). This means that we have totally, publicly, and permanently committed our lives to Jesus,
- "be on guard" lest our "spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares" (Lk 21:34), and
- "pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the Son of Man" (Lk 21:36).
On the last day of the Church year, let's surrender our lives to Jesus, repent of our sins, forgive those who have hurt us, and be ready to meet Jesus and go to heaven at any moment.
Prayer: Father, may I finish today all that You called me to do in 1998.
Promise: "Happy the man who heeds the prophetic message of this book!" —Rv 22:7
Praise: Sarah prayed for years for her drug-addicted husband to become a believer in Jesus. Finally, she gave up on him. On the same day she silently made plans to leave him, he gave his life to Jesus, was freed from his addiction, and told her that he loved her. They now evangelize together in many churches.
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The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, April 4, 1998
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 8, 1998