Daily Bible Readings - November 29,2012

1^ST READING

 

Thank God that victory and glory and power belong to Him! I only wish that at times it would be more manifest in my life and in the world. Sin is a tragedy and scandal that we can do something about — conversion of heart. We need to take the values of the Gospel fully and completely.

 

Revelation 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9

1 I, John, saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth became illumined by his splendor. 2 He cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great. She has become a haunt for demons. She is a cage for every unclean spirit, a cage for every unclean bird, a cage for every unclean and disgusting beast. 21 A mighty angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone and threw it into the sea and said: “With such force will Babylon the great city be thrown down, and will never be found again. 22 No melodies of harpists and musicians, flutists and trumpeters, will ever be heard in you again. No craftsmen in any trade will ever be found in you again. No sound of the millstone will ever be heard in you again. 23 No light from a lamp will ever be seen in you again. No voices of bride and groom will ever be heard in you again. Because your merchants were the great ones of the world, all nations were led astray by your magic potion.” 19: 1 After this I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying: “Alleluia! Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her harlotry. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” 3 They said a second time: “Alleluia! Smoke will rise from her forever and ever.” 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5

R: Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; 2 serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song. (R) 3 Know that the Lord is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. (R) 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; Give thanks to him; bless his name. (R) 5 For he is good: the Lord, whose kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness, to all generations. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

These images of Armageddon are the best our author can come up with to describe the final victory of God over sin and death. It is a simple message of hope to suffering and persecuted Churches that their faithfulness will be rewarded in the end. They may seem to lose the battle in this world as they become martyrs but they will be vindicated in the end with a life of glory. This is why it is so important to fix our eyes on the promise of eternal life when we are struggling with sin.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

 

Luke 21:20-28

20 Jesus said to his disciples: “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, 22 for these days are the time of punishment when all the Scriptures are fulfilled. 23 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

1st READING 2nd READING

think: It is so important to fix our eyes on the promise of eternal life when we are struggling with sin.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ___________________________

 

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God’s special verse/thought for me today_________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Ezekiel 17-20