More of John’s vision of heaven today from Revelation 15 in our first reading. Today we see “those who had won victory over the beast…”
Jesus continues to address the people in today’s Gospel reading from Luke 21. He tells them, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” We read often in the Scriptures about the need to have endurance and perseverance. Jesus makes it clear that followers of Him are not to be quitters.
We all want to be loved. And to some degree, I believe that we all want to be liked, too. But I don’t know that I’ve ever met a soul that wanted to be hated. Yet Jesus lets His disciples know that this is going to be their fate. You will be hated by all. Some days it really feels that way, doesn’t it? It takes courage to stand up for what is right in the face of hatred. We have to know that God will supply that courage. And when He does, with it will come endurance. And we know what will happen to those who endure to the end.
Father, help us to endure in the face of the hatred that will befall us because we profess your Son, Christ Jesus. Amen.
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