Tools4evangelization

Monday, August 14, 2023

Video - Revelation chapter 17

Audio script

17/Revelation, Chapter Seventeen.

Revelation Chapter 17

1. 17:1-2 Great harlot

The harlot is Rome. The nations cooperated with her and were influenced by her power and wealth.

2. 17:3-6A Wild beast

It was the Roman empire. The harlot drunk means the many Christians killed under Nero’s and Domitian’s persecutions.

3. 17:6B-8 Nero

There was a belief that the dead Nero would return to life to attack Rome. The new Nero, Domitian, is destined for destruction.

4. 17:9-14 Seven Kings

The 7 emperors from 27 B.C. excluding Domitian, who is the 8^th emperor. The 10 horns represent 10 provincial rulers.

5. 17:15-18 Ten horns

The provincial governors will rise up against Rome and burn it.

Video - Revelation chapter 16

Audio script

16/Revelation, Chapter Sixteen.

Revelation Chapter 16

1. 16:1-3 First and second bowl

The bowls are divine punishment of sinners. The 1^st bowl was poured on the earth and the 2^nd one on the sea.

2. 16:4-9 Third and fourth bowl

The 3^rd one was poured out on the rivers and springs. The 4^th one was poured out on the sun.

3. 16:10-16 Fifth and Sixth bowl

The 5^th one was poured out on the throne of the beast, Rome and the 6^th one on the Euphrates River.

4. 16:17-19 Seventh bowl

The 7^th one was poured into the air causing a violent earthquake.

5. 16:19-21 Rome

Rome and the empire were destroyed.

Sunday, August 13, 2023

Video - Revelation chapter 15

Audio script

15/Revelation, Chapter Fifteen.

Revelation Chapter 15

1. 15:1 Seven Plagues

7 angels each holding a bowl to be used to punish the evil doers. This is the last group of 7 after the 7 seals and the 7 trumpets.

2. 15:2-3A Sea of glass

The victors over the beast stand on glass mingled with fire which symbolizes the sanctity involved in facing God.

3. 15:3B-4 Victory song

Moses and the Israelites sang this song after their escape from the oppression of Egypt as the martyrs escaped from the oppression of the devil.

4. 15:5-6 Tent of testimony

The 7 angels with the 7 bowls come out of the tent which was like the one used by Moses during the Exodus.

5. 15:7-8 Seven gold bowls

They are like the 7 seals and 7 trumpets bringing on a series of disasters modeled in part on the plagues of Egypt.

Video - Revelation chapter 14

Audio script

14/Revelation, Chapter Fourteen.

Revelation Chapter 14

1. 14:1 The lamb

The lamb is in Mt. Zion, Jerusalem. With his followers, 144,000 who have his and his father’s name on their foreheads.

2. 14:2-5 The 144,000

They lost their lives because of their faith and will be rewarded by their participation in the first resurrection.

3. 14:6-13 The three angels

The 1^st announced God’s judgment. The 2^nd told of Rome’s destruction. The 3^rd said those who follow Rome will be punished.

4. 14:14-16 The 1^st harvest

Christ carries out God’s judgment by swinging his sickle over the earth. This harvest symbolizes the gathering of the elect in the final judgement.

5. 14:17-20 The 2^nd harvest

The reaping and treading of the grapes symbolize the doom of the ungodly.

Video - Revelation chapter 13

Audio script

13/Revelation, Chapter Thirteen.

Revelation Chapter 13

1. 13:1-4 The beast from the sea

This means the Roman empire. To worship the beast means emperor worship ordered by emperor Domitian.

2. 13:5-7 Blaspheme God

The sea-beast, Rome, blasphemed God and persecuted the Christians. Domitian demanded to be called by divine names (our Lord and God).

3. 13:8-10 Book of life

It is the citizenship roll book of the heavenly Jerusalem kept by Christ.

4. 13:11-15 The beast from the land

This beast represents provincial elite whose duties were to promote the cult of the emperor and goddess Rome. 666 may refer to emperor Nero.

5. 13:16-18 Mark of the beast

This may be an allusion to coins with the image, name, and insignia of the emperor on them.

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Homily - 19A Sunday homily (13 August 2023) Jesus saves Peter

TOPIC: JESUS SAVES PETER

1. STORY

John, a young sailor, was asked by the captain of the sailing ship to climb to the top of the mast when the sea was stormy. The first half of the climb was easy. But halfway to the top, he made a mistake. He looked down at the stormy sea and grew dizzy and was in danger of falling. The captain called out to him to look back at the sky. John followed the captain’s instruction and finished the climb safely.

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 14:22-33

A) THE DISCIPLES WERE IN FEAR

It was natural for the disciples to be fearful late in the night as their boat “was being tossed about in the waves raised by a strong wind.” Even Peter, who attempted to walk on the water, cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me.”

B) JESUS SAVES THE DISCIPLES

Jesus shows his great power as he “came walking toward them on the lake.” Jesus saved the frightened and sinking Peter as “he stretched out his hand and caught him.’ Jesus told them, “How little faith you have,” exposing their greatest weakness which was a lack of strong faith in him.

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) FEAR IN OUR LIVES

Just as the storm on the lake caused the disciples to fear, so do we fear which is caused by many storms in our lives. Here are some storms or difficulties we encounter: poor healthy caused by aging or sickness, not enough money to meet our expenses, job insecurity or job dissatisfaction, family disharmony or worry about aging parents or children growing up properly, difficulty in getting along with people, etc. Such fears cause unhappiness in our lives.

B) JESUS HELPS US

Just as Jesus helped the frightened disciples, so does Jesus help us. The more we rely on Jesus, the stronger we will be facing and overcoming our difficulties. Here are some suggestions that may help us. First, put Jesus into your mind remembering that He loves us, cares for us, and has the power to help us. This requires us to push out of our minds the worries that are presently bothering us. Second, speak to Jesus as Peter did saying “Lord, save me.” Ask Jesus to increase our faith in him who is our savior. We must do this every time we are gripped with fear. Jesus will help us as he helped his disciples.

4. CONCLUSION

The captain helped John reach the top of the mast by instructing him to look up to the sky. Jesus helped the worried and frightened disciples on the stormy sea and told them they needed a stronger faith in him. Jesus will continue to help us face and solve all the problems and worries we encounter in life. We thank him for his loving care and ask him to strengthen our faith.