The Confession of Sins The Absolution The Introit p. 16
Introit
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation
Collect
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle Romans 15:4-13
Gradual
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined: our God shall come.
V. Gather My saints together unto Me:
those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
V. The powers of heaven shall be shaken:
and then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud
Prayers - Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader, Sarah Buck, Doc Lito, Randy Anderson, Kermit Way, Lori Howell; Callie and Aaron.
Those suffering from emotional and metabolic stress.
Midweek Advent Service - 7 PM Wednesday
Second Sunday In Advent
Lord God, heavenly Father, who by Thy Son hast revealed to us that heaven and earth shall pass away, that our bodies shall rise again, and that we all shall appear before the judgment seat: We beseech Thee, keep us by Thy Holy Spirit in Thy word; establish us in the true faith, graciously defend us from sin and preserve us in all temptations, that our hearts may not be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, but that we may ever watch and pray and, trusting fully in Thy grace, await with joy the glorious coming of Thy Son, and at last obtain eternal salvation, through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
KJV Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
KJV Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Then Shall They See the Son of Man
KJV Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
I have told this academic story before, about the Son of Man, but it is important to remember. One especially person (Oxford or Cambridge) wrote an article in a theological journal saying that Jesus was not the Son of Man, but that was another person who was to come in the future. The apostate scholars liked that, because they favored the same idea. One essay was called "Exit the Apocalyptic Son of Man." I recall the individual changing the article and getting fired, but that was a long time ago. I remembered a last name but not all the specifics. It is now popular among "scholars" to say the Son of Man is not Jesus!
This is roughly parallel to what Luther preached about this passage. When the Savior returns, the believers will have peace and joy. The unbelieving will be terrified, "their hearts failing for fear." This is the great role reversal, as Luther wrote with some humor. The believers in this life are humbled by all the grief they have to bear in this life, while the unbelievers find great peace in violating the Ten Commandments with glee. And these unbelievers find their truths to be confirmed by their success, esteem, and the awe expressed about them.
The Savior will return in great glory and show His followers that He is indeed the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We cannot imagine what that will be like, except for the Promises of Jesus, that He would return in great glory and triumph. This will be startling and strange for the unbelievers, whether they are cardinals, bishops, or theology professors. But it was all predicted and printed in black and white from the earliest days. From Daniel to Philippians -
KJV Philippians 2
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
America was founded on religious principles, the Christian Faith. That was understood although not everyone was a believer. Calvinists become Unitarians, which makes sense about the American Bible Society and the KJV Revision inviting Unitarian leaders to share their "wisdom." Before one could say, "American is pagan, non-believing." But it is more accurate to say "America is Satanic in its influence and weak in teaching the truth from the Scriptures." One LCMS pastor bragged about his Vacation Bible School being so large and concluded - "Go big or go home." I wondered how that fit as the Apostles preached and gave up their lives. The Great Commission was not "Go big or go home" but Go, teach, and baptize.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
The message, from Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, is that the End will be a time for peace and joy for those who follow the Savior.
your redemption - The price has been paid to redeem you.
This will be the ultimate triumph of the Savior, because the unbelieving world was happy to reject him, crucify Him, and rob Him of His mission. By killing the early Christians, Rome spread the Gospel to the point where the Roman Emperor, Constantine, supported and protected the Christian Church
I watched "The Turning Point" on streaming video last night. The Fall of Constantinople to the Muslim army in 1453 meant a flood of Greek scholars into Europe. Suddenly the New Testament was in Greek, the original text edited by Erasmus. Tyndale, a translating genius like Luther, established the basics of the King James Bible. Two little things changed Europe and established the Reformation:
The Greek New Testament
The Printing Press
Look at the dates -
Constantinople fell in 1453
Gutenberg used his printing press 1454
Luther was born in 1483
Greek New Testament, 1516
Luther declared "Here I stand" in 1517
He translated the GNT in the castle.
Tyndale was executed for translating, 1536
King James Version, 1611.
In contrast, the very powerful Ming Dynasty in China chose not to extend the work of their gigantic naval fleet and remained isolated in their very large corner of the world. The Western world limited the papacy and spread freedom through the Reformation and beyond.
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Notice that this parable speaks of the spring, hope, and happiness, not gloom and doom. When Christian - in the Pilgrim's Progress - was locked in Castle Doom, all he could think about was the giant and and his wife, all the horrible things that would be done to him. Interpreter came to him and told Christian all he needed to do, "They have been in your pocket all the time." They were keys - the Promises of God. "They were there all the time!" And Christian was able to escape by opening the locks with the Promises.
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
The warning keeps us aware of what is coming soon, which is God's time, not ours. Everything must be fulfilled on the divine calendar. People lose themselves in conjuring up all the bad feelings, fears, and statements like "What's the use?!" Far better to occupy ourselves with all the blessings God gives us than to imagine things that make call up the worst in us.
When the Son of God comes, it will be Jesus in both natures, human and divine, the Good Shepherd. He only has blessings for believers and leads us into eternal blessedness. He does not bring fear and sorrow but only peace and joy.
The synod statistics group has its own room at headquarters. Holbein painting.
I was reading over some synod statistics, filled with awe and wonder. No names, please. They will just adjust their tables and make up new fables.
The Jackson Method involves a sampling of who is there on Sunday, among a group of congregations. Percentages of age groups matter as well. For instance, we have great-grandmothers, grandparents, parents, children, and babies. We also have a very large group of daily readers. Even if half of them are booing and throwing popcorn at the screen, we still have an impressive audience.
The infamous ELCA Sparkle congregation said they were packed with all the new people - so many age groups too! Their own videos show only a few dozen, mostly white-haired members.
I also look around at recent worship services, which are incredibly sparse in terms of numbers there - and in their truncated worship. We began Ustream so long ago that we used Roman numerals and yet had 32,000 views. We have used Vimeo and will use Zoom soon. We are also trying to improve in various ways.
When a congregation simply posts a video camera at the back to record the sermon, that is mighty stingy in terms of the Means of Grace. It also emphasizes who is NOT there, since the lens usually takes in the entire group.
Like David Valleskey and Waldo Werning, Kent Hunter was the guiding light of his generation of Fuller Seminary failures. His Church Doctor Ministries is selling its properties at the moment. When will their sects apologize for the damage?
Here is a news note that tells me so much about the faux-Lutheran infatuation with Roman Catholic ritual -
After years of debate about tradition, Latinization and modernization of the liturgy, in 1999 the synod of bishops of the Syro-Malabar church issued uniform rubrics for the celebration of the Eucharist, called the Holy Qurbana by members of the Eastern-rite church. They were trying to end a situation in which some priests faced the altar during the entire liturgy, while others faced the congregation throughout the liturgy. The bishops' decision was to have the priest face the altar during the eucharistic prayer but face the congregation during the Liturgy of the Word and again after Communion.
Priests in most Syro-Malabar dioceses quickly complied with the bishops' decision, although dispensations were issued for the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly and a few other territories. The bishops decided to end those dispensations in November 2021.
ELCA Managers love playing dress-up.
The alleged conservative Lutherans must study mixed Syro-Malabar traditions. If ELDONA gets a bishop's hat, shouldn't Matt the Fatt get a mitre? Having only three mitres makes this look like a CLC (sic) clergy gathering.
51. Pure words of comfort are these. He does not put forth a parable from the fall or winter season when all the trees are bare and the dreary days begin; but a parable from the spring and summer season, when everything is joyous, when all creation buds forth and rejoices. By this he clearly teaches that we are to look forward to the last day with as much joy and delight as all creation shows in spring and summer. What is the meaning of this parable if in it he does not teach us this? He could have found others that were not so joyous.
52. In applying it, he does not say your hell or condemnation is at hand, but the kingdom of God. What else does it signify that the kingdom of God is at hand than that our redemption is near? The kingdom of God is but ourselves, as Christ says, Luke 17:21, “For lo, the kingdom of God is within you ;” therefore, it draweth nigh when we are nearing our redemption from sin and evil. In this life it begins in the spirit; but since we must still battle with sin and suffer much evil, and since death is still before us, the kingdom of God is not yet perfect in us. But when once sin and death and all evil are taken away, then will it be perfect. This the last day will bring and not this life.
53. Therefore, my dear hearer, examine your life, probe your heart to ascertain how it is disposed toward this day. Do not put your trust in your own good life, for that would soon be put to shame; but think of and strengthen your faith in order that the day may not be a terror to you as to the damned, but be your joy as the day of your salvation and of the kingdom of God in you. Then when you think or hear of the same, your heart will leap for joy and earnestly long for its coming. If you do not wish to pronounce judgment upon yourself, then do not think that you would be able to stand in that day even with the meritorious deeds of all the saints. “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all things be accomplished. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”
54. Why does the Lord so fortify his Word and confirm it beyond measure by parables, oaths, and tokens of the generation which shall remain though heaven and earth pass away? This all happens because, as was said above, all the world is so secure and with open eyes despises the signs to such a degree that perhaps no word of God has been so despised as this which foretells and characterizes the judgment day. It will appear to the world that there are no signs; and even though people should see them, they will still not believe. Even the very elect of God may doubt such words and tokens, in order that the day may come when the world is never so secure and thus be suddenly overwhelmed in its security, as St. Paul said above.
55. Therefore Christ would assure us and wake us up to look for the day when the signs appear. We are to realize that though the signs be uncertain, those are not in danger who look upon them as tokens, while those who despise them are in the greatest danger. Hence let us play with certainties and consider the above-named signs as truly such lest we run with the unspiritual. If we are mistaken, we have after all hit the mark; if they are mistaken, it is a mistake for eternity with them.
56. Jesus calls the Jews “this generation.” This passage, therefore, clearly indicates that the common saying is not true which holds that all the Jews will become Christians; and that the passage, John 10:16, “And they shall become one flock and one shepherd,” is not fulfilled when the Jews go over to the heathen, but when the heathen came to the Jews and became Christians at the time of the apostles, as St. Augustine often explains.
Christ’s words in John 10:16 indicate the same, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and they shall become one flock and one shepherd.” Note that he speaks clearly of the heathen who have come to the Jewish fold; therefore the passage has been long since fulfilled. But here he says, “This generation shall not pass away” till the end come; that is, the Jews who crucified Christ must remain as a token. And although many will be converted, the generation and Jewish character must remain.
57. Some have also been concerned about how heaven and earth will pass away, and they again call Aristotle to their aid. He must interpret the words of Christ for them, and he says, that heaven and earth will not pass away as to their essence but only as to their form. How much they think they are saying! If they so understood it that heaven and earth will continue to be something, they would indeed be right. But let us suffer the blind to go, and know that just as our bodies will be changed as to their essence, and yet be remade according to their essence, so heaven and earth at the last day with all the elements will be melted with fervent heat and turned to dust, together with the bodies of men, so that there will be nothing but fire everywhere. Then will everything be new-created in greatest beauty; our bodies will shine in brilliancy, and the sun be much more glorious than now. Peter speaks of this day, in 2 Peter 3:10-13, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness?
Paul also testifies to the same in 1 Corinthians 3:13, that “the last day shall be revealed in fire.” And Isaiah 30:26, “ The light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold as the light of seven days, in the day that Jehovah bindeth up the hurt of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.” Likewise Isaiah 65:17, “For, behold I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create.” Therefore this passing away is not only according to form but also as to essence; unless it be that you do not want to call it a passing away, if things turn to dust until no trace of them can be found, as the burned body turns to ashes and passes away.
58. But where do our souls dwell when the abode of every creature is afire and there is no earthly dwelling place? Answer: My dear hearer, where is the soul now? Or where is it when we sleep and are not conscious of what is taking place in our bodies and in the world around us? Do you think that God cannot so preserve or hold the souls of men in his hand that they will never know how heaven and earth passed away? Or do you think that he must have a bodily home for the soul, just as a shepherd has a stable for his sheep? It is enough for you to know that they are in God’s hands and not in the care of any creature. Though you do not understand how it happens, do not be led astray. Since you have not yet learned what happens to you when you fall asleep or awaken, and can never know how near you are to waking or sleeping, though you daily do both, how do you expect to understand all about this question? The Scripture says, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,” and so let it be. Meanwhile there will arise a new heaven and a new earth, and our bodies will be revived again to eternal salvation. Amen. If we knew just how the soul would be kept, faith would be at an end. But now we journey and know not just whither; yet we put our confidence in God, and rest in his keeping, and our faith abides in all its dignity.
III. THE SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF THESE GOSPEL SIGNS.
59. Finally, we must find also a hidden or spiritual meaning in this Gospel.
The sun is Christ, the moon is the church, the stars are Christians, the powers of heaven are the prelates or planets of the church. Now these earthly signs surely signify what has long since taken place and is now taking place among Christians; for they follow the service of sin and threaten and manifest the punishment resting upon them.
60. That the sun is darkened no doubt signifies that Christ does not shine in the Christian church; that is, that the Gospel is not preached and that faith is expiring from the lack of divine service. This has come about through the teaching and works of men. The pope sits in the churches in the place of Christ and shines like dirt in a lantern — he with his bishops, priests, and monks. It is these that have darkened the sun for us, and instead of the true worship of God have set up idolatry and image worship with their tonsure and hoods and vestments and pipes and lutes and singing and playing etc.
Oh what darkness! What darkness!
61. From this it necessarily follows that neither the moon gives any light; that is, when faith died out, love had to die out also, so that no real Christian deeds are any more seen, no example is found in which one Christian serves another; but all the people have been led into idolatry, and .image worship, and there have been instituted mass, vigils, altars, chapels, purifications, bells, and impostures. Again what darkness!
62. I interpret the falling of the stars to mean the falling of man who has been baptized and become a Christian and then became a priest or monk.
Whoever wants to believe me, may; whoever does not want to, need not do so, but I know what I am talking about. I do not say that they will all be lost; God can save even from the fire whom he will. But this I say, whoever becomes a priest or monk in the belief that he is taking up a holy estate falls from Christian faith into unbelief; for the falling of the stars does not signify the gross forms of sin, murder, adultery, theft, but a falling from faith. Priests and monks (unless God does wonders) are by virtue of their position renegade and apostate Christians, worse than whom no people dwell on the earth.
63. The Turks also are no Christians; but in two senses they are better than the Papists: first, they have never been Christians or stars, therefore have not fallen from the faith; secondly, they do not sin against the sacrament of the Lord’s body and blood. But the Papists make a sacrifice out of the mass and a meritorious work and do it daily and continually. This is certainly the most sacrilegious perversion upon which the sun has yet shined. In short he who desires to become holy and be saved by works and holy orders, falls from the faith, falls from heaven; for the blood of Jesus Christ alone is able to save us. Therefore, whenever you see a star fall, then know that it signifies some one has become a priest, a monk, or a nun.
64. That men’s hearts failed them for fear signifies the torments which the pope’s saints and fallen stars suffer, for while they do great things their consciences are never at rest. The Scriptures say they are weary and heavy laden.
65. The roaring winds and seas are the worldly estates, both high and low.
There is no ruler or land at peace with the other, no faith or trust in one another, everyone is looking only to his own interests. Neither is there reproof or discipline or fear upon the earth; and the whole world is so engaged in eating, drinking, unchastity, and the lusts of the flesh, that it moans and roars.
66. The powers of heaven are our planets, our spiritual squires and tyrants, popes, bishops, and their companions, the universities, which are all so deeply sunk in worldly affairs, property, honor, and pleasures, that they think they are not planets, that is, errorists, for planeta in Greek means an errorist, one who does not travel on the right way, but travels backward and to both sides as the planets also do in the heavens. This the Germans express in a proverb, the more learned, the more perverse; in other words, the spiritual government is only planets. But now when the Gospel shines forth and shows them their virtue and colors it with its own hue, and shows that they are unlearned idolators and soul-deceivers, they get angry, begin to move, and form a constellation. They gather together, try to shelter themselves behind bulls and edicts, and threateningly predict a great flood.
But it will do them no good, the day will come and its light cannot be placed under a bushel like a candle.
67. The parable of the fig tree seems to me to signify that the fig tree is the Holy Scriptures which have so long been hidden in obscurity. They are now budding forth and taking leaves, their word is breaking forth into fruitage. For twelve centuries it has not been so well known, nor have its languages been so well known. There is no doubt in my mind, however, that the Scriptures are a fig tree which is easily preserved. It was fig leaves with which Adam and Eve covered their nakedness; for the old Adam always uses the Scriptures to adorn himself. Therefore the book must come forth, its leaves must become green, in spite of all the movements of the planets. The summer is not far distant — would to God that the fruit would also follow the leaves. I fear that there will be nothing but leaves, for we talk much about true faith but bring forth no fruit.
68. Enough has now been said concerning these signs; if anyone desires to consider the matter further, to him has been given here the impulse and a start. But the planets with their factious spirit will not believe in them, in order that the Scriptures may still be true in this, that they give these people great security and contempt for the word, works, and signs of God.
The Lively cell phone I was using lost its zeal to accept spam messages. I am setting up a new cell phone tomorrow and will work on Magic Jack as my main phone.
Zoom confessed that the charitable exemption does not apply to churches unless they have an orphanage or a food distribution service. That should move us ahead in using Zoom when that is ready and practiced a bit.
I am in a techno-storm with new phones and new video conferences. But wait, there's more.
I have changed my exercise routine to 7 days a week because that is good for lowering blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic says:
"Regular physical activity can lower high blood pressure by about 5 to 8 mm Hg . It's important to keep exercising to keep blood pressure from rising again. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day."
Extra weight makes a difference too, since that puts a strain on the heart and the blood system.
I am producing lectures for our Reformation Seminary and expect to do a lot of this teaching throughout the year, as my primary activity in addition to the blog. Therefore, my work with GCU is doubtful. Like UOP, GCU hopped on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion bandwagon, a bizarre response to -
KJV Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
I will have more information soon. The scheduler was very pleasant, as always. Some classes may be coming up soon.
One member cautioned me to stop saying "church leaders" because they are not leaders, but managers (at best). The managers attain their richly endowed palaces of spiritual poverty by following rather than by leading. They took their inheritance, like the Prodigal Son, and wasted it on slow horses and fast women, as the parable suggests. However, there is no repentance, only scapegoating.
The son of one synod president, who was noted for covering up at least one felony, told another person, "Greg Jackson almost destroyed WELS." That seemed a bit harsh to me, but it explained the difference between the Chief Article of Christianity - Justification by Faith - and their mindless devotion to universal forgiveness without faith, Objective Justification.
What is the one quality needed in those managers? They lack faith in Jesus Christ and spread their poison as much as they can. They live in fear, which is why they spend so much time covering up crimes and absolving the guilty who give them political power. Because they have no grasp of the Christian Faith, they only do their work by deceit. Whether wasting away or ready to explode in fat, they look miserable.
ELCA was so deviously choreographed at its 1987 conception that the shrieking hens of lesbian dominance had to come out of their covens and take over in 2009. Some demi-semi-conservative male bishops were alarmed, but Liz Eaton knew their warnings would only weaken male tradition. She moved from being podunk local bishop in Ohio in 2007 to ELCA Presiding Bishop in 2013. She no longer looks gleeful about her overwhelming win and her messianic delusions.
As a student of essential details in biographies I continue to be curious about male bishops having wives and children, while women bishops have... No one seems to know. When a new female bishop is placed on her ecclesiastical throne, no one seems to be included. I thought inclusion and belong were "the thing". Liz Eaton is married, but the female bishop majority appears to be solitary.
The intellectual strength of the women bishops seems to be zero, perhaps even less. A group of them chanted for a journalist that the Holy Spirit was locked in the closet and ready to come out.
The irony is that the so-called conservative synod managers pretend to be distant from the bird cage of crazies, La Cage aux Folles. They have been huddled together with ELCA since I do not know when. I enjoyed forcing out the story about the WELS and LCMS managers "conferring" with the ELCA manager at Snowbird. Curiously, ELCA's The Lutheran covered this accurately while WELS and Missouri were wet-their-pants frightened. Otten reproduced The Lutheran's article. All references to ELCA-LCMS-WELS Snowbird have been scrubbed from the Internet.
If the reader thinks ELCA is gayer than lavender hose, then look at WELS videos and synod support for them. "Party in the MLC (Martin Luther College)" was uploaded to YouTube and favored by many inside WELS and outside as well.
What do the ELCA-WELS-ELS-LCMS-CLC managers have brewing?
Their higher education schools represent tons of buildings that are no longer needed.
The perks of managing are very expensive and so it the cost of medical insurance.
The clergy do not have faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and therefore turn to secure, gimmicky plans that consume money while shrinking their base even more.
Any group can gather and form a congregation more faithful than the atrocities promoted by the apostates synods.
Liz Eaton and her cohorts won the 2009 ELCA vote at this Twin City congregation. A ferocious storm knock the cross over.
II. THE COMFORT CHRISTIANS HAVE WHEN THESE SIGNS APPEAR.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh
37. Here you may say, who can lift up his head in the face of such terrible wrath and judgment? If the whole world is filled with fear at that day, and lets fall its head and countenance out of terror and anxiety; how shall we look up and lift up our heads, which evidently means, how shall we manifest any joy in and longing for these signs? In answer I would say that all this is spoken only to those who are really Christians and not to heathen and Jews. True Christians are so afflicted with all manner of temptations and persecutions that in this life they are miserable. Therefore they wait and long and pray for redemption from sin and all evil; as we also pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come”, and “Deliver us from evil.” If we are true Christians we will earnestly and heartily join in this prayer. If we do not so pray, we are not yet true Christians.
38. If we pray aright, our condition must truly be such that, however terrible these signs may be, we will look up to them with joy and earnest desire, as Christ admonishes: “When these things begin to come to pass, look up.” He does not say, Be filled with fear or drop your heads; for there is coming that for which we have been so earnestly praying. If we really wish to be freed from sin and death and hell, we must look forward to this coming of the Lord with joy and pleasure.
St. Paul also says, in 2 Timothy 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day: and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.” If he gives the crown to those who love his appearing, what will he give to those who hate and dread it? Without doubt, to enemies, eternal condemnation. Titus 2:13 says, “ Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”
And Luke 12:36, “And be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast.”
39. But what do those do who are filled with fear and do not desire to have him come, when they pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done .... deliver us from the evil one?” Do they not stand in the presence of God and lie to their own hurt? Do they not strive against the will of God who will have this day for the redemption of the saints? It is necessary, therefore, that we exercise great care lest we be found to hate and to dread that day. Such dread is a bad omen and belongs to the damned, whose cold minds and hard hearts must be terrified and broken, if perchance they might reform.
40. But to believers that day will be comforting and sweet. That day will be the highest joy and safety to the believer, and the deepest terror and anguish to the unbeliever; just as also in this life the truths of the Gospel are exceedingly sweet to the godly and exceedingly hateful to the wicked.
Why should the believer fear and not rather exceedingly rejoice, since he trusts in Christ who comes as judge to redeem him and to be his everlasting portion.
41. But you say I would indeed await his coming with joy, if I were holy and without sin. I should answer, what relief do you find in fear and flight?
It would not redeem you from sin if you were to be filled with terror for a thousand years. The damned are eternally filled with fear of that day, but this does not take away their sin; yea, this fear rather increases sin and renders man unfit to appear without sin on that day when it comes. Fear must pass out of the soul and there must enter in a desire for righteousness and for that day. But if you really desire to be free from sin and to be holy, then give thanks to God and continue to desire to be more free from sin.
Would to God that such desire were so sincere and powerful in you as to bring you to your death.
42. There is no one so well prepared for the judgment day as he who longs to be without sin. If you have such desire, what do you fear? You are then in perfect accord with the purpose of that day. It comes to set free from sin all who desire it, and you belong to that number. Return thanks to God and abide in that desire. Christ says his coming is for our redemption. But do not deceive yourself and be satisfied, perhaps, with the simple desire to be free from sin and to await the coming of the day without fear. Perhaps your heart is false and you are filled with fear, not because you would be free from sin, but because in the face of that day you cannot sin free and untrammeled. See to it that the light within you be not darkness. For a heart that would be truly free from sin will certainly rejoice in the day that fulfills its desire. If the heart does not so rejoice there is no true desire to be loosed from its sin.
43. Therefore we must above all things lay aside all hatred and abhorrence of this day, and exercise diligence that we may really desire to have our sins taken away. When this is done, we may not only calmly await the day, but with heartfelt desire and joy pray for it and say, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” In this you must cast aside all feelings and conceit, hold fast to the comforting words of Christ, and rest in them alone.
44. Could he admonish, comfort, and strengthen you in a more delicate and loving manner? In the first place he says, You will hear of wars, but you should have no fears. And when he tells you to have no fears, what else does he mean than that he commands you to be of good cheer and to discern the signs with joy? Secondly, he tells you to look up; thirdly, to lift up your heads; and fourthly, he speaks of your redemption. What can comfort and strengthen you if such a word does not? Do you think he would deceive you and try to lead you into a false confidence? My dear hearer, let such a word not have been said in vain: thank God and trust in it — there is no other comfort or advice if you cast this to the winds. It is not your condemnation but your redemption of which Christ speaks. Will you turn his words around and say, It is not your redemption but your condemnation? Will you flee from your own salvation? Will you not greet and thank your God who comes out to meet and to greet you?
45. He has no doubt also spoken this word for the faint hearted who, although they are devout and prepared for the last day, are yet filled with great anxiety and are hindered in taking part in his coming with that desire which should be found at the end of the world; therefore he calls attention to their redemption. For when at the end of the world sin will hold such sway, and by the side of sin the punishment for sin with pestilence, war and famine, it will be necessary to give to believers strength and comfort against both evils, sin and its punishment. Therefore he uses the sweet and comforting word redemption which is so dear to the heart of man. What is redemption? Who would not be redeemed? Who would have a desire to abide in the desert of sin and punishment? Who would not wish an end to such miser)-and woe, such perils for souls, such ruin for man? Especially should this be the case when the Savior allures, invites and comforts us in such an endearing way.
46. The godless fanatical preachers are to be censured who in their sermons deprive people of these words of Christ and faith in them, who desire to make people devout by terrifying them and who teach them to prepare for the last day by relying upon their good works as satisfaction for their sins. Here despair, fear and terror must remain and grow and with it hatred, aversion and abhorrence for the coming of the Lord, and enmity against God be established in the heart; for they picture Christ as nothing but a stern judge whose wrath must be appeased by works, and they never present him as the Redeemer, as he calls and offers himself, of whom we are to expect that out of pure grace he will redeem us from sin and evil.
47. Such is always the result where the Gospel is not rightly proclaimed.
When hearts are only driven by commands and threats, they will only be estranged from God and be led to abhor him. We ought to terrify, but only the obstinate and hardened; and when these have become terrified and dejected also, we ought to strengthen and comfort.
48. From all this we learn how few there are who pray the Lord’s Prayer acceptably even though it is prayed unceasingly in all the world. There are few who would not rather that the day would never come. This is nothing else than to desire that the kingdom of God may not come. Therefore the heart prays contrary to the lips, and while God judges according to the heart, they judge according to the lips. For this reason they institute so many prayers, fill all the churches with their bawling and think they pray aright when in reality their prayer is: “May thy kingdom not come, or not just yet.” Tell me, is not such a prayer blasphemy? Is it not of such a prayer that the Psalmist speaks in Psalm 109:7, “Let his prayer be turned into sin.” How men are applying all the wealth of the world to fill every nook and corner of it with such blasphemy, and then are calling it a divine service!
49. Yet he who feels such fear must not despair, but rather use it wisely.
He uses it wisely who permits such fear to urge and admonish him to pray for grace that this fear might be taken away and he be given joy and delight in that day. Christ has promised, Matthew 7:8, “Everyone that asketh receiveth.” Therefore those who are fearful are nearer their salvation than the hard-hearted and reprobate, who neither fear nor find comfort in that day. For though they do not have a desire for it, they have a something within which admonishes them to pray for such a desire.
50. On the other hand, he uses fear unwisely who allows it to increase and abides in the same, as though he could thereby be cleansed from sin. This leads to nothing good. Not fear, which, as John says, 1 John 4:18, must be cast out, will remain in that day, but love which, St. Paul says in Corinthians 13:8, must abide. Fear is to be a power to drive us to seek such love and pray for it. Where fear is not cast out it opposes the will of God and antagonizes your own salvation; it thus becomes a sin against the Holy Spirit. It is, however, not necessary to say that the individual must be altogether without fear, for we still have human nature abiding in us. This is weak and cannot exist altogether without the fear of death and the judgment; but the spirit must be uppermost in the mind, as Christ says, Matthew 26:41, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” “And he spake to them a parable: Behold the fig tree, and all the trees: when they now shoot forth, ye see it and know of your own selves that the summer is now nigh. Even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh.”
51. Pure words of comfort are these. He does not put forth a parable from the fall or winter season when all the trees are bare and the dreary days begin; but a parable from the spring and summer season, when everything is joyous, when all creation buds forth and rejoices. By this he clearly teaches that we are to look forward to the last day with as much joy and delight as all creation shows in spring and summer. What is the meaning of this parable if in it he does not teach us this? He could have found others that were not so joyous.
