It is a great joy to be preaching on the book of Revelation at this time in accord with our Church Year readings. Last week I preached on Revelation chapter 1 in which we got to see the significance of “seven” especially as it pertains to all of us, the Church, the bride of Christ. Tomorrow, we are on Revelation 5, and we are still discussing seven, but this time especially in regard to our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

The wondrous description of Christ in Revelation 5 includes the words “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.” And because of our Savior’s “worthiness” there is a 7-fold ascription of praise. We are looking into its meaning and its significance in our lives.

In the process we continue to show that God did not give Revelation so as to scare you, but to comfort you and to increase your confidence that you are secure and in the victory of Christ, the Lamb who was slain!

Please invite a friend, neighbor, or co-worker to divine service tomorrow morning. Come and receive Christ’s Word and Sacrament for the forgiveness of sins!

Worship is at 9:30 am.

Refreshments and Fellowship at 10:45 am.

Bible Study and Sunday School at 11:00 am.

Parish Council Meeting (in Conference Room) at 12:00 pm.

Confirmation at Pastor’s house at 2:00 pm.

Rejoice in the Lord always!

Here is an excerpt from tomorrow’s sermon:

“Worthy is the Lamb” (Revelation 5:8-14)

Rev. Dr. Espinosa

            Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! As I warned you last Sunday: don’t let anyone try to convince you that the book of Revelation should be treated as a scary book. This book is about the victory of our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over everything that stands against His Kingdom and His Kingdom people, all of you! This book is about the victory of our Savior Jesus over sin, death, and the power of the devil. This is why Revelation — when properly interpreted — is extraordinarily comforting!

 

         What lends to the mishandling of this unique literature (genre) called “apocalyptic” is that too many popular teachers assume that the book is primarily about future events. And while there are indeed some future events, the emphasis is not future, but what has already been accomplished by our Savior Jesus!

 

             Revelation repeats in celebratory fashion – in a circular; over-and-over again approach – the great victory that Jesus has already accomplished! The Bible is written this way and reflects more of an eastern way of thinking over and above a western way of thinking. The 7 seals (Revelation 6f.) and 7 trumpets (Revelation 8f.) and 7 bowls (Revelation 15f.) are cyclical presentations of sin and death which have been overcome by the triumph of Jesus Christ (even while the great last Day is included in these cycles).

In Christ,

Pastor

p.s. the 6th annual Catechism Convocation for the People in So. Cal. with our special guest Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod was a complete success! There were over 250 in attendance and we had a congregational contingent of about 20. I was given the privilege of moderating and being a presenter for our youth. Throughout the day, I was reminded of how grateful I am for my own little paradise, the congregation at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine!