Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year

Daniel 7:1–14

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lutherans don’t talk that much about the End Times when Jesus will return. But that’s not because we’re scared of it or we don’t have a good understanding of what’s going to happen. We don’t have to leave that subject for other Christians to handle. Since we get our teaching from the clear Word of God, we’re going to talk about it this morning. We’ll go through Daniel’s vision in chapter 7, and let Scripture give us our understanding for the End Times. This vision was explained to Daniel by an angel later in this chapter. And we’ll use other Scripture too, since it all comes from the Holy Spirit. And we can also use history as we see that much of this vision has already come to pass.

Daniel’s visions in chapter 7 was given to him toward end of the Babylonian Empire. He tells us this vision came during the reign of King Belshazzar. You may know this guy as the one who literally saw the writing on the wall—God’s hand, spelling out Belshazzar’s doom and the end of his kingdom. So at the time of this vision in chapter 7, Daniel and the other Judeans have been living in exile in Babylon for almost 70 years. They are still longing for the time when the Lord will take them back to Jerusalem and they will rebuild His temple. This vision also has some similarities to a vision that had been given way back at the beginning of the exile to King Nebuchadnezzar—the king with the fiery furnace. He saw a statue made from gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay, and this showed the unbelieving Gentile king how a series of kingdoms would succeed his own, until at last the kingdom of God would come. But the vision in chapter 7 is given only to Daniel, and at least for the time being, he keeps it to himself. As crazy as it might seem at first glance, Daniel’s vision is for the saints, to comfort and strengthen them, and give them hope. This vision is for you.

Behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. The four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west) mean that the number four often symbolizes the earth. So the four winds stirring up the sea, shows the whole earth in turmoil, and all the people of the earth going through tribulation. The forces of evil in this fallen world are arising out of the hearts of men and working by means of forceful violence. So, out of this churned up tribulation, rise up four great worldly empires. These are the four beasts.

First, there was one like a Lion with eagle’s wings. This was Babylon. It swiftly rose to great power, and quickly conquered a great empire. But then its wings and its bestial ferocity were taken away—it lost its power and fell to the second great kingdom.

The next beast was like a Bear. This was the Empire of the Medes and the Persians, who conquered Babylon. One side of the beast was raised up, showing that within this dual empire, the Persians would have greater power than the Medes. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ The power and triumph of the empire is shown in the beast devouring some carcass. It’s possible that the three ribs represent the three major kingdoms that Persia conquered: Lydia (in modern-day Turkey), Babylon, and Egypt. But we should always remember that visions are symbolic, and especially numbers have symbolic meaning. So, three ribs is clearly not a complete set, not an even number, meaning that Persia would conquer a lot of the known world, but not its entirety. Either way, notice that the beast is told to devour. God commands the empires to rule. And while these worldly kingdoms are not direct agents of God, we know that all authority ultimately comes from God.

The third beast is like a Leopard with four wings and four heads. This was the kingdom of the Greeks. The leopard is a swift animal, and this one has two sets of wings, making it even faster. And this is a good image for the dominion of the Greeks that was achieved when Alexander the Great conquered Persia and, in less than 10 years, established the largest empire ever in the ancient near east. Remember, four is a number for the earth, so the four heads show the  ambition and vision of Alexander to conquer all the earth. Also, after Alexander’s death, his short-lived empire was divided into four Greek kingdoms. And once again, we realize it was God who gave this beast its dominion, although the text doesn’t explicitly say that. Because God only rules indirectly through earthly government. The dominion of these worldly kingdoms is very different from the dominion that will come in God’s kingdom later in the vision.

Then came the fourth beast, and Daniel doesn’t tell us if it looked like any animal we would know. But he says it was terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. This was the Roman Empire. Unlike the bear who devoured others, and the leopard who was given dominion, this beast is recklessly destructive. It crushes and tramples with its feet—good imagery for the cruelty of the Roman legions that subjugated so many different smaller kingdoms and peoples. And this beast had 10 horns. 10 is a number for completion, totality (like the 10 Commandments). So this beast is shown to have total power, surpassing the power of the previous beasts. And we know the Roman Empire is the last worldly kingdom, because it was during the Roman Empire that the Christ was born and the kingdom of God was first established (but more on that later).

Next, Daniel noticed something about the horns on the fourth beast. A little horn came up and three of the original horns were uprooted. And behold, in this little horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. So, this little horn is a power that comes out of the Roman Empire, but only wields a portion of Rome’s power. And later in the chapter, we hear that the great things spoken by the little horn are words against God and against God’s holy people, His saints. So this is the Antichrist.

There’s a lot of false ideas of the Antichrist out there, from Hollywood and from other Christians. But he’s not the devil, he’s not the son of the devil, he’s not even one individual. The really short, simple thing to keep in mind is that the Antichrist is anything that is anti-Christ. So, the first thing to notice is that the main weapon of Antichrist is what he says: great things against God and against His saints. His main weapon is blasphemy, lies about God, false teaching. The Antichrist is all false teachers who twist and contradict God’s Word.

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul calls him the man of lawlessness and the son of destruction. Both St. Paul and St. John say that Antichrist or this man of lawlessness was already active in their time. As Daniel foresaw, the little horn came out of the fourth beast—the Antichrist comes up out of the Roman Empire. So, at the same time that Christ appeared and established His kingdom, Antichrist also gets to work opposing Christ and His kingdom. And so the work of Antichrist will continue, fighting against God’s Word and His people for the entire New Testament age, including our time, until Christ comes again. Daniel records that the Antichrist shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High (7:25), meaning that we become exhausted in trying to fight against his lies and remain steadfast to God’s Word. And it says that he shall think to change the times and the Law (7:25), meaning that he will create new laws for God’s people—man-made laws for how to worship and serve God. And this matches with what Paul says: the man of lawlessness exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thess. 2:4). Ultimately, this means that Antichrist takes away from God’s glory and teaches that we can be saved by our works, our glory.

But let’s go back to Daniel’s vision and notice that it’s not all beasts and talking horns. God is there. The Ancient of Days is God the Father. He is sitting on His throne, surrounded by the angel hosts, and He is ready to judge the earth. God’s court sits in judgment on all people, but in this vision we see specifically the judgment of the evil powers that attack God’s people.

And then someone else enters the heavenly court: Behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom. This glorious figure like a son of man is someone that has a true human nature, but is also greater than a man. It says that all people will worship Him. This is Jesus—true God and true Man. We know this for sure because many times in the Gospels Jesus calls Himself the Son of Man, and even says that He will come on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matt 24:30). He received His kingdom from the Father even as He said (Matt. 28). And His kingdom was first established at His first coming, when He became man during the Roman Empire. 

At that time, He did the work of His kingdom by suffering and dying for the sins of the world, rising to life in victory, and sitting down at the right hand of God to begin His reign.  And His kingdom goes on from right now until His final coming and even into eternity. Daniel sees all of this compressed into one big picture: Jesus is incarnate, born, suffered, died, risen, ascended, and coming again. Daniel sees all of this happen at once as the Son of Man receives His dominion from the Ancient of Days. And at the same time, God’s judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom (7:22). Because Jesus didn’t get His kingdom for His own benefit. He did it for us—for our salvation. All who believe in Him inherit His kingdom and we will reign with Him forever. Also, the coming and work of the Son of Man means that the little horn and all the forces of evil are already defeated. And when the King reappears, they will be thrown down to burn in the fire of hell.

Now this all means that almost all of this vision has already happened. All that remains to take place is the final appearance of Jesus and the final judgment. Isn’t that wonderful? But that also means the danger of the little horn is already here. This is the danger of false teaching—the corruption of the Gospel. We must be on guard against that now. St. John in his First Epistle says that there are many antichrists active right now (1 John 2). All false teachers serve that office of Antichrist. They can be Protestants who teach falsely on the End Times or deny the power of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They can be politicians who use Christianity for their own purposes and make it mean whatever they want. They might even include Islam, which pushes itself as an alternative to Christianity. And these false teachers definitely include the office of the Pope of the Roman Church. Now listen to me carefully: when I say the Papacy is Antichrist, I don’t say that to ridicule or demean Roman Catholic Christians, but to warn them. And we should certainly warn our brothers and sisters in Christ that if they trust in their own works as the papacy teaches then they cannot be saved. We say this only out of love. But because Paul tells us that the man of lawlessness will rule IN the Church, then recognizing the pope as Antichrist also means that the Roman Church is still a part of the one holy Christian and apostolic Church. And that means there are many true Christians there. The only thing we condemn as Antichrist is the office of the papacy as it commands and promotes false teachings and practices.

So, instead of listening to the great and evil words of the little horn, Daniel’s vision focuses our attention on the kingdom of God that is already ours because of God’s free grace in Christ’s death and resurrection. Daniel’s vision teaches us at least four important things. First, God governs all world history for the sake of His kingdom and His people. Second, God’s kingdom comes only through the Christ: the Man who is God. Third, God’s people receive this kingdom. Believers receive what belongs to Christ: His righteousness, His resurrection, His eternal kingdom where they reign with their King. And fourth, this should comfort and encourage God’s people even now while they face suffering and persecution.

I know Lutherans don’t talk about the End Times that much. But that’s because we don’t need to worry about it too much. We know who the King is. We know He’s coming back. We are aware of false teachers and so we keep listening to the Truth. And we know the King is reigning now. He’s even with us now—in His Word and Sacraments. We know that we already live in His kingdom by faith. So, we live and work without fear, praying and longing for His return while doing what we should while here. We live with calm, confident faith. We live according to His promise that we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).

Come quickly + Lord Jesus. Amen.

Preached at Trinity, Clinton, IA and Immanuel, Charlotte, IA

Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year

Daniel 7:9–14

2 Peter 3:3–14

St. Matthew 25:31–46

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Last week, we heard Jesus prophesy about the End Times and the Final Judgment. We also heard from St. Paul about Jesus’ return and the resurrection of the dead. And we heard how some Christians get confused about the End Times and come up with strange and unbiblical ideas like the Rapture. Of course, I can understand why some people get confused—we’re reading and talking about things that have not happened yet, so Scripture often presents them to us in visions, with strange images and symbols. These visions can be quite confusing, and require careful interpretation, and sometimes we cannot say what each detail means precisely. Because, as I said, these are things that have not happened yet, and God has not chosen to lay out the future for us, but expects us to live by faith. So, even when you run across one of these prophetic visions that you don’t completely understand, that’s okay—you know your Savior, you trust His Word, and you know He is returning for you.

The visions of the End Times from the prophet Daniel can probably be the most confusing. I think a simple reason his visions seem less clear is that they were given in the Old Testament. They are more abstract, more symbolic, simply because Daniel had less historical references than the writers of the New Testament. See, for Daniel, not only was Jesus’ final coming in the future (so he had to use symbolic imagery), but also Jesus’ first coming—His birth, His dying and rising—were all in Daniel’s future, so even that was not crystal clear for Daniel in all its details, and he had to use symbolic imagery there too.

Things are clearer for us now because the chief events of salvation are in our history. We know the death and resurrection of Jesus as historical facts, rather than futuristic visions. Even though we don’t have all the answers about the End Times, we know more about Whom we are waiting for. We have a fuller picture of who our Savior is and what He is coming to do. So, today, we’ll go through Daniel’s vision of Judgment Day, and to explain it we can use the clearer descriptions that we have from Jesus and St. Peter.

So, we pick up Daniel’s vision: As I looked, thrones were placed,  and the Ancient of Days took His seat… the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. God’s court is convened and ready to issue His judgments. At the center is the Ancient of Days, God the Father who rules and judges all things. Surrounding Him are the thousands of angels who serve Him by carrying out His decrees, and before Him are the thousands upon thousands of people to be judged. 

So, this vision takes place in God’s throne room, the heavenly court, where all people are judged. And the books were opened. God sees and knows everything that we think, say, and do—there is a record of both our good deeds and our sins. Our hymn also used these books to symbolize the record God has on each one of us:

The books are opened then to all,

A record truly telling

What each has done, both great and small,

When he on earth was dwelling,

And ev’ry heart be clearly seen,

And all be known as they have been

In thoughts and words and actions (LSB 508:3).

Although the Books are not mentioned by Jesus, we see something similar in His description of Judgment Day. Jesus recounts the deeds of those on His right and those on His left. However, there is something we should notice of how Jesus keeps His records. For those on His left, those who do not believe in Jesus, their record only includes sin and lack of good deeds, because without faith in Jesus it is impossible to please God. Without faith, God’s record books will show that they are unrighteous and deserving of punishment. But for those on Jesus’ right, those who believe in Him, their record only includes their good works. By Baptism and faith their names were written into the most important record book of all: the Lamb’s Book of Life. That means the record of their sins has been expunged, blotted out by the blood of the Lamb, and all that remains to be recounted are the good works these Christians have done by faith in Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

On Judgment Day, God’s books will be opened, but for you who trust in Christ, God’s judgment is that you are innocent, forgiven, set free to live forever.

     My Savior paid the debt I owe

And for my sin was smitten;

Within the Book of Life I know

My name has now been written.

I will not doubt for I am free, 

And Satan cannot threaten me;

There is no condemnation!

     May Christ our intercessor be

And through His blood and merit

Read from His book that we are free

With all who life inherit. 

Then we shall see Him face to face,

With all His saints in that blest place

Which He has purchased for us (LSB 508:5–6).

Now, Daniel’s vision also shows us what will happen to Satan and his evil allies. Daniel’s vision included four beasts who rule the world and fight against God. In the book of Revelation it is made more clear that the final beast is the antichrist, the one who tries to take the place of Christ and lead His people astray. In Daniel’s vision, the antichrist is symbolized by a horn on the fourth beast’s head, and this horn speaks great words, blasphemous words against God and His saints. But in God’s courtroom, this beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. This is the fate of Satan and all his followers. As Jesus also points out, the eternal fire of hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. The devil’s time of power and influence will come to an end. The devil does not torment people after death, but he himself will be tormented by the fires of God’s wrath.

This final destruction by fire is also in store for this present creation. St. Peter compares the end of this world to the destruction of the Flood. Mankind rejected God and turned so far away from Him that He decided to destroy them, except for Noah and his family. So, along with that wicked generation, the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. In a similar way, this world will be brought to an end, along with the devil and all the forces of evil. St. Peter tells us: The heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly… The heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

But now, Daniel’s vision turns from that fiery destruction to the glorious coming of the true King: Behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. This is none other than Jesus the Christ. To say that He is the Son of Man means more than that He is a true man, but it means He is the truest Man—the representative, the substitute, the Savior of the human race. He is the Son of God who became a man, the son of Mary, so that He could suffer and die for the sins of the world, rise again and open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. All that is bound up in this term, the Son of Man.

And that is why this Son of Man was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. We know that the Son is equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit within the Godhead. But what we see in Daniel’s vision is that Jesus is given a throne at the Father’s right hand, not only as God, but as a Man, as the Christ. So, Jesus can say of the Last Day, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Jesus the King comes with all the authority given to Him by the Ancient of Days. He comes to execute His Father’s judgments. He is appointed to speak the Father’s pronouncements and make it known for all to hear who belongs in His kingdom.

Now, we know that all those who believe in Jesus belong in His kingdom—all who confess their sins and do not trust in their own worth, but trust only in the holy blood and righteousness of Jesus. Yet, St. Peter still urges us to consider what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness. If we are the people of God’s kingdom, then we must surely be about the work of that kingdom—living the way our King would have us live, according to His commandments, seeking to do His will, striving to reflect and show His holy name that He has given to us. If we are truly blessed by the Father, if we are truly called by His name, then we must also live like it. Good works do not save a Christian, but they are necessary. Good works show forth the faith that is hidden in the heart. And when a Christian does good for his neighbor, the King accepts it as a good work done for Him. Live lives of holiness and godliness, so that you may also be among those who hear the King’s answer: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me.”

Take all these words and warnings seriously, from Daniel, Peter, and Jesus. Let the rich and fantastic imagery of these visions be etched into your mind and heart. Do not become complacent and imagine that none of this applies to you. Judgment Day will come to all and there are only two final destinations. And woe to those who scorned the Lord And sought but carnal pleasures, Who here despised His precious Word And loved their earthly treasures! The King will say to them, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” That destructive fire is not meant for you. It was only ever prepared for the devil and the demons. But if you reject the Lord and His Word, if you think you can enter heaven based on your efforts, your thoughts or feelings, then you also will end up in that same awful fire.

On the other hand, for those who love the Lord and listen to His Word, the King will say, “Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” This kingdom is not just for Jesus or God or the angels. It was always prepared for you! Do not doubt this word from your King. It is true even now, even while we are still waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God with prayer and hope and joy. According to our King’s promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. We look forward with joy to that new creation where Jesus will dwell with all of us who are righteous by faith in Him.

O Jesus Christ, do not delay,

But hasten our salvation;

We often tremble on our way

In fear and tribulation.

O hear and grant our fervent plea:

Come, mighty judge, and set us free

From death and ev’ry evil (LSB 508:7).

Come quickly + Lord Jesus. Amen.

Second to Last Sunday of the Church Year (Trinity 26)

St. Matthew 25:31–46

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Athanasian Creed is the third ecumenical creed, following the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. And like the other two, the Athanasian Creed includes the final judgment, but it gives a bit more detail: At the Lord’s coming all people will rise again with their bodies and give an account concerning their own deeds. And those who have done good will enter into eternal life, and those who have done evil into eternal fire. And all the Lutherans squirm in their pews. This can’t be right. We’re saved by grace alone through faith alone. We’re not saved by works. Or else the Roman Catholics are right and we’re wrong. But even if you got rid of this part in the Athanasian Creed, you still have to deal with Jesus and His parable of the sheep and the goats. At a glance, it sure looks like salvation by works. The sheep did good works and go to heaven, the goats did not and go to hell. But not so fast. Look again at their responses.

The King will say to the sheep, the ones on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” And here’s the amazing thing: the sheep protest! “When, Lord? When did we ever do any of those things for you? I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but I know I haven’t done all that.” The King is speaking the Gospel to the sheep and yet they hear an echo of the Law. “No way we have done all that. No way we are good enough.”

Then the King will say to the goats, the ones on His left, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” And the goats also protest, but in a much different way. “Lord, when did we see you in need and NOT serve you? Just look at our lives! When were we NOT good enough?”

Do you see what separates the sheep from the goats? It’s a matter of what they trust IN. The sheep don’t trust in their own works. They thought they were bad, but they go to heaven. The goats do trust in their own works. They thought they were good, but they go to hell. So it is still salvation by faith alone, and not be works. It’s all a matter of what your faith is IN.

There will be some surprises on the Last Day, when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him. Then He will sit on His glorious throne, and the books will be opened and the court will be in session, and the King will judge. There will be some surprises. The ones who know they don’t deserve heaven, will get it in. And the ones who think they do deserve it, won’t.

And yet, hell was never prepared for the goats. Hell was never prepared for any humans. The King says that the eternal fire was prepared for the devil and his angels. The only humans who go there are those who insist on their own way. You don’t go to hell because you committed sins. And you don’t go to hell because you didn’t do any good works. The only way you go to hell is if you don’t believe, if you reject the grace of God in Jesus Christ, if you don’t trust Him, if you reject God’s way and insist on doing things your own way, if you insist on your own goodness. If you want to be judged by your works, then you will be. Do you dare to stand before the Judge and say, “Yeah, I think I did pretty well. I think I’ve been a good enough person.” Then the King will tell you, “Depart from me, you cursed.”

The difference between the sheep and the goats is not only in their deeds but in their trust. God has made atonement for all of them in the death and resurrection of Jesus. He loved the whole world. And Christ redeemed the whole world, so that whoever believes in Him would have eternal life. So the sheep who do not trust in their own works, who even protest the King’s judgment that they did all those good things, they are the ones who trust in Jesus. “No way we did all these things, Lord. No way we’re good enough.” But the Lord gets the last word: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to me.” We might even expect the sheep to scoff a little at that. But they don’t. And they still don’t take credit. They don’t say, “Oh You’re right, Lord. Now I know what You’re talking about. That’s right. I am a good person. I did do all those things.” No. The sheep are silent. It’s all up to what the Lord says. And the Lord says, “Truly, I say to you… I don’t care what you think you’ve done, or how it seemed to you, or how you feel about it. This is what’s true: This is the great and happy exchange: I give you credit for My good work. I complete and bless what you have done – all your works that you did begrudgingly, the works you did without realizing it, I bless them and make them perfect. And, even more than that, I give you full credit for everything you have NOT done! I have kept the Law perfectly in your place – you get all the credit. You are blessed by My Father and heaven is for you. The Kingdom of Heaven has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Pay attention to that, dear sheep: heaven is prepared for you. It wasn’t prepared for the holy angels. Hell was prepared for the devil and the evil angels, not for the goats, but they go there because they insist on their own way. But heaven is prepared for you, for sinful humans redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. It’s not for good people, not for people who never had any doubts. The Kingdom of Heaven is prepared for you. You are meant to be there.

That also means that the verdict of Judgment Day won’t really be a surprise for the sheep, because they’ve already heard the Judge’s declaration during their life here on earth. The verdict was said at your Baptism with water and the name of God: “You are My beloved child, with you I am well pleased.” The verdict is repeated every time you hear the Lord Himself speak the words of absolution through the mouth of His minister: “I forgive you all your sins.” The verdict is given and confirmed as you eat and drink the body and blood of the Lamb: “This is for the forgiveness of all your sins and will preserve you to life everlasting.” With faith in Christ’s promises such as these, you know what’s in store for you on Judgment Day. You know you’ll only be judged on the basis of what the King Himself as done in your place. Christ’s work counts for you and everything you do in faith is a good work and pleasing to God your Father. Christ’s holy death and vindicating resurrection are yours.

And none of this is from ourselves or based on what we have done. It’s not even because we chose the winning team. We are the miserable beggars who have been chosen by a King. We are unworthy and yet He has declared us to be worthy. The King says to you now, as He will on the Last Day, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Come quickly, Lord + Jesus. Amen.