Revelation
22:12-21
The lectionary for Easter 7C leaves out verse 15 of Revelation 22 presumably because verse 15 leaves out “dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” I don’t know about you but the Heinze household believes all dogs go to heaven except maybe Josh’s new puppy Lola who will need to be potty trained in purgatory before passing through the pearly gates. Verses 18 & 19 don’t make the lectionary lesson either but that probably has more to do with what one would add to Revelation rather than whatever one might leave behind. Truth is warning and welcome live side by side in these verses and we do a disservice to the scripture when we pick and choose even though denominations clearly intentionally discriminate. Those more liberal, or by self-definition progressive, need to acknowledge the nasty with the nice while those intent on saving sinners as long as they conform to a monochromatic color scheme need to look more closely at the Jesus who consistently colors outside the lines. Both sides should take note that while we argue about what verses to include or exclude the rest of the world doesn’t give a damn which I suppose doesn’t really matter if they really are all going to hell. But if Jesus died to make a difference then we better figure out a better way than “turn or burn” or “all paths lead to the same place” to speak the truth of Jesus so that the dogs in verse 15 might actually want to find a welcome place in verse 17.
The lectionary for Easter 7C leaves out verse 15 of Revelation 22 presumably because verse 15 leaves out “dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” I don’t know about you but the Heinze household believes all dogs go to heaven except maybe Josh’s new puppy Lola who will need to be potty trained in purgatory before passing through the pearly gates. Verses 18 & 19 don’t make the lectionary lesson either but that probably has more to do with what one would add to Revelation rather than whatever one might leave behind. Truth is warning and welcome live side by side in these verses and we do a disservice to the scripture when we pick and choose even though denominations clearly intentionally discriminate. Those more liberal, or by self-definition progressive, need to acknowledge the nasty with the nice while those intent on saving sinners as long as they conform to a monochromatic color scheme need to look more closely at the Jesus who consistently colors outside the lines. Both sides should take note that while we argue about what verses to include or exclude the rest of the world doesn’t give a damn which I suppose doesn’t really matter if they really are all going to hell. But if Jesus died to make a difference then we better figure out a better way than “turn or burn” or “all paths lead to the same place” to speak the truth of Jesus so that the dogs in verse 15 might actually want to find a welcome place in verse 17.
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