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Deaconess's Page |
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White-Robed and Victorious
It doesn't matter what season it is or what
holiday it is, there are always trials and
tribulations. Hard times never come at a
good time. There are heartaches and pains.
There are deaths and there is sadness.
There are also joys and births, however,
within all those sorrows. As we travel in
our journey in our Christian faith, we
always know the outcome and ending: Christ.
On many calendars, the Sunday of the
Festival of Pentecost is often referred to
as “White Sunday.” This is because it
refers to the garments of the newly
baptized. We were dressed in white in Holy
Baptism to remind us that we have been
washed in the blood of the Lamb. In
confirmation rites, we often wear white to
remind us of our baptisms. In Holy Baptism,
we are given grace and confirmation reminds
us of God’s amazing grace.
At times, though, it can be difficult to
keep in mind that we are dressed in “white
robes,” that we are covered in the precious
blood of Christ. We may feel as if we are
naked and vulnerable, especially during hard
times. In trials and tribulations, we many
times dwell in fear and anxiety. Many
believe that “the Great Tribulation” will
happen in the future while others think that
it has already happened. It is a common
idea that the world will get worse before
anything gets better. That is why so many
people believe that this world is ending
because of the earthquakes and volcanoes we
have been experiencing. But this is not the
only way to see things. It is not that we
are getting near the end of the world; it is
that we are in the end of the world already.
Christ’s death was the beginning of the
end. The Great Tribulation has come in
Christ’s death.
“Then one of the elders asked me, ‘These
in white robes- who are they, and where did
they come from?’ I answered, ‘Sir, you
know.’ And he said, ‘These are they who have
come out of the great tribulation; they have
washed their robes and made them white in
the blood of the Lamb.’”
Every tribulation that shakes our faith
and makes us doubt is “a Great
Tribulation.” Many of us may say, “I have
been in this for awhile!” And that is just
what it is; we have already experienced, are
experiencing and shall experience great
tribulation. Cancer for a Christian can be
one’s great tribulation. Losing a grandma
can be a great tribulation. Every problem we
have physically and spiritually that makes
us doubt can be a great tribulation.
But no matter how great this tribulation is,
we have one who is greater. And He tells us
how everything will end. He tells us that
we shall be brought through this
Great Tribulation. “In this life you will
have trials and tribulations…but take heart,
I have overcome the world!” Jesus tells us
that no matter how great this tribulation
seems, those who have died and have been
raised in Christ’s death and resurrection
for us will pass through it unscathed! God
will guard us until the end. We are more
certain about the future than we are about
the specifics of the present.
We are going to be the ones who…
"…are before the throne of God and serve him
day and night in his temple; and he who sits
on the throne will spread his tent over
them. Never again will they hunger; never
again will they thirst. The sun will not
beat upon them nor any scorching heat. For
the Lamb at the center of the throne will be
their shepherd; he will lead them to springs
of living water. And God will wipe away
every tear from their eyes.”
Alleluia!
Our Lord never tells us how we shall get
through this, but He promises that we shall
get through. He promises that He will be
with us as we get through it with Him.
God’s people will make it to the Promised
Land unscathed. They will make it. We
shall make it. Never again shall we hunger
because our Lord will be our food. Never
again will the sun smite us by day because
He will be our shade. Never again shall we
thirst because He will be the living water
for us! No more shall we cry because He
will be their joy in the morning. We are
dressed in white robes that have been washed
in the blood of the Lamb and we can rejoice
in this with all the saints.
Mercy, peace and love,
Deaconess Rojas |
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