The symbolism of this Book of Revelation reaches now to a super-high level with the Lamb (Jesus) who had his own name and his Father’s name (God) written on their foreheads. Then also 144,000 (12 x 12 x 1,000). Is that the 12 tribes of Israel representing the law, and the prophets (Old Testament) and the 12 apostles representing the church founded by Christ on Peter? …
Is anyone understanding all of this, except the faithful ones who clearly stood with Christ now and will also after their deaths?
And it all sounds more than glorious and mystical and utterly a kind of almost explosion of God’s power and saving love poured forth for all those who remain with him in faith.
Once again, this book is clearly for those who want to swim through oceans and oceans of symbolism and do not get tired of trying to untangle it all.
End times! Those two words probably say it all!
Then we hear this story of Jesus observing a poor widow who gave her donation to the temple, putting in two small coins. We have heard this moment — this story — several times at liturgy recently about what Jesus saw in a seemingly meaningless act (since the coins amounted to nothing).
The woman was poor, but she gave everything that she had. She gave it all. She gave the most. Somehow, talking about end times and being prepared to meet the Lord and living faithfully until the end, this story about this woman sums it up very well. In giving it all away, she found (at least by Jesus’ observation) so much more.
Jesus keeps trying to teach us the value of being last (and finding first) — giving all, and receiving so much more in return. Without even knowing it, this poor widow taught Jesus’ lesson with super clarity.
