Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Part Four: The Dead Will Rise to Life

12 ^(A) Michael, the chief of the angels, is the protector of your people, and he will come at a time of terrible suffering, the worst in all of history. And your people who have their names written in The Book^[a] will be protected. ^2 (B) Many of those who lie dead in the ground will rise from death. Some of them will be given eternal life, and others will receive nothing but eternal shame and disgrace. ^3 (C) Everyone who has been wise will shine as bright as the sky above, and everyone who has led others to please God will shine forever like the stars.

(A special psalm by David.)

The Best Choice

^11 (A) The priests do their work each day, and they keep on offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. ^12 (B) But Christ offered himself as a sacrifice that is good forever. Now he is sitting at God's right side,^{[a] 13} and he will stay there until his enemies are put under his power. ¹⁴ By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God.

¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also speaks of this by telling us that the Lord said,

¹⁸ When sins are forgiven, there is no more need to offer sacrifices.

Encouragement and Warning

¹⁹ My friends, the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most holy place ²⁰ by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself.

²¹ We have a great high priest who is in charge of God's house. ^22 (A) So let's come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let's keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water. ²³ We must hold tightly to the hope we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us. ²⁴ We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things. ²⁵ Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer.

The Temple Will Be Destroyed

(Matthew 24.1,2; Luke 21.5,6)

13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look at these beautiful stones and wonderful buildings!”

² Jesus replied, “Do you see these huge buildings? They will certainly be torn down! Not one stone will be left in place.”

Warning about Trouble

(Matthew 24.3-14; Luke 21.7-19)

³ Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him in private. ^4 (A) They asked, “When will these things happen? What will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

⁵ Jesus answered:

Watch out and don't let anyone fool you! ⁶ Many will come and claim to be me. They will use my name and fool many people.

⁷ When you hear about wars and threats of wars, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end. ⁸ Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. There will be earthquakes in many places, and people will starve to death. But this is just the beginning of troubles.