Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

A psalm of David when he was in the Desert of Judah.

The Time of the End

12 “At that time Michael will appear. He is the great prince of the angels. He guards your people. There will be a time of terrible suffering. Things will be worse than at any time since nations began. But at that time of suffering your people will be saved. Their names are written in the book of life. ² Many people who lie dead in their graves will wake up. Some will rise up to life that will never end. Others will rise up to shame that will never end. ³ Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the sky. Those who lead many others to do what is right will be like the stars for ever and ever. ⁴ But I want you to roll up this scroll, Daniel. Seal it until the time of the end. Many people will go here and there to increase their knowledge.”

The Letter to the Church in Sardis

3 “Here is what I command you to write to the church in Sardis.

Here are the words of Jesus, who holds the seven spirits of God. He has the seven stars in his hand. He says,

‘I know what you are doing. People think you are alive, but you are dead. ² Wake up! Strengthen what is left, or it will die. You have not done all that my God wants you to do. ³ So remember what you have been taught and have heard. Hold firmly to it. Turn away from your sins. If you don’t wake up, I will come like a thief. You won’t know when I will come to you.

⁴ ‘But you have a few people in Sardis who are pure. They aren’t covered with evil like dirty clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, because they are worthy. ⁵ Here is what I will do for anyone who has victory over sin. I will dress that person in white like those worthy people. I will never erase their names from the book of life. I will speak of them by name to my Father and his angels. ⁶ Whoever has ears should listen to what the Holy Spirit says to the churches.’