Psalm 89:1-18; 1 Maccabees 3:1-24; Revelation 20:7-15; Matthew 17:1-13
Judas Maccabeus was convinced of the same thing all parties to war have in common, that God was on his side. It would certainly seem that God was with him as he fought against armies much greater than his own force and defeated them. He, like David before him, had songs written to recollect his mighty deeds and, like David, he indeed triumphed against overwhelming odds. Judas was willing to take any risk because he believed that his strength was not in superior numbers but in God alone, and that faith was rewarded in victories over his enemies who were indeed the enemies of Yahweh.
As Jesus approaches the end of His ministry, it is important that the disciples understand who He truly is. He takes James, John and Peter with Him to this meeting with God the Father, Moses and Elijah and allows them to see what no one could have imagined. Clearly these represent the law and the prophets but also Moses has promised that another like him will come (Deut. 18) and Elijah, having been taken up in a whirlwind, is expected to return in advance of Messiah (Malachi 4.5). As the disciples see clearly and hear, Jesus stands alone, He is the beloved Son to whom they should listen, they don’t have to compare anything they hear to what they think they find in the law and the prophets, Jesus will speak plainly and His Words are from God the Father, without mediation or interpretation. What does Jesus say to them? "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead." He tells them that he will suffer at the hands of men, they have been told what is coming. He will passively offer Himself to this end but He will be raised from the dead.
After the thousand years, satan is released from his imprisonment in preparation for the final battle. The Lord allows him to raise up an army to fight against the Lord’s armies but in the end there is no battle, fire consumes them as they encircle the Lord’s army and all, including satan, are consigned to the lake of fire. This only comes, however, when it looks as though all is lost. The army stands in need of a miracle and receives one. Then comes the day of judgment on all flesh but also, it seems on death and Hades itself which are thrown into the lake of fire. All are judged according to their deeds but those whose names are written in the book of life are given eternal life while those whose names are not found there are thrown into the lake. What deeds are judged? We are called to live in concert with our professed faith, our deeds should spring from faith and also reveal our faith.
Come, thou incarnate Word,
gird on thy mighty sword,
our prayer attend!
Come, and thy people bless,
and give thy word success,
Spirit of holiness,
on us descend!
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