FIRST
READING: Revelation
18: 1 - 2, 21 - 23; 19:
1 - 3, 9
1
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great
authority; and the earth was made bright with his splendor.
2
And he called out with a mighty voice, "Fallen, fallen is
Babylon the great! It has become a dwelling place of demons, a haunt
of every foul spirit, a haunt of every foul and hateful bird;
21
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw
it into the sea, saying, "So shall Babylon the great city be
thrown down with violence, and shall be found no more;
22
and the sound of harpers and minstrels, of flute players and
trumpeters, shall be heard in thee no more; and a craftsman of any
craft shall be found in thee no more; and the sound of the millstone
shall be heard in thee no more;
23
and the light of a lamp shall shine in thee no more; and the voice of
bridegroom and bride shall be heard in thee no more; for thy
merchants were the great men of the earth, and all nations were
deceived by thy sorcery.
1
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great
multitude in heaven, crying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory
and power belong to our God,
2
for his judgments are true and just; he has judged the great harlot
who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he has avenged on
her the blood of his servants."
3
Once more they cried, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up
for ever and ever."
9
And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are
invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me,
"These are true words of God."
PSALM:
Psalms 100:
1 - 5
1
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands!
2
Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
3
Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we
are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give
thanks to him, bless his name!
5
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his
faithfulness to all generations.
GOSPEL:
Luke 21:
20 - 28
20
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that
its desolation has come near.
21
Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those
who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the
country enter it;
22
for these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all that is written.
23
Alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in
those days! For great distress shall be upon the earth and wrath upon
this people;
24
they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all
nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until
the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25
"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the
earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and
the waves,
26
men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the
world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27
And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power
and great glory.
28
Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your
heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
