2024/02/26

132. The Completion of the Liturgy of the Mass and the First Resurrection

Based on the previous discussion, let us return to the Book of Revelation and continue our discussion of the Prophecy of the Completion of the Liturgy of the Mass (Revelation 19-20) in the Prophetic Composition of Revelation (cf. diagram of blog № 120), which we dealt with in blog № 121. 

In retrospect, the prophecy of the completion of the liturgy of the Mass commends the judgement of the fallen Church in the beginning (19:1-4). Next, the completion of the Mass liturgy is prophesied on the basis of the fulfilment of the prophecy of the establishment of the New Testament (19:5-10). Therefore, in preparation for the completed Mass liturgy, the faithful undergo various forms of purification by the Holy Spirit (cf. blog№ 98-105) and are purged of the greed created by human knowledge and experience (19:11-21). The second half describes what happens during and after the celebration of the Mass with the actual completed liturgy (20:1-15). 

The term 'thousand years,' which appears frequently here, refers to the period during which the Mass with the completed liturgy is celebrated 'with the Lord' as Peter wrote in his letter, "But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8). During this time and space, neither 'human accidental information' nor evil spirits can be involved (20:1-4). 

This time, I will start the discussion with the following statement: "Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection" (20:4-5). 

"[T]he souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God" are those to whom the 'breath of life' and the 'tree of life' were connected thanks to the word of God, distinguishing the 'human accidental information' that Jesus testified. In these people, the 'likeness of God' becomes manifested (cf. blog№ 129). They never act at the mercy of their 'knowledge and memory proportionate to man,' which has taken in 'human accidental information' as their own knowledge without distinction (cf. blog №130). They become like, so to speak, "those who have been beheaded." That is why they "had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands." Since it says 'souls', they are a living people. 

When they enter the Mass liturgy, put at the heart of their daily routine, they are given the Word and the daily bread and "come to life." The phrase "reigned with Christ a thousand years" describes how they all concentrate on the reality of staying with Christ during the Mass liturgy. 

Even today, the celebration of the Mass brings great blessings to the people. However, the Mass liturgy must be completed and perfected so that all believers may have the 'blessedness' of becoming holy and partake in the 'first resurrection' while alive. That means that the work of the Holy Spirit becomes visible there.

Maria K. M.