#heaven st. john | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

enbyonmandalore · 11 months

Text

Somebody Wins, Somebody Won't

König x OC Heaven "Satan" St. John

Rating: SFW 18+

Word Count: many

Warnings: ANGST, abuse, death, description of a PTSD episode, graphic descriptions of wounds, mention of firearms/weapons, torture, violence typical to the CoD franchise

Summary: Ghost, Soap, König and Fender are on a mission to retrieve intel and disable enemy weaponry. Mission itself goes fine, but evac is botched when the pilots go MIA.

A/N: More or less inspired by the phrase "Brutalize me, I will heal."

__________________________________________________________

Somebody Wins, Somebody won't

"Bravo 0-7, come in.", crackled Soap's voice through the radio. "Something's wrong."

"Cut out the pessimism, Sergeant.", Ghost answered, careful not to trip over roots or fallen branches on his way to the evac site. They -meaning himself and Soap- had been on a mission along with two men from KorTac, who were currently sharing a base with the 141. Soap had split off from the main group and now they had to rendezvous at the evacuation site, where there was a helo waiting for them.

"No, I mean it Lt.", the radio squawked again.

Soap was not far from the evac site. He'd been making sure the surrounding area was clear before approaching the helo where Satan and their co-pilot were waiting to pick them up. He was watching the helo closely through the scope of his sniper rifle, when he noticed the uneasy feeling creeping up his spine. Normally there would be some sort of movement, but everything was perfectly still.

"Lt., I can't reach the helo team on comms.", he informed Ghost, not taking his eyes off of the helicopter the entire time.

"Us neither. Don't approach until we get there."

By now a fleeting suspicion had also crossed Ghost's mind, but he didn't say it aloud in hopes he didn't accidentally manifest it into reality. The two KorTac men exchanged a quick glance, but remained silent. They both had their rifles ready, though, weary of their surroundings as always.

Soap saw the trio coming and made himself known, so Ghost didn't accidentally shoot him. After briefly checking in with each other, they approached the helo sitting in the clearing in front of them; Ghost went in first, rifle drawn. Immediately a feeling of dread rose in Soap's chest and he snuk a look at the big bastard from KorTac - the one Satan obviously fancied. The man had to hunch over as to not hit his head.

"Suspicion confirmed. Signs of a struggle.", came Ghost's voice from the front. He emerged from the cockpit holding something in his hand. A dropped knife with blood on the blade.

"Pilots are gone."

They managed to inform HQ via radio. Captain Price was anything but pleased that his boys were stuck in the middle of enemy infested territory, but he promised to send another helicopter to get them all out of there and instructed them to stay silent and vigilant for the time being. He strictly forbid Ghost from flying the stranded chopper himself. Price would be the one to inform the leader of KorTac, a burly Irishman called Declan Conor. When the second helicopter had arrived and flown them back to the safety of their shared headquarters, Captain Price and Conor immediately sat the four of them down to debrief and discuss. It was a unanimous agreement that Satan and their co-pilot -a woman by the name of Joanna "Gem" Smith- had to be found. They were vital for the success of the mission and knew too much to be left for dead.

Conor agreed to let Price lead the upcoming search and rescue mission, on the condition that he himself could accompany Fender and König. Both Soap and Ghost were also on board.

Heaven's boots scraped on the concrete floor as their limp body hung between the two men dragging them through the corridor and towards an isolated room. They were missing their plate carrier and helmet, barely conscious having taken the butt of a rifle to the face moments before. But every last fiber in their body was willing to fight. Fight to survive, fight to stay calm. They didn't want to go out like this, but they would if that's what it took to keep the mission from failing. That was a risk that came with the job. Somebody wins, somebody won't. Heaven just hoped that the others were aware of what had happened, that they were safe. Gem's body lay somewhere in the woods, having fought one of the attackers to the death. A shame, really. Joanna had been a good soldier. But death was probably preferable to what their attackers had in store for them next.

Inside the room at the end of the corridor, the two men wrestled Satan to their knees, tugging their arms up and cuffing them to a chain hanging from the ceiling, forcing them into an incredibly compromising, vulnerable position.

One of them reached to pull off their balaclava, just as a third man entered the room.

"Shiiiiit, Captain. This one's seen better times.", he exclaimed with a sarcastic sneer as he revealed Satan's scarred and bruised visage. They stared up at the men through their brows. Hatred boiled in their veins and they had to concentrate on remaining calm. But the pain in their joints and the feeling of blood running down their temple was ever-present.

The Captain stepped forward, grabbing Satan by the chin and forcing them to look directly at his face. His analyzing gaze caught on their burn scars, but Satan didn't budge. In fact they had to resist the urge to spit at him, knowing exactly what kind of treatment that would get them.

"Hmh", he grunted, "Looks like this is going to be a lot of work, but they will talk. I want everything they know. Where the rest of them went, everything."

He sounded Russian. The way he pronounced his A's and R's gave it away. The other man hadn't had such an accent. He motioned for his two goons to take over and left the room, slamming the metal door behind him.

"Alright", said the first man, grabbing a handful of Satan's hair and pulling it so hard he might as well just snap their neck instead. "Tell us what you know and this will be over soon."

"Ní labhraím le Rúisigh.", Satan growled through gritted teeth. I don't talk to Russians.

"What the fuck did you just say?", the second man now said. He didn't have an accent either - hired guns, most likely.

"Téigh fuck duit féin." Go fuck yourself.

As a response, the man to their right kicked them in the stomach. Satan gasped, unable to bend over in pain.

"I am going to fucking break you, until the only thing you can still do is talk.", the other man said and Satan deduced that he ranked higher than the other man. He turned around briefly and grabbed something off of a table. When he turned back and made eye contact with Satan, they froze. He held up a large combat knife and began cutting away at their uniform shirt. Once the shirt was in shreds, he crouched down to their level.

"Maybe this is going to loosen your tongue..."

The men started taking turns kicking and punching them for every question left unanswered. Again and again. And still the only words from Satan's lips were curses in their mother tongue. With every passing minute, the guy in charge got angrier. Next, he used their back and chest as a cutting board. The deeper he cut, the more ragged Satan's breath became and against their better judgement they screamed out in agony. Memories from the exorcism began flooding their brain. They were back there. This was it.

Satan was still screaming even after the men had stopped actively hurting them. Their eyes wide and panicked, a thousand mile stare. They could barely breathe.

"Now will you speak fucking English?", one of the men barked and waved a handgun in their face, momentarily snapping them out of their haze. "Or I'm sticking this in your gullet and pulling the trigger."

"It's too late.", Satan whispered, voice hoarse, their mind slowly fading. It was wandering to places where it definitely shouldn't be, their brain desperately fighting against itself, trying to protect Heaven from the flashbacks. They felt their body go numb.

"My body is here, but inside... Inside I'm...n-not there."

Next thing they knew was one of the men swinging a crowbar, knocking them out.

"Brace!"

Everyone ducked as the small pack of explosives blew up the lock, leaving the door hanging crookedly on one hinge. König kicked it open like the battering ram he was, Conor and Soap directly behind him. They almost stumbled into him as he stopped dead in his tracks and Soap muttered a curse word König didn't understand.

He mumbled a quiet "Oh Scheiße" himself and made space for the other two to enter the room. "Soap, inform Price. We found them."

"Aye!", Soap replied, followed the order and radioed his Captain.

Conor kept watch at the door, while König got down on one knee in front of the lifeless figure in the middle of the room. He brought his hand up to Satan's neck to check for a pulse and they flinched at his touch. Alive enough to react.

"It's okay, it's okay!", he said quickly, crouching down even further so they could see him better. "Hey, hey! It's me, König!"

It took a moment for Satan to stop struggling against his touch. König understood though, seeing the terrible condition they were in. Battered and bruised all over, deep purple marks around their neck and fresh lacerations on their chest and back that would no doubt leave nasty new scars.

"...König?" Satan's voice was weak and shaky. They had to visibly fight to lift their head enough to make eye contact. "Soap", they croaked and the Scotsman nodded.

"We need to get you outta here, Heaven.", he said, fishing for something in his pocket. "Hold still!"

Soap busted the handcuffs in under 30 seconds. Satan almost fell on their face and the other two soldiers quickly helped them to their feet, holding them up by their underarms.

"Can ye stand, lad?"

No answer.

"It's alright", König intervened, "I'll carry them. You cover me."

There was no time to look for a shirt or thelike to cover up Satan's torso, they had to move quickly. Conor had already informed Ghost and Fender and they would RV outside. König carefully hoisted Satan's abused body onto his arms, cautious to keep their head stable and a close to his chest as possible, ready to shield them with his own body if he had to. The now four of them made their way out of the enemy compound.

"Stay awake, please, stay with me", König repeated like a mantra as Satan's eyes began to roll back. They winced in pain as they turned their head to look around in confusion. They had no idea what was happening, their mind still too disconnected from their body to really take in the situation at hand.

"Come on, you'll live.", they heard a familiar voice say, it drowned out the roaring of their own blood in their ears for a moment, coating their brain like honey would a sore throat.

Soap shouted for a medic as soon as they arrived back on base. Captain Price was already there, pulling Conor to the side immediately. Two medics rushed by to take care of Satan and König, reluctantly, let them go.

The white light was blinding and it hurt their eyes. Heaven wanted to cover their eyes, shield them from the brightness that assaulted all of their senses at once, but moving was near impossible. Their breath caught in their lungs, every fiber of their being ready to continue fighting for their life.

"Easy there", a voice came through to them. "Satan, it's okay."

It was a friendly, warm voice. Their skin was prickling and they were overcome by a sudden urge to tear it off - tear off whatever was constricting them, holding them in place.

"Whoa, whoa! Stop, you need those!"

"You're safe!", another voice chimed in. This one sounded the way the sun felt on one's bare face after a long, cold winter.

It finally made them open their eyes.

"Deep breaths, okay?", Captain Price said. He sat on a chair to their right, his dark watchful eyes on them. Heaven only now noticed that they were hyperventilating. They also noticed that they were hooked up to several pieces of medical equipment, multiple cables connected their body to beeping screens and IV drips. It was itchy.

"Welcome back, Satan.", Price smiled and lifted his hand from their wrist where he'd been stopping them from clawing at an IV needle. Heaven felt dizzy looking around, so they tried to focus on Price. He looked about as shitty as Heaven felt, dark circles under his eyes and a crease of worry on his forehead.

"Gottseidank you're okay.", they heard the other voice say again, accompanied by a heavy sigh. It was the voice that had woken them up from their delirium and the accent gave it away - it was König on the other side of their bed.

"Don't worry, you will heal.", he reassured them and Heaven felt him touch their arm. It look them a lot of strength, but they managed to turn their head in his direction. They wanted to speak, tell him that they were going to be alright, but their throat already protested at the thought of having to form coherent words.

"I...", they whispered, "I always do."

König looked up from fidgeting with his hands. Their eyes met and the unbelievable amount of worry Heaven saw in his eyes almost tore their heart to pieces. So much emotion showing through two holes in a mask.

Don't worry about me., they wanted to say, but they could only cough.

"Enemy fucked you up pretty bad, but he's right, Satan.", Captain Price spoke again. "You'll heal soon and we'll get you a psych eval, just to be sure."

With great effort, Heaven shook their head No. Attempting to make their voice as clear as possible, they cleared their throat once before they answered. "No, Sir. I'm fine."

Price cocked his head and lifted an eyebrow. Heaven suddenly realized how much their face hurt.

"They didn't...break me. Only my body."

"Well...", Price sighed in response, "I suppose that's one way to put it. You aren't missing any body parts."

After a moment of silence he added: "You are still getting that psych eval. That's an order."

Heaven attempted a smile, but quickly grimaced from the pain. The Captain stood up, placing a careful hand on Heaven's shoulder. "I have some reports to write. You get some more rest. This button here", he showed them a bright red button on a cable next to their hand, "will call the medic on shift, yeah?"

Satan nodded and Captain Price turned to leave. Before he reached the door, though, he turned back around and fixated König.

"Let my pilot rest, please."

"Yes, Sir.", König replied and lifted both hands to show compliance. Price nodded sternly and finally left.

"Hey", Heaven whispered to König.

"Hey", he said back.

"How long was I out for?"

"A day. Medics have you on the good stuff." Heaven didn't need to see his face to know that he was half-smiling under his hood. They lost themselves in thought for a while, before speaking up again.

"König?", they asked and he almost flinched, as if he, too, had been deep in thought. "Can you...hold my hand?"

"Oh- Of course." He reached for their left hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. It helped Heaven to ground themselves, to stay in reality and not drift off again. His familiar presence was soothing. Sitting silently beside them, König was thankful Heaven couldn't see his face. He was suddenly very aware of his own body, having not left Heaven's side the entire time. He wasn't sure what to say or do in this moment, he didn't want to ruin it. So he just let them hold his hand, listened to the rhythm of their breath that became steadier by the minute.

The next time he looked at their face, Heaven's eyes were closed, fast asleep.

__________________________________________________________

This fanfiction is property of @enbyonmandalore (Tumblr). I do not own any of the characters associated with the Call Of Duty franchise. Do not repost/crosspost on other accounts or websites, edit, translate or otherwise change this piece of writing. Rebloging is fine, reposting is not.

13 notes · View notes

catholicsaintquotes33ad · 1 year

Text

Feast Day: Saint John Bosco - Ora Pro Nobis !

#St. John Bosco #St. John Bosco Quotes #Saint John Bosco #Saint John Bosco Quotes #Bosco Quotes #Heaven #saint quotes #catholic saint quotes #catholic saints

54 notes · View notes

tomicscomics · 2 years

Photo

06/24/2022

Just for five minutes?

___

JOKE-OGRAPHY: 1. In this Bible story, Jesus and friends are heading to Jerusalem. They try to stay in a Samaritan village, but the Samaritans won't take them in. The brothers, James and John, ask Jesus if He wants them to call down fire from Heaven to wipe out a town that disrespected Him. He does not. Some people think this is why Jesus starts calling them the "Sons of Thunder". 2. In the second panel, John tells Jesus, "Only say the word and our souls shall have that power," which is a play on the part of Mass where we say, "Only say the word and our souls shall be healed."

#jesus #james #john #st james #st john #sons of thunder #bible #samaritan #good samaritan #blowing up entire villages just for being jerks #i tell you what #if every town that disrespected jesus had fire from heaven called down upon it you could roast a marshmallow from orbit

225 notes · View notes

venusleontios55555 · 7 months

Text

Best Fictional Characters to date (not ranked) Part - 2!

1. Ian Miller (My Big Fat Greek Wedding): John Corbett has portrayed Ian Millers' character fantastically. Perhaps one of the greenest flags in movie history, Ian is a kind and gentle teacher who falls in love with a Greek woman named Toula. Who comes from a conservative but highly loving Greek family. In order to be with the woman he loves, he was ready to be baptised and accepted by her family without hesitation. He also never once berated her or gave up on her family and was the most loving and kindest husband anyone could get. (He is really underrated though)

2. Hua Cheng (Heaven Officials Blessing): My Heaven Officials Blessing's fans know that Hua Cheng is the definition of the word Green Flag only for Xie Lian. This man defeated 33 military gods for Xie Lian, DIES multiple times for this man only to be reincarnated, and is one of the most loving and loyal people in the fictional world. Ps: my favorite quote by Hua Cheng right before he dies again (don't worry he reincarnates is " I am forever your most devoted believer". God, I am crying again.

3. Leo Valdez (Heroes of Olympus): HE DIED TO GO BACK TO OGYGIA! I REPEAT HE DIED TO GO BACK TO OGYGIA! JUST TO SAVE CALYPSO!!!! (From what I remember), THIS MAN IS SO ADORABLE!!!!! I CAN'T EVEN DESCRIBE HIM. OH MY GOD. (I am hyperventilating send help).

4. Harry Cameron (The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo): Even though he was not exactly an official love interest. Harry Cameron is the kind of friend everyone needs. He was kind, patient, and understanding and stood by Evelyn through every moment of her life. he even agreed to be Evelyn's beard so she could be with Celia, and he could be with the quarterback he fell in love with John. And (not my words) " their friendship and love was so genuine that at some point it causes Monique to think that the actual platonic soulmates are Evelyn and Harry"

5. Niles Crane (Frasier): Before anyone tells me Niles was creepy... zip it. I know he was a tiny bit creepy. But also remember this was a sitcom in the 90s! It was usually shown as a form of comedy. And considering other fictional characters (as far as my knowledge goes). Niles Crane was the sweetest and the nicest character who wholeheartedly fell in love with Daphne. Even though at the start the audience was led to believe that he only fell for Daphne for her looks... it was not exactly true, as throughout the series we see him pursue her, care for her, and try to make every dream of hers come true. (Like going to England to get her dad). And even when she gained 60 pounds he never even mocked her or taunted her, instead he never even noticed her weight gain or appearance till she fell on the floor and could not get up. This is quite interesting because 90s and early 2000s sitcoms always made it a point to make fun of fat female characters. (Ok now I know Frasier and Martin had made unsavory remarks but this is about Niles's treatment of Daphne). But I did not like the way he treated Mel.

" KEEP YOUR STANDARDS AS HIGH AS THE SKY"

PS: This was just my opinion, I am sure everyone feels differently

9 notes · View notes

dramoor · 10 months

Photo

A certain famous theologian fervently and constantly prayed to God for eight years, asking Him to reveal a person capable of showing him a direct and true path to the acquisition of the heavenly kingdom. One day when this theologian was especially filled with a strong desire to find such a person and was incapable of thinking of anything else, he increased his prayers. Suddenly, he heard an invisible heavenly voice that said to him, "Go outside the doors of the church and you will find the person you seek."

The theologian, obedient to the voice, immediately went out and found a beggar in rags sitting at the doors of the church. His knees were covered with scabs and seeping with pus. The wise theologian approached him and said, "A good and fortunate morning to you, old man!"

The beggar answered, "I have never had an evil or unfortunate day in my life." The theologian, desiring to correct his greeting, changed it. "May God send you all possible benefits!”

The poor man answered, "God has never sent me anything but good."

The theologian wondered if he had gone deaf. So he tried a different approach. "What is the matter with you, old man? I desire you to have abundance in all things.”

The old man answered, "I have never lacked anything."

The theologian, thinking that the man might prove to be talkative, and desiring to test his knowledge, said, "I would like for all your desires in this life to be fulfilled. I hope God sends you everything you wish."

"I seek none of those things that you desire for me. Everything occurs according to my wishes if I make no plans for my life, but live soley by God's will."

The theologian said, "May God preserve you, good man, for your lack of desire for a prosperous life. But I beg you, tell me, are you the only blessed beggar in the world? Were these words of Job spoken in vain?" 'For mortal man born of woman is short-lived and full of wrath.' (Job 14:1) How are you alone delivered from all evil times and misfortunes? I do not understand your thoughts sufficiently.”

"Everything that I told you, master, I spoke the truth. When you desired that I have a good and prosperous morning, I answered that I never had an evil morning, because I am always content with the lot God gave me. I do not seek happiness and worldly success, and that gives me the greatest well-being. Ill fortune, prosperity, or calamities do no evil to anyone, except to those who either strongly desire them and run after them, or run away from them and fear their coming. I disdain money and do not make an idol of it. I only pray to the Heavenly Father, Who directs every person's life to the best, whether it be through joys or misfortunes. He knows completely whether joys or misfortunes are more salvific for a person. Therefore, I say that I have never experienced any misfortune, because everything in my life is as I wish. When I am hungry, I thank the all-seeing God for it. When I am burned by cold as by fire, or when rain or hail or snow pours down on me, I glorify God for it. If someone mocks me, strikes me, or insults me, I also thank God for it, for I am sure that this is allowed by god's will, and everything that God sends serves for my benefit and perfection. Thus, everything that God sends me or allows other people to do to me - whether pleasant or repugnant, whether sweet or bitter - I accept with equanimity. I accept everything as coming from the hand of the merciful Father, and I only desire that which God desires, and what it pleases Him to allow others to do to me. In this way, everything occurs by God's desire, which is also my own desire.

Whoever considers worldly happiness as something important and significant should be pitied. Equally miserable is the one who seeks fulfillment in anything worldly. The only true and unshakeable happiness and blessedness in this life is found by the one who sincerely, without doubt, commits himself to God's will and leads his life according to God's will, never opposing it. For the will of the Lord is the fullness of perfection and goodness; it never changes, and outside it there is no other better or more just will. I apply myself and my mind completely to always desire only that which God wants of his rational creation in general and of me in particular. Therefore, I have never been troubled; for I gave my will completely into the hands of God, and now the desire of my heart is the same as God's desire and providence for me, and I thank God for His mercy, even if it seems bitter."

"Is this wisdom you speak to me?" countered the theologian. "But tell me further, I beg you. If God willed to cast you into hell, would you think the same way?”

The beggar answered," Would God cast me into the abyss? Know this: I have two mighty hands with which I would grab God and not let go. One hand is humility, acquired by giving myself as a sacrifice to God; the other hand is love free of pretense for God, that pours forth from my deepest heart onto all my neighbors through my good deeds. With these hands I would grab God, and no matter where He would send me, I would take Him with me. Truly it would be better to be with God in hell than in heaven without Him.”

This answer surprised the theologian exceedingly. Internally, he acknowledged that the path revealed to him by the old beggar would lead to God directly, with no delusion. Truly, this was the most perfect of all ways leading to God. The wise man wanted to discover even more wisdom hidden under the crude mantle of the beggar.

"Where have you come from?" he asked. "I came from God." "Where did you find God?" "I found Him where I left all perishable things of this world." "Where did you leave God?" "I left Him in pure hearts and good will." "Who are you, old man? To what social class do you belong?" "Whoever I was, I am content with my lot and would not change it for the riches of all kings combined. Any person can be called a king if he wisely directs and rules over himself." "Are you a king?" asked the wise man. "Where is your kingdom?” "There," said the pauper, pointing up to heaven with his finger. "He is a king, whose kingdom is written in the book of fates.”

Desiring to put an end to all questions, the wise man asked the beggar, "Who taught you all that you have told me, who pout these words into your mind?"

"I will reveal this to you, my lord. All my days I spend in silence, prayer, or in good and pious meditation, and more than anything I constantly hold in my mind and memory the need to seek out new ways to more completely unite myself to God through limitless submission to His holy will. Such total consecration of one's self to God can teach a zealous person much that is true, good, and holy, both in knowledge and in life experience."

The theologian had many more questions, but he had a firm hope that he would find another good time for them, and he parted from the beggar by saying, "Be healthy, old man!"

Then he left him, mulling all this over. He said to himself, "Truly I found the best teacher of the right way to God."

Blessed Augustine said, "Sometimes the unlearned appear before us and teach us about the coming kingdom of heaven; we, with our wisdom, do not seek it with enough zeal, instead becoming attached to things here in this life, becoming defiled with the filth of flesh and blood."

Jesus Christ speaks of this same opposition between spiritual humble-mindedness and worldly wisdom in His prayer to God the Father: "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes [that is, the pure in heart]. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight" (Matthew 11:25-26).

Truly, dirty rags sometimes hide the greatest wisdom. And who would have thought or believed that in such a simple, unlearned man could be found such exalted knowledge of the Divine Essence? Who would think to find in such unlettered simplicity such elevation of thought as the poor man's image of two mighty hands clinging to God, that is, one's complete self-offering to God and love for Him, expressed by the fulfillment of His commandments.

With these hands - humility and love - truly God allows Himself to be seized by mankind, but from other hands He turns away.”

~On Completely Committing One's Life, Will, and Works to the Will of God, by St. John of Tobolsk and All Siberia

#Orthodox Christian #St. John of Tobolsk and All Siberia #the way to God #Lord Jesus Christ #Icons #The Sunflower #humility #love #God #consecration of one's will to God #kingdom of heaven

12 notes · View notes

discoveringorthodoxy · 1 year

Photo

“Let us not make ourselves unworthy of entrance into His Kingdom, for as long as we are in this world, even if we commit countless sins, it is possible to wash them all away by manifesting repentance for our offenses; but when we have departed to the other world, even if we display the most earnest repentance it will be of no avail. Let us then, I beg of you, recover our senses here & let us recognize our Master as He ought to be recognized.”

- St. John Chrysostom -

#Eastern Orthodox #Orthodox Saint #st john chrysostom #saint john chrysostom #Heaven #Sin #Repentance #orthodox qu #quote #God #Jesus #Holy Spirit

16 notes · View notes

foreverpraying · 2 years

Text

July 25 is the feast day of St. James the Apostle

Edward A. Armitage: Christ calls the apostles James and John

Life of St. James the Greater

This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar occupation: Peter and Andrew. “He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1:19-20).

James was one of the favored three who had the privilege of witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus, and the agony in Gethsemani.

Two incidents in the Gospels describe the temperament of this man and his brother. Saint Matthew tells that their mother came—Mark says it was the brothers themselves—to ask that they have the seats of honor in the kingdom. “Jesus said in reply, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We can’” (Matthew 20:22). Jesus then told them they would indeed drink the cup and share his baptism of pain and death, but that sitting at his right hand or left was not his to give—it “is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23b). It remained to be seen how long it would take to realize the implications of their confident “We can!”

The other disciples became indignant at the ambition of James and John. Then Jesus taught them all the lesson of humble service: The purpose of authority is to serve. They are not to impose their will on others, or lord it over them. This is the position of Jesus himself. He was the servant of all; the service imposed on him was the supreme sacrifice of his own life.

On another occasion, James and John gave evidence that the nickname Jesus gave them—“sons of thunder”—was an apt one. The Samaritans would not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to hated Jerusalem. “When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?’ Jesus turned and rebuked them...” (Luke 9:54-55).

James Tissot: He appeared to the eleven

James was apparently the first of the apostles to be martyred. “About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3a).

This James, sometimes called James the Greater, is not to be confused with James the Lesser or with the author of the Letter of James and the leader of the Jerusalem community.

Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-james

7 notes · View notes

essence-of-femininity · 2 years

Text

Man was created for heaven; Satan broke the ladder that led there.

St. John Mary Vianney

#St John Mary Vianney #quotes #Heaven #follow me #god #jesuschrist #i need followers #faith #roman catholic #catholicism #god loves you #amen #faithful #Iglesia católica #igrejacatolica #chiesa cattolica #catholic church #polish blogger

6 notes · View notes

stjohncapistrano67 · 2 years

Text

A Traditional Catholic chapel with a shrine to the Queen of Heaven with St. Mary Magdalene the penitent and St. John the Evangelist.

#traditional catholicism #traditional catholic images #traditional catholic chapels interior #traditional catholic marian shrines #traditional catholic statues #traditional catholic marian statues #traditional catholic saints #traditional catholic saints images #st. mary magalene images #st. john the evangelist images #the blessed virgin mary #the queen of heaven

3 notes · View notes

logos-of-experience-and-truth · 2 years

Text

1) Introduction and The Ascension to the Temple of the Father

Real example of a Mystical Ascension Vision Experience Introduction to the mysteries of the mystical Beatific Vision of God and a retelling of one of the ascending experiences I’ve witnessed. Introductions to mystical religious visionary experiences and study The question that needed answering that has propelled me towards this podcast Re-telling of the mystical visionary experience I had of…

View On WordPress

#Beatific Vision of God #Consciousness and the Layers of Mind #Epiphany #Gnostic #Esoteric and Hermetic #Mystical Ascension #Mystical Experience and Union #Season 1 Podcast #St. John Dark Night of the Soul #True Self and False Self #Worldly Thought versus Kingdom of Heaven

2 notes · View notes

araitsume · 2 years

Text

The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 578 - 592 : Chapter (57) The Revelation

In the days of the apostles the Christian believers were filled with earnestness and enthusiasm. So untiringly did they labor for their Master that in a comparatively short time, notwithstanding fierce opposition, the gospel of the kingdom was sounded to all the inhabited parts of the earth. The zeal manifested at this time by the followers of Jesus has been recorded by the pen of inspiration for the encouragement of believers in every age. Of the church at Ephesus, which the Lord Jesus used as a symbol of the entire Christian church in the apostolic age, the faithful and true Witness declared:

“I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.” Revelation 2:2, 3.

At the first the experience of the church at Ephesus was marked with childlike simplicity and fervor. The believers sought earnestly to obey every word of God, and their lives revealed an earnest, sincere love for Christ. They rejoiced to do the will of God because the Saviour was in their hearts as an abiding presence. Filled with love for their Redeemer, their highest aim was to win souls to Him. They did not think of hoarding the precious treasure of the grace of Christ. They felt the importance of their calling; and, weighted with the message, “On earth peace, good will toward men,” they burned with desire to carry the glad tidings of salvation to earth's remotest bounds. And the world took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Sinful men, repentant, pardoned, cleansed, and sanctified, were brought into partnership with God through His Son.

The members of the church were united in sentiment and action. Love for Christ was the golden chain that bound them together. They followed on to know the Lord more and still more perfectly, and in their lives were revealed the joy and peace of Christ. They visited the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and kept themselves unspotted from the world, realizing that a failure to do this would be a contradiction of their profession and a denial of their Redeemer.

In every city the work was carried forward. Souls were converted, who in their turn felt that they must tell of the inestimable treasure they had received. They could not rest till the light which had illumined their minds was shining upon others. Multitudes of unbelievers were made acquainted with the reasons of the Christian's hope. Warm, inspired personal appeals were made to the erring, to the outcast, and to those who, while professing to know the truth, were lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.

But after a time the zeal of the believers began to wane, and their love for God and for one another grew less. Coldness crept into the church. Some forgot the wonderful manner in which they had received the truth. One by one the old standard-bearers fell at their post. Some of the younger workers, who might have shared the burdens of these pioneers, and thus have been prepared for wise leadership, had become weary of oft-repeated truths. In their desire for something novel and startling they attempted to introduce new phases of doctrine, more pleasing to many minds, but not in harmony with the fundamental principles of the gospel. In their self-confidence and spiritual blindness they failed to discern that these sophistries would cause many to question the experiences of the past, and would thus lead to confusion and unbelief.

As these false doctrines were urged, differences sprang up, and the eyes of many were turned from beholding Jesus as the Author and Finisher of their faith. The discussion of unimportant points of doctrine, and the contemplation of pleasing fables of man's invention, occupied time that should have been spent in proclaiming the gospel. The masses that might have been convicted and converted by a faithful presentation of the truth were left unwarned. Piety was rapidly waning, and Satan seemed about to gain the ascendancy over those who claimed to be followers of Christ.

It was at this critical time in the history of the church that John was sentenced to banishment. Never had his voice been needed by the church as now. Nearly all his former associates in the ministry had suffered martyrdom. The remnant of believers was facing fierce opposition. To all outward appearance the day was not far distant when the enemies of the church of Christ would triumph.

But the Lord's hand was moving unseen in the darkness. In the providence of God, John was placed where Christ could give him a wonderful revelation of Himself and of divine truth for the enlightenment of the churches.

In exiling John, the enemies of truth had hoped to silence forever the voice of God's faithful witness; but on Patmos the disciple received a message, the influence of which was to continue to strengthen the church till the end of time. Though not released from the responsibility of their wrong act, those who banished John became instruments in the hands of God to carry out Heaven's purpose; and the very effort to extinguish the light placed the truth in bold relief.

It was on the Sabbath that the Lord of glory appeared to the exiled apostle. The Sabbath was as sacredly observed by John on Patmos as when he was preaching to the people in the towns and cities of Judea. He claimed as his own the precious promises that had been given regarding that day. “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day,” John writes, “and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.... And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of man.” Revelation 1:10-13.

Richly favored was this beloved disciple. He had seen his Master in Gethsemane, His face marked with the blood drops of agony, His “visage ... marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” Isaiah 52:14. He had seen Him in the hands of the Roman soldiers, clothed with an old purple robe and crowned with thorns. He had seen Him hanging on the cross of Calvary, the object of cruel mockery and abuse. Now John is once more permitted to behold his Lord. But how changed is His appearance! He is no longer a Man of Sorrows, despised and humiliated by men. He is clothed in a garment of heavenly brightness. “His head and His hairs” are “white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes ... as a flame of fire; and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace.” Revelation 1:14, 15, 17. His voice is like the music of many waters. His countenance shines as the sun. In His hand are seven stars, and out of His mouth issues a sharp two-edged sword, an emblem of the power of His word. Patmos is made resplendent with the glory of the risen Lord.

“And when I saw Him,” John writes, “I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not.” Verse 17.

John was strengthened to live in the presence of his glorified Lord. Then before his wondering vision were opened the glories of heaven. He was permitted to see the throne of God and, looking beyond the conflicts of earth, to behold the white-robed throng of the redeemed. He heard the music of the heavenly angels and the triumphant songs of those who had overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. In the revelation given to him there was unfolded scene after scene of thrilling interest in the experience of the people of God, and the history of the church foretold to the very close of time. In figures and symbols, subjects of vast importance were presented to John, which he was to record, that the people of God living in his age and in future ages might have an intelligent understanding of the perils and conflicts before them.

This revelation was given for the guidance and comfort of the church throughout the Christian dispensation. Yet religious teachers have declared that it is a sealed book and its secrets cannot be explained. Therefore many have turned from the prophetic record, refusing to devote time and study to its mysteries. But God does not wish His people to regard the book thus. It is “the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass.” “Blessed is he that readeth,” the Lord declares, “and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Verses 1, 3. “I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.” Revelation 22:18-20.

In the Revelation are portrayed the deep things of God. The very name given to its inspired pages, “the Revelation,” contradicts the statement that this is a sealed book. A revelation is something revealed. The Lord Himself revealed to His servant the mysteries contained in this book, and He designs that they shall be open to the study of all. Its truths are addressed to those living in the last days of this earth's history, as well as to those living in the days of John. Some of the scenes depicted in this prophecy are in the past, some are now taking place; some bring to view the close of the great conflict between the powers of darkness and the Prince of heaven, and some reveal the triumphs and joys of the redeemed in the earth made new.

Let none think, because they cannot explain the meaning of every symbol in the Revelation, that it is useless for them to search this book in an effort to know the meaning of the truth it contains. The One who revealed these mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for truth a foretaste of heavenly things. Those whose hearts are open to the reception of truth will be enabled to understand its teachings, and will be granted the blessing promised to those who “hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.”

In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end.” Daniel 12:4.

It was Christ who bade the apostle record that which was to be opened before him. “What thou seest, write in a book,” He commanded, “and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.” “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.... Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” Revelation 1:11, 18-20.

The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian Era. The number 7 indicates completeness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time, while the symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world.

Christ is spoken of as walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks. Thus is symbolized His relation to the churches. He is in constant communication with His people. He knows their true state. He observes their order, their piety, their devotion. Although He is high priest and mediator in the sanctuary above, yet He is represented as walking up and down in the midst of His churches on the earth. With untiring wakefulness and unremitting vigilance, He watches to see whether the light of any of His sentinels is burning dim or going out. If the candlesticks were left to mere human care, the flickering flame would languish and die; but He is the true watchman in the Lord's house, the true warden of the temple courts. His continued care and sustaining grace are the source of life and light.

Christ is represented as holding the seven stars in His right hand. This assures us that no church faithful to its trust need fear coming to nought, for not a star that has the protection of Omnipotence can be plucked out of the hand of Christ.

“These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand.” Revelation 2:1. These words are spoken to the teachers in the church—those entrusted by God with weighty responsibilities. The sweet influences that are to be abundant in the church are bound up with God's ministers, who are to reveal the love of Christ. The stars of heaven are under His control. He fills them with light. He guides and directs their movements. If He did not do this, they would become fallen stars. So with His ministers. They are but instruments in His hands, and all the good they accomplish is done through His power. Through them His light is to shine forth. The Saviour is to be their efficiency. If they will look to Him as He looked to the Father they will be enabled to do His work. As they make God their dependence, He will give them His brightness to reflect to the world.

Early in the history of the church the mystery of iniquity foretold by the apostle Paul began its baleful work; and as the false teachers concerning whom Peter had warned the believers, urged their heresies, many were ensnared by false doctrines. Some faltered under trial and were tempted to give up the faith. At the time when John was given this revelation, many had lost their first love of gospel truth. But in His mercy God did not leave the church to continue in a backslidden state. In a message of infinite tenderness He revealed His love for them and His desire that they should make sure work for eternity. “Remember,” He pleaded, “from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.” Verse 5.

The church was defective and in need of stern reproof and chastisement, and John was inspired to record messages of warning and reproof and entreaty to those who, losing sight of the fundamental principles of the gospel, should imperil their hope of salvation. But always the words of rebuke that God finds it necessary to send are spoken in tender love and with the promise of peace to every penitent believer. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock,” the Lord declares; “if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20.

And for those who in the midst of conflict should maintain their faith in God, the prophet was given the words of commendation and promise: “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.” “Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” The believers were admonished: “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.” “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Verses 8, 10, 2, 11.

It was through one who declared himself to be a “brother, and companion in tribulation” (Revelation 1:9), that Christ revealed to His church the things that they must suffer for His sake. Looking down through long centuries of darkness and superstition, the aged exile saw multitudes suffering martyrdom because of their love for the truth. But he saw also that He who sustained His early witnesses would not forsake His faithful followers during the centuries of persecution that they must pass through before the close of time. “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer,” the Lord declared; “behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation: ... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10.

And to all the faithful ones who were striving against evil, John heard the promises made: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.” “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Verse 7; 3:5, 21.

John saw the mercy, the tenderness, and the love of God blending with His holiness, justice, and power. He saw sinners finding a Father in Him of whom their sins had made them afraid. And looking beyond the culmination of the great conflict, he beheld upon Zion “them that had gotten the victory ... stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God,” and singing “the song of Moses” and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2, 3.

The Saviour is presented before John under the symbols of “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” and of “a Lamb as it had been slain.” Revelation 5:5, 6. These symbols represent the union of omnipotent power and self-sacrificing love. The Lion of Judah, so terrible to the rejectors of His grace, will be the Lamb of God to the obedient and faithful. The pillar of fire that speaks terror and wrath to the transgressor of God's law is a token of light and mercy and deliverance to those who have kept His commandments. The arm strong to smite the rebellious will be strong to deliver the loyal. Everyone who is faithful will be saved. “He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:31.

In comparison with the millions of the world, God's people will be, as they have ever been, a little flock; but if they stand for the truth as revealed in His word, God will be their refuge. They stand under the broad shield of Omnipotence. God is always a majority. When the sound of the last trump shall penetrate the prison house of the dead, and the righteous shall come forth with triumph, exclaiming, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55)—standing then with God, with Christ, with the angels, and with the loyal and true of all ages, the children of God will be far in the majority.

Christ's true disciples follow Him through sore conflicts, enduring self-denial and experiencing bitter disappointment; but this teaches them the guilt and woe of sin, and they are led to look upon it with abhorrence. Partakers of Christ's sufferings, they are destined to be partakers of His glory. In holy vision the prophet saw the ultimate triumph of God's remnant church. He writes:

“I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory ... stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.” Revelation 15:2, 3.

“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with Him a hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads.” Revelation 14:1. In this world their minds were consecrated to God; they served Him with the intellect and with the heart; and now He can place His name “in their foreheads.” “And they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:5. They do not go in and out as those who beg a place. They are of that number to whom Christ says, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” He welcomes them as His children, saying, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:34, 21.

“These are they which follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.” Revelation 14:4. The vision of the prophet pictures them as standing on Mount Zion, girt for holy service, clothed in white linen, which is the righteousness of the saints. But all who follow the Lamb in heaven must first have followed Him on earth, not fretfully or capriciously, but in trustful, loving, willing obedience, as the flock follows the shepherd.

“I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne: ... and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.... In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Verses 2-5.

“And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” “Her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; and had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.” “The twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” Revelation 21:2, 11, 12, 21, 22.

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.” Revelation 22:3-5.

“He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Verses 1, 2, 14.

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, And He will dwell with them, And they shall be His people, And God Himself shall be with them, And be their God.” Revelation 21:3.

2 notes · View notes