This month (on the 19th) we mark the “Birthday of the Church” as the the Lord God Jesus Christ sent His disciples throughout the spiritual world to preach the good news that He alone reigns in heaven and on earth. The following article from the Vineyard site (found on www.newchurch.org) gives an outline of New Church Day and its meaning for our spiritual lives.
Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars…. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads (Revelation 12:1,3).
“And a great sign was seen in heaven” means a revelation by the Lord concerning His New Church in the heavens and on earth…. [B]y “a great sign seen in heaven” is understood revelation concerning the New Church (Apocalypse Revealed 532).
The apostle John saw many visions in heaven while he was on the island of Patmos. The Lord showed him these visions or signs so that he could write them down in the book of Revelation - the last book of the New Testament. One of the signs in heaven was a beautiful woman clothed with the sun, adorned with a crown of stars, and standing on the moon. John also saw a seven-headed dragon waiting nearby, threatening the woman and her unborn child. When the baby boy was born, he was lifted up to God and His throne to protect him. Then Michael and his angels fought the dragon and defeated him.
Centuries later, the Lord revealed that the visions described in the book of Revelation are prophecies about a New Church. These prophecies were fulfilled when the Lord gave a new revelation through Emanuel Swedenborg, which is called the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church or simply the Writings. Swedenborg also revealed that the Lord started the New Church on June 19th, 1770, when He sent His twelve disciples throughout the spiritual world to preach the good news that the Lord Jesus Christ reigns. For this reason June 19th is celebrated as the birthday of the New Church - New Church Day - a time to reflect on the wondrous prophecies in the book of Revelation and their message for our lives.
Happy June 19th - and may God richly bless your summer.
Your friend,
Pastor Ethan
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