This past year has been trying in
many ways – globally and within the
Church. There are wars and conflicts
throughout the world, issues with race
relations and economics in our country.
In the Church people and the social
media have been aflame with conflicts
about women in the priesthood and
homosexuality.
He offered comfort and hope
from Matthew 24, which talks about
“wars and rumors of wars,” “famines,
pestilences and earthquakes in diverse
places,” “the beginning of sorrows,”
“false prophets” and “the love of many
(waxing) cold.” But then comes the
hope in verse 13: “But he that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved.” How do we endure to the end
in the face of love growing cold?
Thane said this all speaks to a world of lawlessness – devoid of the Ten
Commandments – with the New Church vision of God in His Second Coming
offering the solution.
So what is the New Church, and how do we help to bring that solution to
the world?
He focused first on the New Church as “the crown of all churches,”
worshipping one visible God. (True Christian Religion 787) The word translated
crown here (Latin corona) can mean a crown or a garland. A crown signifies
honor, distinction and authority. A garland represents a weaving together of
multiple elements. Together they symbolize wisdom from love.
The perfection of heaven, he said, is in its variety – the ultimate unity of
many div