Father Mike Schmitz

It points to how often we can be worried and just tremble at the thought of the future.

But she laughs at the time to come.

Why?

Because strength and dignity are her clothing.

She trusts in the Lord.

And so she doesn't need to be afraid of the future.

And that's the truth for us too.

Anyone who belongs to Christ, you don't need to be afraid of the future.

So speaking of the future and speaking of the past and speaking of the book of Revelation, we have in chapter 17, we have the story of the harlot and the beast.

And it talks about here's the woman, the harlot and the beast.

And the beast has the seven heads and 10 horns that carries her.

And it says that in chapter 17, verse 9, it calls for a mind with wisdom.

The seven heads of the beast are seven hills on which the woman is seated.

There are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen.

One is, the other has not yet come.

When he comes, he must reign only a little while.

So what is that?

And consensus typically is that the seven hills, Rome is a city built on seven hills.

And also, but also there's a rabbinic tradition that says that Jerusalem is also a city built on seven hills.

And so I think, okay, either one, but knowing that here are the Christians who are undergoing incredible persecution from the Roman empire at this point.