Podcast Summary: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 361: Judgment and Repentance (2025)
Date: December 27, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz, with Ascension

Overview:

This episode focuses on themes of judgment and repentance, drawing from the apocalyptic imagery of Revelation 8–11, the intimate plea of Paul's letter to Philemon, and practical wisdom from Proverbs. Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the meaning of these readings for Christians today, reflecting on the justice and mercy of God, the true nature of Christian brotherhood, and the urgency of repentance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Paul’s Letter to Philemon: Brotherhood > Slavery

• Background: Paul writes to Philemon regarding Onesimus, a slave who had run away and become a Christian under Paul’s care.
• Core Message: Paul sends Onesimus back, urging Philemon to receive him "not as a slave, but as a brother."
• Christian Social Vision: Fr. Mike emphasizes that Scripture does not endorse the brutal, racist slavery known in history. In Christian teaching, all are to be treated as brothers and sisters.
• Broader Implications:
  • If we saw each other as brothers and sisters—in work, education, family—society would be transformed.
  • Notable quote:

    “If we saw each other not as those who get in our way, not as those who are supposed to serve us, but as brothers and sisters, then we would have a different world.”
    (Fr. Mike, 08:40)

2. Revelation 8–11: Judgment, Worship, and the Opportunity for Repentance

Apocalyptic Imagery:

• The Seventh Seal & Seven Trumpets:

  • Each seal and trumpet brings further devastation, yet certain people are protected by God’s seal.
  • The destruction echoes Jesus’s own prophecies and foreshadows deeper judgment with seven bowls to come.

• Heavenly Worship:

  • The prayers of saints ascend before God, presented with incense by angels (08:00–09:00).
  • Fr. Mike highlights the connection:

    “We have the intercession of the angels, we have intercession of saints here. We have this worship in heaven happening.”
    (Fr. Mike, 09:24)

• Dating of Revelation:

  • Some debate exists between pre-70 AD and 80–90 AD datings, but the text is meant for persecuted Christians regardless (09:00–10:00).

Repentance Amid Judgment:

• Stubbornness of Humanity:
  • Despite suffering, many refuse to repent (Revelation 9:20–21).
  • Key message: God’s judgment serves as a call to repentance, not mere punishment.
  • Notable Quote:

    “It’s not God’s love that runs out. It’s not his patience that runs out. It’s just the time. At some point, we get what we’ve chosen.”
    (Fr. Mike, 13:30)

The Two Witnesses:

• Mysterious Role:

  • These figures evoke Elijah (who stopped rain) and Moses (who brought plagues), signifying God’s enduring power.
  • After their martyrdom, the world rejoices, illustrating hostility towards holiness.
  • Fr. Mike’s reflection:

    “Think about how much the world hates holiness. I think we like it from afar, but when it’s up close, we don’t like it.”
    (Fr. Mike, 16:20)

• Alienation of Christians:

  • True discipleship may make us feel like outsiders; comfort with the world is not always a sign of faithfulness.

    “We should often, as Christians, feel like we don’t fit in. I think too often we feel like we fit in. And that might actually be to our detriment.”
    (Fr. Mike, 15:45)

The Ark of the Covenant Revealed (Revelation 11):

• Significance:
  • John sees the lost Ark again in heaven—linking heavenly worship with earthly Christian liturgy.
• Notable Moment:

  “For the first time in centuries…he looks into heaven and sees the Ark of the Covenant. This is so important…because the worship happening in heaven is now happening in Christian churches.”
  (Fr. Mike, 18:05)

3. Proverbs 31:16–18: The Valiant Woman

• Summary: These verses reiterate the value of industriousness, strength, and resourcefulness.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Christian Society:

  “What Paul is writing to Philemon is a picture of that different world that could possibly be ours.”
  (Fr. Mike, 09:00)

• On God’s Judgment:

  “Here is God who loves you so much. He loves me so much. He loves all of us so much…And at some point, the time is going to run out.”
  (Fr. Mike, 13:15)

• On Holiness and the World:

  “The world recognizes that they were holy. But…people call into question their holiness…think about how much the world hates holiness.”
  (Fr. Mike, 16:20)

Important Timestamps

• [04:00] — Introduction and readings: Revelation 8–11, Philemon, Proverbs 31:16–18
• [08:00–10:00] — Paul to Philemon: justice, Christian brotherhood, slavery
• [10:00–12:00] — Apocalyptic structure: seals, trumpets, bowls; worship in heaven
• [13:00–15:00] — The purpose of judgment: call to repentance, the danger of spiritual complacency
• [15:45–17:00] — The Two Witnesses: symbolizing prophetic suffering and society’s rejection of holiness
• [18:05] — Revelation 11: The Ark of the Covenant and heavenly worship
• [19:00–end] — Exhortation to receive God’s mercy and be ready for judgment

Closing Insights

• Judgment is meant to bring repentance, not merely punishment.
• As Christians, we are called to live as brothers and sisters—transcending societal roles and divisions.
• Heavenly worship is connected to our earthly liturgy; God’s justice brings hope that brokenness will not last forever.
• Urgency:

  “I’m just praying for myself and I pray for you that we can be recipients of God’s mercy even in the midst of the need for justice.”
  (Fr. Mike, 19:40)

• Final Reflection: We are nearing the end of the Bible in a Year journey. Let us remain watchful, receptive to God, and prayerful for one another.

Prayerful sign-off and encouragement to tune in for the next day.