The Hierophant
This card shows a pope, a religious leader, an earthly picture of the Good Shepherd of God's sheep. Billy Graham was once called "the protestant pope" because of his outreach to so many denominations.
The greatest among us must be as those who serve, according to Jesus, and the service of religious leaders is to pass on the traditions, be an example, organize corporate worship, and speak as though speaking the very words of God.
But they do not turn to the left or right--not into the corruption of selfish ambition nor into the deadly letter of the law and legalism. Sometimes the blind lead the blind, and ravenous wolves dressed as sheep would deceive God's chosen if that were possible.
Jesus said to beware of those who love to go about in flowing robes to be seen by people, making long public prayers and announcing their giving with trumpets. They have received their reward in full.
To function in the world, we may find a local fellowship and follow one tradition, even though the real temple of God is the invisible body of Christ that spans the nations of the globe and centuries of time. Here are the keys to the kingdom that open the doors of heaven.
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