Revelation 13

There is no one like our God. No one can match His power or majesty. There are many who try to counterfeit and lead people to believe there are many gods or other equally acceptable paths, showing signs and wonders to prove their point. They will all be proven false. The revelation of God to us is that His Word will stand, and His truth will endure. We must hold fast to our confession and follow after His ways, no matter what the pressure of the world around us is. This section of Revelation sets forth "the beast", drawing our thoughts back to Daniel's prophecies of ancient times. This false messiah will draw many, but the faithful will remain true to Jesus. Our allegiance is to Him and Him alone.

Revelation 12, part 2

The victorious position of God's people is highlighted through the signs John saw in the heavens. We saw the woman, the Child, and the dragon. Now we see both God's protection of the woman and the dragon's true (frustrated) impotence. God alone has the power and authority to do as He pleases, and even the adversary himself is at the command of the Lord God Almighty. Though the devil may accuse, God has given us means to overcome and be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. This is exciting, inspiring truth. When do all these things of Revelation 12 happen? The chapter doesn’t tell us. Therefore it must not be important for us to know the "when"; God wants us to know the "who" (Him), the "what" (victory) and the "how".

Revelation 12, part 1

This chapter is about the wonder in the heavens that John saw; a sort of ancient animated action drama on the ultimate IMAX screen, that of the sky itself. What are all these components to what Jesus showed him? There are so many views, but really the ultimate message is quite clear. We will be examining this chapter over two weeks. Come celebrate the victorious God we serve as we move into the second half of the book of Revelation.

Revelation 11

This week we come to the center of the book of Revelation. We see two witnesses called by God, bearing testimony against those God is about to judge. For anyone to be put to death under the law, two witnesses were required. God is following His own law. It is a heavy message they bring, and one not well received. We also see the seventh trumpet, and the resistance and rebellion of man against God's just judgment. However, those in heaven respond to all of this with praise, thanks and worship. May our hearts honor the Lord regardless of the prevailing sentiments of the culture and man. He is worthy.

Revelation 10

     The book of Revelation is certainly a gift of God to those who read it, for it seems we are always filled with questions, even from childhood of "what is going to happen when...?", and it is the word of God that holds many answers that we seek.

     The Bible clearly states that what has been revealed is for us and for our children, but there are also things that God keeps for Himself only to know, or shows us only on a personal level.

     Chapter 10 seems to have all these elements to it: revelation, personal instruction, and mystery. May we welcome it with open hearts.

Revelation 9 (reminder: Daylight Savings Time)

This chapter in Revelation almost reads like science fiction. Great woe is declared to those on earth at the time of the 5th trumpet. At that time, the destruction will not be in the natural realm, but the human, and it comes from spiritual and demonic beings. Though God allows the torment, He at first forbids death. How long-suffering He is! But still people will refuse to repent and turn to Him. These judgments should cause people to repent, but they do not.

What is the lesson for us? What are we worshipping? Anything that is an idol in our hearts needs to be repented of. It can never help us, only hurt us, and pull us away from God.

Revelation 8

This Sunday we look at the first several of the trumpet judgments. When Jesus taught His disciples regarding the time of the end, He told of signs that would occur before: pestilence, earthquakes, wars. These things were originating from man and the consequences of living in a fallen world broken by sin.

The trumpet judgments of Revelation are much different in nature and origin. They are sent from heaven; true "acts of God", not like the natural disasters of our times. What happens in heaven has a direct correlation to what takes place on the earth in chapters 8, 9, and 10. These judgments may make us uncomfortable, but they should cause us to feel an urgency to live purely and share the Gospel with fervency.