Early Morning Bible Club

On the eve of this Easter time, we stop to consider John 13:1-6, where Jesus will enact His entire mission before His disciples. Will we receive His love today and give it away to others?

John's vision closes with a bookend to Genesis — the tree of life growing by the great river which would take God's Kingdom to the nations. We are taken into the garden city, where God's rule far outweighs the pressure and persecution of our current day. As John concludes, he asserts the authenticity of the vision, the imminence of Christ's return and the need for an ongoing faithful witness unto the goal.

At last, we are here! Heaven and earth collide, in an expression of Kingdom life with Jesus at the centre. The Bride IS the temple, and the once hostile nations now offer their Glory to the King of Kings. This encouragement for the early church will also be an encouragement to us as we seek to live out this faith in front of a (mostly) unbelieving world.

Now John sees Satan bound and thrown into the darkness for 1,000 years. While Satan is weak, those who have died for the sake of Christ are raised to new life. Now Satan, while rallying for a final push, is engulfed by the power of God. The church is rescued and begins its reign with Christ. How do we make sense of somewhat confusing passages like this, and what do we do with the famous 1000 years?

We are now welcome into the complete and total victory of the Lamb over the oppressor. He wins His victory not with violence, but with the Word. The Bride is made ready, but also makes herself ready, a task to which Christians today must continue. How do we walk in the victory provided to us?

Swiftly and suddenly, Babylon falls. In John's compelling vision, steeped in Old Testament prophetic imagery and style, the destruction of the empire is complete, making way for a new and recreated garden city where the Lamb reigns. What are the characteristics of this empire, and how might we ‘come out of her'?

In contrast to the holy woman of chapter 12, we now have the unholiest of women riding into chapter 17. The heart of the beast is laid bare, and the world without God is exposed. A battle is set, but the Lamb wins — just by showing up. How do we guard ourselves against ‘Babylon' in our own hearts?

Today, we see the recapitulation of the ‘sevens' — we've seen the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and now it's time for the seven bowls. Only this time, there is no more time for waiting. God's justice moves swiftly against the beast and his followers, setting up the renewal of all things.

Now, John sees a vision of the triumph of God's people. Their worship is God-inspired and God-oriented. They sing a new song of exodus from slavery, but now, the whole world is invited! How is God's judgement good news for the world? We'll find out together.

Against the backdrop of unholy power and deception, the people of God are the real deal. Cleaned by Christ, and following Him everywhere He goes, even until death, those in Christ are given a renewed call to persevere against the tyranny of Rome and of the culture of the day. In God's Kingdom, martyrs are rewarded and esteemed, evil gets its own reward, and God's justice flows like a river.

In Chapter 12 we met the dragon, who now calls not just one associate but two — which forms a kind of ‘unholy trinity'. Together, these three are a counterfeit of God's Kingdom, and in forms that echo Daniel 7, create a Roman parody of the true and living God. The beasts' power and deception call the earth to worship them, but the ones ‘marked' by Christ will not be marked by the beast.

Today, a new vision begins with ‘a sign from heaven' — the first in a series of seven visions that will unfold. These are not new stories, but deeper ‘character studies' on the main players in this cosmic drama. We see the story of God's victory reinforced again — Satan is a defeated foe, and yet he is bent on persecuting the church.

Today, we move from the big-picture scenes of man-eating locusts, mighty angels and revelatory scrolls, to a simpler story about two individuals, their work and their fate. What do we make of this passage, as we reach the climax of Revelation and also its literary mid-point?

Now, John is relieved by a heavenly vision containing God's activity once more. Arriving at his purpose for being in the throne room, he receives new commissioning for his prophetic work which will encourage and inspire the church. This will mean joy for some, and despair for others.

Today, we encounter the hellish vision of man-eating locusts and terrible angel armies. The worst of mankind is shown on a global scale. They issue from ‘the Abyss' - the dark place of chaos where evil reigns. How do we live in the midst of such terror? We might first look in a surprising place…

In this vivid and rattling passage, we see a major re-run of the Egypt story, complete with plagues, trumpets and angels. The prayers of the righteous are effective, and God's judgement is complete. He is re-making the world, defeating sin, and rescuing His people from slavery.

Today, we see the eternal safety of the people of God. They are held in His care as He stretches His tent over them. They have to endure and endure again, but God is coming to rescue them, and nothing can pluck them out of His hand.

In an intentionally jarring scene, what follows the worship of heaven is the exposing of the evil that currently infests the world. Things indeed get worse before they get better! Six out of seven seals are opened, and the plan of God continues to unfold, even in the midst of strife. The rejection of love is what got us here, and only love Himself will get us out.

The heavenly vision continues, but not with repetitive praise — instead, a revelation of salvation-history and Jesus' role in bringing the world to its fulfilment and beauty. His people are part of the project, and offer their prayers, worship and song to the chorus of heaven — He is worthy to open the scroll!

Today, we start to see things not as they were, or even as they will be, but as they currently are. We are invited to take a peek into the throne room of God, where He is eternally worshipped. In this evocative scene, the book of Revelation really starts to come alive.

Today we close out this ‘mini-study' on the 7 churches in Revelation. We see groups of people struggling with the culture they find themselves in, and how to live differently in the midst. Jesus is persistent in His love, and while some struggle, there are people doing great things! One big question for today: are these churches meant to represent our churches today, eras of church history, or simply recorded history of the church in 96AD?

Today we explore the instruction, affirmation and corrections written to the first four churches of the seven addressed in Asia Minor. We see Jesus' great love, concern and compassion for His people, and the ongoing mission of faithfulness to His word. How might Jesus address our churches today?

Today, we meet John, the author of Revelation, and more importantly, we meet Jesus, the Son of Man. Using language and images reminiscent of the book of Daniel, we are encouraged by Jesus' presence with his suffering Church, and His willingness to use them to impact the world for His Kingdom.

In our final instalment of Season 2, we see the focus shift from Jerusalem to Rome. The gospel was always meant to be taken ‘to the ends of the earth', and here it will go through Paul, a prisoner. Where it is God's will, it will be done in God's way.Keep an eye out for details on our first EMBC live meet-up on Saturday, July 9!Thanks for joining us, and we'll see you for Season 3 beginning on July 18.

Today, the story focuses on Paul's protective arrest and his first ‘defence speech' to the restless crowd. He tells his story, but upon mention of the Gentiles, there is an uproar. How do we tell our story in an antagonistic culture?

Disciples of Jesus are called to do hard things. Today, Paul's journey takes him with new friends and old, to Jerusalem, where trials and opposition await.

Today, we read about Paul and his travelling companions' adventures through Macedonia and Greece, following the near-riot in Ephesus. A boy falls from a window and is raised from the dead, and Paul travels back past Ephesus for an emotional farewell to a group of gathered church leaders.

The story now centres on the thriving city of Ephesus — Paul teaches about Jesus, to a few and to the crowd. Both Jews and Greeks hear the word of God preached, and seven fake exorcists are embarrassed. Idol sales drop and a riot ensues.

Today, the narrative continues with seven new names — that is, plus Paul, Silas and Timothy. Truly the Kingdom is about people! The adventure continues through Corinth, Antioch and on to Ephesus - all the while, the Word and Spirit are at work drawing both Jew and Gentile to Christ.

Paul and his companions continue their Macedonian mission in Thessalonica, Berea and on to Athens. The Jews are jealous, some greeks come to faith, and Paul engages in a ‘meeting of the minds' with the scholars at Mars Hill. What is your missionary strategy?

A young Timothy joins Paul's travelling mission to Asia, but the group is prevented from moving forward by divine guidance. This turns out to be the salvation of many, including a prominent, influential businesswoman and a hardened Roman soldier with a death wish.

Gentile women and men are coming to faith in Christ in their droves. Does this mean they must become Jews first? The answer to this question threatens to split the young church. But with the wisdom of elders, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a ‘code of conduct' is created to help both Gentile and Jewish believers express their unity in Christ.

Today, Paul's first missionary journey continues and ends in the same place it began. The gospel is preached, Paul is nearly killed, believers are strengthened, and word comes back to the church that God is at work!

Today, we begin a study on Paul's first-ever missionary journey. There will be ups and downs, victories and persecutions, there are enemies and allies. In it all, Jesus is at work and the Kingdom advances.

Fresh persecution is stirred up in Jerusalem, James is killed, and Peter imprisoned. A miraculous jailbreak, a humorous encounter, and a dead King. This is the thrilling end to the first half of Luke's story — but the beginning of a brand new chapter for the church.

Peter has to account for his actions with the new Gentile believers. He recounts his story - God has accepted them, how could he not? We then follow the scattered believers all the way to Antioch, and a newly formed church among the Greek-speakers there. The gospel is now spreading far and wide.

Today, the Gospel travels to the first Gentile community — a Roman soldier and his family. The Holy Spirit falls on them as had happened to the Jewish Christians, and now all of heaven is about to break loose.

Today, we return to the story where the unthinkable happens: the disciples' biggest opponent, Saul, comes to faith in the living Jesus. This itself creates a commotion in Damascus as well as Jerusalem. We also see Peter preparing to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Today, we see the Gospel spread from Jerusalem to Judea and now Samaria. God uses the persecution of Christians in the city under Saul to begin the first missionary push that would take the good news of Jesus ‘to the ends of the earth'.

Today, we listen to Stephen's speech to the council. He points to Jesus being the fulfilment of the law, and his faith costs him his life. How might we be encouraged by this clearly harrowing scene?

Today, the story continues to unfold with another problem inside the young church, which is solved by the Holy Spirit's wisdom. Stephen is brought before the council to answer charges of blasphemy.

Today, we read about the first trace of darkness inside the young church community, as well as the continued pressure from outside. Peter is at the height of his ministry, and the Sadducees continue their jealous rage at the ministry of the risen Christ.

In this fast-moving story, we see the disciples of Jesus begin to face some of the same opposition and questions that came to Jesus Himself. The disciples draw down on God's strength and ask for boldness, as well as continuing their faithful generosity to one another. How should we pray in times of suffering?

Today, we see a man receive more than he ever thought possible, Peter open up again about the reason for what's happening, and dark storm clouds of opposition begin to form. What do you and I have to give the world?

Today, we see the Spirit poured out and the church come alive! Jesus is here, and signs, wonders, unity and blessings ensue. What can we learn from this momentous event?

At the beginning of Season 2 of the EMBC, we explore the genesis of the church, and the continued ministry of Jesus on the earth, through the Holy Spirit and His disciples. What is Jesus doing on the earth today?

Today, this thrilling Gospel concludes with Jesus' absence from the tomb where he was buried, and the good news given to the least likely — people just like us.

Today, we see the son of God give His life. O, what a Saviour!

Today, we see Jesus ‘betrayed into the hands of men' once more, as He is taken to the Roman officials to be sentenced. He is mocked, given as a ransom and announced as King — things that are still true today.