Podcast appearances and mentions of asia minor

Misha Glenny and guests discuss the laws that Hammurabi (c1810 - c1750 BC), King of Babylon, had carved into a black basalt pillar in present day Iraq and which, since its rediscovery in 1901 in present day Iran, has affirmed Hammurabi's reputation as one of the first great lawmakers. Visitors to the Louvre in Paris can see it on display with almost 300 rules in cuneiform, covering anything from ‘an eye for an eye' to how to handle murder, divorce, witchcraft, false accusations and more. The Code of Hammurabi, as it became known, made such an impression in Mesopotamia that it was copied and shared for a millennium after his death and, since its reemergence, Hammurabi and his Code have been commemorated in the US Capitol and the International Court of Justice.WithMartin Worthington Professor in Middle Eastern Studies at Trinity College DublinFrances Reynolds Shillito Fellow and Associate Professor of Assyriology at the University of Oxford and Senior Research Fellow at The Queen's CollegeAnd Selena Wisnom Lecturer in the Heritage of the Middle East at the University of LeicesterProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Zainab Bahrani, Mesopotamia: Ancient Art and Architecture (Thames and Hudson, 2017)Dominique Charpin, Hammurabi of Babylon (I.B. Tauris, 2021)Prudence O. Harper, Joan Aruz and Françoise Tallon, The Royal City of Susa: Ancient Near Eastern Treasures from the Louvre (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1992)J. Nicholas Postgate (ed.), Languages of Iraq, Ancient and Modern (British School of Archaeology in Iraq, 2007), especially ‘Babylonian and Assyrian: A History of Akkadian' by Andrew R. George Martha T. Roth, Law Collections from Mesopotamia and Asia Minor (2nd edition, Scholars Press, 1997)Marc Van De Mieroop, King Hammurabi of Babylon: A Biography (Wiley, 2005) Marc Van De Mieroop, A History of the Ancient Near East ca. 3000–323 BC (4th edition (Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2006)Selena Wisnom, The Library of Ancient Wisdom: Mesopotamia and the Making of History (Allen Lane, 2025)Martin Worthington, Complete Babylonian: A Comprehensive Guide to Reading and Understanding Babylonian with Original Texts (Teach Yourself Library, 2012)In Our Time is a BBC Studios ProductionSpanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.

Misha Glenny and guests discuss the laws that Hammurabi (c1810 - c1750 BC), King of Babylon, had carved into a black basalt pillar in present day Iraq and which, since its rediscovery in 1901 in present day Iran, has affirmed Hammurabi's reputation as one of the first great lawmakers. Visitors to the Louvre in Paris can see it on display with almost 300 rules in cuneiform, covering anything from ‘an eye for an eye' to how to handle murder, divorce, witchcraft, false accusations and more. The Code of Hammurabi, as it became known, made such an impression in Mesopotamia that it was copied and shared for a millennium after his death and, since its reemergence, Hammurabi and his Code have been commemorated in the US Capitol and the International Court of Justice.WithMartin Worthington Professor in Middle Eastern Studies at Trinity College DublinFrances Reynolds Shillito Fellow and Associate Professor of Assyriology at the University of Oxford and Senior Research Fellow at The Queen's CollegeAnd Selena Wisnom Lecturer in the Heritage of the Middle East at the University of LeicesterProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Zainab Bahrani, Mesopotamia: Ancient Art and Architecture (Thames and Hudson, 2017)Dominique Charpin, Hammurabi of Babylon (I.B. Tauris, 2021)Prudence O. Harper, Joan Aruz and Françoise Tallon, The Royal City of Susa: Ancient Near Eastern Treasures from the Louvre (Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1992)J. Nicholas Postgate (ed.), Languages of Iraq, Ancient and Modern (British School of Archaeology in Iraq, 2007), especially ‘Babylonian and Assyrian: A History of Akkadian' by Andrew R. George Martha T. Roth, Law Collections from Mesopotamia and Asia Minor (2nd edition, Scholars Press, 1997)Marc Van De Mieroop, King Hammurabi of Babylon: A Biography (Wiley, 2005) Marc Van De Mieroop, A History of the Ancient Near East ca. 3000–323 BC (4th edition (Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2006)Selena Wisnom, The Library of Ancient Wisdom: Mesopotamia and the Making of History (Allen Lane, 2025)Martin Worthington, Complete Babylonian: A Comprehensive Guide to Reading and Understanding Babylonian with Original Texts (Teach Yourself Library, 2012)In Our Time is a BBC Studios ProductionSpanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.

"Theophylact was from the east; his native city is unknown. In Constantinople he became a close friend of Tarasius, who afterwards became Patriarch of Constantinople (see Feb. 25). Theophylact was made Bishop of Nicomedia. After the death of Saint Tarasius, his successor Nicephorus (see June 2) called together a number of Bishops to help him in fighting the iconoclasm of Emperor Leo the Armenian, who reigned from 813 to 820. Among them was Euthymius, Bishop of Sardis (celebrated Dec. 26), who had attended the holy Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787 — he was exiled three times for the sake of the holy icons, and for defying the Emperor Theophilus' command to renounce the veneration of the icons, was scourged from head to foot until his whole body was one great wound, from which he died eight days later, about the year 830; Joseph of Thessalonica (see July 14); Michael of Synnada (see May 23); Emilian, Bishop of Cyzicus (see Aug. 8); and Saint Theophylact, who boldly rebuked Leo to his face, telling him that because he despised the long-suffering of God, utter destruction was about to overtake him, and there would be none to deliver him. For this, Theophylact was exiled to the fortress of Strobilus in Karia of Asia Minor, where after 30 years of imprisonment and hardship, he gave up his holy soul about the year 845. Leo the Armenian, according to the Saint's prophecy, was slain in church on the eve of our Lord's Nativity, in 820." (Great Horologion)

This introduction sets the stage for a focused study of the seven letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 2–3), emphasizing that these are not ordinary epistles written by apostles but the direct words of Jesus Christ, given to John and recorded under divine direction as described in Revelation 1:1; the message highlights how these letters were written to real congregations in Asia Minor yet continue to function as a spiritual “litmus test” for believers today, calling the church—not buildings or institutions but people—to examine faithfulness, perseverance, repentance, and love in light of Christ's evaluation, while reminding readers of the promised blessing for those who read, hear, and obey what is written in Revelation 1:3. You can connect with Moriel in more locations than just YouTube! Check out all our official links on the About page: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorielTVministries/about.

Saint Gregory Palamas, who was from Asia Minor, was from childhood reared in the royal court of Constantinople, where he was instructed in both religious and secular wisdom. Later, while still a youth, he left the imperial court and struggled in asceticism on Mount Athos, and in the Skete at Beroea. He spent some time in Thessalonica being treated for an illness that came from his harsh manner of life. He was present in Constantinople at the Council that was convened in 1341 against Barlaam of Calabria, and at the Council of 1347 against Acindynus, who was of like mind with Barlaam; Barlaam and Acindynus claimed that the grace of God is created. At both these Councils, the Saint contended courageously for the true dogmas of the Church of Christ, teaching in particular that divine grace is not created, but is the uncreated energies of God which are poured forth throughout creation: otherwise it would be impossible, if grace were created, for man to have genuine communion with the uncreated God. In 1347 he was appointed Metropolitan of Thessalonica. He tended his flock in an apostolic manner for some twelve years, and wrote many books and treatises on the most exalted doctrines of our Faith; and having lived for a total of sixty-three years, he reposed in the Lord in 1359.His holy relics are kept in the Cathedral of Thessalonica. A full service was composed for his feast day by the Patriarch Philotheus in 1368, when it was established that his feast be celebrated on this day. Since works without right faith avail nothing, we set Orthodoxy of faith as the foundation of all that we accomplish during the Fast, by celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy the Sunday before, and the great defender of the teachings of the holy Fathers today.

Was the Apostle Paul a Slave? | Dr. Mark Fairchild on Paul's Early Life as Saul the ZealotWas Paul once a slave? If so, how did his early life shape his theology, mission, and message? In this compelling episode of the Bible and Theology Matters podcast, Dr. Paul Weaver sits down with Dr. Mark Fairchild to discuss his groundbreaking book, Paul's Enslavement: The Early Life of Saul the Zealot. Together, they explore the provocative thesis that the Apostle Paul may have been a former slave—and how that possibility sheds powerful new light on his language of slavery, freedom, adoption, redemption, and identity in Christ.Dr. Fairchild draws from the Book of Acts, Paul's letters (especially Galatians), early church tradition from Jerome, and the historical writings of Josephus to examine:-Paul's Roman citizenship and how slaves could receive citizenship through-manumission -The “Synagogue of the Freedmen” in Acts 6-The meaning of stigmata in Galatians 6:17-Honor, shame, and status in the first-century Mediterranean world-How slavery differed from modern conceptions of 16th–19th century chattel slavery-Why does Paul use slavery and adoption language more than any other New Testament writer -How Saul's zealotry transformed after his encounter with Christ on the Damascus RoadThis conversation also explores Paul's rabbinic training under Gamaliel, his intense persecution of the early church, and how his radical conversion reshaped his understanding of identity, freedom, and gospel ministry.If you want deeper insight into:-The historical Paul: First-century slavery in the Roman world-The background of Galatians: Paul's theology of freedom and redemption-How archaeology and ancient sources illuminate Scripture…you won't want to miss this episode. Dr. Fairchild also discusses his extensive research in Turkey (ancient Asia Minor) and his work on Paul's “unknown years” in Cilicia. This episode is hosted by Dr. Paul Weaver, Associate Professor of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary and host of the Bible and Theology Matters podcast.

The book of Revelation is not a coded timetable, nor a speculative map of the end-times. It is a letter written by the Apostle John to first-century Christians living in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It aims to bring encouragement and hope to disciples of Jesus living in turbulent times. As G.K. Beale puts it, “Revelation is the Bible's battle cry of victory.” Through dramatic symbols drawn from the Old Testament, Revelation equips the church with the heavenly perspective needed to persevere in faith until the end. In this series, we will see:-Jesus rules from the throne.-The church is spiritually protected even as it suffers.-Evil is judged and defeated.-God's mission advances through the witness of His people.-The Lamb will return to renew creation and dwell with His people forever.Revelation calls the church not to fear, but to faithful endurance, confident that the Lamb is victorious and His victory is ours.

In His first letter to the seven churches of Asia Minor, Jesus writes to Ephesus.

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

The church in Pergamum had lost its edge, so Jesus brought His sword to church. In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally continues the sermon series on the letters of Revelation.Pergamum, the Roman capital of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), faced intense pressure to worship Caesar and was filled with temples to false gods.Revelation 2:12 (NLT): This is the message to Pergamum from the one with the sharp two-edged sword...Hebrews 4:12 (NLT): The word of God is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword...The word of God has two edges: comfort and correction—one delivers, the other disciples.Revelation 2:13 (NLT): I know that you live where Satan has his throne.Pergamum was saturated with idolatry.Revelation 2:14–15 (NLT): You tolerate teaching like Balaam and the Nicolaitans—the doctrine that sin is no big deal.Jesus confronts their compromise with sexual immorality and idolatry.Revelation 2:16 (NLT):God wants to fight for you, but if you play for the other team, He will fight against you. Refuse His correction, and you will face sin's consequences.Revelation 2:17 (NLT):The promises: manna—provision now and in the life to come—and a white stone with a new name. A white stone meant "not guilty" and was a token of admission.Timeless Truths1. Where you live shouldn't affect how you live.Philippians 3:20 (ESV): Our citizenship is in heaven.You live here, but obey there—address here, allegiance there.James 4:4 (NLT):Be friends to the world, not of it. A friend OF the world imitates it; a friend TO the world calls people out of it.You can't be like the world and help it. Boats belong in the water, but water doesn't belong in the boat. You're in the world; it shouldn't be in you.2. Jesus gives freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.Grace empowers you to meet the standard.Compromise treats forgiveness as a reset instead of transformation.God's forgiveness gives freedom to say no.Titus 2:11–12 (NLT):Live with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion. Grace gives power over sin, not permission for it.3. Change comes from repentance, not remorse.Remorse feels; repentance acts. Remorse looks back; repentance moves forward.2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT):Worldly sorrow repeats the pattern; godly sorrow produces change.God's word is a sword—it cuts to heal, not humiliate. Repentance isn't "I'm sorry," but "I surrender."4. God's promise is greater than your compromise.God's grace outruns our failures.2 Timothy 2:13 (NLT): If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful.Your failure isn't final. God warns to welcome, not write you off—He writes a new name on a white stone.ClosingCompromise is a destructive fire—ignored, it spreads and consumes.Though compromise destroys, Jesus restores. He calls us to repent, not to shame us, but to save us.What compromise is God asking you to deal with today?

The book of Revelation is not a coded timetable, nor a speculative map of the end-times. It is a letter written by the Apostle John to first-century Christians living in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It aims to bring encouragement and hope to disciples of Jesus living in turbulent times. As G.K. Beale puts it, “Revelation is the Bible's battle cry of victory.” Through dramatic symbols drawn from the Old Testament, Revelation equips the church with the heavenly perspective needed to persevere in faith until the end. In this series, we will see:-Jesus rules from the throne.-The church is spiritually protected even as it suffers.-Evil is judged and defeated.-God's mission advances through the witness of His people.-The Lamb will return to renew creation and dwell with His people forever.Revelation calls the church not to fear, but to faithful endurance, confident that the Lamb is victorious and His victory is ours.

Ephesians 1:1-2. In tracing the journeys of Paul, we discover how he came to know the Ephesians, how the church began in Ephesus and why Paul wrote this letter to them from prison. Paul speaks of the church, and each believer, as being “in Christ”, accepted and unified in the Saviour Christ forever. How crucial […]

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

Hello and welcome to the Transforming Lives Together Podcast.The word “culture” is used often in our discourse today. You may have heard people talk about a “culture war,” or about things that are “counterculture,” or there being a “lack of culture,” say in an organization. This emphasis of, and concern over, culture points to the importance of having a common set of values, a shared vision of what it means to live the good life that our lives and our communities can be rooted in. Much like in the parable of the tares, when other interests, especially those that are immoral, are sown into the culture we're growing, some of the fruit becomes tangled up and choked. This is what we will see as we turn our attention to Christ's letter to the seven churches in Asia Minor, beginning with the church in Ephesus.The Transforming Lives Together podcast is a ministry of St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church in Tonawanda, NY.To learn more about our church please visit: stbartston.org You can also connect with St. Bartholomew's on Facebook and Instagram through the handle: @stbartsanglicanchurch And you can connect with this podcast on Facebook through @transforminglivestogethercast

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

What if your problems aren't crushing you but growing you? In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally teaches us how to face suffering as he shares about Jesus's letter to the church in Smyrna.Smyrna had been destroyed in 600 BC and rebuilt by Alexander the Great around 300 BC. When this letter was written, Smyrna was the center of emperor worship in Asia Minor. Christians were seen as suspicious, unpatriotic, and disruptive because they refused to join civic rituals. Persecution wasn't occasional—it was daily life. Believers faced exclusion, job loss, harassment, slander, and even death.Revelation 2:8–9 (NLT)Suffering (thlipsis) means "affliction, tribulation, persecution"—literally, "crushing pressure." Jesus says, "I know your poverty"—extreme poverty in a rich city, caused by persecution.One of Smyrna's main exports was myrrh, a fragrant oil made by crushing the myrrh tree. In the same way, Christians were being crushed by persecution and poverty.Citizens were expected to burn incense before Caesar's image and say, "Caesar is Lord." Jesus also mentions a group claiming to be Jews who were actively persecuting Christians.Revelation 2:10 (NLT)"Ten" symbolizes completeness—their suffering would be limited and measured. Jesus promises a "crown of life": be faithful unto death and receive the reward.Revelation 2:11; 20:14–15The second death—the Lake of Fire—is the final judgment for the devil, demons, and those who reject Jesus. Christians die once and live twice. Unbelievers live once and die twice.What does this mean for us?1. God sees your suffering.We all face "thlipsis"—crushing pressure. Suffering isn't a sign of God's absence but the promise of His nearness.2 Corinthians 4:17–18 reminds us our present troubles are small and temporary, producing eternal glory. If you navigate suffering with God, temporary pain becomes eternal reward.2. Don't measure spiritual success by worldly wealth.Jesus called Smyrna "rich." Heaven measures wealth differently.Luke 12:15—life isn't measured by what you own.1 Timothy 6:18–19—be rich in good works.The world counts possessions; Heaven counts faithfulness.3. Sometimes idolatry isn't a god, but a government.Smyrna's temptation was emperor worship. Christians should be informed and involved, but the political process isn't the world's savior. Make political opinions subject to God's Word.4. Real faith leads to resolute faithfulness.Talent gets applause; faithfulness gets a crown (1 Peter 1:7).Faith that only works when life works isn't real faith.When suffering comes, it may not stop immediately. But God fills you with His love, peace, joy, and presence. What was meant to destroy you loses its power to define you.John 16:33—In this world you will have trials, but take heart; Jesus has overcome the world.Jesus is the solution to your suffering. He is faithful to you. Remain faithful to Him, and you will receive the crown of life.Will you be faithful like the believers in Smyrna?

We conclude our series, "Chosen by God, Living as Exiles" with a teaching on "A Faith Received: Getting Back to Basics." The Apostle Peter was happy to remind the church of the central realities of our faith (2 Pet 1:12-15): the death and resurrection of Jesus, our new life and ongoing transformation in Christ, remaining faithful to Jesus in the face of suffering and opposition, and living in the hope of his glorious return and the fullness of the kingdom.- Series Description -  In this series we will explore 1 and 2 Peter, the Apostle Peter's two letters to the scattered first-century church in Asia Minor, who, though distant in time and place from ourselves, nonetheless share many of the very challenges that we do. We will consider what it means to be “third-culture people” who are chosen by God and called for his sake to live both fruitfully and prophetically in a land not our own 

The book of Revelation is not a coded timetable, nor a speculative map of the end-times. It is a letter written by the Apostle John to first-century Christians living in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It aims to bring encouragement and hope to disciples of Jesus living in turbulent times. As G.K. Beale puts it, “Revelation is the Bible's battle cry of victory.” Through dramatic symbols drawn from the Old Testament, Revelation equips the church with the heavenly perspective needed to persevere in faith until the end. In this series, we will see:-Jesus rules from the throne.-The church is spiritually protected even as it suffers.-Evil is judged and defeated.-God's mission advances through the witness of His people.-The Lamb will return to renew creation and dwell with His people forever.Revelation calls the church not to fear, but to faithful endurance, confident that the Lamb is victorious and His victory is ours.

In Part 2 of his introduction to his sermon series, "The Seven Letters of the Revelation," Keith Pond the spectacular differences between the glorified Christ and the Son of God who walked the Earth with his friend John some sixty-plus years earlier. Jesus commands his apostle-friend to write seven letters and send them to seven churches in Asia Minor. Follow along to find how this bears on us in our lives today.

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

What happens when a church does all the right things but with the wrong motivation?  In this message, Pastor Eric Robertson shares our necessary response. Ultimately, the Book of Revelation is about a problem that is only solved when God's people wake up, repent, and faithfully wait on the return of Jesus.One of the worst problems is the one you don't know you have.Even worse are the problems you can see but don't recognize.Ephesus: HistoryEphesus was an influential city in the Roman world: a major port city in Asia Minor—economically powerful, culturally diverse, and religiously pluralistic. Faithfulness required constant discernment.The city was defined by idol worship. The Temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Converting to Christianity meant rejecting the city's spiritual identity and economic system (Acts 19).Though the church seemed to be doing well, there was a glaring problem that John addressed.What Did It Mean: Revelation 2:1–7Each letter follows the criticism sandwich: (Good)(Bad)(Good).Jesus gives this critique while walking among the lampstands—the churches that illuminate Christ to the world.They served well, worked hard, corrected the wicked, removed toxic leaders, suffered faithfully, and didn't grow weary. Ephesus was a hard-working church.Imagine hearing: "You're great—but you don't love me."The letters were written to specific churches, but meant for all churches.What Does It Mean?This passage is often preached as a call to return to passion, but Jesus doesn't critique their passion.Paul once said of them: "Your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people" (Eph. 1:15–16).The problem wasn't their works, but their why. They disconnected from the reason they exist.Returning to your first love is remembering why you do what you do: to love God and love others.When a church forgets its why, it doesn't stop working—it stops breathing.Our vision is Belong, Believe, Become, but Ephesus drifted into Believe, Become, Belong.When love is no longer the motivation, we build walls instead of bridges and become known for what we're against instead of Who we're for.How Do We Respond?1. Remember – "Consider how far you have fallen."Remember where you were when God found you and why the church exists.2. Repent – "Repent."Recognize how far you've drifted. The church illuminates Jesus, not itself.3. Return – "Do the things you did at first."Matthew 22:37–40: Love God and love your neighbor.If you don't love your neighbor, you don't have love at all.Closing: Revelation 2:7Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.Returning to our first love is a return to paradise—the life God intended.If we fail to hear, our lampstand will be removed.The church at Ephesus no longer exists—only ruins remain.Have we fallen from our first love?

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

The book of Revelation is not a coded timetable, nor a speculative map of the end-times. It is a letter written by the Apostle John to first-century Christians living in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It aims to bring encouragement and hope to disciples of Jesus living in turbulent times. As G.K. Beale puts it, “Revelation is the Bible's battle cry of victory.” Through dramatic symbols drawn from the Old Testament, Revelation equips the church with the heavenly perspective needed to persevere in faith until the end. In this series, we will see:-Jesus rules from the throne.-The church is spiritually protected even as it suffers.-Evil is judged and defeated.-God's mission advances through the witness of His people.-The Lamb will return to renew creation and dwell with His people forever.Revelation calls the church not to fear, but to faithful endurance, confident that the Lamb is victorious and His victory is ours.

When God calls people to follow him, he also often calls them to leadership roles within the church. What does it look like to lead and follow well while living as exiles?- Series Description - In this series we will explore 1 and 2 Peter, the Apostle Peter's two letters to the scattered first-century church in Asia Minor, who, though distant in time and place from ourselves, nonetheless share many of the very challenges that we do. We will consider what it means to be “third-culture people” who are chosen by God and called for his sake to live both fruitfully and prophetically in a land not our own 

This morning, Keith Pond introduces Jesus' seven letters to the churches of Asia Minor by walking through the first half of Revelation 1. Why is  God so intent on his creatures hearing his voice and heeding his word? The apostle John points us to the glory and wonder of hearing the God of the cosmos calling us to hear him and to follow hard after him.

In this study of the first three chapters of Revelation, Gary shows how each of the seven churches in Asia Minor represents a successive stage of Church history. In doing so, he provides a powerful defense of the dispensational and premillennial view of the Bible. A companion chart adapted from the original drawn by Clarence Larkin, is also available. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1094/29?v=20251111

Join us for this week's sermon!Whether you're seeking hope, direction, or a deeper connection with God, this message is for you. Each week, we open God's Word together to find truth, encouragement, and strength for the journey.

VII (Seven) is a series focusing on the first three chapters of Revelation, covering seven letters written to seven churches—direct messages from God to real first-century churches dealing with real issues. We'll discover what these letters meant to them then and how we can apply them to ourselves today.In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally takes us through Revelation chapter one, which sets the scene for the words spoken to the seven churches.Revelation 1:1–2 (NLT)Revelation is from Jesus as the source and about Jesus as the subject.Verse 3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and all who listen and obey, for the time is near.It's the only book in Scripture promising blessing for reading, hearing, and obeying. God doesn't bless us for reading Revelation; He blesses us for responding to it.Verses 4–5 The seven churches were in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), forming a strategic loop along a Roman postal road. These letters weren't random ideas; they were God's deliberate inspection of His churches, one by one.Verse 7-8The first time Jesus appeared quietly. The second time, no one will miss it.Alpha and Omega—the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Jesus is saying, "I am A to Z. Everything starts with Me, ends with Me, and holds together because of Me."When everything else is shifting, Jesus stands unshaken.Verse 9–11 John writes from exile on Patmos, a Roman work camp. The Lord's Day is Sunday.Verses 12–16 "The Son of Man" is the Old Testament prophetic title for the Messiah found in Daniel. Revelation teaches theological truth through visual metaphor—this is prophecy, not photography. The sharp two-edged sword represents the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12).Verses 17–20Death is no longer a prison but a passageway. Jesus holds the keys; death can't keep anyone who belongs to Him.Revelation addresses what is happening now and what will happen. It's not about predicting the end as much as preparing the church. When Jesus writes to the "angel" of a church, He addresses its pastor—the one responsible for carrying and correcting the message. Jesus walks among His people and works through their leaders.When we read Revelation, we are reading someone else's mail. Jesus sends seven "performance reviews" to seven real churches.How to Read Someone Else's MailUnderstand what it meant to them. Revelation wasn't written to us, but it was written for us (1 Corinthians 10:11). The Bible can't mean now what it didn't mean then.Look for timeless truth. God's truth is eternal (Psalm 119:89). If God's Word is timeless, our obedience can't be seasonal or occasional.Respond to what Jesus reveals. Revelation blesses those who act on what they hear (James 1:22). Truth ignored becomes trouble guaranteed.Are you ready to heed the warnings from the Lord? 

God calls us to action even when we're in exile. Even in the winter, God still calls us to bloom. How? We receive God's power and God's call. We participate in God's promises over us. We make every effort to confirm such things — for our own lives and the lives of others. This is how we grow — not only for one season of life, but for our whole lives. Lifelong growth is ours if we continue to experience God's power, trust in God's promises, and make every effort to grow even when winter or exile appear.- Series Description - In this series we will explore 1 and 2 Peter, the Apostle Peter's two letters to the scattered first-century church in Asia Minor, who, though distant in time and place from ourselves, nonetheless share many of the very challenges that we do. We will consider what it means to be “third-culture people” who are chosen by God and called for his sake to live both fruitfully and prophetically in a land not our own 

The book of Revelation is not a coded timetable, nor a speculative map of the end-times. It is a letter written by the Apostle John to first-century Christians living in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It aims to bring encouragement and hope to disciples of Jesus living in turbulent times. As G.K. Beale puts it, “Revelation is the Bible's battle cry of victory.” Through dramatic symbols drawn from the Old Testament, Revelation equips the church with the heavenly perspective needed to persevere in faith until the end. In this series, we will see:-Jesus rules from the throne.-The church is spiritually protected even as it suffers.-Evil is judged and defeated.-God's mission advances through the witness of His people.-The Lamb will return to renew creation and dwell with His people forever.Revelation calls the church not to fear, but to faithful endurance, confident that the Lamb is victorious and His victory is ours.

Keith Miller Meadowbrooke Church January 25, 2026 Behold Our Great God Revelation 1:1-8 Introduction In a world that exalts earthly power and demands allegiance, the book of Revelation pulls back the curtain and shows us the true throne of heaven. It calls Gods people to place their hope and loyalty not in the rulers of this age, but in Jesus Christthe One who governs history and alone deserves our allegiance. To grasp Revelation rightly, we must consider the circumstances in which it was given. Most scholars agree that the book was written near the end of the first century, likely between AD 90 and 95, during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian. John tells us that he received this revelation while exiled on the island of Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 1:9). His exile was not a voluntary retreat, but punishment for unwavering faithfulness to Christ. John had lived a long and costly life of discipleship. He had outlived the other apostles, witnessed the rise and fall of emperors, and seen friends and fellow believers martyred for their allegiance to Jesus. He had watched the brutality of Rome unleashedmost notably in the devastation of Jerusalemand he had seen firsthand what happens when earthly powers claim absolute authority. Long before Romes pressure intensified, many Jewish believers in Jesus had already been pushed out of their own communitiesexcluded from synagogues, cut off from family life, and treated as apostates rather than brothers. Faithfulness to Christ often meant losing ones religious home before ever confronting the power of the empire. By the time John was exiled, the pressure on the church had intensified. Under Domitian, emperor worship became a test of loyalty, especially in Asia Minor. For most citizens, participation was routine. For Christians, it was a crisis. To confess Jesus is Lord was to deny Caesar that title, and refusal could lead to social exclusion, economic loss, exile, or worse. This was not a moment of widespread slaughter, but of steady compromise. Christians were not being asked, Will you die for Christ today? They were being asked, Will you bendjust a little? It is into this world that Revelation was given. The very wordrevelationmeans unveiling. God is not hiding His purposes; He is revealing them. This book was written to a pressured church to show who truly reigns, how history is moving, and why faithfulness to Jesus is always worth the cost. And that is where Revelation begins. Behold the Blessing (vv. 1-3) When it comes to Revelation, the book is notRevelations. It is not a series of secret disclosures reserved for the most skilled students of prophetic Scripture. It is not a collection of clues designed to help us identify the next antichristespecially since we are told that many antichrists have already come. It is also not a puzzle to figure out the timing of Christs return, for Jesus even said, But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only (Matt. 24:36). Revelation isarevelationbut more precisely, it isthe Revelation of Jesus Christ. That is how the book begins, and that is what the book is about. So what does Revelation reveal about Jesus? Everything. From beginning to end, Revelation presents Jesus in the fullness of His person and work. He is thefaithful witness, thefirstborn from the dead, and theruler of the kings of the earth(1:5). He is theFirst and the Last, theLiving One (1:1718), theHoly One, theTrue One(3:7), and theoriginator of Gods creation(3:14). He is theLion of the tribe of Judahand theRoot of David(5:5), yet also theLamb who was slainand theWorthy One(5:6, 9, 12). He is theSon of Man(14:14), theWord of God(19:13), and theKing of kings and Lord of lords(19:16). He is theAlpha and the Omega, theBeginning and the End(22:13), theRoot and the Descendant of David, and theBright Morning Star(22:16). For this reason, the book of Revelation may rightly be calledthe most Christ-centered book in the Bible. How can I say that? Because, as Paul tells us,all the promises of God find their Yes in Jesus Christand Revelation is the book that shows us, again and again, how Jesus is Gods Yes to every promise He has ever made. This is the primary reason why we are assured a blessing for all who read, hear, and keep what is written in Revelation. You do know, dont you, that you can read something and not hear it right? You can read a verse in the Bible and not really hear it, just as easily as someone can tell you something and it goes in one ear and then out the other with little to no effect. I believe part of that blessing is reflected in whatThe Center for Bible Engagementdiscovered through a large-scale study on Bible engagement involving more than 600,000 participants. The results surprised many peopleincluding those who conducted the research. The study found that individuals who engaged with Scripture at least four times a week experienced: a30% drop in loneliness a32% drop in anger a40% drop in bitterness in marriage and relationships a57% drop in alcoholism a60% drop in sexual sins, including pornography addiction a62% drop in those who felt distant from God So what does it mean to keep the book of Revelation? It means more than reading it or debating itit means treasuring its words and following the Christ it reveals in obedient faith. The very first sentence of the book gives us this clue:The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servantsThe word translatedservantsis the Greek worddoulos, a term that speaks of belonging, allegiance, and obligation. A true Christian, then, is not someone who merely speaks well of Jesus, but someone who gladly submits to Himyielding not just words, but life itselfin faithful service to the One who is revealed as Lord. And this is why we are called to read, hear, and keep the words of Revelationnot only because of the blessing it promises, but becausethe time is near.What time is near? Not simply the final return of Christ, though that hope is never absent. Rather, John is pointing to the nearness of pressure, opposition, and persecution that come when allegiance to Jesus collides with the demands of the world. Revelation prepares Gods people to remain faithful when conformity is rewarded and faithfulness is costly. Behold Our Triune God (vv. 4-6) So why should we press on in light of what is coming? Why read, hear, and keep the words of this book? Because of who God is. Our God is the LORD AlmightyYahwehand there is no one like Him. He is the One who greets His people and extends grace and peace to those who belong to Him. Johns greeting is not casual; it is deeply theological and addressed to the seven churches. These were seven real, historical congregations located in strategic cities of Asia Minor. Yet because the number seven signifies fullness and completeness, they also represent the church as a wholeGods people in every generation and in every place. In that sense, the seven churches represent us. And it is to this churchthen and nowthat grace and peace are given. They come first from the eternal, self-existent God, the One Isaiah proclaimed when he said,Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god(Isa. 44:6). This is the God who stands at the beginning and the end of historythe God who is never threatened, never surprised, and never displaced. This God is also all-sufficient and unchanging. James calls Himthe Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change(Jas. 1:17). In a world where rulers rise and fall and circumstances shift, God remains the same. That is why His grace does not fade and His peace does not fail. In Revelation 1:4, He is described as the Onewho is and who was and who is to come.This is God the Fatherthe great I AMwho once set His people free by crushing Pharaoh and now meets His suffering church with grace and peace. This grace and peace also come from the sevenfold Spiritthe Holy Spirit. The language of seven spirits speaks not of multiple beings, but of the fullness and perfection of the one Spirit who proceeds from Gods throne. It is the Holy Spirit who applies Gods grace to our hearts, sustains us in suffering, and empowers faithful witness. And finally, this grace and peace come from Jesus Christ, the Son. John describes Him asthe faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.Jesus is the faithful witness because He perfectly revealed God and bore faithful testimony to the trutheven unto death. As the firstborn from the dead, He conquered death on our behalf, guaranteeing resurrection life for all who belong to Him. As Paul declares,Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep(1 Cor. 15:20), and again,He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent(Col. 1:18). Our risen Lord is not waiting to ruleHe already reigns. He is not described as one whowill bethe ruler of the kings of the earth, but as the One whoisthe ruler of the kings of the earth. Having lived the life we could not live, died the death we deserved, and risen in victory, Jesus is now exalted at the right hand of the Father. As Scripture declares,At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father(Phil. 2:911). But thats not all, dear brothers and sisters. Scripture tells us that truth is established by two or more faithful witness. Again and again, God confirms His testimony through two witnesses. And in Revelation 1:56, John gives us exactly that. Christ bears witness to His love for us in two unmistakable ways:He has freed us from our sins by His blood, and He has made us a kingdompriests to His God and Father.These two witnesses proclaim one glorious truthnot merely what Christ has done, but who we are to Him. They testify to this above all else:He loves us. He loves us. The love of Christ is never passive. The One who loves us frees us, and the One who frees us forms us into something new. Revelation does not simply assure us that we are lovedit tells us who we now are because we are loved. And that is where John now turns our attention. Behold the Coming King (vv. 7-8) Where is the love of Christ leading us? What was it in these words that was meant to encourage John and the seven churches? Jesusthe faithful witness who lived the life we could never live, the firstborn from the dead who died the death we deserved, and the ruler of the kings of the earth who has made us a kingdom of priestsis coming back for us. How is He coming back? He is coming to be seen, and He is coming in glory. Long before John ever saw this vision, the prophetDanielwas given a glimpse of that day when he wrote,I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away(Dan. 7:1314). When Jesus returns, every eye will see Himincluding those who pierced Him. Jesus Himself described what John records in Revelation 1:7 when He said,Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matt.24:30). At His appearing, the tribes of the earth will mournthose who rejected Him, mocked Him, and sought to silence Him by silencing His church. But not all tears will be tears of grief or fear. For those who belong to Christ, for those who have longed for His appearing, our tears will be tears of joy, relief, and celebration. Throughout the book ofRevelation, Jesus promises His coming again and againno fewer than seven times (2:25; 3:11; 16:15; 22:7, 12, 20). This is the first of those promises, but it will not be the last. So what confidence do we have that this will happen? What guarantee do we have that Jesus is truly coming back? Our assurance rests not only in the empty tomb He walked out of, nor only in His promise as the faithful and true witness, but in God Himselfthe One who declares,I am the Alpha and the Omega.He is the great I AM. He is the Lord Almightythe One who is and who was and who is to come. Because He does not change, His promises do not fail, and it is this unchanging God who has guaranteed that these promises belong to His redeemed sons and daughters. Conclusion Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, devote yourselves wholeheartedly to the risen and reigning Christ, rather than to the temporary powers and fleeting trends of this world. Anchor your plans, your hopes, and your very lives in Him alone. Let your hearts rest in the deep assurance of His unfailing lovethe love that has freed you from your sins by His precious blood and has made you a kingdom of priests to His God and Father. As you await the glorious appearing of the King who will come with power for all to see, endure the pressures that seek to silence your testimony, resist the subtle temptations to compromise, and hold fast to the blessing promised to those who read, hear, and keep the words of this prophecy. Do all this with unshakable confidence and living hope, for the One who calls you is faithful, and He will surely fulfill all that He has promised. So here is what I want to leave you with. If you would remember what it means to read, hear, and keep the words of the book of Revelation, remember this one word:HEAR. H Hold fastto the blessing promised to those who read, hear, and keep the words of this prophecy. E Endurethe pressures that seek to silence your testimony. A Anchoryour plans, your dreams, and your hopes in the incomparable Christ. R Resistthe subtle temptations to compromise, trusting that God will fulfill all His promises.

Keith Miller Meadowbrooke Church January 25, 2026 Behold Our Great God Revelation 1:1-8 Introduction In a world that exalts earthly power and demands allegiance, the book of Revelation pulls back the curtain and shows us the true throne of heaven. It calls Gods people to place their hope and loyalty not in the rulers of this age, but in Jesus Christthe One who governs history and alone deserves our allegiance. To grasp Revelation rightly, we must consider the circumstances in which it was given. Most scholars agree that the book was written near the end of the first century, likely between AD 90 and 95, during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian. John tells us that he received this revelation while exiled on the island of Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 1:9). His exile was not a voluntary retreat, but punishment for unwavering faithfulness to Christ. John had lived a long and costly life of discipleship. He had outlived the other apostles, witnessed the rise and fall of emperors, and seen friends and fellow believers martyred for their allegiance to Jesus. He had watched the brutality of Rome unleashedmost notably in the devastation of Jerusalemand he had seen firsthand what happens when earthly powers claim absolute authority. Long before Romes pressure intensified, many Jewish believers in Jesus had already been pushed out of their own communitiesexcluded from synagogues, cut off from family life, and treated as apostates rather than brothers. Faithfulness to Christ often meant losing ones religious home before ever confronting the power of the empire. By the time John was exiled, the pressure on the church had intensified. Under Domitian, emperor worship became a test of loyalty, especially in Asia Minor. For most citizens, participation was routine. For Christians, it was a crisis. To confess Jesus is Lord was to deny Caesar that title, and refusal could lead to social exclusion, economic loss, exile, or worse. This was not a moment of widespread slaughter, but of steady compromise. Christians were not being asked, Will you die for Christ today? They were being asked, Will you bendjust a little? It is into this world that Revelation was given. The very wordrevelationmeans unveiling. God is not hiding His purposes; He is revealing them. This book was written to a pressured church to show who truly reigns, how history is moving, and why faithfulness to Jesus is always worth the cost. And that is where Revelation begins. Behold the Blessing (vv. 1-3) When it comes to Revelation, the book is notRevelations. It is not a series of secret disclosures reserved for the most skilled students of prophetic Scripture. It is not a collection of clues designed to help us identify the next antichristespecially since we are told that many antichrists have already come. It is also not a puzzle to figure out the timing of Christs return, for Jesus even said, But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only (Matt. 24:36). Revelation isarevelationbut more precisely, it isthe Revelation of Jesus Christ. That is how the book begins, and that is what the book is about. So what does Revelation reveal about Jesus? Everything. From beginning to end, Revelation presents Jesus in the fullness of His person and work. He is thefaithful witness, thefirstborn from the dead, and theruler of the kings of the earth(1:5). He is theFirst and the Last, theLiving One (1:1718), theHoly One, theTrue One(3:7), and theoriginator of Gods creation(3:14). He is theLion of the tribe of Judahand theRoot of David(5:5), yet also theLamb who was slainand theWorthy One(5:6, 9, 12). He is theSon of Man(14:14), theWord of God(19:13), and theKing of kings and Lord of lords(19:16). He is theAlpha and the Omega, theBeginning and the End(22:13), theRoot and the Descendant of David, and theBright Morning Star(22:16). For this reason, the book of Revelation may rightly be calledthe most Christ-centered book in the Bible. How can I say that? Because, as Paul tells us,all the promises of God find their Yes in Jesus Christand Revelation is the book that shows us, again and again, how Jesus is Gods Yes to every promise He has ever made. This is the primary reason why we are assured a blessing for all who read, hear, and keep what is written in Revelation. You do know, dont you, that you can read something and not hear it right? You can read a verse in the Bible and not really hear it, just as easily as someone can tell you something and it goes in one ear and then out the other with little to no effect. I believe part of that blessing is reflected in whatThe Center for Bible Engagementdiscovered through a large-scale study on Bible engagement involving more than 600,000 participants. The results surprised many peopleincluding those who conducted the research. The study found that individuals who engaged with Scripture at least four times a week experienced: a30% drop in loneliness a32% drop in anger a40% drop in bitterness in marriage and relationships a57% drop in alcoholism a60% drop in sexual sins, including pornography addiction a62% drop in those who felt distant from God So what does it mean to keep the book of Revelation? It means more than reading it or debating itit means treasuring its words and following the Christ it reveals in obedient faith. The very first sentence of the book gives us this clue:The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servantsThe word translatedservantsis the Greek worddoulos, a term that speaks of belonging, allegiance, and obligation. A true Christian, then, is not someone who merely speaks well of Jesus, but someone who gladly submits to Himyielding not just words, but life itselfin faithful service to the One who is revealed as Lord. And this is why we are called to read, hear, and keep the words of Revelationnot only because of the blessing it promises, but becausethe time is near.What time is near? Not simply the final return of Christ, though that hope is never absent. Rather, John is pointing to the nearness of pressure, opposition, and persecution that come when allegiance to Jesus collides with the demands of the world. Revelation prepares Gods people to remain faithful when conformity is rewarded and faithfulness is costly. Behold Our Triune God (vv. 4-6) So why should we press on in light of what is coming? Why read, hear, and keep the words of this book? Because of who God is. Our God is the LORD AlmightyYahwehand there is no one like Him. He is the One who greets His people and extends grace and peace to those who belong to Him. Johns greeting is not casual; it is deeply theological and addressed to the seven churches. These were seven real, historical congregations located in strategic cities of Asia Minor. Yet because the number seven signifies fullness and completeness, they also represent the church as a wholeGods people in every generation and in every place. In that sense, the seven churches represent us. And it is to this churchthen and nowthat grace and peace are given. They come first from the eternal, self-existent God, the One Isaiah proclaimed when he said,Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god(Isa. 44:6). This is the God who stands at the beginning and the end of historythe God who is never threatened, never surprised, and never displaced. This God is also all-sufficient and unchanging. James calls Himthe Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change(Jas. 1:17). In a world where rulers rise and fall and circumstances shift, God remains the same. That is why His grace does not fade and His peace does not fail. In Revelation 1:4, He is described as the Onewho is and who was and who is to come.This is God the Fatherthe great I AMwho once set His people free by crushing Pharaoh and now meets His suffering church with grace and peace. This grace and peace also come from the sevenfold Spiritthe Holy Spirit. The language of seven spirits speaks not of multiple beings, but of the fullness and perfection of the one Spirit who proceeds from Gods throne. It is the Holy Spirit who applies Gods grace to our hearts, sustains us in suffering, and empowers faithful witness. And finally, this grace and peace come from Jesus Christ, the Son. John describes Him asthe faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.Jesus is the faithful witness because He perfectly revealed God and bore faithful testimony to the trutheven unto death. As the firstborn from the dead, He conquered death on our behalf, guaranteeing resurrection life for all who belong to Him. As Paul declares,Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep(1 Cor. 15:20), and again,He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent(Col. 1:18). Our risen Lord is not waiting to ruleHe already reigns. He is not described as one whowill bethe ruler of the kings of the earth, but as the One whoisthe ruler of the kings of the earth. Having lived the life we could not live, died the death we deserved, and risen in victory, Jesus is now exalted at the right hand of the Father. As Scripture declares,At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father(Phil. 2:911). But thats not all, dear brothers and sisters. Scripture tells us that truth is established by two or more faithful witness. Again and again, God confirms His testimony through two witnesses. And in Revelation 1:56, John gives us exactly that. Christ bears witness to His love for us in two unmistakable ways:He has freed us from our sins by His blood, and He has made us a kingdompriests to His God and Father.These two witnesses proclaim one glorious truthnot merely what Christ has done, but who we are to Him. They testify to this above all else:He loves us. He loves us. The love of Christ is never passive. The One who loves us frees us, and the One who frees us forms us into something new. Revelation does not simply assure us that we are lovedit tells us who we now are because we are loved. And that is where John now turns our attention. Behold the Coming King (vv. 7-8) Where is the love of Christ leading us? What was it in these words that was meant to encourage John and the seven churches? Jesusthe faithful witness who lived the life we could never live, the firstborn from the dead who died the death we deserved, and the ruler of the kings of the earth who has made us a kingdom of priestsis coming back for us. How is He coming back? He is coming to be seen, and He is coming in glory. Long before John ever saw this vision, the prophetDanielwas given a glimpse of that day when he wrote,I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away(Dan. 7:1314). When Jesus returns, every eye will see Himincluding those who pierced Him. Jesus Himself described what John records in Revelation 1:7 when He said,Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matt.24:30). At His appearing, the tribes of the earth will mournthose who rejected Him, mocked Him, and sought to silence Him by silencing His church. But not all tears will be tears of grief or fear. For those who belong to Christ, for those who have longed for His appearing, our tears will be tears of joy, relief, and celebration. Throughout the book ofRevelation, Jesus promises His coming again and againno fewer than seven times (2:25; 3:11; 16:15; 22:7, 12, 20). This is the first of those promises, but it will not be the last. So what confidence do we have that this will happen? What guarantee do we have that Jesus is truly coming back? Our assurance rests not only in the empty tomb He walked out of, nor only in His promise as the faithful and true witness, but in God Himselfthe One who declares,I am the Alpha and the Omega.He is the great I AM. He is the Lord Almightythe One who is and who was and who is to come. Because He does not change, His promises do not fail, and it is this unchanging God who has guaranteed that these promises belong to His redeemed sons and daughters. Conclusion Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, devote yourselves wholeheartedly to the risen and reigning Christ, rather than to the temporary powers and fleeting trends of this world. Anchor your plans, your hopes, and your very lives in Him alone. Let your hearts rest in the deep assurance of His unfailing lovethe love that has freed you from your sins by His precious blood and has made you a kingdom of priests to His God and Father. As you await the glorious appearing of the King who will come with power for all to see, endure the pressures that seek to silence your testimony, resist the subtle temptations to compromise, and hold fast to the blessing promised to those who read, hear, and keep the words of this prophecy. Do all this with unshakable confidence and living hope, for the One who calls you is faithful, and He will surely fulfill all that He has promised. So here is what I want to leave you with. If you would remember what it means to read, hear, and keep the words of the book of Revelation, remember this one word:HEAR. H Hold fastto the blessing promised to those who read, hear, and keep the words of this prophecy. E Endurethe pressures that seek to silence your testimony. A Anchoryour plans, your dreams, and your hopes in the incomparable Christ. R Resistthe subtle temptations to compromise, trusting that God will fulfill all His promises.

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  27 And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  28 For which of you having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down, and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it:  29 Lest, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him,  30 Saying: This man began to build, and was not able to finish.[26] "Hate not": The law of Christ does not allow us to hate even our enemies, much less our parents: but the meaning of the text is, that we must be in that disposition of soul, as to be willing to renounce, and part with every thing, how near or dear soever it may be to us, that would keep us from following Christ. 31 Or what king, about to go to make war against another king, doth not first sit down, and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, cometh against him?  32 Or else, whilst the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace.  33 So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple.St Timothy, who is the best-known disciple of St Paul, was bishop of Ephesus in Asia Minor. He was stoned to death by pagans A.D. 97.

Revelation 2:1-7 - Speaker: Jon Kopp - We are beginning a new series through Revelation chapters 2 and 3. In these chapters, we find a collection of letters from Jesus Himself to seven historic churches scattered across Asia Minor. About sixty years after Jesus ascended into heaven—after His church was birthed at Pentecost and had begun to grow—Jesus speaks again and gives His assessment of the health, faithfulness, and dangers facing His church. But these messages are not meant only for those original seven congregations. These letters were written to them, and they were written for us. Every single letter ends with the same phrase: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” And that refrain matters, especially when we consider that these seven churches were not the only churches in the region at the time. Why were only seven churches addressed? Because, these seven churches summarize the kinds of situations and needs Christ's people have always faced. We find a clue of this in how the Book of Revelation repeatedly uses the number seven to represent completeness and fullness. In other words, in these letters we hear a comprehensive word from Christ...one intended not just for the first century, but for every church and every follower of Jesus all the way to today. So as we begin this series, we are invited to lean in, to listen carefully, and to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Revelation 2:1-7 - Speaker: James Lockwood - We are beginning a new series through Revelation chapters 2 and 3. In these chapters, we find a collection of letters from Jesus Himself to seven historic churches scattered across Asia Minor. About sixty years after Jesus ascended into heaven—after His church was birthed at Pentecost and had begun to grow—Jesus speaks again and gives His assessment of the health, faithfulness, and dangers facing His church. But these messages are not meant only for those original seven congregations. These letters were written to them, and they were written for us. Every single letter ends with the same phrase: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” And that refrain matters, especially when we consider that these seven churches were not the only churches in the region at the time. Why were only seven churches addressed? Because, these seven churches summarize the kinds of situations and needs Christ's people have always faced. We find a clue of this in how the Book of Revelation repeatedly uses the number seven to represent completeness and fullness. In other words, in these letters we hear a comprehensive word from Christ...one intended not just for the first century, but for every church and every follower of Jesus all the way to today. So as we begin this series, we are invited to lean in, to listen carefully, and to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

The book of Revelation is not a coded timetable, nor a speculative map of the end-times. It is a letter written by the Apostle John to first-century Christians living in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It aims to bring encouragement and hope to disciples of Jesus living in turbulent times. As G.K. Beale puts it, “Revelation is the Bible's battle cry of victory.” Through dramatic symbols drawn from the Old Testament, Revelation equips the church with the heavenly perspective needed to persevere in faith until the end. In this series, we will see:-Jesus rules from the throne.-The church is spiritually protected even as it suffers.-Evil is judged and defeated.-God's mission advances through the witness of His people.-The Lamb will return to renew creation and dwell with His people forever.Revelation calls the church not to fear, but to faithful endurance, confident that the Lamb is victorious and His victory is ours.

Followers of Jesus, 1 Peter says, rejoice "even if now for a little while [we] have had to suffer various trials" (1:6). It's a teaching shared across the writings of the New Testament: the kingdom of God has come already in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church but has not yet come in its fullness. We are born to a "living hope" as we await "a salvation... to be revealed in the last time" (1:3,5). And while we wait, we suffer-- a word used twenty times in 1 Peter in the NRSV.  Join us as we consider suffering in 1 Peter in the context of the kingdom come and coming and how we might suffer "mindful of God" (2:19) "entrusting [our] souls to a faithful Creator" (4:19)- Series Description -  In this series we will explore 1 and 2 Peter, the Apostle Peter's two letters to the scattered first-century church in Asia Minor, who, though distant in time and place from ourselves, nonetheless share many of the very challenges that we do. We will consider what it means to be “third-culture people” who are chosen by God and called for his sake to live both fruitfully and prophetically in a land not our own 

In the first of the letters to the seven church of Asia Minor, Christ reveals himself as the one who knows. Specifically he reveals himself as the one who knows three things about the church in Ephesus: 1. He who knows the church 2. ⁠He knows their works 3. ⁠He knows their suffering The one who knew the church in Ephesus knows our churches also.

"The holy Hierarch Hilary was born of pagan parents in Gaul, and was trained in philosophy and rhetoric. At a time when paganism was still strong in Gaul, Saint Hilary understood the falsehood of polytheism, and became a Christian, and a great defender of his new Faith. About the year 350 he was ordained Bishop of Poitiers, when Arles and Milan were in the hands of the Arians and the Arian Constantius was sole Emperor. Like his contemporary Saint Athanasius, Saint Hilary's episcopate was one long struggle against the Arians. As Bishop of Poitiers, Saint Hilary foresaw the future greatness of Martin (see Nov. 12), and attached him to himself. In 355, when required to agree to the condemnation of Saint Athanasius by the Council of Milan, Hilary wrote an epistle to Constantius condemning the wrongs done by the Arians and requesting, among other things, the restoration of the Orthodox bishops, including Athanasius. For this, Hilary was banished to Asia Minor, where he wrote his greatest work, On the Trinity. Saint Hilary returned to his see in 360, where Saint Martin sought him out again. It was at this time that Saint Hilary blessed Martin to found a monastery near Poitiers, where Martin remained until being consecrated Bishop of Tours in 371. In his last years, Saint Hilary strove for the deposition of Auxentius, the Arian Bishop of Milan, but by affecting an Orthodox confession Auxentius retained his see. Saint Hilary reposed in peace about the year 368. Auxentius died in 374 and was succeeded by Saint Ambrose, who continued Saint Hilary's battle against Arianism." (Great Horologion, adapted)

The book of Revelation is not a coded timetable, nor a speculative map of the end-times. It is a letter written by the Apostle John to first-century Christians living in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It aims to bring encouragement and hope to disciples of Jesus living in turbulent times. As G.K. Beale puts it, “Revelation is the Bible's battle cry of victory.” Through dramatic symbols drawn from the Old Testament, Revelation equips the church with the heavenly perspective needed to persevere in faith until the end. In this series, we will see:-Jesus rules from the throne.-The church is spiritually protected even as it suffers.-Evil is judged and defeated.-God's mission advances through the witness of His people.-The Lamb will return to renew creation and dwell with His people forever.Revelation calls the church not to fear, but to faithful endurance, confident that the Lamb is victorious and His victory is ours.

The author of 1 Peter calls Jesus followers a holy priesthood (1 Pet 2:5). He commands them to be holy as God is holy.If the people of God are already living in exile, it could seem like this is just another hard thing: how can I live as a holy priest in a context of exile, oppression, and suffering? This is daunting unless holiness is not a standard to live up to, but a set apart path laid out for us with a guide who has chosen us to walk with him. The fundamental difference of this path versus any other is an experience of receiving mercy.- - Series Description -In this series we will explore 1 and 2 Peter, the Apostle Peter's two letters to the scattered first-century church in Asia Minor, who, though distant in time and place from ourselves, nonetheless share many of the very challenges that we do. We will consider what it means to be “third-culture people” who are chosen by God and called for his sake to live both fruitfully and prophetically in a land not our own 

In this sermon. Pastor Christopher talks about our faith and what it allows us to overcome in the world. He shares with us the victory and verification we have as believers, and how important it is to know the essentials of our faith in the midst of other teaching and cults. Finally, he breaks down the faith contrasting Cerinthianism, and how to prove that John could have/did live in Asia Minor. What have the believers overcome, and how did they gain this victory? Does having God in us give us a free pass to sin? Listen to learn more! LAKEVIEW MISSIONARY CHURCH810 S. Evergreen Dr.Moses Lake, WA 98837509-765-5270www.LakeviewMissionaryChurch.comPastor Christopher sends a weekly update to our church every Wednesday with an encouraging article, prayer requests, and announcements. Subscribe here, http://eepurl.com/hC7SHDScripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Full Text of Readings The Saint of the day is Saint Basil the Great Saint Basil the Great's Story Saint Basil the Great was on his way to becoming a famous teacher when he decided to begin a religious life of gospel poverty. After studying various modes of religious life, he founded what was probably the first monastery in Asia Minor. He is to monks of the East what Saint Benedict is to the West, and Basil's principles influence Eastern monasticism today. He was ordained a priest, assisted the archbishop of Caesarea—now southeastern Turkey—and ultimately became archbishop himself, in spite of opposition from some of the bishops under him, probably because they foresaw coming reforms. Arianism, one of the most damaging heresies in the history of the Church which denied the divinity of Christ, was at its height. Emperor Valens persecuted orthodox believers, and put great pressure on Basil to remain silent and admit the heretics to communion. Basil remained firm, and Valens backed down. But trouble remained. When the great Saint Athanasius died, the mantle of defender of the faith against Arianism fell upon Basil. He strove mightily to unite and rally his fellow Catholics who were crushed by tyranny and torn by internal dissension. He was misunderstood, misrepresented, accused of heresy and ambition. Even appeals to the pope brought no response. “For my sins I seem to be unsuccessful in everything.” Saint Basil the Great was tireless in pastoral care. He preached twice a day to huge crowds, built a hospital that was called a wonder of the world—as a youth he had organized famine relief and worked in a soup kitchen himself—and fought the prostitution business. Basil was best known as an orator. Though not recognized greatly in his lifetime, his writings rightly place him among the great teachers of the Church. Seventy-two years after his death, the Council of Chalcedon described him as “the great Basil, minister of grace who has expounded the truth to the whole earth.” Reflection As the French say, “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” Basil faced the same problems as modern Christians. Sainthood meant trying to preserve the spirit of Christ in such perplexing and painful problems as reform, organization, fighting for the poor, maintaining balance and peace in misunderstanding.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

"Come prepared to give a brief contextual overview of each books - don't summarize each book, share any details we need to know about author, audience, and main themes. Then be ready to answer the following: 1. In Revelation 1, John sees a vision of the risen Christ with blazing eyes, a sharp sword, and a voice like rushing waters. What do these images mean, and why is it important that the book begins with such a powerful picture of Jesus? 2. Revelation 2–3 contains messages to seven specific churches in Asia Minor. How should we read these letters—as just historical, or as words for the global church today? 3. Each letter ends with a promise to ‘the one who conquers.' What does it mean to be an overcomer in Revelation, and how does that theme prepare us for the rest of the book? (Bonus points if you can tie in Christmas) Daniel 10:6; Ezekiel 43:2 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6SG7aaE1ZjjFkgB34G8zp3?si=c960a63736904665 Check out the Join The Journey Website for today's devotional and more resources! https://www.jointhejourney.com/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Watermark-Community-Church/author/B0BRYP5MQK?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1755623322&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=8aeeec3b-6c1c-416d-87ae-5dfbbb6981df"