Podcasts about in revelation

In Revelation 12:10-12, the Lord teaches us that our enemy is defeated by the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony. Our personal stories of walking with Jesus serve as powerful reminders of His faithfulness, bring glory to Him, and can help set others free. This Testimony Sunday, we heard three remarkable stories of God's rescue and goodness in the lives of three greatly loved family members here at Antioch.

In Revelation 19:6-9, we're reminded that Scripture begins and ends with a wedding—Jesus is coming back for his bride, the Church! The promise of His return fills us with both incredible hope and urgency to live out our faith and invite others to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

What if the one activity we'll be doing for all eternity is something we should be practicing right now? This powerful sermon by Pastor Brent Snook, Senior Pastor of First Baptist of Glen Este opens our eyes to the centrality of worship in heaven and challenges us to make it central in our lives today. In Revelation 4 and 5, we're given a breathtaking glimpse through the apostle John's vision—a man in exile, isolated and discouraged, suddenly granted access to peer through heaven's portals. What he saw transforms everything: a throne, symbolizing God's sovereignty and control, surrounded by continuous worship. The message is clear: while our earthly circumstances may feel chaotic and out of control, God remains sovereign on His throne. When we learn to view our struggles against the backdrop of heaven's reality, everything changes. We're reminded that Jesus is worthy for three profound reasons—He created all things, He will conquer all evil, and He redeemed us through Calvary. This isn't just theological truth; it's an invitation to shift our focus from temporal troubles to eternal glory, to practice now what we'll be perfecting forever.

In Revelation 20:7-10, Satan is released from his prison and goes out to deceive the nations to rally them for war against the people of God.  This is similar to other passages in Revelation, and so the question becomes: What's the relationship? Is this an instance of recapitulation, or does Revelation present yet another scene that speaks of different events? The text also speaks of "Gog and Magog." Who (or what) are these entities? How does the rest of the passage (vv. 11-15) factor into the equation? Listen to find out!+++Support The Bible (Unmuted) via Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/TheBibleUnmuted⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matthew's blog: matthewhalsted.substack.comDon't forget to subscribe to The Bible (Unmuted)!

In Revelation 13, the “beast” is described as having a mouth full of blasphemies—echoing Daniel's prophecy of the proud and defiant king. Steve Wood explains how this final Antichrist fulfills what Antiochus foreshadowed, and why God allows such evil to reign for a limited time. During this dark period, the saints—true followers of Christ—will face intense persecution. Yet Scripture reveals that they conquer by being conquered, just as their Savior did. This episode explores the mystery of endurance, the meaning of “it was given” and “it was allowed,” and how the Church's final trial fulfills the Catechism's teaching on the Antichrist (CCC 675). For more resources on biblical prophecy, visit us online at www.BibleforCatholics.com. 

Welcome to our Reveal podcast,Today, we're tackling one of the most dramatic images in the Book of Revelation  The Dragon and The Beast.In Revelation 12 and 13, the Apostle John describes a dragon and a beast rising out of the sea terrifying, powerful figures that symbolize satanic rebellion and worldly deception.The dragon is clearly identified in Revelation 12:9 as Satan himself  “that ancient serpent called the devil.” He is the spiritual power behind all evil, seeking to oppose God's plan and destroy His people.Then comes the beast from the sea, representing earthly empires or leaders empowered by the dragon a picture of political and spiritual systems that demand worship and allegiance apart from God. This beast mirrors the dragon's authority, imitating divine power but using it to deceive and persecute.Together, the dragon and the beast form a kind of unholy trinity, a counterfeit of God's truth. While the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bring life and salvation, the dragon, the beast, and later the false prophet bring deception, control, and destruction.But here's the hope their reign is temporary. Revelation 19 shows Jesus returning in glory, destroying the beast, and binding the dragon. Evil may roar for a season, but Christ's victory is eternal.To support this ministry and help us continue our God-given mission, click here:Subscribe to our channel for the latest sermons:https://www.youtube.com/@revealvineyardLearn more about Vineyard Church Reveal Campus:https://www.revealvineyard.com/Follow us on social media!Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/vineyardrevealcampus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/RevealVineyard

In Revelation 20:1-3, an angel descends from heaven with a key to the bottomless pit and a great chain, symbolizing delegated authority from God to bind Satan for a thousand years. The bottomless pit, or "abyss" (Greek: abyssos), is a spiritual prison for demonic forces, possibly located in the sea, as suggested by Jewish teachings and biblical references like Amos and Luke 8:31. Keys represent authority, as seen with Jesus holding keys to death and Hades. Christians grow in authority by recognizing, submitting to, and using it against demonic forces.All these questions were answered just as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, John Hagee, Jentezen Franklin, Benny Hinn, Chris Oyaklihome, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Joyce Meyer, Paul Dhinakaran, Samuel Patta, Ezekiah Francis, Johnson Varghese, Paul Thangiah, Mohan C Lazarus, TD Jakes and others01.)What is the bottomless pit in Revelation 20:1? 02.)What does the key to the bottomless pit symbolize? 03.)What is the significance of the great chain in the angel's hand? 04.)Who is the angel in Revelation 20:1? 05.)How is Satan bound in the bottomless pit? 06.)What are the three falls of Satan mentioned? 07.)Where is the bottomless pit located? 08.)Why do demons fear the bottomless pit? 09.)How can Christians grow in spiritual authority? 10.)What happens to the bottomless pit in the end times?

In Revelation 4, John is lifted from the chaos of earth into the calm of Heaven — and what he sees changes everything. Before the thunder, the trials, and the tribulation of Revelation unfold, God gives John a breathtaking vision of His throne.Why? Because what's happening around the throne in Heaven is meant to happen within our hearts on earth.

In Revelation 17–18, Scripture unpacks how evil operates—not just in end-time imagery we think of, but in the subtle compromises that creep into our everyday lives. Here, we see how pride, comfort, and corruption lead to destruction, but Christ's victory invites us to run our race with endurance and hope. God calls us to throw off what slows us down and live for what will last forever—the kingdom of the Lamb.

In Revelation 19, Jesus finally returns to earth to conquer those who oppose him with all the encouragement of heaven praising him!

Israel's Future in Bible Prophecy:  A Biblical Exposition   Introduction: The Setting from Luke 21 As we open our Bibles to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, we find Jesus standing on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem. His disciples marvel at the temple's grandeur, but the Lord turns their attention to far greater matters—the signs of the end times and the destiny of His people.    In Luke 21:20-24, Jesus declares: "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”   Here, the Lord Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, a tragic fulfillment of judgment on unbelieving Israel.    Yet, notice the phrase "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." This points beyond that historical event to a future restoration. The "times of the Gentiles" refer to the period when Gentile powers dominate Jerusalem, but it has an end. From this vantage, Jesus shifts in verses 25-28 to cosmic signs and His return:   "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”   Luke 21 sets the stage for our study: Israel's past rebellion, present trials, and glorious future under the Messiah's reign. God's Word promises that though Israel has stumbled, He will lift them up. Let us trace this thread through Scripture, seeing God's unchanging faithfulness to His covenant people. Israel's Past: From Abraham's Call to Repeated Rejection To understand Israel's future, we must first look back to her origins. God did not find Israel as a nation; He created her. In Genesis 12:1-3, the Lord calls Abram, a Gentile idol-worshiper from Ur of the Chaldees:   "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”   Abram—later Abraham—became the father of the Jewish nation through Isaac and Jacob, whom God renamed Israel (Genesis 32:28). This was no accident of history; it was divine election. God promised Abraham an everlasting covenant in Genesis 17:7-8:   "And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”   This covenant is unconditional—based on God's promise, not Israel's performance. It includes land, seed, and blessing, and it stands today. God reiterated it to Isaac (Genesis 26:3-4) and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15), forming the twelve tribes of Israel.   Yet, from the exodus onward, Israel repeatedly rejected her Creator. In the wilderness, they murmured against Moses and God (Exodus 17:3; Numbers 14:1-4). Entering the land, they turned to idols (Judges 2:11-13).    The kings, from Saul to the divided kingdom, led them into idolatry, culminating in Assyrian and Babylonian captivities (2 Kings 17:7-18; 2 Kings 25). Prophets like Jeremiah warned of judgment for covenant unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 3:6-10).   This pattern peaked in the rejection of the Messiah Himself. The Jewish leaders knew the Scriptures foretold His coming. Psalm 22:16-18 vividly describes His crucifixion:  "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”   Isaiah 53:3-6, 9-12 paints the suffering Servant: "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. ... And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”   Micah 5:2 pinpointed His birthplace in Bethlehem. Zechariah 9:9 described His humble entry on a donkey. The religious elite studied these texts daily. Yet, when Jesus fulfilled them—born in Bethlehem, riding into Jerusalem on a colt, bearing our sins on Calvary—they rejected Him defiantly, not blindly.   In John 1:11, we read: "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." They expected a conquering general to smash Rome, not a suffering Savior (Acts 1:6). But they knew. In Matthew 27:22-25, Pilate asks, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" The crowd cries, "Let him be crucified." When warned of innocent blood, they shout, "His blood be on us, and on our children." This was open defiance. Peter charges in Acts 2:23: "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain."    And in Acts 7:51-52, Stephen indicts: "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.”   Israel's history is one of gracious election met with stubborn rebellion. Yet God, in mercy, preserved a remnant through exile and diaspora, never forsaking His word.   Israel Today: A Tiny Nation Amid Global Hatred and Fleeting Peace Fast-forward to our day. Ethnic Israel—the Jewish people descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—numbers about 9.6 million worldwide, with roughly 7.3 million living in the modern State of Israel. This political entity, reestablished in 1948, occupies a land about 8,500 square miles—roughly seven times the size of Rhode Island, yet smaller than many U.S. states, squeezed between vast hostile neighbors. It's a miracle of survival: a people scattered for nearly 2,000 years, regathered to their ancient homeland against all odds.   But today, antisemitism surges like a tidal wave, especially in the United States. Reports show a 21% global rise in incidents in July 2025 alone, with the U.S. seeing nearly 70% of religion-based hate crimes targeting Jews. ADL surveys reveal antisemitism has woven into daily American Jewish life—on campuses, streets, and workplaces—spiking since recent Middle East conflicts. Why this hatred? Scripture unveils the roots.   First, it's divine judgment for rejecting the Messiah. In Matthew 27:25, their cry of "His blood be on us, and on our children" echoes through generations, as Jesus warned in Luke 19:41-44: "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”   This "visitation" was Christ, spurned. Zechariah 12:2-3 prophesies nations gathering against Jerusalem like a "burdensome stone," a future reality foreshadowed today.   Second, Satan fuels this enmity. As the father of lies (John 8:44), he hates Israel because through her seed comes the woman's offspring who crushes his head (Genesis 3:15). Revelation 12:13 depicts the dragon (Satan) pursuing the woman (Israel):    "And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child." Satan knows Israel's role in God's redemptive plan—birthplace of the Church, guardian of Scripture, and future throne for Messiah.   Why does God allow this? To humble His people, drive them to repentance, and fulfill prophecy. Deuteronomy 28:15, 64 warns of curses for disobedience:  "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. ... And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.”   Yet, this scattering has an end. God uses hatred to refine Israel, as Hosea 5:15 states: "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.”   Amid this, Israel boasts more peace initiatives than any nation. The Abraham Accords under President Trump in 2020 normalized ties with Arab states, and in 2025, Trump unveiled a bold 20-point Gaza peace plan, signed in its first phase, aiming for enduring prosperity without forced displacements.    Trump's "peace through strength" approach—bolstered by U.S. resolve—has invitations from leaders like Egypt's el-Sisi for regional summits. Noble as these are, Scripture warns they are fragile. Daniel 9:27 foretells a future "prince that shall come" (the Antichrist) who "shall confirm the covenant with many for one week"—a seven-year peace deal with Israel, only to break it midway: "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”   No human accord can thwart God's timeline. These deals set the stage for the ultimate betrayal.     We must distinguish: Ethnic Israel is God's covenant people, the physical descendants of Abraham (Romans 9:4-5).    Political Israel is the modern state—a vessel for prophecy, but not the full spiritual fulfillment yet.  God preserves the nation, but salvation comes to individuals who repent.   God Is Not Done with Israel: Insights from Romans 9-10 Turn to Romans 9-10, where Paul, a Jew of Jews, wrestles with his people's unbelief. He affirms God's irrevocable gifts in Romans 11:29: "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." But chapters 9-10 explain the tension.   In Romans 9:1-5, Paul's anguish pours out: "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”   Israel has every advantage—covenants, law, promises—yet many reject Christ. Paul explains in Romans 9:30-33: "What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”   Their zeal without knowledge (Romans 10:2) led to defiance.    Yet God hardens whom He will (Romans 9:18), not arbitrarily, but to fulfill mercy on both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 11:11-12, 25-27): "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? ... For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”   "All Israel shall be saved"—a national turning to Messiah at His return. Paul quotes Isaiah 59:20-21 and 27:9, confirming future restoration.     Beware of replacement theology, the dangerous error claiming the Church has permanently supplanted Israel in God's plan. It twists Romans 11 to say the "olive tree" is only the Church, erasing Israel's distinct promises. This denies the land covenant (Genesis 15:18), ignores prophecies like Ezekiel 37's dry bones reviving as a nation, and contradicts Paul's plea in Romans 10:1: "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."    This desire points future, not past. God has two programs: one for the Church (the body of Christ, Jew and Gentile in one, Ephesians 2:14-16), and one for national Israel. To merge them robs God of His faithfulness and fuels antisemitism by devaluing the Jewish people. Though Israel has defied Him—from golden calf to crucifying the King—God loves His covenant people. Jeremiah 31:3 whispers: "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."    He cannot break covenant; Numbers 23:19 assures: "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”   Israel's Future: Tribulation, Invasion, and Glorious Restoration The road ahead is stormy, but victory dawns. Zechariah 12:10 promises: "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”   The Great Tribulation: Judgment and Awakening The Tribulation—a seven-year period of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7)—brings global wrath, but especially on Israel. Why? First, to judge unbelieving Jews and the world for sin. Revelation 6-19 details seals, trumpets, and bowls of judgment. Second, to break Israel's defiance, as Zechariah 13:8-9 foretells:  "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”   Third, to prepare earth for Christ's return in Revelation 19:11-16, where He treads the winepress of wrath: "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ... And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”   During this horror, Israel becomes a focal point—and unwilling host to the world. Revelation 12:6 describes: "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." Multitudes flee to Israel seeking refuge, only to face Antichrist's fury. Yet, salvation breaks through. God seals 144,000 Jewish evangelists from the tribes (Revelation 7:4-8)—12,000 from each—to proclaim the Gospel worldwide.    Two witnesses in Jerusalem, empowered, most likely Moses and Elijah, prophesy for 1,260 days, calling fire from heaven and striking with plagues (Revelation 11:3-6): "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. ... And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” Their ministry awakens thousands. When slain, God resurrects them before a watching world (Revelation 11:7-12). Many Jews repent, fulfilling Romans 11:26. As Antichrist's abomination desecrates the temple (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15), believing Jews flee to Petra (Bozrah), the rose-red city of Edom. Jesus urged in Matthew 24:15-21:  "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: ... For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”   God supernaturally protects them there for 1,260 days (Revelation 12:14), as Micah 2:12 gathers a remnant to "Mizpah"—a stronghold.   The Ezekiel 38-39 Invasion: Gog's Futile Assault Before or early in the Tribulation, a massive coalition attacks a seemingly secure Israel. Ezekiel 38:1-6, 8-9, 14-16 describes: "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee. ... After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. ... Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.”   Gog (a title, perhaps Russia's leader) leads Magog (Russia), Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer (Turkey), and Togarmah. They invade for spoil, when Israel dwells "safely"—perhaps post-peace deal. God allows it to reveal His holiness (Ezekiel 38:16, 23).  But He intervenes supernaturally in Ezekiel 38:18-23; 39:1-6: "And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD. ... Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand. Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. Thou shalt fall upon the open field: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD. And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.”   Birds and beasts feast on the dead (Ezekiel 39:17-20), and it takes seven months to bury them (39:12).  God uses this to turn Israel to Him (39:21-22, 29): "And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them. So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward. ... Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.”   The Antichrist's Treachery and Christ's Victorious Return The Antichrist emerges as a false peace-broker, confirming that seven-year covenant (Daniel 9:27). But midway, he betrays: halting sacrifices, setting up his image in the temple (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4): "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”   He persecutes Jews savagely (Daniel 7:25: "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High"), demanding worship (Revelation 13:15).   But Christ returns! In Revelation 19:19-21: "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”   He binds Satan (Revelation 20:1-3) and crushes Israel's foes at Armageddon (Zechariah 14:1-4, 9): "Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. ... And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”   The Millennial Restoration: Blessing Beyond Eden With enemies vanquished, Christ establishes His 1,000-year kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6). Israel, at last, fulfills her calling as head of nations (Isaiah 2:2-3). Zechariah 8:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 paints the joy: "Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. ... Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. ... For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.”   The desert blooms (Isaiah 35:1-2: "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing").    En-Gedi's shores overflow with fish (Ezekiel 47:8-10): "Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.”   Israel becomes the world's economic powerhouse, exporting blessings (Zechariah 8:13). Nations stream to Jerusalem for instruction (Micah 4:1-2). The wolf dwells with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6-9), pre-Edenic harmony restored.   Beyond the Millennium, after final rebellion and judgment (Revelation 20:7-15), God creates new heavens and earth (Revelation 21:1-4; Isaiah 65:17; 66:22). No more curse—eternal joy, with redeemed Israel and Church worshiping the Lamb forever.   Beloved, Israel's story is God's story: rebellion met with grace. Though they defied Him, He pursues with everlasting love. As Luke 21 urges, when signs unfold, "look up"—redemption draws near. May we, like Paul, pray for Israel's salvation, standing firm on God's unbreakable Word. Amen.

In Revelation, John spends a lot of time contemplating God's justice. How do we account for evil in this world? How do we want it to be dealt with? What was does the Bible discuss it? When is lament more appropriate than certainty?

Strap your seatbelts in — it's about to get interesting.Today, we're diving deep into Revelation 13, one of the most striking and symbolically rich chapters in Scripture.Who — or what — is the Antichrist?In Revelation 13, we see a terrifying vision: a beast rising from the sea, empowered by the dragon, deceiving nations, and demanding worship. But behind the symbolism lies a profound truth — a counterfeit trinity mimicking the Father, Son, and Spirit.In this message, we unpack:What “Antichrist” really means — “against” and “in place of” ChristHow the spirit of Antichrist has been at work throughout historyThe rise of the final Antichrist — the ultimate counterfeit messiahThe unholy trinity — the Dragon, the Beast, and the False ProphetThe mystery of 666 — and why it points to rebellion against GodThe hope of Christ's unshakable kingdomFrom Daniel to Revelation, from Nero to now — this message helps you recognize deception, stand firm in truth, and live with confident hope in the true King, Jesus Christ.⛪ Subscribe for more Bible teaching and end-times insights#Revelation13 #Antichrist #BibleTeaching #EndTimes #Prophecy #JesusChrist #Faith #Sermon #TheBeast #TruthOverDeception

Crystal Rivers | Word for Now | Oct 27, 2025 In the spiritual realm, numbers function as more than mere quantities—they serve as divine measurements, spiritual addresses, and activation codes for heavenly operations. When you encounter specific numbers in scripture, particularly in prophetic books like Revelation, you're witnessing the language of spiritual architecture. Consider how your spiritual life operates with precise measurements. Just as Noah's ark required exact dimensions to become a portal of salvation, your devotional practices carry specific weights and measures. When you dedicate twenty minutes to prayer, you may be meeting a spiritual threshold that releases peace. When you maintain discipline for seven days or twenty-one days, you align with patterns that unlock divine revelations, much like Daniel's experiences. The story of Job reveals this principle powerfully. His possessions—seven sons and three daughters, seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels, five hundred oxen and five hundred donkeys—weren't random prosperity. These numbers represented a divine hedge, a spiritual canopy built through consistent priesthood and sacrifice. Job's daily intercession for his children created measurable spiritual protection that Satan couldn't penetrate until a specific season of testing arrived. Understanding this, recognize that Satan's assault on Job stemmed from terror—not mere malice. Job's expanding spiritual authority threatened to engulf an entire region, removing the enemy's foothold. The accusation wasn't merely about suffering; it questioned the purity of devotion itself: Do you serve God for who He is, or for what He provides? This question remains central to your spiritual journey. Your love for the divine must transcend material benefits. When trials come—and they will—they often arrive at promotion thresholds, testing whether your worship remains pure when everything else is stripped away. In Revelation, numbers like 144,000 aren't census data but spiritual operations. The recurring "third" throughout the trumpets isn't a fraction but a force of provocation—something that seizes attention and demands immediate response, like a trumpet blast calling to war. When you read about "a third of the stars falling," understand this as describing those who were provoked and deceived away from their divine calling, not a mathematical portion of angels. The number 3.5 appears repeatedly—42 months, 1,260 days, "time, times, and half a time"—each pointing to a complete spiritual cycle, a fullness of divine timing rather than literal chronology. These patterns reveal how heaven measures spiritual operations differently than earth measures time. Your spiritual disciplines create similar patterns. Perhaps your breakthrough number is five thousand—whether in prayer minutes, scripture verses, or seeds sown. These aren't superstitions but divine synchronicities. When you consistently meet these spiritual measurements, you activate angelic assistance and divine intervention. The key is discerning what the Spirit is saying, not imposing meaning where none exists. Remember: every spot and wrinkle in your spiritual garment provides potential access to the accuser. This isn't about perfectionism but about intentional consecration. As you grow in spiritual stature, the disciplines that once challenged you become natural expressions of your transformed nature. The yoke breaks not through struggle but through growth—through becoming too spiritually substantial for old limitations to contain. Your calling demands vigilance against deception, especially as you pursue Christ-likeness. The enemy's most sophisticated attacks target those destined for spiritual authority. Yet through patient endurance, pure devotion, and understanding of divine measurements, you build an impenetrable hedge—not through human effort but through alignment with heaven's mathematics. The ultimate message: Pursue holiness not for reward but for relationship. Understand that heaven operates by measurements and weights that manifest in earthly patterns. When you align your life with these divine rhythms—through consistent prayer, sacrifice, and devotion—you participate in operations that transcend natural limitation and release supernatural transformation.

The Bible never hides the mess that happens when sinful people collide. It doesnt take much to recognize that since Adam and Eve were promised a descendant who would crush the head of the serpent, the story of Gods people is one of dysfunction. All who make up Jesus family tree include broken and messy people. When we come to Genesis 29, we meet Jacoba deceiverand Leah, the woman no one wanted. But their story began long before this moment. God had promised Abraham that through his descendants would come a child who would bless all nations. That promise passed to Isaac, and before his twins were born, God declared,The older shall serve the younger (Gen. 25:23). Jacob deceived his aging father, stole his brothers blessing, and fled for his life. Alone in the wilderness, with only a stone for a pillow, God met him in a dream.I am the LORD, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go (Gen. 28:1315). God didnt appear to Jacob because he finally got his act togetherHe showed up in Jacobs mess. Thats the beauty of grace: God steps into our brokenness, keeps His promises, and accomplishes His plan through imperfect people. Later, God gave him the name Israel, but for the purpose of this sermon, we will continue to refer to him as Jacob (Gen. 35:9-21). Outside of Eden We Want Rachel (Gen. 29:1-20) When Laban heard his nephew had arrived, heran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house(Gen. 29:13). Jacob stayed with his uncle for a month, and during that time he fell in love with Labans younger daughter, Rachel (v. 18). Why did Jacob love Rachel? The text tells us:Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. And Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and appearance(vv. 1617). Were not told exactly what it means that Leahs eyes were weak. Some think she was cross-eyed or simply lacked the beauty that her younger sister possessed. Whatever the case, the contrast is clearLeah was plain, but Rachel was striking. Even their names hint at the difference:Leahmay mean wild cow or gazelle, whileRachelmeans ewe or lamba softer, more affectionate name. Rachel was beautiful, and Jacob was captivated. When Laban offered to pay Jacob for his work, Jacob didnt ask for wageshe offered seven years of labor for Rachels hand. Laban agreed.So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days(Gen. 29:20, NLT). Rachel was the apple of his eyethe treasure of his heart. To Jacob, life with Rachel promised the happiness he had always longed for. And isnt that what we all want? On this side of Eden, every heart searches for a Rachelsomeone or something we believe will complete us. We might not call it Rachel, but we chase it in our stories, our dreams, and our longings. We dont want Leah. We want Rachel. If the Bible repeats something, we need to pay attention to it. But, if the Bible repeats something three times, it elevates it to the superlative degree as something super important. Three times we are told of Jacobs love for Rachel: Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel. (Gen. 29:18) So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him like only a few days because of his love for her. (Gen. 29:20) So Jacob had relations with Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years. (Gen. 29:30) Guess how many times we are told that Jacob loved Leah. Zero. In fact, when it comes to love, here is what we are told: Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was unable to have children (v. 31). Outside of Eden We Get Leah (Gen. 29:21-30) After Jacob completed the seven years he had promised his uncle, he was ready to receive what his heart had longed for.Then Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife, for my time is completed, that I may have relations with her. So Laban gathered all the people of the place and held a feast(Gen. 29:2122). Finally, Jacob believed life was about to become sweet. The wedding celebration began, the food was served, and the wine flowed freely. When the bride was brought to himveiled and under cover of nightJacob, likely feeling content and confident, welcomed her.Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to him; and Jacob had relations with her.... So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah!(Gen. 29:23, 25a). Morning light brought a brutal truth. The woman beside him was not Rachelthe love of his lifebut Leah, the weak-eyed daughter whose very name meant wild cow. Jacob was furious. He had been deceivedjust as he had once deceived his brother Esau. His dream of happiness, shattered.And he said to Laban, What is this that you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?(v. 25). But Laban, the master manipulator, calmly replied,It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years(vv. 2627). Jacob was trappedused for free labor once again. He was tricked into taking the daughter he hadnt chosen, and bartered into another seven years for the one he loved. Unfortunately for Leah, she was stuck in the middle of all the drama. Outside of Eden There is Still Hope The marriage that Jacob was tricked into began with a week-long celebration. Laban insisted Jacob complete the festivities with Leah, giving enough time for her to become pregnant. Yet Jacob was eager for the days to end, and as soon as the week was over, he immediately married Rachel. Driven by the selfish motives of both Jacob and Laban, Leah found herself trappedcaught between their desires and loved by no one. Leah was rejected, while Rachel was cherished. The striking irony in Leahs story is that, while she was overlooked by everyone else, God loved her: Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was unable to have children (v. 31). Despite Gods blessings with each child, Leahs deepest longing, which was for her husbands love, remained out of reach. After every birth, Leah hoped that her husband would finally love her, yet that hope was continually unfulfilled. Consider how Leah responded after each of her first four child were born: Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben, for she said, Because the Lord has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me. (v. 32) Then she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also. So she named him Simeon. (v. 33) And she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore he was named Levi. (v. 34) And she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, This time I will praise the Lord. Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children. (v. 35) I wish Leahs story ended with her praising theLORD, but it didnt. She continued to seek Jacobs affection by giving him what Rachel could notchildren. Just as Sarah gave Hagar to Jacob, Rachel followed the same pattern when she could not conceive, unwilling to trust Gods timing. What followed was a rivalry between Leah and Rachel, each striving to win Jacobs love by giving him more sons. Both even gave their servants to Jacob, and through them, four more sons were born. In time, God blessed Leah with two additional sons and a daughter, yet her longing for her husbands love was never fulfilled (seeGen. 30:1921). Rachel, meanwhile, bore only two sonsJosephand, finally,Benjamin, the only son Jacob named. Then they journeyed on from Bethel; but when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe difficulties in her labor. And when she was suffering severe difficulties in her labor, the midwife said to her, Do not fear, for you have another son! And it came about, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin(Gen. 35:1618). Application The irony in Leahs story is striking: although she was overlooked by her father, unloved by her husband, and scorned by her younger sister, she was shown favor by God. Leah became the mother of seven children, including Levi and Judah. Through Levi, the priestly lineage was established, and through Judah, the royal line was formeda line that ultimately led to the birth of Jesus Christ! The promise God made to Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... was Leahs promise. Listen to the prophetic blessing pronounced upon Judah by Jacob in Genesis 49:8-10, As for you, Judah, your brothers shall praise you;your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;your fathers sons shall bow down to you. Judah is a lions cub;from the prey, my son, you have gone up.He crouches, he lies down as a lion,and as a lion, who dares to stir him up? The scepter will not depart from Judah,nor the rulers staff from between his feet,until Shiloh comes;and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. The ugly wife was loved by God! Leah couldnt have seen it then, but the beauty God would bring through her lineage is staggering. Her name may meanweary,exhausted,gazelle, or evenwild cowyet through her would come the Deliverer promised to Adam and Eve, to Noah, to Abraham and Sarah, to Isaac, and now to Jacob. She was the wife no one loved or treasured, except God Himself. From Leahs sons came the tribe ofLevi, the tribe set apart to oversee the worship and sacrificial life of Israel. From the Levites, God appointed theHigh Priest, chosen from Aarons line, to mediate between God and His people. Upon his chest he wore a sacred breastplate adorned with twelve precious stones, each set in gold and engraved with the name of one of Israels tribes. Thefirst stone,sardiusa deep red rubyrepresentedReuben, whose name meansBehold, a son!Thelast stone,jasper, representedBenjamin, meaningson of my right hand. Leahs legacy was not measured by Jacobs affection but by Gods covenantal love. Through the unloved wife, God brought forth the priesthood that pointed to the Great High PriestJesus Christ. Conclusion Now, permit me to show you something from Revelation 4-5. In Revelation 4, John is invited to see the heavenly throne room of God. Notice what it is that John sees: After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things. Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and someone was sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. John is ushered into heavens throne room, and what captures his attention is that the One seated on the throne radiates with the colors of jasper and sardiusthe first and last stones on the High Priests breastplate. This is not accidental imagery. It is intentional revelation. What shines from the throne is He who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. When you pair the meanings of those names Behold, a Son and Son of My right handyou hear the gospel proclaimed from the very throne of God. Who is this Son at the right hand of the Father? Revelation 1:1718 gives the answer: Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades. The One radiant like sardius and jasper is none other than Jesus Christ. And how do we know He sits at the right hand of the Father? Because Paul who himself was from the tribe represented by the jasper stonedeclares in Romans 8:3134: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring charges against Gods elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. This is the One who is worthy to open the scroll in the Fathers hand. Revelation 5:5 tells us, ...behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to be able to open the scroll and its seven seals. The elder tells John to look at the Lion of Judah. But when John turns, he doesnt see a lion. He sees a Lamb. A Lamb standing, as if slaughtered... (Rev. 5:6). Jacob chased after a beautiful woman whose name meant sheep, but through Leahthe unloved, weary wifewould come the Lamb of God. The Lamb who stands before the throne as the triumphant Redeemer. And all of heaven erupts in worship: Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing (Rev. 5:12). What is the point of Leahs story? God redeems what is ugly, weary, and rejected. He takes what the world despises and uses it to accomplish His glorious plan of redemption. This is why the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sing a new song to Leahs descendant: Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation (Rev. 5:9). And here is where the story turns deeply personal. We are Leah. We are the unlovely bride. We are the weary, broken, and undeserving. But instead of being repulsed by us, Jesus loves us. He makes us His Bride. Paul writes, For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:3839). Leahs story ends not in sorrow, but in the songs of heaven. The woman who was unloved became the vessel through whom the Lamb of God would come. The tribe she bore would point to the Great High Priest, and the Son of her bodys lineage would one day stand at the right hand of the Father. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. That is our story too. If you belong to Christ, then your shame, your weariness, and your rejection are not the end of the story. The throne is. The Lamb is. His love is.

The Bible never hides the mess that happens when sinful people collide. It doesnt take much to recognize that since Adam and Eve were promised a descendant who would crush the head of the serpent, the story of Gods people is one of dysfunction. All who make up Jesus family tree include broken and messy people. When we come to Genesis 29, we meet Jacoba deceiverand Leah, the woman no one wanted. But their story began long before this moment. God had promised Abraham that through his descendants would come a child who would bless all nations. That promise passed to Isaac, and before his twins were born, God declared,The older shall serve the younger (Gen. 25:23). Jacob deceived his aging father, stole his brothers blessing, and fled for his life. Alone in the wilderness, with only a stone for a pillow, God met him in a dream.I am the LORD, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go (Gen. 28:1315). God didnt appear to Jacob because he finally got his act togetherHe showed up in Jacobs mess. Thats the beauty of grace: God steps into our brokenness, keeps His promises, and accomplishes His plan through imperfect people. Later, God gave him the name Israel, but for the purpose of this sermon, we will continue to refer to him as Jacob (Gen. 35:9-21). Outside of Eden We Want Rachel (Gen. 29:1-20) When Laban heard his nephew had arrived, heran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house(Gen. 29:13). Jacob stayed with his uncle for a month, and during that time he fell in love with Labans younger daughter, Rachel (v. 18). Why did Jacob love Rachel? The text tells us:Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. And Leahs eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in figure and appearance(vv. 1617). Were not told exactly what it means that Leahs eyes were weak. Some think she was cross-eyed or simply lacked the beauty that her younger sister possessed. Whatever the case, the contrast is clearLeah was plain, but Rachel was striking. Even their names hint at the difference:Leahmay mean wild cow or gazelle, whileRachelmeans ewe or lamba softer, more affectionate name. Rachel was beautiful, and Jacob was captivated. When Laban offered to pay Jacob for his work, Jacob didnt ask for wageshe offered seven years of labor for Rachels hand. Laban agreed.So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to him but a few days(Gen. 29:20, NLT). Rachel was the apple of his eyethe treasure of his heart. To Jacob, life with Rachel promised the happiness he had always longed for. And isnt that what we all want? On this side of Eden, every heart searches for a Rachelsomeone or something we believe will complete us. We might not call it Rachel, but we chase it in our stories, our dreams, and our longings. We dont want Leah. We want Rachel. If the Bible repeats something, we need to pay attention to it. But, if the Bible repeats something three times, it elevates it to the superlative degree as something super important. Three times we are told of Jacobs love for Rachel: Now Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel. (Gen. 29:18) So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him like only a few days because of his love for her. (Gen. 29:20) So Jacob had relations with Rachel also, and indeed he loved Rachel more than Leah, and he served with Laban for another seven years. (Gen. 29:30) Guess how many times we are told that Jacob loved Leah. Zero. In fact, when it comes to love, here is what we are told: Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was unable to have children (v. 31). Outside of Eden We Get Leah (Gen. 29:21-30) After Jacob completed the seven years he had promised his uncle, he was ready to receive what his heart had longed for.Then Jacob said to Laban, Give me my wife, for my time is completed, that I may have relations with her. So Laban gathered all the people of the place and held a feast(Gen. 29:2122). Finally, Jacob believed life was about to become sweet. The wedding celebration began, the food was served, and the wine flowed freely. When the bride was brought to himveiled and under cover of nightJacob, likely feeling content and confident, welcomed her.Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to him; and Jacob had relations with her.... So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah!(Gen. 29:23, 25a). Morning light brought a brutal truth. The woman beside him was not Rachelthe love of his lifebut Leah, the weak-eyed daughter whose very name meant wild cow. Jacob was furious. He had been deceivedjust as he had once deceived his brother Esau. His dream of happiness, shattered.And he said to Laban, What is this that you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?(v. 25). But Laban, the master manipulator, calmly replied,It is not the practice in our place to marry off the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years(vv. 2627). Jacob was trappedused for free labor once again. He was tricked into taking the daughter he hadnt chosen, and bartered into another seven years for the one he loved. Unfortunately for Leah, she was stuck in the middle of all the drama. Outside of Eden There is Still Hope The marriage that Jacob was tricked into began with a week-long celebration. Laban insisted Jacob complete the festivities with Leah, giving enough time for her to become pregnant. Yet Jacob was eager for the days to end, and as soon as the week was over, he immediately married Rachel. Driven by the selfish motives of both Jacob and Laban, Leah found herself trappedcaught between their desires and loved by no one. Leah was rejected, while Rachel was cherished. The striking irony in Leahs story is that, while she was overlooked by everyone else, God loved her: Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was unable to have children (v. 31). Despite Gods blessings with each child, Leahs deepest longing, which was for her husbands love, remained out of reach. After every birth, Leah hoped that her husband would finally love her, yet that hope was continually unfulfilled. Consider how Leah responded after each of her first four child were born: Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben, for she said, Because the Lord has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me. (v. 32) Then she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also. So she named him Simeon. (v. 33) And she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons. Therefore he was named Levi. (v. 34) And she conceived again and gave birth to a son, and said, This time I will praise the Lord. Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children. (v. 35) I wish Leahs story ended with her praising theLORD, but it didnt. She continued to seek Jacobs affection by giving him what Rachel could notchildren. Just as Sarah gave Hagar to Jacob, Rachel followed the same pattern when she could not conceive, unwilling to trust Gods timing. What followed was a rivalry between Leah and Rachel, each striving to win Jacobs love by giving him more sons. Both even gave their servants to Jacob, and through them, four more sons were born. In time, God blessed Leah with two additional sons and a daughter, yet her longing for her husbands love was never fulfilled (seeGen. 30:1921). Rachel, meanwhile, bore only two sonsJosephand, finally,Benjamin, the only son Jacob named. Then they journeyed on from Bethel; but when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe difficulties in her labor. And when she was suffering severe difficulties in her labor, the midwife said to her, Do not fear, for you have another son! And it came about, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin(Gen. 35:1618). Application The irony in Leahs story is striking: although she was overlooked by her father, unloved by her husband, and scorned by her younger sister, she was shown favor by God. Leah became the mother of seven children, including Levi and Judah. Through Levi, the priestly lineage was established, and through Judah, the royal line was formeda line that ultimately led to the birth of Jesus Christ! The promise God made to Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... was Leahs promise. Listen to the prophetic blessing pronounced upon Judah by Jacob in Genesis 49:8-10, As for you, Judah, your brothers shall praise you;your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;your fathers sons shall bow down to you. Judah is a lions cub;from the prey, my son, you have gone up.He crouches, he lies down as a lion,and as a lion, who dares to stir him up? The scepter will not depart from Judah,nor the rulers staff from between his feet,until Shiloh comes;and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. The ugly wife was loved by God! Leah couldnt have seen it then, but the beauty God would bring through her lineage is staggering. Her name may meanweary,exhausted,gazelle, or evenwild cowyet through her would come the Deliverer promised to Adam and Eve, to Noah, to Abraham and Sarah, to Isaac, and now to Jacob. She was the wife no one loved or treasured, except God Himself. From Leahs sons came the tribe ofLevi, the tribe set apart to oversee the worship and sacrificial life of Israel. From the Levites, God appointed theHigh Priest, chosen from Aarons line, to mediate between God and His people. Upon his chest he wore a sacred breastplate adorned with twelve precious stones, each set in gold and engraved with the name of one of Israels tribes. Thefirst stone,sardiusa deep red rubyrepresentedReuben, whose name meansBehold, a son!Thelast stone,jasper, representedBenjamin, meaningson of my right hand. Leahs legacy was not measured by Jacobs affection but by Gods covenantal love. Through the unloved wife, God brought forth the priesthood that pointed to the Great High PriestJesus Christ. Conclusion Now, permit me to show you something from Revelation 4-5. In Revelation 4, John is invited to see the heavenly throne room of God. Notice what it is that John sees: After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things. Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and someone was sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance. John is ushered into heavens throne room, and what captures his attention is that the One seated on the throne radiates with the colors of jasper and sardiusthe first and last stones on the High Priests breastplate. This is not accidental imagery. It is intentional revelation. What shines from the throne is He who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. When you pair the meanings of those names Behold, a Son and Son of My right handyou hear the gospel proclaimed from the very throne of God. Who is this Son at the right hand of the Father? Revelation 1:1718 gives the answer: Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades. The One radiant like sardius and jasper is none other than Jesus Christ. And how do we know He sits at the right hand of the Father? Because Paul who himself was from the tribe represented by the jasper stonedeclares in Romans 8:3134: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring charges against Gods elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. This is the One who is worthy to open the scroll in the Fathers hand. Revelation 5:5 tells us, ...behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to be able to open the scroll and its seven seals. The elder tells John to look at the Lion of Judah. But when John turns, he doesnt see a lion. He sees a Lamb. A Lamb standing, as if slaughtered... (Rev. 5:6). Jacob chased after a beautiful woman whose name meant sheep, but through Leahthe unloved, weary wifewould come the Lamb of God. The Lamb who stands before the throne as the triumphant Redeemer. And all of heaven erupts in worship: Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing (Rev. 5:12). What is the point of Leahs story? God redeems what is ugly, weary, and rejected. He takes what the world despises and uses it to accomplish His glorious plan of redemption. This is why the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders sing a new song to Leahs descendant: Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation (Rev. 5:9). And here is where the story turns deeply personal. We are Leah. We are the unlovely bride. We are the weary, broken, and undeserving. But instead of being repulsed by us, Jesus loves us. He makes us His Bride. Paul writes, For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:3839). Leahs story ends not in sorrow, but in the songs of heaven. The woman who was unloved became the vessel through whom the Lamb of God would come. The tribe she bore would point to the Great High Priest, and the Son of her bodys lineage would one day stand at the right hand of the Father. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. That is our story too. If you belong to Christ, then your shame, your weariness, and your rejection are not the end of the story. The throne is. The Lamb is. His love is.

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (10/22/25), Hank comments on the many people who suppose the doctrine of the incarnation is impossible.Hank also answers the following questions:How do I know my faith is real? How can I be sure of my salvation? B.J. - Oklahoma City, OK (3:14)Are we required to keep rash vows we have made in our youth to the Lord, according to Deuteronomy 23:21 and Psalm 56:12? Anthony - Columbia, MO (16:09)Can you explain the father's role in vow-making from Numbers 30? Is this applicable today? Anthony - Columbia, MO (17:46)In Revelation 13:18, is John telling us we can calculate the name of the beast by the number 666? Stephen - Everett, WA (19:12)

In Revelation 17, we encounter one of the Bible's most vivid and unsettling images — the great prostitute, Babylon the Great, riding the beast and seducing the nations. But beneath the imagery lies a timeless truth: the world's systems of pleasure, prosperity, and power still war against the Lamb today.In this message, Politics and Prostitutes: A Tale of Two Cities, Pastor Timothy unpacks the meaning of Babylon as more than an ancient empire — it's the spirit of the age, the City of Man, contrasted with the City of God. Through Scripture, history, and modern parallels, we're called to live as faithful exiles: in the world, for the city, but never of the world.

In Revelation 21, the apostle John described a vision in which he saw "a new heaven and a new earth"," as well as "the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God" (verses 1-2). John's vision seems to contradict popular conceptions of Heaven as a place in the clouds. In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard examines what the Bible actually says about where believers will live in eternity.Visit PentecostalPublishing.com to shop Dr. Bernard's full catalog of published works. Enter promo code DKB10 at checkout to save 10 percent on your order.If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with family and friends.

You can't fake spiritual life. In Revelation 3, Jesus calls His church to wake up and return to what's real. Join us as we walk through what it means to move from spiritual activity to supernatural authenticity and experience true spiritual renewal.

When the End Is Really the Beginning – Week 2: “The Lamb Has The Last Word” Revelation 5 and 12:11Revelation doesn't show us chaos first—it shows us Christ.This week, Pastor Kevin continues When the End Is Really the Beginning with one of the most stunning scenes in all of Scripture: the Lion who conquers as the Lamb. In Revelation 5, John weeps because no one can open the scroll—until he hears, “Behold, the Lion of Judah has conquered.” But when he turns, he sees a Lamb, slain but standing. That moment redefines power, showing that victory in God's kingdom comes through sacrifice, not domination.Pastor Kevin also clears up two common misunderstandings—the “antichrist” and the beasts—and shows how Revelation 12:11 gives us a framework for how the Church overcomes today: by the blood of the Lamb, by the word of our testimony, and by lives laid down in love.You'll discover how the Lamb's people are already a multi-ethnic kingdom of priests who carry His presence into ordinary places. And you'll see how “beast-logic” and “Lamb-logic” collide in our everyday lives—at home, at work, online, and in our city.This message will strengthen your faith and remind you that our hope is not in identifying beasts, but in following the Lamb who has already won. The end is not the beasts having the last word; the Lamb has the last word. And the end is really the beginning.Broad River Church | Norwalk, CT Join us Sundays: 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM (English) | 12:45 PM (Español) Learn more or take your next step: https://broadriver.church/nextsteps Follow us on Instagram: @iambroadriverchurch

Thank you for listening to our Surge Church Podcast. In Revelation 2, Jesus rebuked the Church of Ephesus by calling them the "Loveless Church." He said - "you have left your first love." Although Jesus commended them for their good works, He called them to repentance for doing works out of Christian habit and duty with no love or zeal. How easy it is for the Christian life to become habitual and dutiful, while lacking a love and fervor for God. Let us return to our first love!

In Revelation 15–16, we encounter one of Scripture's most sobering truths — the wrath of God. Far from being cruel or impulsive, God's wrath is the necessary expression of His holy love and justice.Pastor Timothy unpacks the two expressions of wrath — passive and active — and shows how every act of divine judgment flows from a heart of love that refuses to let evil win. Through powerful connections to Romans, Exodus, and the cross, we see that Jesus drank the cup of wrath so we could drink the cup of salvation.

In Revelation 12, a woman clothed with the sun goes into labor—while a dragon waits to destroy what she's carrying. This isn't just a story—it's a picture of spiritual warfare.Every time God puts something inside you to birth, the enemy tries to attack it before it's born. But what God has placed in you will come forth. The dragon can't stop destiny.This message will open your eyes to the unseen battle between Heaven's promise and hell's resistance—and remind you that when God says it's time to deliver, no force in hell can stop the birth.Watch now, and follow for more messages that strengthen your spirit and sharpen your discernment.

Great Restoration and Revival (audio) David Eells 10/8/25 Tommy Hicks – 7/25/1961 (David's notes in red) (This is a powerful vision given to American preacher Tommy Hicks, who was a major figure in the 1954 Argentina Revival.) A vision of the Body of Christ in the End-time ministries. (My message begins July 25, about 2:30 in the morning at Winnipeg, Canada. I had hardly fallen asleep when the vision and the revelation that God gave me came before me. The vision came three times, exactly in detail, the morning of July 25, 1961. I was so stirred and so moved by the revelation that this has changed my complete outlook upon the body of Christ, and upon the end-time ministries. The greatest thing that the church of Jesus Christ has ever been given lies straight ahead. It is so hard to help men and women to realize and understand the thing that God is trying to give his people in the end times. I received a letter several weeks ago from one of our native evangelists down in Africa, down in Nairobi. This man and his wife were on their way to Tanganyika. They could neither read nor could they write, but we had been supporting them for over two years. As they entered into the territory of Tanganyika, they came across a small village. The entire village was evacuating because of a plague that had hit the village. He came across natives who were weeping, and he asked them what was wrong. They told him of their mother and father who had suddenly died, and they had been dead for three days. They had to leave. They were afraid to go in; they were leaving them in the cottage. He turned and asked them where they were. They pointed to the hut and he asked them to go with him, but they refused. They were afraid to go. The native and his wife went to this little cottage and entered where the man and woman had been dead for three days. He simply stretched forth his hand in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and spoke the man's name and the woman's name and said, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command life to come back to your bodies.” Instantaneously, these two heathen people who had never known Jesus Christ as their Savior sat up and immediately began to praise God. The spirit and the power of God came into the life of those people. To us that may seem strange and a phenomenon, but that is the beginning of these end-time ministries.  (I talked to a sister 3-6-25 whose husband had been dead for 81/2 months when I called him back in the name of Jesus and by the grace of God he came to her in her kitchen. In another case a husband, wife and children had been killed by Satanists as witnessed by Eve and my angel and I called them back and all immediately returned by God's grace. God can use a donkey. Back to Tommy's message.) God is going to take the do-nothings, the nobodies, the unheard-of, the no-accounts. He is going to take every man and every woman and he is going to give them this outpouring of the Spirit of God. In the Book of Acts, we read that “In the last days,” God said, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” I wonder if we realized what God meant when He said, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” I do not think I fully realized nor could I understand the fullness of it, and then I read from the Book of Joel: “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain…” (Joel 2:23). …He is going to give to his people in these last days a double portion of the power of God!) As the vision appeared to me after I was asleep, I suddenly found myself in a great high distance. Where I was, I do not know. But I was looking down upon the earth. Suddenly the whole earth came into my view. Every nation, every kindred, every tongue came before my sight from the east and the west, the north and the south. I recognized every country and many cities that I had been in, and I was almost in fear and trembling as I beheld the great sight before me: and at that moment when the world came into view, it began to lightning and thunder. As the lightning flashed over the face of the earth, my eyes went downward and I was facing the north. Suddenly I beheld what looked like a great giant, and as I stared and looked at it, I was almost bewildered by the sight. It was so gigantic and so great. His feet seemed to reach to the north pole and his head to the south. Its arms were stretched from sea to sea. (Meaning: A great corporate body of saints.) I could not even begin to understand whether this was a mountain or a giant, but as I watched, I suddenly beheld a great giant. I could see his head was struggling for life. He wanted to live, but his body was covered with debris from head to foot (Sin and false doctrines), and at times this great giant would move his body and act as though it would even raise up at times. And when it did, thousands of little creatures seemed to run away. (Demons) Hideous creatures would run away from this giant, and when he would become calm, they would come back. All of a sudden this great giant lifted his hand towards heaven, and then it lifted its other hand (Praising the Lord!), and when it did, these creatures by the thousands seemed to flee away from this giant and go into the darkness of the night. Slowly this great giant began to rise and as he did, his head and hands went into the clouds. As he rose to his feet he seemed to have cleansed himself from the debris and filth that was upon him, and he began to raise his hands into the heavens as though praising the Lord, and as he raised his hands, they went even unto the clouds. Suddenly, every cloud became silver, the most beautiful silver (purified through heavenly fire) I have ever known. As I watched this phenomenon, it was so great, I could not even begin to understand what it all meant. I was so stirred as I watched it, and I cried unto the Lord and I said, “Oh Lord, what is the meaning of this?” and I felt as if I was actually in the Spirit and I could feel the presence of the Lord even as I was asleep. And from those clouds suddenly there came great drops of liquid light raining down upon this mighty giant (light is truth), and slowly, slowly, this giant began to melt, began to sink itself in the very earth itself, and as he melted (bearing their cross), his whole form seemed to have melted upon the face of the earth, and this great rain began to come down. Liquid drops of light began to flood the very earth itself, and as I watched this giant that seemed to melt, suddenly it became millions of people over the face of the earth. As I beheld the sight before me, people stood up all over the world! They were lifting their hands and they were praising the Lord. At that very moment, there came a great thunder that seemed to roar from the heavens. I turned my eyes toward the heavens and suddenly I saw a figure in white, in glistening white; the most glorious thing that I have ever seen in my entire life. I did not see the face, but somehow I knew it was the Lord Jesus Christ, and he stretched forth his hand, and as he did, he would stretch it forth to one, and to another, and to another. And as he stretched forth his hand upon the nations and the people of the world, men and women, as he pointed toward them, this liquid light seemed to flow from his hands into them, and a mighty anointing of God came upon them (The latter rain), and those people began to go forth in the name of the Lord. I do not know how long I watched it. It seemed it went into days and weeks and months. And I beheld this Christ as he continued to stretch forth his hand, but there was a tragedy. There were many people, as he stretched forth his hand, who refused the anointing of God and the call of God. I saw men and women that I knew. People that I felt would certainly receive the call of God. But as he stretched forth his hand toward this one and toward that one, they simply bowed their head and began to back away. And each of those that seemed to bow down and back away seemed to go into darkness. Blackness seemed to swallow them everywhere. (Faction and falling away) I was bewildered as I watched it, but these people that he had anointed, hundreds of thousands of people all over the world, in Africa, England, Russia, China, America, all over the world, the anointing of God was upon these people as they went forward in the name of the Lord. I saw these men and women as they went forth. They were ditch diggers, they were washerwomen, they were rich men, they were poor men. I saw people who were bound with paralysis and sickness and blindness and deafness. As the Lord stretched forth to give them this anointing, they became well, they became healed, and they went forth exactly as the Lord did. And this is the miracle of it - this is the glorious miracle of it. It seemed as if there was this same liquid fire in their hands - those people would stretch forth their hands and say, “According to my word, be thou made whole.” These people continued in this mighty end-time ministry. I did not fully realize what it was, and I looked to the Lord and said, “What is the meaning of this?” And he said, “This is that which I will do in the last days. I will restore all that the cankerworm, the palmerworm, the caterpillar - I will restore all that they have destroyed. This, my people, in the end times will go forth. As a mighty army shall they sweep over the face of the earth.” As I was at this great height, I could behold the whole world. I watched these people as they were going to and fro over the face of the earth. Suddenly there was a man in Africa and in a moment he was transported by the Spirit of God, and perhaps he was in Russia, or China or America or some other place, and vice versa. All over the world these people went, and they came through fire, and through pestilence, and through famine. Neither fire nor persecution, nothing seemed to stop them. Angry mobs came to them with swords and with guns. And like Jesus, they passed through the multitudes and they could not find them, but they went forth in the name of the Lord, and everywhere they stretched forth their hands, the sick were healed, the blind eyes were opened. There was not a long prayer. And after I had reviewed the vision many times in my mind, and I thought about it many times, I realized that I never saw a church, and I never saw or heard a denomination, but these people were going in the name of the Lord of Hosts. Hallelujah! As they marched forth in everything they did, as the ministry of Christ in the end times, these people were ministering to the multitudes over the face of the earth. Tens of thousands, even millions, seemed to come to the Lord Jesus Christ as these people stood forth and gave the message of the kingdom, of the coming kingdom, in this last hour. It was so glorious, but it seems as though there were those who rebelled, and they would become angry and they tried to attack those workers who were giving the message. (As in Jesus' day so it is in ours) God is going to give the world a demonstration in this last hour that the world has never known. These men and women are of all walks of life; degrees will mean nothing. I saw these workers as they were going over the face of the earth. When one would stumble and fall, another would come and pick him up. There were no “big I's” and “little you's,” but every mountain was brought low and every valley was exalted, and they seemed to have one thing in common - there was a divine love, a divine love that seemed to flow forth from these people as they worked together, and as they lived together. It was the most glorious sight that I have ever known. Jesus Christ was the theme of their life. They continued and it seemed days went by as I stood and beheld this sight. I could only cry, and sometimes I laughed. It was so wonderful as these people went throughout the face of the whole earth, bringing forth in this last end time. As I watched from the very heaven itself, there were times when great deluges of this liquid light seemed to fall upon great congregations, and they would lift up their hands and seemingly praise God for hours and even days as the Spirit of God came upon them. God said, “I will pour my Spirit upon all flesh,” and that is exactly this thing. And to every man and woman that received this power and anointing of God, the miracles were without end. (We have talked about miracles. We have talked about signs and wonders, but I could not help but weep as I read again this morning, at 4 o'clock the letter from our native workers. This is only the evidence of the beginning for one man, a “do-nothing, an unheard-of,” who would go and stretch forth his hand and say, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command life to flow into your body.” I dropped to my knees and began to pray again, and I said, “Lord, I know that this time is coming soon!”) And then again, as these people were going about the face of the earth, a great persecution seemed to come from every angle. Suddenly, there was another great clap of thunder that seemed to resound around the world, and I heard again the voice that seemed to speak, “Now this is my people. This is my beloved bride.” (In Revelation, we see the Bride in her “lampros,” liquid light garment who has been doing miracles all over the world. Rev.19:7 Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright (Lampros) and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. John the Baptist saw Jesus' first fruits disciples and called them the Bride for he said, “He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom.” This Bride went forth to do miracles in the gospels and in Acts and to pass this anointing on to the rest of the church. Then in Revelation we see the rest of the church in a white or “leukos” garment who are invited to the marriage. Rev.19:14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white (Leukos) and pure. And below we will see in Tommy's revelation the dead in Christ rising to be joined with them at the end of the seven-year tribulation.) And when the voice spoke, I looked upon the earth and I could see the lakes and the mountains. The graves were opened, and people from all over the world, the saints of all ages, seemed to be rising. (The dead in Christ will rise first.) And as they rose from the grave, suddenly all these people came from every direction. From the East and the West, from the North and the South, and they seemed to be forming again this gigantic body. As the dead in Christ seemed to be rising first I could hardly comprehend it. It was so marvelous. It was so far beyond anything I could ever dream or think of. But as this body suddenly began to form and take shape again, it was in the form of this mighty giant, but this time it was different. It was arrayed in the most beautiful, gorgeous white. (In Rev.19:14 this is the white or “leukos” garments of the church.) Its garments were without spot or wrinkle as its body began to form, and the people of all ages seemed to be gathered into this body, and slowly, slowly, as it began to form up into the very heavens, suddenly from the heavens above, the Lord Jesus came, and became the head.  (Now, Jesus is the head of the Bride, John said was Jerusalem, just as David, as a type of the Man-child reformers, was head of the Bride, Jerusalem. In this way Jesus and David were also the head of the rest of the Body of Israel; a type of the Church. We see this same relationship of Esther as the Bride head of the body of Israel and the Shulammite in Song of Solomon as the Bride head of Israel.) I heard another clap of thunder that said, “This is my beloved bride for whom I have waited. She will come forth even tried by fire. This is she that I have loved from the beginning of time.” As I watched, my eyes suddenly turned to the far north, and I saw destruction of men and women in anguish and crying out, and buildings in destruction. Then I heard again, the fourth voice that said, “Now is My wrath being poured out upon the face of the earth.” (The Day of the Lord's wrath upon those who persecuted God's people.) From the ends of the whole world, the wrath of God seemed to be poured out and it seemed that there were great vials of God's wrath being poured out upon the face of the earth. (The seals and trumps of the tribulation were followed by the vials of wrath in the day of the Lord. There are seven years before the Bride and Church are caught up followed by the year of wrath on the wicked who persecuted them. Isa.34:8 For Jehovah hath a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.) I can remember it as though it happened a moment ago. I shook and trembled as I beheld the awful sight of seeing the cities and whole nations going down into destruction. I could hear the weeping and wailing. I could hear people crying. They seemed to cry as they went into caves, but the caves in the mountains opened up. They leaped into the water, but the water would not drown them. There was nothing that could destroy them. They were wanting to take their lives, but they could not. Then again I turned my eyes to this glorious sight, this body arrayed in beautiful white, shining garments. Slowly, slowly, it began to lift from the earth, and as it did, I awoke. (This is the catching up of the lampros Bride and white Church body at the end of the tribulation before the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.) What a sight I had beheld! I had seen the end-time ministries - the last hour. Again, on July 27, at 2:30 in the morning, the same revelation, the same vision came again exactly as it did before. My life has been changed as I realized that we are living in that end time, for all over the world God is anointing men and women with this ministry. It will not be doctrine. It will not be a churchianity. It is going to be Jesus Christ. They will give forth the word of the Lord. I heard it said so many times in the vision, “And according to my word it shall be done.”   Joel's Restoration Begins Sandy Shaw - 3/30/12 (David's notes in red) In this dream we were in a place that looked like Tahlequah, Oklahoma but it was bigger and prettier. It was really beautiful. (In Cherokee, Tahlequah means, “just two or two is enough”. Just as Jesus sent out the disciples and the 70 two by two, so it will be in our day when Jesus in the Man-child ministers will send out the two witnesses in the Great Revival.) There were a lot of people from UBM there, not just local but from all over. The people there were like-minded. There were many ages, from babies all the way up to old men. There was singing, praying, eating, and all kinds of fellowship and the kids were playing. It was like in a big meadow with a lot of shade trees. There was just ‘a oneness' there; it was peaceful and really beautiful. The sun felt so good. Then it started to rain while the sun was still shining, and the rain lasted only a few seconds before it began to pour down like a waterfall. It was just a steady, flowing stream of water hitting everyone there, from the babies to the oldest. (A renewal of the former rain upon the saints and then the beginning of the latter rain upon the David reformer ministries before it's given to the saints, just as Joel spoke of and the Gospels show in type: (Joe.2:22) Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength. (23) Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first [month]. (Note: Hos.6:3… he (the Lord) will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth. The Lord will come as the anointing of the Holy Spirit not in the air or in a rapture of the Church!!) Back to Joel (24) And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. (25) And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm (representing the curse on God's people), my great army which I sent among you. (26) And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame. (27) And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and there is none else; and my people shall never be put to shame. (28) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (29) and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit. Everyone was feeling this water and it was filling us up. It was freshness and newness and it didn't feel like any other kind of anointing one has ever felt before. We knew that we knew, it was there to stay. Everyone had their faces up to the water, to the anointing, feeling the water. (I am not doing it justice in explaining how it felt; how it was filling us up and how we all felt; even to say, “Walking on a cloud” is not the right words but I don't know any other words.) I saw people walking on stones and stickers in the ground, and we were barefoot, and it didn't hurt us, like we didn't feel it. (Representing walking above the curses of this world with no hurt.) We knew that we knew, our entire body was anointed of God. We knew what we were doing was ordained of God and we were just doing it. There were no questions. (I just can't explain the oneness or the way our hands felt; like they were not our hands, but the Lord's hands. …Each step was ordained of the Lord. We knew that nothing could take away what God had given to us. We were being completely used by Him. It was like walking or moving on clouds.) ... When everyone was filled, ... that's when we heard God tell us, “Ok, get busy; we're going to work now”. (The beginning of the spread of the revival.)   Revival Beginning at UBM Charlie Smith - 12/12/12 (David's notes in red) Notice the date of this dream: 12/12/12, the fullness of the elect. In the early hours of the morning, the Lord gave me this dream. In it, suddenly, I appeared in a large room where I saw brother David (representing the David Man-child reformers) and about 10 or 12 brethren standing around. (I asked the Lord if this was 12 and got a yes, which fits with Jesus and his 12 when revival began then.) I knew David, but his features had changed some. I mean, he really looked great. I could really see God in the man like I never had before. (David, here is a type of the Man-child reformers who will start this revival, just as Jesus, the Son of David, did in His time. The things that have been are the things that will be.) And I knew him, but the other brethren I did not recognize, although I really did know who they were. As I stood looking, a man came over to me and He was the Lord! The brethren were being taught how to minister to the needs of the people. Brother David walked across the room to pray for a man who came for healing. He stood before the man and said, “Be healed,” and the man was healed instantly. David turned and walked back to the other side of the room. (God's power is made perfect in man's weakness, so that no flesh can glory.) The brethren, as well as I, were amazed that the man was healed, and we started praising God and giving thanks. As we rejoiced, another man came forward for healing who was blind. One of the brethren came forth and laid hands on the man's head, saying, “Receive your sight”. And the man cried out, “I'm healed and I can see!” Other people in the room who were in need came forth immediately, some with missing or deformed limbs, twisted bodies, crippled, all such of humanity that was so pitiful; they came up and every one of them was healed instantly. I said, “Oh, God, how is it that everyone was healed instantly, so fast, so easily? Some had hands laid on them and others did not, but they were all healed”. The Lord smiled and said, “You could not see”. Then the Lord opened my spiritual eyes and said, “Now look”. And He showed me again the part where David said to the man, “Be healed”. This time I could see the words “Be healed” coming out of David's mouth, like a mist, and entering into the man. And as the word went into the man, he was instantly healed. I received a few scriptures that go with this dream: (Isa.55:11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth. It shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please; and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Jer.1:12) I watch over my word to perform it. (Eze.12:25) For I am Jehovah and I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall be performed. (Rom.10:8) The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth and in thy heart. And I was still wondering about the mist that I saw, and I got (Joh.6:63) The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. So I understood that, like Jesus spoke the Word, and it came to pass, so these brethren operated on that level. The scene changed and we were in a different, larger room. David and about 100 or more other brethren were gathered together. The brethren were being taught how to minister and were then sent forth. They went forth preaching the Word and healing the sick everywhere. The brethren covered much of this area and you couldn't go anywhere without seeing them. (Many Man-child ministers are coming here and they will send forth disciples as Jesus did.) And then the scene quickly changed again, and we were at another place outside. It was a large, grassy area with parking nearby, but I don't know where it was. Brother David and maybe as many as 500 brethren were gathered together and crowds of people were coming from everywhere. It looked like thousands or even hundreds of thousands were coming. The meetings ran day and night. One night, all the people saw a pillar of fire burning in our midst. They were being drawn by the Lord, and it was a holy move of God. So many saints were now coming together. Again, the scene quickly changed and I was lifted up, looking down on the earth, and I saw the saints running through all the earth, spreading the gospel and the light was shining all over the earth. I think what I saw was a revival to prepare the saints to manifest sons of God in the earth to do the will of the Father. I also believe that this is a revival for the Man-child because in every one of those scenes where David and the brethren were gathered, they were being taught how to minister the Word and heal the sick. And I noticed that everything was on a higher level than what we're used to now. They didn't spend a lot of time and use a lot of words when they prayed; they just commanded it and it was immediately done. And when they gave the Gospel, they didn't have to stand there for hours trying to nail a point down. It was just like the glory of the Lord fell. When these brethren got around people out here on the streets to witness, the glory of the Lord was so strong that they just automatically fell down and cried, “Save me!” This was definitely a sign to us all that God's getting ready to do something wonderful here. I'm just like my brothers and sisters here. I want to be a part of it because I know God's going to do a fantastic work here and it's going to spread worldwide because I saw the lights cover the whole earth. I don't know when this is going to happen, but I know it will. Amen. We are informed by the Lord in many more dreams and scriptures that there is coming a great revival here and across the country and world. It will be in the midst of darkness and turmoil and many will come out of darkness. (Isa.60:1) Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. (2) For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (3) And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (4) Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be carried in the arms. (5) Then thou shalt see and be radiant, and thy heart shall thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned unto thee, the wealth of the nations shall come unto thee. We have a part in this. The principalities and powers of darkness have been put under our feet, but we must fight the good fight of the faith and cast them down from over UBM, this area, the U.S, and many other countries. (Luk.10:18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. (20) Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Let us have fasting and prayer and praise meetings and confess our sins and cast down these powers. Let us decree freedom from bondage and darkness. I received this: (Job 22:28) Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; And light shall shine upon thy ways. (29) When they cast [thee] down, thou shalt say, [There is] lifting up; And the humble person he will save. (30) He will deliver [even] him that is not innocent: Yea, he shall be delivered through the cleanness of thy hands.   Prophet Phillip shared this vision with us: (Spearheading the Man-child) I have prayed for three days now for the Holy Father's will in this matter of sharing the vision I received during a meeting with David as the speaker (in Phoenix, a type of resurrection life). (I had never seen Phillip before this.) I am permitted to share the following: As I prayed with David at the start of the meeting, I saw the room change into a stadium filled with people and David was at the podium shouting through a microphone that was in the shape of a shofar. He wore a silver yarmulke that glowed as he spoke, and from above it came a white golden light pouring down from the sky as a beam of glory growing brighter with each outpouring. From David's clothing came the same glory lights pouring through the tzit-tzit on his garment, flowing like fingers through the people. They touched the forehead and were grabbed by the right hand of people who became pregnant (with Christ) and began shouting as they were covered in glory. This is the vision I had at the meeting. The Holy Father says that David would know its meaning, if not now, very soon. (All glory to God, He chooses the weak to show this.  He can speak through a donkey.)   Months after that meeting, we received this from Phillip: Holy Yahweh is forming this ministry into His Image to spearhead the Man-child Ministry Birthing and Delivery to the World! Amen! He has given this to me in a mighty vision that ran and continued for three nights along with some other things that I can't say just yet. In short, brethren, the “white golden light pouring down from the sky as a beam of glory” will flow through obedient servants in whom Christ is manifested through the latter rain and belief in the truth. It will flow first through the man-child and then through the witnesses to the Church at large. (This light is pouring down from the sky upon the giant body of Christ in Tommy Hick's revelation.)

A Sunday mornings sermon by Pastor Brett Deal. I was challenged the other day by Melissa Archer's reflection on the worship found in the book of Revelation. She writes: “The hymns heard in heaven are to be the liturgy of the churches on earth.”    When we read the book of Revelation we find John alone on the isle of Patmos, seeking the presence of Jesus. Our faith is a communal faith, it is a pilgrimage together as God's people with Jesus and with one another. It is powerful to recognize when Jesus comes, in all His eternal glory and stands before John, He speaks to His disciple and through His disciple to all His people. Like the book of Leviticus, most of us set out to read the book of Revelation and make it through the letters to the seven churches of Asia before we lose steam. After those divine messages to the churches, the apocalyptic and prophetic nature of Revelation are overwhelming. And that's the point. The revelation is revealing. It's prophetically revealing of what's to come, but prophesy is meant to be applied today. In Revelation 4, we enter the throne room of heaven and are overawed by the overmorrow's worship! We are submerged by the flood of “Holy Holy Holy, is the Lord God Almighty!” It is the liturgy of eternity, and this revelatory glimpse of forever is meant to shape our worship today! When we see Christ in apocalyptic splendor, we are reminded not only of the eternal tomorrow, but of our creation. Through Jesus, all things were made (Colossians 1.16-20) and at the present, we are living within His creation. The time to worship Him is now. He is worthy to receive glory and honor and power, yes for all eternity, but nothing is stopping us from exalting Him today! Take time today, right now even while you read these words, and praise our Lord and God, who is worthy. For the one who was and is and is to come, is Holy Holy Holy!

When the church compromises, conviction fades. In Revelation 2, Jesus unpacks a sobering warning to Pergamum and Thyatira—that what we excuse, He exposes. Discover how Jesus calls His church to resist compromise, reject tolerance, and return to holiness.

In Revelation 21:1-8 we see a glimpse of God making all things new, as He restores creation into a place where He reigns and dwells with His people forever in a new heaven and a new earth.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 4:1-11 In Revelation 4, the entire focus of the book changes … from the churches that existed during John's day, to the events which will take place in the future, indeed, at the end of human history.  Before John writes about what will take place at the end of time, he describes for us the glory of God in heaven, as he saw the throne of the Almighty in his vision.  Revelation 4 describes the glory of God the Father and chapter 5 describes the glory of God the Son. What is revealed in Revelation 4 is the worship that is going on in heaven … performed by angels and saints in heaven.  They declare the wonders of God in specific statements and with profound humility and great passion. We learn something of the importance of worship from this passage.  God is central in heaven in a way that He is not central in the events of earthly life and human history.  A brief definition of worship might be "savoring the supremacy of God."  To consider who God is, is to come to the conclusion that He is supreme in all the universe, in every way.  His power is supreme, His majesty indescribable, His goodness unimpeachable, His mercy everlasting, His wisdom unsearchable, His truth pure and reliable, His sovereignty mysterious and all-encompassing.  Savoring all that God is … reveling in Him, enjoying Him, taking pleasure in Him, prizing Him … is worship.  Worship is something of an abbreviation of an old English word 'worthship.'  To ascribe to God His worth is worship.  Worship is not just the act of singing a song on Sunday morning or praying before you go to sleep at night.  It is exulting in God, deep in our hearts, because of His value … worth … infinite worth. 

In Revelation 4:1–11, John is lifted through an open door into heaven—not to escape the world, but to see it rightly. Before judgment, before the seals, there is worship. At the center of all things is not chaos, but a throne—and One seated upon it, radiant in glory, surrounded by living creatures and elders casting down crowns. The message is clear: history is not out of control. Heaven rules. Our worship on earth mirrors the eternal chorus of heaven— “Worthy are You, O Lord!”Please complete the content survey ⁠here⁠.⁠My Portion: A 40 Day Journey of Finding All you Need in God⁠⁠Musings of A Redneck Reverend

In Revelation 14, we are called to “Follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” This powerful passage contrasts the way of the Lamb with the way of the beast — two marks, two allegiances, two destinies.Pastor Timothy unpacks what it means to live as those who bear the name of the Father, not the mark of the world. Belief becomes allegiance, and worship becomes witness as we learn to follow Jesus with endurance and purity in a world that pressures us to conform.

What's mysterious about Jesus? Will we witness some of the events In Revelation in heaven? Was John's gospel less reliable than the synoptic gospels?

In Revelation 2:1–11, Jesus delivers powerful words to two churches—Ephesus and Smyrna. One was doctrinally sound, yet their love for Christ was devotionally stale. The other was pressed down by suffering, yet remained rich in faith. In this message, we unpack what Jesus commends, what He confronts, and how we can respond with renewed devotion and fearless endurance.Discover why it's possible to be busy for Jesus yet far from Him, how to return to your first love, and why no trial can take your crown when Christ is your first love and final hope.

Read Online“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” John 1:51In Heaven, we will see all things as God sees them. That full perspective will be beyond glorious. And among the many things that will amaze us from the perspective of Heaven is the incredibly powerful ways that the celestial beings participate in the bringing forth of the Kingdom of God. The Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels and Guardian Angels all cooperate with God's grace in ways similar to how every member of an orchestra works together to produce a single piece of beautiful music. God is the conductor, but these celestial beings participate in the grand fulfillment of the will of God, acting as living instruments of His divine grace.Today's feast honors three of the great archangels mentioned in Scripture: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The Archangel Michael is described as a protector in the Old Testament Book of Daniel and as one who does battle with satan in the Books of Revelation and Jude. In Revelation, Michael casts satan out of Heaven along with the other fallen angels. The Archangel Gabriel is spoken of also in the Book of Daniel as one who interprets Daniel's vision. In the New Testament, he is identified as the one who appears to the high priest Zechariah while Zechariah is offering sacrifice in the temple. In that appearance, Gabriel revealed to Zechariah that his wife would have a child, even though she was advanced in years. Gabriel is perhaps best known as the one sent to the Blessed Virgin Mary to reveal to her that she will become the mother of the Savior of the World. Lastly, the Archangel Raphael is referred to in the Old Testament Book of Tobit and is said to have been sent to bring healing to Tobit's eyes.As we honor these three archangels, we can be certain that they are three of a countless number of other angelic beings who cooperate with God, bringing forth His grace and His will into our world. Try to imagine that profound truth. Some angelic beings build up the Kingdom of God by devoting their existence to the perpetual worship of God before His throne. The highest of these are the Seraphim. Other angelic beings build up the Kingdom by bringing forth God's grace and truth to us, intervening in our lives in accord with God's will. These are especially the guardian angels. The archangels, three of whom we honor today, especially have the task of communicating to us the most important messages and graces from God. Reflect, today, upon the glorious reality of the whole host of the celestial beings. Specifically call upon the mediation of these three celestial beings whose names we know, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, as well as upon the mediation of our guardian angels and all others celestial beings. By doing this, we not only entrust ourselves to their loving care, but we also make an act of faith in God by expressing our belief that God has chosen to use these celestial beings to bring forth His Kingdom. By themselves, angels are powerless to act. But since they act only in unison with the will of God, their mediation is as powerful as the grace of God, since it is God Who works through them. Acknowledge them today, call upon their mediation and profess your faith in the glorious work that they do to build up God's Kingdom.Most glorious Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, please do come to my aid. I entrust myself, my family, our Church and the entire world to your loving mediation. Please bring forth God's grace into our lives, communicate God's Word and His holy Will, protect us from all harm and bring healing to those in need. Angels of God, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: File:7_archangels.jpg, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Are you living on the fence—lukewarm, half-in, half-out with God? In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus rebukes the church in Laodicea for their compromise and spiritual apathy, calling them to zeal, repentance, and full commitment to Him. This message challenges us today to get off the fence, open the door to Christ, and experience the power of a fully surrendered life.

John 9:1-6,As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud…”When we describe a person as polarizing, what do we typically mean? Well, we mean that that person is someone who tends to cause heightened responses in others just about everywhere they go. In other words, were you to follow around a polarizing person throughout their day, you would find in their wake: wave after wave of people who either really, really liked having that person around, or really, really didn't.Typically, we call a person polarizing because of something that's bad within them. Maybe they use foul language. Maybe they lie or cheat. Maybe they treat other people unjustly. It's the darkness within them, that has the polarizing effect. Well, when it comes to Jesus, I think it's safe to say that he is a polarizing person. In fact, I'd dare to say he is the most polarizing person in the history of the world. But unlike so many others, the reason Jesus is polarizing is not because of inward darkness, but light.Jesus is not just good, but so good, and so holy, and so just that when he comes around, he exposes our darkness. He reveals that we're really not as good as we thought. When he does, some turn, and come to the light, and others flee.In this morning's passage, we're going to see Jesus' polarizing effect in full force. And we'll see it in the form of peoples' responses to three claims about Jesus: Jesus Does the Work of GodJesus Is Sent From GodJesus Himself Is God Let's pray, and ask God to help us once more ….So, three polarizing claims about Jesus: Jesus does the work of God, Jesus is sent from God, and Jesus himself is God. We'll begin with that first one.A Man Born BlindVerse 1,“As he [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.”A man who'd likely been sitting out on the roadside, hands held out, all day long, hoping to feel the cold, weighted touch of a coin being dropped into his hand. Verse 8 tells us that this man was a beggar. And the reason he was a beggar was not because he wanted to be. It's not like he grew up dreaming that one day this would be his life — sitting on the side of a road, day after day, as the people of his community passed him by.But, the fact is, he'd been born blind. Light, for whatever reason, had just never reached his eyes. And because of that, there was no job that he could hold. No service that he could offer. He was doomed to a life of begging — looking out for help from a world he had never once seen. And who knows how many people might have passed him by that day prior to Jesus and his disciples. How many people, just like Jesus' disciples, asking the question: “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” But when Jesus and his disciples came by that day, something unique happened. To the question of why he'd been born blind, came an answer that, for once, didn't cite sin as the reason for his blindness. Rather, verse 3:“It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Works of God, in me? Think of it. All this man has ever known is blindness — a kind of blindness thought to be the mark of God's curse over him. Suddenly, he hears: God has a purpose. God has a design. “You mean to tell me I've been made this way to show something good and wonderful about God?” Jesus says, “Yes, and I'm here to make it happen.” Which brings us to our first claim: Jesus does the work of God.1. Jesus Does the Work of GodVerse 4, Jesus says to his disciples,“We must work the works of him who sent me…”We must do it. For,“…night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”You hear what Jesus is saying? I'm the light. And I'm here. But I won't always be. Therefore, the time to work is now.So Jesus spits on the dirt, mashes it into mud, and spreads it upon the man's eyes. Far from improving his vision, at this point, if anything, Jesus has made his vision worse. He's covered over his already blind eyes. But, he doesn't leave the man that way. He tells him, “Go, wash.” And the man does. Verse 7:“So he went and washed and came back seeing.”The man could finally see! He could see! Light, colors, shapes, faces — can you imagine seeing all these things for the very first time in your life!? It's a miracle! And Jesus did it. Because Jesus does the work of God. He calls us to as well. Verse 4 reads,“We must work the works of him who sent me.”What works of God might God be calling you to? What kind word, what helping hand, what giving up of your time might you be able to walk in and say, we're doing it. We're doing the works of God that he has called us to, as a church. Ephesians 2:10,“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”Sabbath WorkNow from here, the formerly blind man is going to get shuffled around a bit. First he'll go before his neighbors, then the Pharisees, then his parents. And the reason he's going to get shuffled around is not mainly because his eyes were opened. See it with me in verse 13. Following a back-and-forth with the neighbors, we read, in verse 13:“They [the man's neighbors] brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.”And now, we've got to ask ourselves, why did they do this? What prompted them, on the heels of such a miracle, to not say, “Let's bring you to the mountains and show you the sunrise. Let's bring you to the riverbank so you can watch the water shine. Let's bring you into the city to show you architecture and design.”But, instead, let's bring you to the Pharisees.What prompted that instinct in them? What made them to think, “hmm, the Pharisees ought to see this”?We find out in the very next verse. Verse 14:“Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.” We've seen this before, haven't we? Back in chapter 5, we had another healing miracle with incredibly close parallels to this one. And there, the problem was that Jesus had worked the miracle on the Sabbath. That had angered the Pharisees then. And not because Jesus had broken one of God's Laws. He hadn't. But because he had broken one of theirs.Now a few chapters later, here we are again. It's the Sabbath. And thanks to the events of chapter 5, the neighbors now know how the Pharisees feel about healing on the Sabbath. And so when Jesus gives sight to this blind man, the neighbors think, “we ought to bring this now seeing man to the Pharisees to find out if this was okay.”Follow along with me at verse 14:“Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, ‘He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.'”Now, it's unclear exactly what the problem was. It seems though that it could have had to do with the mud. After all, John clearly wants us to know about the fact that Jesus made mud. He records that detail twice in verse 6, then again in verse 11, again in verse 14, and again in verse 15.And the Pharisees did have a law concerning the making of a dough, or mud, on the Sabbath. Might seem strange, but think about it: both dough and mud can be associated with work — Dough for baking, Mud or mortar for building. So Jesus may well have made this mud on the Sabbath for that very purpose — to show that the Pharisees laws were not God's.Well regardless of the reason, the fact is: Jesus gave sight to a blind man on the Sabbath and the Pharisees didn't like it. Enter, our second claim: Jesus is sent from God. 2. Jesus Is Sent From GodIt'll begin with the Pharisees claim to the contrary. See it with me in verse 16, some of the Pharisees said,“This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”That's their assessment of him. Jesus is not from God, if he was, he'd obey our laws.But as we read in John 1:1,“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”And as Jesus says in John 3:13,“No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven.”Descended from God.John 5:24, Jesus says,“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.”John 7:29 Jesus claims,“I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.”John 8:42,“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.”And then, of course, from our text this morning, John 9:4,“We must work the works of him who sent me.”Jesus is from God. The Pharisees take Jesus' work on the Sabbath to be a proof he's not. But what John has been laboring to show us throughout his gospel is that it is because Jesus is from God that he does the works of God, even on the Sabbath. Just as Jesus said back in 5:17,“My Father is working until now, and I am working.”Jesus is from God. He's sent from God to do the works of God. But the Pharisees can't see that. And the reason they can't is because they are spiritually blind. What about the formerly blind man? His physical blindness has been healed, but has his spiritual blindness been healed as well?There's certainly been a progression. First time he's asked about his healing, he seems to know little about Jesus. He simply calls him a man. Verse 11:“The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes.”Then in verse 17, in response to the Pharisees, he calls Jesus not just a man but a prophet. Someone who speaks the words of God and does the works of God. It's quite a statement to make in the presence of these learned, powerful elite who clearly think otherwise. And yet, it's not yet a claim to Jesus' divinity. Something more is needed.Blind ParentsWell, the next group of people to be called in are the man's own parents who confirm to the Pharisees, “Yes,” verse 20,“We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes.”Does that strike you as just a bit odd? Someone has rescued their son from a lifetime of blindness. And yet they don't know who it was? Like, they just didn't think to ask, “Hey, by the way, son, who'd you say it was who healed you?” No, but instead, they tell the Pharisees, verse 21:“Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”You know what they're doing in this moment? They are lying. And they are lying because they care more about their own public perception than their son. See it with me. Verse 22. John is abundantly clear:“(His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.”You see it? His parents knew it was Jesus who had healed their son. And they also knew that if they told the Pharisees that, and even suggested that could mean Jesus was the Christ, they'd be kicked out of the Synagogue — exiled from their community and way of life. So, they lied. And they sicced the dogs on their son instead.“Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”And we might add, speak for himself, by himself. For by now, this man has been sold out by his neighbors, sold out by his parents, and turned over to the Pharisees who have their teeth bared.Verse 24:“So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, ‘Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.' The man refuses to agree with them. 'He answered, ‘Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.'”Verse 26, the Pharisees fire back, asking him the same exact question they've already asked him:“What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” And now, have you ever been on hold with customer service before? Maybe you've called a company about a faulty product, or a project that just wasn't done right. And every time you got through to someone, they just kept asking you the same question, “Sir, could you tell us the reason for your call?” You tell them, then they just transfer you to the next guy.It gets tiring having to answer the same question over-and-over, right? Well, by this time, the man has already given his answer to his neighbors and to these Pharisees. And so, he responds in verse 27, how we'd expect:“I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Wrong About MosesAnd this is where things get interesting, because Moses is going to get referenced. And, listen, you just know that any time Moses gets mentioned in the New Testament, things are about to get interesting.Here's what they say — Verse 28:“And they reviled him, saying, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.'” And then, the incredible irony:“We know that God has spoken to Moses.”And they're right. It's true. God had spoken to Moses. And do you know who God had spoken to Moses about? Jesus — the very one they're trying to kill. And Jesus had already told them that, back 5:46,“If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.”Spiritual blindness is a terrifying thing, is it not? The Pharisees have called Jesus a sinner. They've put terror in the hearts of those around them. They've claimed to follow Moses and yet disclaimed the very one he wrote about. Spiritual blindness is terrifying. At least with physical blindness you know your condition. These Pharisees are blind to the reality of God in the world, and they don't even realize it. In fact, they think they can see better than all the others. And when the formerly blind man calls them on this, they think he's the one with the problem, verse 34:“You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?”They are intending to kill Jesus, and yet they say the man in front of him — he's the sinner. And to top it all off, verse 34, they cast the man out of the synagogue.See this man with me now. Quite a day it has been for him, yes? Just that morning, like every other morning of his life, he'd woken up blind. Blind he'd eaten his breakfast. Blind he'd been led to the roadside. Blind he'd sat begging. Now he sees. But the cost of his seeing has involved his neighbors, his parents, and the Pharisees all essentially disowning him — sending him away with the words, “You were born in utter sin” ringing in his ears. Now, he stands, alone. Eyes open, but alone.Has his life improved? Have things gotten better for him? Sure, he can now see, but all he sees is exile. He's on his own. Rejected. Discarded. Cast out. The man is alone. But Jesus does not leave him there. Jesus hears what has happened, and goes after him. Others have sent him away, but Jesus goes out to find him. To speak to him. To give him one of the greatest gifts in all the world — spiritual sight.Verse 35:“Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?'”The man responds, verse 36:“And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”Jesus answers:“You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.”And the man who had been born blind can suddenly see with spiritual sight. Verse 38,“He said, ‘Lord, I believe,' and he worshiped him.”3. Jesus Himself Is GodAnd he worshiped him because Jesus is God. That's our third and final claim — Jesus is God. Here's a Jewish man that was raised up on Moses, the Ten Commandments, and the Hebrew Scriptures. A man who knows God is one, Yahweh is his name. But then he drops to his knees to worship a man named Jesus.In Revelation 19, the same thing happened to one of the angels. When it did, the angel shouted out: “You must not do that!” In Acts 14, the residents of Lystra begin bowing down in worship of Paul and Barnabas. When they do, Paul and Barnabas tear their robes and cry: “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you.”But when Jesus is worshiped, he doesn't protest. He receives.Jesus receives worship because Jesus is God. Jesus does the work of God. Jesus was sent from God. And, Jesus is God.Jesus is a polarizing figure, yes? Just as he'll say near the close of this section, verse 39,“For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”So there really are two choices: spiritual sight or spiritual blindness. Spiritual light or spiritual darkness. Fist shaking at Jesus or knees bowing before him. And so I want to invite you today if you are here this morning, and you want to see. See that Jesus is more than just a man. More than just a prophet. But God himself. Ask him.Jesus, come find me too.Come help me see you are the Son of Man. If you don't, you will remain in darkness. Guilt for your sin, just as Jesus says in verse 41, will remain. Don't live in the dark. Don't stay in your guilt. Ask Jesus to help you see, and he will. He will.If you are here today and like this man can say, I was spiritually blind and now I see: Realize that just as Jesus found this man in his rejection, his isolation, his loneliness, so has he come and found you as well. You see because he gave you eyes to see.Brothers and sisters, never take that sight for granted. It is one of the greatest gifts you could ever receive. Should you lose all and yet still have spiritual sight, you still have all. Treasure your spiritual sight and use it to see and enjoy Jesus every day.The TableNow, what brings us to the table this morning is both the reminder of Jesus' spilled blood and broken body, as well as the promise that one day we will eat a far greater meal with him in Heaven. There, we will finally see him, face-to-face. Because that's what this table represents, I gladly invite those who are trusting in Jesus' death on their behalf, to take and eat this meal with us. If you've not put your trust in Jesus, we ask that you'd let the elements pass for now, and instead take this moment to ask Jesus,Help me to see.

In Revelation 2:1–7, Jesus commends the church at Ephesus for their perseverance and endurance but confronts them for drifting from their first love. This message invites us to examine our own hearts, repent of empty religion, and return to a real relationship with Jesus — allowing His mercy and forgiveness to reignite our love for Him and for others. True mission and lasting fruit flow only from the overflow of first love.

In Revelation 2:1–7, Jesus commends the church at Ephesus for their perseverance and endurance but confronts them for drifting from their first love. This message invites us to examine our own hearts, repent of empty religion, and return to a real relationship with Jesus — allowing His mercy and forgiveness to reignite our love for Him and for others. True mission and lasting fruit flow only from the overflow of first love.

Are you ready for the return of Christ? The Book of Revelation reminds us that Jesus will come again, and every thought, word, and deed—both public and private—will be revealed before Him. In Are You Ready for the Lord?, we reflect on Revelation 1:3 and explore how God’s warnings to the seven churches still call us today to live faithfully, repent of sin, and prepare for eternity with Him. Perfect for listeners seeking hope, guidance, and clarity about the end times, Christian accountability, and walking in readiness for the Lord’s return. ✨ Highlights Revelation 1:3: a blessing for those who read, hear, and take to heart God’s prophecy Why Revelation reveals both encouragement and warnings for the church How God’s omniscience uncovers both our good works and our hidden sins The promise of Christ’s return and the hope of eternity in heaven What the seven churches teach us about living faithfully today Reflection: Are your deeds pleasing to God, or in need of repentance?

Click here for more on this topic and other free resources - https://www.drjimrichards.com We all long to hear from God. Too often, we become desperate for His direction—and that desperation can lead us down the wrong paths as we search for His voice. Sadly, many in the body of Christ don't know or trust the ways God speaks, and that confusion breeds discouragement. I often hear from believers who feel abandoned because God isn't “talking” to them. What I usually discover is that God is speaking—but they aren't recognizing His voice because it doesn't come the way they expected. The apostles John and Peter provide us with keys to hearing God that the modern church often overlooks. They describe prophecy differently than we commonly do today, and because of that, we miss personal words God longs to speak into our hearts. In Revelation 19:10, John tells us that the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. Peter draws a vital connection between prophecy and Scripture in 2 Peter 1:19-21. This seems to be overlooked in our understanding of prophecy. This week, I'll unpack what Peter calls a “more sure word of prophecy.” He urges us to pay attention to Scripture until it enlightens us—like a lamp shining in the darkness. That illumination is a form of prophecy—a personal word from God that can be even more sure than a human voice prophesying over us. Jesus taught this same truth through His parables about seed: truth planted in a heart will grow, produce understanding, and bear fruit! When we read the Bible, specific phrases, verses, or images suddenly stand out. Those moments are God's way of relating Scripture to what He's longing to speak into our hearts now. But we must cultivate attention and focus. As Jesus taught, we must think, ponder, reflect, and meditate on the Scriptures that capture our notice. Pray this simple prayer: “Father, in light of what draws me now, what are You saying to me, and how do I put it into practice?” That prayer plants the seed in your heart—and with serious attention, it will bear fruit. Join me this week as we uncover this beautiful, simple secret hidden in plain sight in Scripture. Learn how to recognize God's voice in the pages of His Word so you no longer wait for someone else to tell you what He's saying. God will show you—through Scripture—what He wants to speak to your heart. Come discover how to receive your personal word from Him.

Discover how God’s mysterious ways are revealed in nature and in our lives in Discovering God’s Mysterious Ways this Fall. Lynette Kittle explores the spiritual lessons of autumn, including God’s promises of resurrection, renewal, and hidden growth, perfect for listeners seeking Christian insight, reflection, and spiritual growth during the fall season. This episode helps believers connect the beauty and change of fall with God’s transformative power and eternal plan. ✨ Highlights How fall reveals the mystery of resurrection and Jesus’ promise of new life Understanding how dying leads to new life, spiritually and naturally The hidden work of God in secret, unseen growth during seasons of dormancy God’s creation of newness in our hearts and lives through the Holy Spirit Practical reflection on embracing God’s transformative work during autumn

In Revelation 2:8–11, Jesus speaks to the suffering church in Smyrna, a community facing poverty, persecution, and slander. Unlike other churches, Smyrna receives no rebuke—only encouragement to remain faithful even to the point of death. Jesus reminds them He is the First and the Last, the One who conquered death, and promises the crown of life to all who endure. This message still speaks today, calling us to trust Christ through trials and hold fast to eternal hope.

In Revelation 2-3, the church looks the opposite of worthy. Often having serious sin, spiritual problems, religious persecution, and the rest, the church looks totally unimpressive. But in Revelation 4-5, the worthy one comes to the forefront, Jesus steps forward to be seen as the only one who is worthy above all.

Hello, Welcome to our Reveal Campus,Today, we're diving into a striking image from the book of Revelation, Babylon, The Great Prostitute. In Revelation 17–18, John is given a vision of a woman dressed in purple and scarlet, glittering with gold and jewels, yet described as a prostitute riding on a beast. She represents a worldly system full of wealth, power, and immorality that lures nations away from God.Babylon isn't just a city of the past. It's a symbol of spiritual corruption, pride, and rebellion against God. The world may see her as glamorous, but Scripture reveals her true nature: she intoxicates nations with sin and opposes Christ.Her end is certain Revelation declares that God will bring swift judgment. Babylon will fall, and with her, all who trusted in riches, idols, and worldly power rather than the Lamb.For us, the message is clear: don't be seduced by Babylon. Don't put your hope in temporary pleasures or systems of this world. Instead, remain faithful to Christ, the Bridegroom, who calls His people to purity and perseverance.In the end, Babylon falls, but the Kingdom of God stands forever.To support this ministry and help us continue our God-given mission, click here:Subscribe to our channel for the latest sermons:https://www.youtube.com/@revealvineyardLearn more about Vineyard Church Reveal Campus:https://www.revealvineyard.com/Follow us on social media!Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/vineyardrevealcampus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/RevealVineyard

When the world feels fractured by violence, division, and fear, where can we place our hope? In Revelation 7:9–17, we're given a heavenly vision: a countless, multi-ethnic multitude gathered before the throne of Jesus, unified in worship. This is not just a future reality—it shapes our calling now: to resist fear, love our neighbor, and live as a diverse, unified family of faith.

When the world feels fractured by violence, division, and fear, where can we place our hope? In Revelation 7:9–17, we're given a heavenly vision: a countless, multi-ethnic multitude gathered before the throne of Jesus, unified in worship. This is not just a future reality—it shapes our calling now: to resist fear, love our neighbor, and live as a diverse, unified family of faith.

In Revelation 3, the church in Sardis is given a stark warning: you can have the appearance of life and still be spiritually dead. This message calls the Church to wake up, repent, and place our salvation in Christ alone. 

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Lamentations 1-2; Obadiah 1; Revelation 14 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible, dear friends, and thank you for joining us on this September 9th episode—day 252 in our journey through the Scriptures. I'm Hunter, your host and Bible reading coach, here to gather with you as we spend time in the pages of God's Word, letting its timeless truths warm our hearts and direct our lives. Today, we dive deep into Lamentations 1 and 2, reflecting on the grief and loss experienced by Jerusalem; we hear the prophetic voice of Obadiah as he speaks judgment over Edom; and finally, in Revelation 14, we catch a glimpse of hope and the promised victory as Babylon falls and God's everlasting kingdom draws near. Throughout this episode, we're reminded of God's faithfulness—even in the midst of sorrow and judgment—and we're invited to hold on to hope, anticipating a future where every tear is wiped away, and God's kingdom reigns forever. Let's walk this journey together, holding fast to the assurance that, no matter where we find ourselves in the world, we are deeply loved and never alone. So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let's get started. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Babylon has fallen, and out of the ashes rises hope. In today's reading, we are presented with images of destruction and desolation—Jerusalem sitting alone in mourning, stripped of her splendor, crying out in anguish. The prophet laments the fate of God's people, who have found themselves far from home with nothing to cling to but the bitter consequences of rebellion and loss. Their city, once beautiful, is now brought low, and the justice of God—His fierce anger against sin and disobedience—is heartbreakingly clear. Yet woven through these words of judgment and sorrow, there is an undercurrent of hope. In Revelation, we hear the proclamation: “Babylon is fallen.” The old order—the city built on pride, oppression, and immorality—is finally brought down. But this is not the end of the story. Out of the ashes, God promises something new. The Lamb stands on Mount Zion, surrounded by the redeemed, and announces the coming of a new city, a new Jerusalem—a place where God Himself will dwell with His people, where every tear will be wiped away, and sorrow will be no more. This is the vision that is set before us: even when we find ourselves lamenting all that has been lost, even when it seems darkness has the final word, God has the power to bring life from death, redemption from ruin. The story of Babylon's fall is ultimately the story of God's enduring faithfulness. He is making all things new. He is the One who restores, who gathers His people and leads them out of exile and into hope. May we live with our eyes fixed on this promise. Let us not be daunted by the ruins around us or the regret behind us, but look to the kingdom that is coming, to the King who will reign forever. With every act of faith and every prayer for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we sow seeds of hope in the soil of our world's brokenness. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

3:30 - Prayer request for my neighbor's health as he approaches the end of his life. / 11:58 - Encouragement for previous caller's prayer request. / 22:53 - In Revelation 13, is the woman supposed to be Mary? / 35:11 - Prayer request for wife's surgery, and will we be able to be tempted at the end of the Millenial Reign? / 42:43 - In 1 Samuel, how did the High Priest respond to Samuel's vision? / 53:27 - My dad is an alcoholic and claims to be Christian, how can I talk to him?

Lukewarmness isn't neutral—it's dangerous and spiritually misleading. Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar examine the powerful message to the church in Laodicea and encourage believers to examine their hearts. Has your passion diminished? In Revelation, Christ rebukes a self-reliant church that no longer depends on Him for strength or purpose. The call isn't about striving more. It's about surrender, trust, and returning to intimacy with the Lord who pursues us.The guys explain how Laodicea's water supply often arrived lukewarm, making it unfit for drinking. That same unpleasant temperature reflected the church's spiritual condition and lack of power. Lukewarm water, like lukewarm faith, served no purpose. It symbolized a church that had lost its spiritual vitality and didn't even realize it. They explore how the church is called to be salt and light, a shining source of hope and truth in a dark, dying world. That mission requires zeal, not apathy or self-confidence. Good works don't save, but they are the fruit of saving grace and evidence of transformed hearts. We are His workmanship, created in Christ for good works that bring Him glory. True zeal isn't about chaos or hype; it's steady, humble obedience flowing from a heart filled with gratitude for the gospel and shaped by the Word.Mark reflects on how God speaks to the heart, not through empty words or outward performance. Lip service doesn't move Him. It's in real, desperate prayer and sincere repentance that transformation occurs. Repentance is sweet, hope-filled, and full of promise. It's not about guilt; it's about turning fully toward Christ with open hands. Ray shares how, as a new believer, he was consumed with a desire to share the gospel with everyone around him. That same fire is available to all of us who ask.Zeal is contagious. When believers live fully devoted to Christ, the lives around them are changed. Many hesitate to apply that same passion to their faith. Some believers go all in for hobbies and careers, but when it comes to eternity, they pull back. The Christian life isn't easy or casual. It demands endurance, discipline, and spiritual awareness. Christians must be grounded in Scripture, guided by truth, and surrounded by people who speak life into their walk. Oscar brings it back to Revelation. Salvation is not earned. It's a gift of grace through faith alone. When you truly see the beauty of God's mercy, your affections are reshaped, and zeal becomes the natural response. Christ is worthy of your whole life—every moment, every heartbeat, every ounce of devotion you have to give.Send us a textThanks for listening! If you've been helped by this podcast, we'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating! Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.Ray ComfortEmeal (“E.Z.”) ZwayneMark SpenceOscar Navarro