Podcasts about New Testament

The 10 Commandments E13 — We've arrived at the 10th and final commandment, which feels very different from all the ones that came before it: “Do not desire … anything that belongs to your neighbor.” While most translations use the word “covet,” we simply find khamad, which is the general Hebrew word for desire. All the other commandments involve observable actions, but desire is entirely internal. So why does God warn us about desiring things that belong to our neighbor? In this episode, Jon and Tim finish the 10 Commandments by showing how this command works as an undercurrent beneath all the others. FULL SHOW NOTES For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode. CHAPTERS The Meaning of “Desire” (0:00-21:13) How the Hebrew Bible Talks About Desire (21:13-37:21) What All Our Desires Point To (37:21-59:30) OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT View this episode's official transcript. THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION View our full translation of the 10 Commandments. REFERENCED RESOURCES Find the related animated video for this episode here. Find the 10 Commandments full collection of resources here. “The Twofold Center of Christian Ethics: Christian Freedom and God's Commandments” by Reinhard Hütter (essay in The Promise of Lutheran Ethics, edited by Karen L. Bloomquist and John R. Stumme) The Ten Commandments: Interpretation: Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church by Patrick D. Miller Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books. SHOW MUSIC “Morning Light feat. Oly.Lo” by Lofi Sunday “Hilltops feat. JK Beatbrook” by Lofi Sunday BibleProject theme song by TENTS  SHOW CREDITS Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when we die? Many wrong and dangerous answers have been posed to this question, but Scripture does not leave us in the dark. Today, Guy Waters brings the Bible's correction to four false ideas about the afterlife. Request Facing the Last Enemy with your donation. You'll receive Guy Waters' book, his video teaching series on DVD, and lifetime digital access to all 12 messages and the study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the ebook, digital teaching series, and digital study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   Guy Waters is James M. Baird Jr. Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS, and a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Welcome to Week 4 of This Is the Old Testament! Amanda and Raechel are joined by Dr. David Filson to discuss the next five books of the Old Testament: Psalms through Isaiah. As we continue our seven-week survey of the Old Testament, Dr. Filson reminds us that Christ holds all things together.Open your Bibles with us this week! This episode corresponds to Week 4 of She Reads Truth's This Is the Old Testament reading plan. You can read with the She Reads Truth community on our site, in our app, or with our This Is the Old Testament printed or digital Daily Reading Guide.In this episode:Use code NT15 for 15% off the This Is the New Testament collection at ShopSheReadsTruth.com.She Reads Truth on Instagram & FacebookRaechel Myers on InstagramAmanda Bible Williams on InstagramDavid Filson on Instagram*If you purchase something through our links, She Reads Truth may earn an affiliate commission.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Magellan AI - https://docsend.com/view/5vdvbdx7cr4tikmyPodscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy

“Jesus saw their faith he said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.'”Tensions are rising for Brad, Paul, and Leo as playoff basketball season begins. Leo attempts to remedy the situation with a New Testaments story about forgiveness, friendship, and miracles! Listen to this incredible story about a group of friends that go to great heights to bring their paralyzed companion to Jesus.Today's episode is a special public release from the Hallow exclusive Lenten series for families: The Miracle Hunters! Access the full challenge on Hallow!Saints Alive is brought to you by the #1 Catholic Prayer App, Hallow! Sign up today with a 30-day free trial!Please rate, review and share with friends and family!Find out more about Saints Alive at our website: https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/

Can someone be forgiven if they never apologize? What is the unforgivable sin? And did Noah's Flood really happen? In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Carlos Erazo and Paul Cunningham are joined by New Testament scholar and apologist Dr. Jeremiah Johnston as they explore biblical forgiveness, the danger of bitterness, the true meaning of the unforgivable sin, and whether Noah's Ark and the Flood can be trusted as real history. Drawing from Scripture, archaeology, ancient civilizations, and the teachings of Jesus, they examine the evidence and explain why these topics still matter today. Most importantly, this episode points us to the heart of the Gospel: while the Flood could not remove sin, Jesus can give us a new heart. In this episode: • Can you forgive someone who never apologizes? • What is the unforgivable sin? • Did Noah's Flood really happen? • Did the Bible copy flood stories from other cultures? • Have researchers found Noah's Ark? • Why Noah's story ultimately points to Jesus What if the hardest questions about forgiveness, judgment, and Noah's Ark all point to the same answer—Jesus? Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free.

You can spend a lifetime studying the Bible and still miss its central message.While we await the release of a new season of Paul's 5-Minute Bible Study, we're revisiting the first introductory episodes. Today, Paul warns against treating Scripture as merely a source of knowledge and reminds us that the ultimate purpose of Bible study is to know, love, and surrender to Jesus Christ.You can listen to the complete 5-Minute Bible Study journey through the Old and New Testaments at PaulTripp.com/BibleStudy, or by subscribing to the dedicated Paul Tripp 5-Minute Bible Study Podcast channel.

Sam welcomes Dr. Nijay Gupta to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. He is a senior translator for the New Living Translation, a Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, and the author of several academic books including most recently A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies and Tell Her Story. He has a PhD in New Testament from the University of Durham, and co-hosts the Slow Theology podcast with A. J. Swoboda. The post A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Bible Translation Committee (What Really Happens) appeared first on Church Answers.

“And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:11) Throughout the New Testament, there are three names that are primaril... More...

Original Post Date: June 17, 2024 === Gospel Matthew 5:38-42 Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” Reflection The transition between the Old and New Testament is very clear here. In the Old Testament, because of the condition of human beings, the most that they were asked to do was to be fair. If someone hurt you, you could hurt them back. If someone took something from you, you could take something back from them. But here Jesus begins to reveal the new kingdom, the kingdom of God. It is based not in justice, but in service. In love. And what he's simply asking you to do is consider first the needs of someone else before you consider your own. Closing Prayer Father, when we seek to be more generous, we need to realize how you have promised your spirit dwelling within us. We cannot be who God wants us to be without God living within us, loving through us, those that are in need. Bless us with this conviction and this understanding of the Kingdom. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you still waiting for the Kingdom of God to arrive, or could it have been here all along? This episode challenges everything you thought you knew about the Kingdom, religion, and leadership—revealing how much of what we've built is based on missed expectations and outdated systems. Dive in to discover why Jesus's vision of the Kingdom flips the world's definitions of power, greatness, and success upside down, and how this could radically change the way you live, lead, and build community today. If you've ever wondered what it truly means to be a citizen in a Kingdom that's already present, this is the conversation you can't afford to miss."The kingdom of God is here—not as a religion or institution, but as a foundation that holds everything together." - Tim WindersAccess all show and episode resources HEREEpisode Resources:NT90 Hub – This is the central website for the 90-day New Testament reading plan, with downloadable, printable plans, background information, and links to all episodes and resources.Episode Highlights:00:00 The Kingdom Already Here 01:09 NT in 90 Days 02:21 Four Episode Arc 03:46 Kingdom Arrived First Century 06:27 Upside Down Kingdom Values 10:36 Why We Miss It 15:38 End Times Anxiety Cycle 17:59 Jesus Plus Church Models 22:42 Celebrity Leadership Trap 26:26 Plural Elders Alternative 27:07 Elders by Character 28:03 Jesus Inverts Power 31:35 Strength in Weakness 32:38 Quiet Faithful Endurance 33:42 Kingdom Holds All 36:44 Blueprint in the World 39:33 Knowing the King 42:51 Kingdom Multiplies Scattered 45:55 Modern Misread Exposed 48:54 Love Ladder and Self Control 49:57 Politics Work and Stewardship 51:31 Build on the Foundation 52:34 Next Episode and Invitation

Imitation is a huge part of the human experience, as we imitate role models and loved ones. Oscar Wilde called it the 'highest form of flattery'. But what did imitation – or mimesis – look like in early Christianity? To find out, Helen and Lloyd take a trip in the time machine with Professor Cornelis Bennema. They discuss what imitation meant in the ancient world, how the New Testament writers adapted the concept, and why Paul instructs his listeners to 'imitate me'. Dr Cornelis (‘Cor') Bennema is Head of Research and Professor of New Testament Studies at the London School of Theology. His main research interests include the Johannine literature, character studies in biblical narrative and early Christian ethics. He is the author of a number of works on mimesis, most recently Imitation in Early Christianity: Mimesis and Religious-Ethical Formation (Eerdmans, 2025). Support the showTheme music written and performed by Dave Roos, creator of Biblical Time Machine. Season 4 produced by John Nelson. 

The Gospel of Matthew is a wonderful book, the first text in the New Testament, which gives us an exciting shift from the prophecies of the Old Testament to the fulfillment of those very prophecies in the person of Jesus. You are sure to be equipped and inspired as Jesus Himself shares about the hope we have, gives practical lessons for how to live life the way God intended, shows the love of God through miracles and healings, and makes a way for you to be reconciled to God for all eternity.  Join Jerry as he dives into Matthew and walks us through the life, ministry and profound teachings of Jesus. There's no better day than today to take your daily reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Have you ever ended a relationship because you just didn't "feel peace?" As Apostolics, we use the idea of "peace" as an indicator of divine approval--but should we? In this episode, Megan and Steven discuss what "peace that passes all understanding" is in the context of the New Testament, and what it does (and does not) teach us about feeling peace in our dating relationships. Subscribe to Love Notes, our weekly Synchrony newsletter here: https://the-synchrony-project.mykajabi.com/newsletters/love-notes/ Interested in matchmaking? Ladies, our pipeline is currently closed to female applicants, but will re-open in the Summer. Visit our website to join the waiting list.Men can get started for free and meet their first match at no cost. Check https://www.synchronyproject.com to register.Men: Join the Discord server here! https://discord.gg/hqZmtuMws9Get the From Singles, to Shepherds Info Guide Here! https://the-synchrony-project.mykajabi.com/from-singles-to-shepherdsContact: If you want to join the conversation about this topic and give your thoughts, reach out on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or at questions@synchronyproject.com. Learn more about our matchmaking services and dating resources at https://synchronyproject.com.Intro/Outro music by: Balloon Planet, "Write Your Own Story," https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/write-your-own-story/135437

This teaching series is based on the tradition of “Shabbat Shuva,” or the “Shabbat of Return,” which falls between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (the Day of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement). The text for this tradition is Hoshea (Hosea) chapter 14, which begins, “O Yisra'el, return to Yahweh your Elohim…” After having gone through the Spring Feasts – Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Shavuot, which are types and shadows of the Hebrews' exodus from Egypt and journey to Mt. Sinai, have you maintained a faithful, straight walk in Torah? Or have you gotten “off the path” a little or a lot? Do you sense a call to return to the path, to Yahweh? • What is meant by “crookedness”? What does crookedness cause you to do? • Regarding the call to return – return to what? From there, Rabbi Berkson takes us into Leviticus 26 to examine the reasons for returning to the Covenant. In Leviticus chapter 26, the blessings and curses associated with Yahweh's Covenant with His people are listed. • How will you be able to walk in Covenant with the Creator? From Leviticus, we go to Deuteronomy 4:25, where we see that Yahweh has an issue with His people and their idol worship. How can we relate to them today regarding ‘idol worship'? Rabbi Berkson then takes us to Deuteronomy chapter 30 to show us one of Moses' final exhortations to the people as they are about to cross over into the Promised Land. Interestingly, Yahweh, through Moses, told the people that in their future they would stray from the path they were supposed to walk and be taken from the Land by their enemies, but as they were living in a foreign land, their hearts would turn back to Yahweh, and they would return once again to possess and live in their Promised Land. • In this chapter, we see the phrase, “circumcise your heart” – what does that mean? Isn’t that just a “New Testament” concept? What is it doing left of Matthew? And then we are taken to Romans chapter 10, where Rabbi Berkson points out that the apostle Paul is clearly writing about Torah observance and, indeed, substitutes the word ‘Messiah' for the word ‘Torah' as he quotes Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 30. • What does Romans 10:4 really mean? • What is “the righteousness of belief”? • What is “the good news of the good”? • Was there “Good News” before the New Testament? Verse-by-verse and step-by-step, Rabbi Steve Berkson takes us on a journey of discovery and learning how to covenant with our Creator and Father, which, from time to time, requires us to turn around and return to His Word so that we can have a sure entrance into His Kingdom. Learn more about MTOI: https://mtoi.org | The MTOI App https://mtoi.org/download-the-mtoi-app Follow MTOI: https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide Contact MTOI: admin@mtoi.org (423) 250-3020 Join us LIVE (all times Eastern): • Torah Study, Fridays 7:30 pm • Shabbat Service, Saturdays 1:15 pm Streaming available on YouTube, Rumble, MTOI App, and mtoi.org

Should we think of Paul's words and Jesus' words in the New Testament on different levels? Scott and Josh discuss the importance of seeing the Bible as authoritative, and the importance of doctrine.   The Words of Grace Podcast seeks to clarify, amplify, and apply the Sunday morning sermon at Grace Community Church. From time to time we will address other topics. We hope these podcasts help impress the Word of God into your everyday life. Episodes are hosted by Josh Hussung and Scott Patty.

We all sin. We all make mistakes and sometimes they are just plain embarrassing. As Christians, we know that forgiveness for our sins can be readily available as a result of Jesus' sacrifice. The question is, what do I have to do to access that availability? Is it automatic? Am I forgiven just because I have claimed the name of Jesus? The answer to that question is an emphatic NO! While being a disciple of Christ grants us access to forgiveness from God, it does not automatically apply that forgiveness to our ongoing sins. So, what do we have to do? Do we actually have to confess our sins in detail to God? What does confessing our sins actually mean? Are there rituals that we should be following? Should we confess them to others? Is there a right way and a wrong way to do this? Confession is not a ritual or a formula. Scripture presents it as something far more meaningful: a relational step that brings us back into alignment with God. The Apostle John uses the Greek word homologeō—to “say the same thing”—meaning confession is agreeing with God's assessment of our actions rather than defending, minimizing or hiding them. It is the moment we stop managing our image and start embracing honesty before the One who already knows every detail. King David's experience in Psalm 32 gives us a vivid picture of this process. Before he confessed, he described his inner life as wasting away under the weight of guilt. But once he acknowledged his sin without excuses, he found relief, clarity and restored fellowship with God—even though the severe consequences of his actions remained. Confession didn't erase the earthly fallout, but it reopened the door to God's mercy and peace. The New Testament builds on this foundation by reminding us that we confess not to inform God, but to align ourselves with Him. Hebrews shows that Jesus, our sympathetic High Priest, opens the way to the throne of grace so we can approach God with confidence. Confession becomes the pathway out of darkness and into light, where cleansing and transformation can actually happen. It is how we keep our hearts soft, our conscience clear, and our relationship with God vibrant and honest. Key Takeaways • Confession is relational, not ritualistic—it restores alignment with God. • The biblical meaning of confession is to agree with God's truth about our actions. • God already knows our sins; confession helps us see ourselves clearly. • David's example shows that confession brings relief, honesty and renewed fellowship, even when consequences remain. • Confession is part of walking in the light, keeping us spiritually awake and accountable. • Through Jesus, we can approach God with confidence, knowing forgiveness and cleansing are available. • True confession leads to transformation—allowing God's grace to work in us and through us.    

1. Early in his sermon, Tim said “American Christianity has largely sentimentalized the New Testament; but you can't do that with the Old Testament.”What do you think it means to “sentimentalize the NT?” How prominent is that in your experience of Christianity? How aware of it have you been or are you now?What things can you recognize and identify as impacts or outcomes of that sentimentalizing? How have those things impacted you and your life of faith?2. The phrase “the Canaanites” acts almost as a shorthand representation for the many smaller kingdoms that operated in the region at the time. These kingdoms operated in the mode of something Brueggemann called the “Royal Consciousness: a culture of domination, consumption, and social control where the few live extravagantly…at the cost of many.”Common objects of worship in these cultures were Baal & Asherah. Baal was the rain and storm god, while Asherah was believed to have power over childbirth and family concerns. The Israelites, as noted in Judges 3:7, don't last long before they lapse into servitude of these two gods.In the cultural & historical contexts of Judges, Baal & Asherah could be understood as objects that were worshipped in attempts to avoid the threats of chaos & barrenness. These two themes have shown up repeatedly in our study of the first Old Testament books.Where, in our own modern cultural context, do you see the same perpetual specters of chaos & barrenness? What does each look like in 2026's America?How do people today try to escape these modern iterations of chaos &/or barrenness? To what extent do you see that dynamic at play within our world today?To what extent is that dynamic at play in you and your life? What things do you pursue as hopeful saviors from these timeless threats? Where do you tend to (consciously or unconsciously) look for rescue or safety in the face of them?3. Tim described a pattern that is present in Judges; it's a cycle that starts with loss of memory resulting in ideological capture.Where can you identify these first parts of the pattern in a more contemporary context?After reviewing the full cycle, how relatable or resonant does this pattern seem today? Does it hold true? Where might you call out additional nuance or variation?Tim said that though this pattern is often referred to as the “sin cycle,” it is, instead, a Redemption Cycle. He added that “failure is the engine of every redemption story.”What do you think about this framing? Where does it hold up? Where might you feel curious about gaps?How might you conceive of yourself within its stages, especially in light of the things you identified in question 2 as places you may turn for safety in the face of chaos and/or barrenness?

Join us as Pastor Tim Powell brings us today's message. To learn more about NLC Greenbrier- TEXT "Greenbrier" TO: 88000 to connect with us!

Is the God of the Old Testament a rigid judge, while the God of the New Testament is entirely about grace? This week, Shelley and June Volk tackle this common church misconception head-on by dedicating five days to exploring a single, life-altering Hebrew word: Chesed ($C-H-E-S-E-D$). Appearing over 250 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, chesed is so rich that it takes a beautiful tapestry of English words to define it—encompassing kindness, loving kindness, mercy, goodness, favor, and compassion. It is the very word used for "grace" when the New Testament is translated back into Hebrew. Join the Volks as they journey from the desert of Arizona straight into the wilderness of Psalm 63, uncovering how to move past transient, temporary circumstances and anchor your soul to eternity through the faithful, enduring chesed of God. Shelly has served the body of Christ as a Pastor for over 35 years. He is a bible teacher and conference speaker on the subjects of The Kingdom of God, The Mystery of Israel & The Church and for God’s people to be prepared in their hearts for the end of this age. https://shellyandjunevolk.com/Support the show: https://shellyandjunevolk.com/product/partner-with-us-psalm-127-fund/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 4 of the series Mary in the Dock: Ordinary or Extraordinary?, host Greg Smith puts the Catholic doctrine of Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant on trial. Protestants often charge that this is fabricated typology with no explicit New Testament warrant, that it's eisegesis used to justify later Marian dogmas, and that it risks over-elevating Mary in ways that compete with Christ. Greg gives these objections a full, fair hearing before delivering a robust Catholic defense rooted in rich biblical typology, including a detailed “constellation” of parallels between the Old Testament Ark and Mary: the Word of God, the manna, Aaron's rod, the overshadowing by the Holy Spirit (using the exact same Greek verb ἐπισκιάζω in both Exodus 40 and Luke 1:35), the three-month stay, David's dance vs. John the Baptist's leap, and more. Early Church Fathers like Hippolytus, Athanasius, and Ephraim the Syrian affirmed this long before Constantine, and the teaching is thoroughly Christocentric—Mary as the pure vessel who brings God's presence to his people. Listeners serve as the jury in this engaging courtroom discussion that builds directly on the New Eve episode. Whether you're a curious non-Catholic, a Protestant pastor investigating the faith, or a cradle Catholic rediscovering these treasures, this episode will challenge you to decide: is Mary simply an ordinary woman, or the extraordinary New Ark the Church has always proclaimed? SUPPORT THIS SHOW Considering Catholicism is 100% listener-supported. If this podcast has helped you on your journey, please become a patron today! For as little as $5/month you get: • Every regular episode ad-free and organized into topical playlists • Exclusive bonus content (extra Q&As, Deep-Dive courses, live streams, and more) • My deepest gratitude and a growing community of like-minded listeners ➡️ Join now: https://patreon.com/consideringcatholicism (or tap the Patreon link in your podcast app) One-time gift: Donate with PayPal! CONNECT WITH US • Website & contact form: https://consideringcatholicism.com • Email: consideringcatholicism@gmail.com • Leave a comment on Patreon (I read every one!) RATE & REVIEW If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating (and even better, a review) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen — it really helps new listeners find us. SHARE THE SHOW Know someone who's curious about Catholicism? Send them a link or share an episode on social media. Thank you! Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat.

Faith That Defies Reason sermon by Rev. Dr. David Brown on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from St. Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes Estates, CA. Readings by John Booth. Wayfarers Chapel is an Ecumenical Ministry of the Swedenborgian Church and the National Memorial to Emanuel Swedenborg located in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. The chapel was dismantled in 2024 due to land movement issues. We are currently attempting to relocate and rebuild the chapel. Visit our website for more information about an online community called Exploring New Earth. The title of this online community is an exploration into the deeper spiritual states of consciousness that has been a prophecy of both the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. Support the show

Send us Fan MailRevelation has a reputation for creating fear, charts, and endless arguments. We take a different route and keep asking one question: where is Jesus in the text, and what does His presence mean for His people right now? Starting with the lampstands, we connect the imagery back to the Old Testament priest tending the lamps and forward to Christ walking among His churches, keeping the light of divine truth burning through the Holy Spirit. That single picture raises a surprisingly practical challenge to popular end-times frameworks like pre-tribulation rapture teaching and dispensationalism. If the church is removed, what happens to the lampstands? If Christ only “walks in the midst” of His churches, where does the world's gospel light come from if the church is gone? We also talk through the claim that Israel and the church are separate peoples, and why the New Testament emphasis on one body of Christ, Jew and Gentile united by faith, matters for how you read Revelation from start to finish. Along the way we anchor the conversation in clear texts like Acts 20:28 and Ephesians 5:25, showing why “purchased with His own blood” isn't just doctrine, it's comfort. We end with a final interpretive crossroads: either Revelation is written to the whole church, or huge portions get dismissed as irrelevant. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by Revelation, this is an invitation to read it as a testimony of Jesus that strengthens endurance and worship. Subscribe, share with a friend who avoids Revelation, and leave a review with the biggest question you're still wrestling with.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Have you ever left a conversation thinking, “Well, that escalated quickly”? Whether it's with a spouse, friend, coworker, or family member, it's sometimes too easy to say something you'll regret—and tear someone down in the process. In a world where our words carry so much power, it’s up to us to use them for good.

Irenaeus lived at a time when the church was being attacked from the outside by persecution and from the inside by false teaching.In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany look at the life of Irenaeus, one of the early church's most important defenders of the gospel. Connected closely to the apostles through Polycarp, Irenaeus helped preserve apostolic teaching, confront the rise of Gnosticism, and guide the church with both truth and grace.Chapters:01:00 Who Was Irenaeus?Irenaeus was one of the most important Christian leaders of the second century. Closely connected to the apostles through Polycarp, his life is bridge between the New Testament church and the generations that followed.02:00 Asia Minor and the Early ChurchAsia Minor, located in what is now modern-day Turkey, played a major role in early church history03:30 Irenaeus' Connection to the Apostle JohnThe Apostle John taught Polycarp, Polycarp taught Irenaeus, placing Irenaeus only one generation removed from an eyewitness of Jesus Christ.05:00 Irenaeus in LyonAfter studying briefly in Rome, Irenaeus moved to Lyon in Gaul, modern-day France. There, he joined the leadership of a growing Christian congregation in one of the most important cities in Western Europe.07:30 Persecution in LyonWhile Irenaeus was away in Rome, severe persecution broke out against the Christians in Lyon. Nearly 50 believers were martyred, including Blandina, Sanctus, and the elderly bishop Pothinus.11:00 Irenaeus Becomes Bishop of LyonAfter returning from Rome, Irenaeus was chosen to replace Pothinus as bishop of Lyon. For the next 25 years, he shepherded the church, trained leaders, sent missionaries, and strengthened scattered congregations throughout the region.12:30 What Was Gnosticism?Gnosticism was one of the greatest challenges facing the early church. Many Gnostics believed that physical matter was evil, denied that Jesus truly became human, and claimed to possess secret knowledge unavailable to ordinary Christians.16:30 Irenaeus and Against HeresiesIrenaeus' most famous work, Against Heresies, exposed the errors of Gnostic teaching and defended the faith handed down from the apostles. His writings helped explain Christian doctrine clearly and earned him the title “the father of Christian theology.” 18:30 The Quartodeciman ControversyAnother major issue during Irenaeus' lifetime involved the timing of Easter. Rather than allowing a calendar disagreement to divide the church, Irenaeus urged believers to maintain fellowship where the gospel itself was not at stake.22:30 What Irenaeus Teaches Christians TodayStay rooted in apostolic truth, guard the gospel carefully, and pursue unity whenever possible. “Irenaeus fought fiercely for essential doctrines while showing remarkable charity to others in secondary matters.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston

In this episode of the Divine Council Worldview Podcast, Ronn and Mike engage in a deep exploration of the concept of theosis, comparing its interpretations in Eastern Orthodoxy and Mormonism. They discuss the implications of salvation as a transformative process that integrates believers into God's family and the significance of exorcisms in the New Testament as a reflection of the cosmic battle between divine and rebellious beings. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding theological terms and concepts within their historical and cultural contexts, fostering a richer dialogue among different Christian traditions. They also delve into the complexities of demonic activity in the New Testament, the role of the Pharisees in relation to Yahweh, the nature of worship, and the interpretation of Elohim in biblical theology. Finally, they explore how cultural and historical contexts influence these themes, emphasizing the importance of understanding the spiritual dynamics at play during the time of Jesus and the implications for contemporary faith practices.

God has designed us to be relational beings who desire true friendship. But in today's society, people seem to be moving farther and farther apart from personal connections. So how can we bridge the gap? Stay with us to find the answer from God's Word! In this series, One Another, we will discover powerful truths from the New Testament and learn about God's divine plan for cultivating healthy, godly relationships.

Have you ever left a conversation thinking, “Well, that escalated quickly”? Whether it's with a spouse, friend, coworker, or family member, it's sometimes too easy to say something you'll regret—and tear someone down in the process. In a world where our words carry so much power, it’s up to us to use them for good.

In Episode 584 of the Bible as Literature Podcast, Fr. Marc Boulos explores Luke 9:10 through the Semitic root ס־פ־ר / س־ف־ر (samek-fe-reš / sīn-fāʾ-rāʾ), uncovering a rich biblical ecology of sending, hearing, obeying, recounting, and carrying the word of God.Beginning with a sharp critique of Greek epistemology and the modern assumption that knowledge originates in the human mind, Fr. Marc argues that Scripture presents a radically different orientation. The fool who says "there is no God" is not merely the unbeliever, but the one who enthrones himself in the seat of judgment, making human reason the source of truth. In contrast, the biblical witness portrays humanity not as the author of knowledge but as its recipient, addressed and commanded by God.Tracing the root ס־פ־ר across the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Qurʾan, Fr. Marc shows how the apostles' "report" in Luke 9:10 is far more than a missionary debrief. Their recounting belongs to the same scriptural pattern found in Abraham's slave, Moses, Ezekiel, Joseph, and the prophets: the slave is sent, encounters God's action, and returns to recount what God has done. The true witness does not testify to his own experience but hands on the command and deed of the Lord.Along the way, Fr. Marc explores the connections between journey (safar), scroll (sefer), scribe (sofer), unveiling, dreams, hearing and obedience (ש־מ־ע / س־م־ع), and the contrast between faithful slaves who carry God's word and false prophets who recount only the dreams of their own hearts. The episode culminates in a powerful reading of Luke 9:10 in which the apostles appear not as religious entrepreneurs reporting their accomplishments, but as slaves who have been found, sent, instructed, and returned to hand back the word they received. The question is not what a person knows, but which way he is turned. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Gospel of Matthew is a wonderful book, the first text in the New Testament, which gives us an exciting shift from the prophecies of the Old Testament to the fulfillment of those very prophecies in the person of Jesus. You are sure to be equipped and inspired as Jesus Himself shares about the hope we have, gives practical lessons for how to live life the way God intended, shows the love of God through miracles and healings, and makes a way for you to be reconciled to God for all eternity.  Join Jerry as he dives into Matthew and walks us through the life, ministry and profound teachings of Jesus. There's no better day than today to take your daily reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!   Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Here we are, after several weeks, at the end of JudeThere's not another letter in the New Testament exactly like it- a small bit of 2 Peter incorporates some of the same lines• but the overall structure and content of Jude are unusual,◦ and his quotations from two non-biblical books is unique• but coming to the end, he closes with a familiar prayer◦ it's not his exact words that are familiar, but how the words are arranged◦ Jude signs off with a “doxology”- the Greek word doxa, is frequently translated “glory”• and this word usually appears in doxologies, making it easy to identify them• a doxology is a prayer or song in praise of God◦ in many churches doxologies are read, recited, or sung every week

Judd Burton Bio:I can remember when I was just a lad, somewhere around ten years old, being in love with new experiences and ideas. The springboard for my interests as they are today came in the form of one Dr. George Knight, professor of New Testament at Hardin-Simmons University, and an accomplished field archaeologist. It just so happened that his brother-in-law, Reverend Wayne Keller, was the pastor at my church. Our congregation had the great fortune of Dr. Knight's leadership in a number of seasonal bible studies throughout the year. To my great delight, he always added tales of his work on archaeological sites in the Near East. That's really all it took for me, because I drank it all in, and it became part of me. I have ever since been an explorer: a direct result of the marriage of faith in Jesus Christ and academic enthusiasm.I have a BA in History from Hardin-Simmons University. I also have an MA in anthropology from Texas Tech University. This year I completed my PhD in history at Texas Tech University, focusing my studies on Early Christianity and Greco-Roman religions. I also study topics such as the survival of mythology, sacred geography, folk religion, and contemporary alternative religious movements.I grew up in a small town called Merkel, Texas. I went to school there, learned from such wonderful teachers as Chuck Roach, Lisa Amerine, Alvin O'Dell, and Lisa Walker. Merkel also afforded me the opportunity to learn how to play the guitar, and yes, be in a rock band, Black Pearl. The little hamlet of Merkel was a wonderful place to grow up. The present population is about 2500. Merkel has an intersting history, full of cultural vibrance, and at one point in time, it even had a college. So if you ever get the chance, visit Merkel.In my years I've had some interesting adventures. While playing in the marching band at Cisco Junior College, I visited Hawaii. I've also done archaeology on both sides of the globe: Texas and Israel. To top it all off, I've also been to Jordan, Denmark, and Mexico, and hope to add Ireland, Greece, Egypt, Thailand, Australia, Belize, and Vietnam to that list soon.Dr. Burton's Link:https://www.burtonbeyond.net/about-me

In a well produced film, the soundtrack accompanies the story in an honest and appropriate way. Likewise, God has not left us without a soundtrack to accompany us on our own journey. The life of every human includes a storyline of joys and sorrows, health and pain, mountaintops and valleys, for which God has given us the Psalms: a hymnbook for every occasion and every emotion.This summer our sermon series will return to the Psalms to build upon last year and add to your repertoire a deeper understanding of a few more that we have yet to uncover. Remember that the Psalms are poetry and contain structure and rhythm. Some are designated to be sung with instruments. Taking on the practice of reading poetry can enhance your understanding and familiarity with this art form. We will begin in Psalm 2 – a messianic poem declaring the unshakable hope that is found in Christ who is Israel's Messiah and true King. Psalm 2 is the second part of the introduction which began with Psalm 1. This psalm is quoted directly in the New Testament 4 times (Acts 4:25-27, Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, Hebrews 5:5) and alluded to in Revelation 2:27, 12:5, and 19:15. Prepare for this week's teaching by reviewing Psalm 1 and reading Psalm 2 with its new testament quotes in their context (Acts 4, 13, Hebrews 1, 5)To help us keep God's word planted deep into our hearts we encourage you to memorize a Psalm over the Summer. The children in Grace Airways will be memorizing all of Psalm 23, feel free to join with them or choose a psalm to your liking. There are 12 weeks of summer – breaking the psalm down into manageable portions and then building on them week by week is a helpful strategy when taking on longer portions of scripture. 

We have reached the end of our Exodus series! Chapter 40 concludes with the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle, marking the completion of the structure, but not the end of the journey. The Israelites are not yet in the Promised Land. So why is this 40-chapter story so central to the biblical narrative? Because Exodus is not just background history—it is a legally binding testimony that points directly to the coming of a greater Messiah.Key Points1. A Testimony to the FutureHebrews 3:5 states that Moses was faithful as a servant, bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. The Greek word used here for servant (therapon) implies an intimate, trusted servant whose testimony carries legal weight. Moses is a credible witness establishing the criteria for the Messiah. Anyone claiming to be the Messiah must be greater than Moses.2. Jesus is the Greater IntercessorMoses: Interceded for the Israelites on a hill to win a physical battle against the Amalekites. His hands were held up by his friends (Exodus 17).Jesus: Interceded on the hill of Calvary to win the eternal war against sin and death. His hands were held up by nails—and by the joy set before Him.3. Jesus is the Greater Deliverer & SacrificeMoses: Delivered the Israelites physically from Egypt, but he could not lead them all the way into the Promised Land. The Old Covenant required sacrifices to be made over and over again, like weed killer that only offers temporary relief.Jesus: Shared in our humanity to break the power of death and deliver us spiritually (Hebrews 2:14). As our High Priest, He offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, and then He sat down—because the work was finished (Hebrews 10:11-12). Note: Joshua (Yeshua), whose name points to Jesus, was the one who ultimately led the people into the Promised Land.4. Jesus is the Greater TabernacleMoses: Built the physical tabernacle where God's presence dwelled, but the people were kept out by a thick curtain and the barrier of sin.Jesus: The Word became flesh and "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14). When Jesus died on the cross, the physical curtain in the temple was torn in two. Now, through the blood of Jesus, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place. Better yet, through the Holy Spirit, believers have become living tabernacles.5. The Warning: Guard Against a Hard HeartThe Israelites saw the Red Sea part and manna fall from the sky, yet their hearts grew hard and they built a golden calf. Signs and wonders cannot replace an intimate relationship with God. Hebrews warns us not to harden our hearts as they did, but to encourage one another daily. We guard against a hard heart through personal devotion and active participation in a faith community.ConclusionWhen Moses asked God, "Show me your glory," God tucked him in a rock and only allowed him to see His back. Moses did not get exactly what he asked for in that moment, nor did he get to enter the Promised Land in his lifetime. However, God does not forget our prayers. Centuries later, on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17), Moses finally stands in the Promised Land, face-to-face with Jesus, whose face shone like the sun. Moses finally saw the full glory of God. God is worth the wait.Calls to ActionExamine Your Heart: Are there areas where your heart has grown hard or calloused toward God?Speak it Out: If you are struggling with unbelief or a hard heart, confess it to someone in your faith community this week to break its power.Trust the Delay: If you have been waiting a long time for a prayer to be answered, look to Moses. Trust that God's timing is perfect and His glory is worth the wait. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

Welcome to Gospel Rant! Watch me also on DrBillSenyard YouTube channel. This, in my opinion, is the #1 prayer of not only the New Testament, but both testaments. It was among the final words of Jesus to the Apostle John, on the last page of the Bible, and he commands us to pray this. We are standing at the edge of the last page of the last book in the entire revelation of God. Ink drying. History trembling. Heaven leans close. And here, at the very end of everything written— we hear a voice. Not an angel. Not a prophet. Not a rumor of hope. Jesus. “Yes. I am coming soon.” Come Lord Jesus, Come. My Top NT Prayer. We will see what you think. And now, it’s your turn… Your interaction helps this message reach more people! We’d love your feedback: Bill@gospel-app.com Thanks in advance—and enjoy the series! Next week, I will begin a series through the Book of Judges. I am calling it Breaking Badly after the hit TV show a while back. Relevant, important, and not what you will usually hear. See you next time. Support The Show: https://www.gospelrant.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Topical | Ephesians 2:19-22

Divine Inquiry, New Testament

In the 1870s, Charles Taze Russell began leading Bible classes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with a small group that came to be known as Bible Students. In 1879, he began publishing a Bible journal later known asThe Watch Tower.Then, in 1884, he incorporated what became the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Through Russells publishing work, the movement spread beyond Pennsylvania and eventually laid the foundation for what later became Jehovahs Witnesses under Joseph Rutherford. Russell rejected several historic Christian doctrines, including eternal conscious punishment in hell and, most seriously, the doctrine of the Trinity. After Russell died in 1916, Rutherford became president of the Watch Tower Society in 1917. Under his leadership, the movement became more centralized and aggressive in its evangelism, and in 1931 the name Jehovahs Witnesses was adopted. The Watch Tower Society is not merely another Christian denomination. It is a cult that rejects essential doctrines of the Christian faith, including the Trinity and the full deity of Jesus Christ. To be clear, misunderstanding Revelation 7 or using poor hermeneutical principles does not automatically mean someone will develop a cult or reject the core tenets of the Christian faith as Russell, Rutherford, and the Jehovahs Witnesses have done. Many faithful Christians have differed over the meaning of the 144,000. But the Watch Tower Society shows us why careful interpretation matters. When Scripture is mishandled repeatedly and forced into a system, the results can be spiritually dangerous. Revelation 7 is one of the passages central to their teaching. Jehovahs Witnesses teach that the 144,000 in Revelation 7 and 14 are a literal number of anointed Christians who will be resurrected to heavenly life to reign with Christ as kings and priests. They also teach that the great multitude in Revelation 7:912 is a separate group with an earthly hopethose who survive Armageddon and live on a restored earth. I mention this because Revelation 7 shows us why context matters. When this chapter is separated from the question at the end of Revelation 6, it can be made to say things John is not saying. John is not trying to create two separate classes of Gods people. He is answering the question,Who can stand?So as we come to this passage, we need to pay careful attention to what John hears and sees, allowing Scripture itself to serve as our primary commentary before we look to any system to determine the meaning of the text. The People of the Lamb are Sealed by God (vv. 1-8) At the end of Revelation 6, with the opening of the sixth seal and the first description of the Day of the Lord, we are left with one of the books most haunting questions:for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?(Rev. 6:17). The kings of the earth cannot stand. The powerful cannot stand. The wealthy cannot stand. The strong cannot stand. Neither slave nor free can stand, as all hide among the rocks and mountains, begging creation to conceal them from the face of Him who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. So who can stand? Revelation 7 gives the answer. Before the seventh seal is opened, John is shown another vision, but do not think of this vision as occurring strictly after the sixth seal and before the opening of the seventh. Instead, if the seals were acts in a theatrical production, what happens in Revelation 7 shows us what is happening behind the curtain sometime during the sixth seal and before the seventh. Throughout Revelation, the visions often pause, circle back, or open a new window to help us understand more clearly what God is doing. In this case, Revelation 7 functions as an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, answering the question raised at the end of chapter 6. John then sees four angels who arestanding at the four corners of the earth,each holdingback the four winds of the earth(v. 1). We are told they do this so that no wind blows on the earth, sea, or any tree. What John sees is not four angels manipulating the weather. Likewise, the four corners of the earth is not a description of the earths shape or design. As you are aware, the number four often points to the created order in Scripture. What you may not be aware of is that the four winds frequently symbolize judgment. Because Revelation is a picture book rather than a puzzle book, the image John sees is one of restraint. The message conveyed is that judgment is being held back. Listen, every day before the final Day is a day of mercy, a day of restraint, and a day for the Lamb to gather His people. What is being shown and communicated to us in these verses is that we are living in a time of divine restraint as we move closer to the Day of the Lord. The world is not free from judgment, but the final winds of judgment have not yet been unleashed. What judgment is being held back? The judgment described in the sixth seal. As to why it is being held back, we do not have to wait long for an answer, because in the very next verse we are told that a fifth angel, ascending from the rising of the sun, declares with a loud voice:Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads(v. 3). Do you now see why context is so important? The angels declaration answers the question,Who can stand?Those who can stand are those who belong to God. Before judgment is unleashed, God marks His people as His own. The earth, sea, and trees are not harmed until the servants of God are sealed. This does not mean Gods people will avoid all suffering, for we have already seen in the fifth seal the souls under the altar crying out in a loud voice,O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long...(Rev. 6:10). What it does mean is that the coming judgment will not sweep Gods people away under His wrath, for He knows who belongs to Him. The four winds of Gods judgment do not descend upon the earth in blind rage. When God executes justice, His wrath is holy, measured, and righteous. He does not fly off the handle. Before the wrath of the Lamb is poured out, the people of the Lamb are sealed by the God who embraces them as His children. This distinction is not new in Scripture. In Exodus 12, God distinguished His people from Egypt by the blood of the lamb. A stronger parallel appears in Ezekiel 9, where God marked those who grieved over Jerusalems sin before judgment fell on the nation. In both cases, God identified those who belonged to Him before judgment fell on the wicked. This is what is happening in Revelation 7. The seal on the foreheads of Gods servants is not a literal, physical mark. It signifies that they belong to the living God. This language appears throughout the New Testament. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1 that those who believe in Christ aresealed with the promised Holy Spirit(Eph. 1:13). This sealing is possible because of the blood Jesus shed on the cross as the Lamb of God, and it is received by faith (Eph. 2:19). The seal is Gods mark of ownership, assurance, and future inheritance. It is not first a statement about the strength of our faith in Him, but about the certainty of Gods possession. He promises never to let His redeemed go (John 10:2730). Those who belong to the Lamb are not hidden from God, forgotten by God, or abandoned in the day of trouble. They belong to God. This all seems clear enough, but the passage can become confusing when it says that those who are sealed are also numbered. Verse 4 says,And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel(v. 4). Here, we must not only pay careful attention to the context of Revelation 7 but also do what Revelation has already taught us to do: pay attention to what John hears and what John sees. What John hears isthe number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel(v. 4). Many have understood this as a literal number of ethnic Israelites, primarily because John goes on to name the tribes in a specific order. Some believe the 144,000 are a specific group of ethnic Jewish Christians who come to faith in Jesus during a future seven-year tribulation and serve as evangelists after the rapture. I understand why many read it that way, but there are some problems with that interpretation. First, Revelation 7 functions as an interludea symbolic pause within the visionrather than a chronological sequence following the great Day of the Lord described in 6:1217. Second, Revelation often follows a pattern in which what John sees clarifies what he first hears. So before we assume the 144,000 is a literal headcount, we need to pay attention to how numbers and images function in this book. Listen, the number twelve is associated with the people of Godthe twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The number one thousand signifies immensity, fullness, and completeness. This is why the psalmist describes Gods ownership by saying,For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills(Ps. 50:10). It is not that God only owns the cattle on one thousand hills and not hill number one thousand and one. The point is fullness. Everything belongs to Him. Likewise, when Moses speaks of Gods covenant faithfulness, he says,Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations... (Deut. 7:9). So, what do you get when you take the twelve tribes of Israel, multiply them by the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and then multiply that by the fullness of the covenant-keeping faithfulness of God (12x12x1000)? You get144,000. In other words, this is not about limiting the people of God. It is about showing us that every one of Gods people is known by God, sealed by God, and secure in God through the blood of the Lamb. This is also why the tribes John lists begin with Judah. Reuben was the firstborn, but Judah is listed first because the Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered. The people of God are numbered, sealed, and secure because they belong to the Lamb who came from Judah. Even the list itself urges us to read carefully. John is not simply giving us a standard tribal roll call; he is showing us the complete people of God through the imagery of Israels tribes. The People of the Lamb are Gathered by God (vv. 9-12) Now, if you miss what I am about to say next, you will miss the point of Revelation. John hears the number of the sealed people of God described as 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, but when he looks, he seesa great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages(v. 9). John hears of 144,000 sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel, but when he looks, he sees a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language. What John sees is not a different people from the 144,000; it is the reality of Gods promise to Adam and Eve, to Noah, to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, to David, and to Mary. What John sees is the promise of God to every generation of His people coming into full bloom. The Lamb who was slain has purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, just as Revelation 5 declared. This should not surprise us, because the salvation of the nations was never Gods contingency plan. It was His purpose from the beginning. When God called Abraham, He promised thatall the families of the earthwould be blessed through him (Gen. 12:13). That blessing comes through Abrahams Seed, who is Christ (Gal. 3:2629). So Revelation 7 does not show us Israels replacement but the fulfillment of Gods promise through Israels Messiah, gathering Jews and Gentiles into one redeemed people before the throne. This is also where Revelation 5 helps us understand Revelation 7. In Revelation 5, the elders sing that the Lamb purchased people for God by His bloodfrom every tribe and language and people and nationand made thema kingdom and priests to our God(Rev. 5:910). In Revelation 7, John sees that kingdom of priests standingbefore the throne and the Lamb. What was promised in Genesis is now seen in glory:a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages(Rev. 7:9). So when John sees the nations gathered before the Lamb, he sees Israels hope fulfilled and expanded through Israels Messiah. The Lamb has gathered a people from the nations, and now they stand where no one in Revelation 6 could: before the throne and before the Lamb. Conclusion I want to leave you with the three As of Revelation 7, and here is why: eschatology does little good in the Christian life unless it affects your ethics. We are called to live each day in light of the Day that is coming. So, here are the three As: Assurance If you believe in Jesus Christ, confess Him as Lord, and desire to follow and obey Him, then you are sealed by God. Here is what the Bible says:if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved(Rom. 10:910). If this is true of you, then you are sealed by God, and if you are sealed by God, then 1 John 3:1 is for you:Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!(1 John 3:1, BSB). If you belong to the Lamb, then you are known by God, sealed by God, and secure in God. Allegiance If you call yourself a Christian, does your life show that you belong to the Lamb? If you are a Christian, your identity is now in and with the Lamb of God. To belong to Jesus means that you are not an acquaintance of Jesus, but an apprentice of Jesus. Jesus said to all who would seek to follow Him:If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple(Luke 14:2627). The seal is not merely about future security; it is about present identity. If you belong to the Lamb, your loyalty cannot ultimately belong to Babylon, comfort, approval, politics, money, or self-preservation. Action We have been saved and sealed, and now we are sent to join the mission of the Lamb as He gathers peoplefrom every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages(Rev. 7:9). The question is: Are we living on mission with the Lamb? We were purchased by the blood of the Lamb not to be passive about the nations, our neighbors, or the lost. Jesus did not suggest that we engage His mission; He commanded us to do so:Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age(Matt. 28:1920). Today is a day of mercy. Today is a day of restraint. Today is a day for the Lamb to gather His people. Today is the day of salvation! We are living in a time of divine restraint as we move closer to the Day of the Lord. So live in the confidence of your salvation, make sure your allegiance to the Lamb is clear, and commit your heart to action by dedicating your life to His mission.

In Romans 15:30-33, we encounter a powerful appeal that challenges our understanding of prayer and vulnerability within the body of Christ. The Greek word 'parakaleo' - meaning to urge, appeal, or earnestly request - frames this passage with urgency and importance. What's striking is that the Apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament and planted churches throughout the known world, doesn't end this section with requests for money, recognition, or applause. Instead, he asks for something far more valuable: prayer. This reveals a profound truth about spiritual leadership and community - even the most mature believers need the prayer support of others. Paul's request isn't self-centered but gospel-centered; he asks for protection as he returns to Jerusalem (ironically, to the very place where he once persecuted Christians) so he can continue his ministry. This passage invites us to examine our own approach to prayer and community. Are we willing to be vulnerable enough to ask others to pray for us? Do we follow through when someone shares their burdens with us, or do we offer empty promises of 'I'll pray for you' without actually doing it? The call here is to become a people who genuinely bear one another's burdens, who stir up one another to love and good works, and who don't neglect meeting together for mutual encouragement. Prayer isn't meant to be a hyper-spiritual, eloquent performance - it's simply conversation with our Father, who wants to hear from us about everything, including the needs of those around us.**Sermon Notes – Romans 15:30–33 – “An Appeal to Pray”****Text:** Romans 15:30–33  > “I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf…”---### 1. The Weight of “I Appeal to You” (Parakaleō)  - Paul isn't making a casual suggestion; he's urgently calling for attention and response.  - *Parakaleō* = to urge, exhort, strongly request, comfort, encourage.  - Other places Paul “appeals”:   - Romans 12:1–2 – present your bodies as living sacrifices.   - Romans 16:17 – watch out for those who cause divisions.   - 1 Cor 4:16; 16:15; Eph 4:1; 1 Thess 4:1 – walk worthy, imitate Christ, submit to godly leaders.  - Idea: “Look at me. Listen. This really matters.”---### 2. The Specific Appeal: Pray With Me (v. 30–31)  - “Strive together with me in your prayers” – prayer is hard work, shared labor.  - Paul, the great apostle, openly asks for help. No spiritual lone rangers.  - His requests:   - Protection from unbelievers in Judea.   - That his service to Jerusalem would be acceptable.   - That he might come to Rome with joy and be refreshed.  - His prayer is gospel-centered, not comfort-centered: protection **for mission**, not just ease.---### 3. Why This Matters for the Church  **a. Appeal for Prayer**  - Normal Christian life: asking for prayer, not pretending “I'm fine.”  - Requires humility, vulnerability, transparency.**b. Encourage Those Who Ask**  - Don't just say, “I'll pray for you” and walk away.  - Listen, ask wise questions (as appropriate), pray *on the spot* when possible.  - Keep checking in: bear one another's burdens (Gal 6:2).**c. Follow Through in Prayer**  - Prayer is simple conversation with the Father, not performance.  - Use reminders, texts, calls; let people know you're praying (Phil 1:3–5).  **d. Pray for Leaders**  - Spiritual leaders (pastors, elders, parents, civil leaders) carry heavy responsibility.  - Like Paul, they need protection, wisdom, clarity, and perseverance.---## Practical Applications1. **Ask for Prayer This Week**    - Tell at least one trusted believer one real struggle and ask them to pray specifically.2. **Pray Immediately**    - When someone shares a need, stop and pray with them right then if at all possible.3. **Create a Prayer List**    - Include: family, church leaders, one hurting friend, one non-Christian, one global need.4. **Gospel-Shape Your Prayers**    - Add: “How does the gospel advance in this situation?” and pray toward that.5. **Commit to Pray for Leaders**    - Choose one leader (church, home, or civic) and pray for them daily for the next week.---## Discussion Questions1. What does Paul's repeated “I appeal to you” reveal about how seriously he takes prayer?  2. Why is it hard for you personally to admit “I'm not okay” and ask for prayer?  3. When have you actually felt “striving together” with someone in prayer? What was that like?  4. How can we as a group move beyond “I'll pray for you” to real follow-through?  5. In what ways are your prayers currently more self-centered than gospel-centered?  6. What specific things should we be praying for our church's leaders right now?

New Realities with Alan Steinfeld Disclosure Day, Higher Frequencies, and the Threshold of a New Human Reality Guests, Dr. J.J. Hurtak and Dr. Desiree Hurtak, Linda Moulton Howe Spielberg's Disclosure Day Opens a Bigger Conversation In this episode of New Realities, host Alan Steinfeld gathers a panel to review Steven Spielberg's newly released film Disclosure Day. Alan is joined by longtime UFO investigator Linda Moulton Howe, along with Dr. J.J. Hurtak and Dr. Desiree Hurtak, who bring perspectives from UFO research, consciousness studies, spirituality, ancient texts, and the wider disclosure movement. Alan frames the film as perhaps one of the most anticipated cinematic events in modern UFO culture, because it deals not simply with science fiction, but with the possibility that humanity is being prepared for a deeper truth about non-human intelligence. Frequencies, Clicking Sounds, and Consciousness Communication Linda Moulton Howe begins by emphasizing the importance of frequency in the film. She connects Spielberg's use of clicking sounds and nonverbal communication to government documents, abduction cases, and reports she has heard from experiencers over decades of research. Dr. J.J. Hurtak also highlights the film's treatment of language, sound, and consciousness, contrasting it with Close Encounters of the Third Kind, where communication was centered more on tones and music. In Disclosure Day, the panel says Spielberg brings in the human element more fully, suggesting that extraterrestrial contact may involve mind-to-mind communication, frequency, empathy, and higher consciousness rather than ordinary speech alone. From Science Fiction to a Disclosure Bridge Alan and the panel repeatedly stress that they do not see Disclosure Day as merely another science fiction movie. They argue that Spielberg has gathered decades of UFO, UAP, consciousness, government secrecy, telepathy, cover-up, and experiencer material into a film that functions as a bridge between old disbelief and a new cultural acceptance. Alan says Spielberg seems to have been a serious student of the phenomenon, including many familiar themes from UFO research: government secrecy, private industry involvement, recovered craft, mind control, empathy, and the question of whether the public has a right to know. Government, Corporations, and the Machinery of Secrecy A major part of the discussion focuses on the film's depiction of government secrecy and private industry. Alan references the fictional corporation Wardex, which is tied to retrieval and extraction programs, and connects that to real-world claims associated with figures such as Lieutenant Colonel Philip J. Corso. Linda and the Hurtaks discuss how governments may have transferred recovered technologies or sensitive programs into corporate hands to create plausible deniability. Linda traces this secrecy back to World War II and Eisenhower-era briefings, while Alan says the film dramatizes the tension between those who hide the truth and those who believe humanity has a right to know. Fear, Love, and the Human Right to the Truth The panel describes the film as a contest between fear-based secrecy and the higher message of empathy, love, and transcendence. Alan says humanity is caught between fear and higher consciousness, and that the film presents empathy as a key to humanity's future. Linda is especially moved by the final minutes, saying she felt empathy not only for extraterrestrials but also for humanity, because people have not been told the truth as a species. The panel agrees that disclosure should not merely be informational; it should be transformational, helping humans understand themselves as part of a larger cosmic family. Religion, Creation, and the Many Mansions of the Universe The film's spiritual themes are also central to the panel's review. Alan, Linda, and the Hurtaks discuss the Catholic sister character in the film, who recognizes that the universe is too vast to exist only for humanity. They connect this idea to the Book of Genesis, Christ consciousness, the New Testament phrase about “many mansions,” ancient Coptic and Greek texts, and the idea that creation includes many levels of life and intelligence. Rather than seeing extraterrestrial intelligence as opposed to spirituality, the panel presents it as part of a larger divine creation story in which humanity must expand its understanding of soul, consciousness, and cosmic purpose. What Spielberg Shows — and What He Leaves for Later The group praises Spielberg's restraint but also discusses what the film does not fully show. Linda says she wished Spielberg had introduced more kinds of non-human intelligences, including tall whites, Nordics, reptilians, plasma beings, and other forms she has encountered through witness testimony. Alan suggests Spielberg may be taking the public slowly by first introducing one or two categories of extraterrestrial presence before expanding into a wider range of beings. The panel agrees that the film is likely only the beginning of a broader cultural process and that future films, government releases, or public disclosures may reveal a more complicated landscape. Disclosure, Timing, and a Planet Under Pressure The panel repeatedly asks why this film and this moment are happening now. Linda suggests the timing may relate to future geophysical changes, solar activity, rising oceans, environmental instability, and the possibility that extraterrestrial assistance may become necessary for humanity's survival. Alan connects the timing to recent government disclosures and the public release of UFO/UAP information, while Dr. J.J. Hurtak frames the moment as a sociological, psychological, economic, planetary, and spiritual convergence. The group agrees that humanity is being prepared for contact because the old reality is no longer sufficient. The Soul, Empathy, and the Next Stage of Humanity A major theme in the latter part of the program is the soul. Linda shares memories from childhood of feeling a protective pressure in her chest while looking at an image of Christ with lambs, a feeling she still associates with soul, protection, and love. Dr. J.J. Hurtak describes the soul as the inner architecture of life, a field of consciousness that continues beyond the body. Dr. Desiree Hurtak adds that different beings may have different levels of soul evolution, and that humanity is learning to access abilities such as remote viewing, telepathy, and higher-dimensional awareness. Alan says these gifts of the spirit may allow humans to meet non-human intelligences on a more equal footing. “Listen”: The Word at the Doorway The panel gives special attention to the film's final message: listen. They interpret the word as a call to listen to extraterrestrials, higher intelligence, divine purpose, inner senses, compassion, and one another. For Dr. J.J. Hurtak, this connects to sacred language and the ancient call to hear the divine frequency. Alan sees Spielberg's film as a “signifying agent,” a cultural bridge that helps people move from an old reality into new realities. The episode closes with a shared prayer from Linda, “May the thought that dwells in the light protect us forever,” followed by Alan's disclosure-themed song, “Did You See It?”, which he presents as an anthem for this new moment.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

By Benjamin Massie - The purpose of this message is to bring to light one of the best and most overlooked case studies of the transformational power of the Holy Spirit that we have in the New Testament. An absolute phenomenal example of the transformational power of the Holy Spirit, how it actually works and how it can

The Gospel of Matthew is a wonderful book, the first text in the New Testament, which gives us an exciting shift from the prophecies of the Old Testament to the fulfillment of those very prophecies in the person of Jesus. You are sure to be equipped and inspired as Jesus Himself shares about the hope we have, gives practical lessons for how to live life the way God intended, shows the love of God through miracles and healings, and makes a way for you to be reconciled to God for all eternity.  Join Jerry as he dives into Matthew and walks us through the life, ministry and profound teachings of Jesus. There's no better day than today to take your daily reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!   Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Sunday June 7th, 2026: Welcome to the beginning of a brand-new series, Abba's Table.At its heart, this series is an exploration of what authentic New Testament culture actually looks like. In a time when many beautiful Kingdom words have become cliché at best and triggering at worst, we want to rescue the language of family, honor, community, belonging, sonship, and spiritual fatherhood from the distortions of religion, performance, and unhealthy expressions.But before we talk about how family functions around the table, we must first remember whose table it is.In Week One, we begin where Jesus always began: with the Father. Through Scripture, the life of Jesus, and the story of Luke 15, we discover that the first thing we inherit at the Father's table is not purpose, ministry, calling, culture, or even community—it is a revelation of the Father.Because everything in our lives flows from how we see God. And when we see the Father rightly, we begin to see ourselves, one another, and the world around us rightly as well.This is Abba's Table — and it all starts with seeing Him.

Welcome to Episode 277 of The Burning Bush Podcast, where we share the message of the Bible while enjoying a good cigar. In this episode we're reading the New Testament book of Colossians Chapter 1 with commentary from the notes in the Charles Spurgeon Study Bible, and I'm smoking the Gurkha 35th Anniversary Toro 6x54.Charles Spurgeon Study Bible: https://csbspurgeonstudybible.csbible.com/Gurkha 35th Anniversary Toro 6x54: https://www.smokeinn.com/Gurkha-35th-Anniversary/Listen and subscribe at: https://www.theburningbushpodcast.comYouTube: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2xuUIvnTwNsmlHN2fxlidI6Zhgt-GPB7&si=t0IqlNyWtCYOiSwHRumble: https://rumble.com/user/SteveMcHenryEmail: steve@theburningbushpodcast.comSUPPORT THE SHOW & OUR PARTNERSCash App - http://cash.app/$StevenJMcHenryVenmo - https://www.venmo.com/u/Steve-McHenry-3Paypal - http://paypal.me/SteveMcHenry#TheBurningBush #Podcast #Scripture #Theology #Jesus #Bible #Christian #GroundworksMinistries #Cigars #BOTL #SOTL #HolySmoke #TreatsNTruth #LogosBibleSoftware #CharlesSpurgeon #SpurgeonStyle #GurkhaCigar #GurkhaNationSend me a MessageGroundworks MinistriesPromoting the "chapter-a-day" reading of God's Word.Treats-N-Truth MinistryHelping those in need through the love & grace of God.The Burning Bush Merchandise StoreGet your Burning Bush Podcast swag here!Logos Bible SoftwareA digital library and Bible study platform for in-depth study, sermon prep, and academic research.Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEInstacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour.Free delivery on your first order over $35.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show