Philadelphia – 7 Churches - Revelation 3:7-13

Big Angel – Little Book - Revelation 10

The big pause! A mighty angel appears and brings a little scroll – this seeming contradiction is really to show emphasis! This angel appears and then makes an astonishing announcement. Then the symbolic acts of consuming the scroll becomes the biggest lesson for us in Revelation 10. We will meet this angel and get to know a bit about the little book. Why a smaller version of the great book opened by the Lamb/Lion? Why does it taste sweet but upset the stomach? Why is the metaphor of eating used rather than reading quietly or aloud? So many questions! I will try to answer as many as I can – this is a pivotal transition chapter – don’t miss this one! I will also share some very current information for the Bible Engagement Center for Bible Engagement. So very good and so very convicting! I will add some suggestions about how to be active in God’s Word and how to stay active – please join us this Sunday for the Big Angel and the Little Book. Pastor Mike

All Hell Breaks Loose - Revelation 9

The world thinks that if people could just see a miracle, experience suffering, or witness God's power, they would repent and come to Christ “all on their own.” As you read Revelation 9, John shows otherwise. This chapter describes unimaginable judgment: Demonic oppression, death, fear, and global chaos. And it ends with one of the saddest statements in Scripture: "The rest of mankind... did not repent..." (Rev. 9:20-21) The issue has never been a lack of evidence. The issue is the condition of the heart. The heart of discipleship is choosing surrender today before judgment forces the question tomorrow. Revelation 9 reminds us that the greatest tragedy is not judgment itself—but a heart that refuses to turn to Christ. We are shown what happens when people continually and relentlessly ignore God, we see what happens to humanity through the destructive consequences of their rebellion, and we see that they will still refuse to repent. What this shows is that our deepest need is not simply relief from judgment but a transformed heart. Revelation 9 is not merely about future events, told through imagery and symbolic language—it is about present decisions. Every day we are becoming either more responsive or more resistant to God's voice. The question is not, "What will happen in the end?" The question is, "How am I responding to Jesus today?” Looking forward to this Sunday -  Josh Burt

Blast of Trumpets - Revelation 8:1-13

God gives John—and then us—a glimpse into the second series of judgments: the Trumpets. Before those are poured out, there is a powerful pause of silence, then a trip to the altar of incense, because God cares. Each of the judgments intensifies the truth that God is using His creation to show His wrath against sin. This week, Pastor Denis will begin with walking us through Revelation 8:1 and the significance of the silence in heaven. And Pastor Mike will then continue through the trumpet judgments, where two things become unmistakably clear: God is just as He carries out what is long deserved by a sinful world in every generation, and God is merciful as He hears our prayers and gives warning of the judgment to come.

Multitudes in Heaven - Revelation 7

“If we minimize grace, the world sees no hope for salvation. If we minimize truth, the world sees no need for salvation.”  Randy Alcorn   There is a pause in Heaven as the Lamb halts the judgments of the Horsemen long enough to seal the promised tribes of Israel during the Tribulation.  The pause also allows John to glimpse the hordes of martyrs around the throne as a promise to us that Salvation does not end nor is it thwarted during the Tribulation.  The Tribulation is a time of judgment but not despair!  This pause before the seventh seal give us a clear look at the redemptive heart of God.  God love us and desires our salvation.  He made the promises in Eden – He gave the many prophecies of the Old Testament – He sent His only Son as the Lamb.  Sunday we will hear from the Lamb and see first hand of this great love. I will spend some time sharing Salvation from the Old Testament - New Testament - Tribulation - all the same!  We will also talk about the 144,000 and we will hear the promises of ‘no more tears’ but most of all we will spend our time worshipping the Lamb – the Redeemer – the Savior.  See you Sunday! Pastor Mike

The Beginning of the End - Revelation 6

The Book is opened by the Lamb and the Seals are broken one by one.  The first four are well known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – so we will see them first.  Each one in turn unleashes the wickedness stored up and held back by God until this time.  We have seen some of each over the course of human history but now, in quick order, all of them released unrestrained.  The 5th Seal is a look at the Altar of God in Heaven where the souls of centuries of martyrs reside – all asking the same question: “How long O Lord?” As God began the account of Creation with “Heaven and Earth” in Genesis so will He turn to world and stars for the 6th Seal.  Earthly and Cosmic signs to instill terror among men whose time for judgment has come.  In all of this we are reminded that the Lamb who was ‘slain’ for us reigns over all these judgments – nothing is out of His control!  Jesus is our Rock - our Redemption – our Refuge.  Join me Sunday as we witness the open of the first six Seals and what they mean to us today.  Satan’s only tools are results of the sin in Eden while the seemingly insignificant Lamb was slain before the foundation of the World!  Who do you think will win?