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Jesus' Letters to 7 Groups (Pt. 2)

Dennis McCallum
Revelation 2:12-3:5

Jesus's address to the churches continues with Pergamum, Thyatira, and Sardis. These three churches have a common flaw: passivity. Christ addresses this sin, which invokes careful consideration of what it looks like to be an apathetic or dead church and the dangers involved.

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The Mother of Harlots

Gary DeLashmutt
Revelation 17:1-6

One of John's visions concerns a woman with the title "Mother of Harlots," which describes the religious activities of this entity. Ultimately, the Mother of Harlots is the source of spiritual adultery within God's people. In the Old Testament this took the form of idolatry disguised by external formal worship of God, and in the present day this is a counterfeit and false form of Christianity. Those who feel aversive to Christianity may feel this way because of their exposure to false Christianity, and so the church has an obligation to fight spiritual deception through committed truth-based relationships.

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{"passage": "Revelation 17:1-6","passageabreviated": "Rev 17:1-6","passagetiny": "Rev 17:1-6","teacher": "Gary DeLashmutt","teachingDate"...

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Babylon The Harlot

Jeff Gordon
Revelation 17:1-6

John describes the next scene in his vision: a prostitute called Babylon. This prostitute will parade around like a false church, fooling others into turning away from each other. She is the ultimate counterfeit church, having worldwide influence, wealth, and political power. She will persecute true followers, and she will ultimately be annihilated. The way to avoid being trapped in a spiritual deception like this is to establish truth-based friendships.

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{"passage": "Revelation 17:1-6","passageabreviated": "Rev 17:1-6","passagetiny": "Rev 17:1-6","teacher": "Jeff Gordon","teachingDate": "1...

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Jesus' Letters to 7 Groups (Pt. 1)

Dennis McCallum
Revelation 2:1-11

In John's vision, Jesus begins to address seven churches in Asia. The first address (or letter) is to Ephesus, and it encourages them on their work, toil, endurance, lack of tolerance for evil, and the examination of claims they hear. Christ then admonishes them for leaving their first love, which would be the love the Ephesians had for each other. Christ then prescribes solutions for this problem, reminding believers that love is the most important act.\r\n\r\nChrist's second address is to Smyrna, and he encourages them in the suffering they are enduring by promising them the crown of life for their faithfulness.

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{"passage": "Revelation 2:1-11","passageabreviated": "Rev 2:1-11","passagetiny": "Rev 2:1-11","teacher": "Dennis McCallum","teachingDate"...

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The Beast

Jeff Gordon
Revelation 13:1-18

John describes The Beast, who appears in the next part of his vision. The Beast is given power from the Dragon (who was described in a previous passage to represent Satan). John describes how The Beast will blaspheme God, have a miraculous recovery from an injury, emerge from a Geo-political empire, and gain worldwide dominion during the Great Tribulation. The Beast will persecute God's people and commit The Abomination of Desolation, an act where he will claim to be God. He will deceive many into worshiping him. A second Beast will rise up and support him, initiating the mark of the Beast (which restricts anyone from buying or selling without it). Ultimately, their reign is of complete dominance and control, but as Revelation 11:3-13 shows, God will continue to pursue people and snatch victory from apparent defeat.

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{"passage": "Revelation 13:1-18","passageabreviated": "Rev 13:1-18","passagetiny": "Rev 13:1-18","teacher": "Jeff Gordon","teachingDate":...

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The Beast

Gary DeLashmutt
Revelation 13:1-18

Though Christ is the future rightful ruler over the world, in the end times there will be a Satanic counterfeit of Jesus' global reign. This world-ruler, named the beast, will be called forth and energized by Satan as he blasphemes the God of the Bible and persecutes those who refuse to worship him. The false prophet will validate the beast through counterfeit miracles and compel people to worship him before their utter destruction when Jesus returns. Christians are not to respond with unfounded skepticism, foolish speculation, or unhealthy fear to these future events.

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{"passage": "Revelation 13:1-18","passageabreviated": "Rev 13:1-18","passagetiny": "Rev 13:1-18","teacher": "Gary DeLashmutt","teachingDa...

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The Dragon

Jeff Gordon
Revelation 12

John describes a vision of a great, red dragon that God protects a woman from. The woman is pregnant and gives birth to a child. The dragon pursues her and attacks the rest of her children. The dragon represents Satan; the woman represents Israel; and the child represents Jesus. The vision illustrates how there is a hidden war going on around us, and Satan uses humans to fight.

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{"passage": "","passageabreviated": "","passagetiny": "","teacher": "Jeff Gordon","teachingDate": "10/20/2013"}

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The Beginning of the End

Scott Risley
Revelation 1:1-20

We are introduced to Revelation; a book giving us a glimpse into Jesus' future return as king on earth. John describes symbolic visions he received from God about the end times. During this time, many scary things will happen, including a final judgement. But in the end, God wins and if you belong to God through Christ, you have no need to be afraid.

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{"passage": "Revelation 1:1-20","passageabreviated": "Rev 1:1-20","passagetiny": "Rev 1:1-20","teacher": "Scott Risley","teachingDate": "...

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Jesus Speaks

Dennis McCallum
Revelation 1:1-19

A revelation from Christ appears to John, which he records in this letter. John emphasizes the importance of listening to the message God presents here because the time of Christ's return will be sudden. He directs the letter to the seven churches in Asia. The significance of the number seven, the mourning of all people in light of Christ's sacrifice, and John's conviction to write this letter are explored. Several ways to interpret Revelation (preterist, historical, futurist, idealist, and blended) are critiqued, followed by John's description of an intense vision of Christ.

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{"passage": "Revelation 1:1-19","passageabreviated": "Rev 1:1-19","passagetiny": "Rev 1:1-19","teacher": "Dennis McCallum","teachingDate"...

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