When God Intervenes

Mike Sullivan
Revelation 8:1-9:21

In Chapters 8 and 9, God is ready to act upon the prayers of the martyrs to unleash judgment on the rebellious world that caused their death. During the Great Tribulation, people will not repent of their evil ways but will reject God's moral leadership, thinking that they will occupy the seat of power instead of God. They are unaware that to not worship God is to worship Satan. They will bear the consequences of that decision to reject God's authority.

A Promise Kept

Mike Sullivan
Revelation 7:1-17

In Genesis, God makes a promise to the Jewish people that he would make them a great nation, through whom he would bless all the nations. God keeps his promises. In Revelation 7, the 144,000 Jewish bondservants are used by God to reach the great multitude of people who ultimately lose their lives in the Great Tribulation for putting their faith in Jesus . Although they suffer and die, they are blessed with eternal life.

The End Times

Ryan Lowery
1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

Here Paul offers an overview of Biblical end times. He lists three events: the Rapture, the Great Tribulation, and Jesus' return. In response, all people are called to a state of readiness, understanding that time is limited. For those who have never come to God, it is a call to start a relationship with God through Jesus--the only provision for their sins before God. For those who have a relationship with God, it is a call to tell others about God's offer of forgiveness, stand against injustice, and ease the sufferings of others, as we await Jesus' return.

What Must Take Place

Mike Sullivan
Revelation 6:1-17

John, the apostle, was given a revelation from Jesus about what must take place before he returns again. In Chapter 6, Jesus is given a scroll with seven seals upon it. Jesus opens six of the seals in order. The first three seals involve false Christs , war and famine being present in the world but this is not the end. This is a period of passive judgment that humans bring upon themselves. Seals four and five indicate intensification of the previous signs and widespread martyrdom. This will be closer to the end, but still not the end. Breaking seal number six ushers in the The Great Day of Wrath. This occurs during the Great Tribulation when God brings upon sinful humanity his righteous judgment.

Who Is Worthy?

Mike Sullivan
Revelation 5:1-13

The fourth and fifth chapters of Revelation focus on a period of history when God judges sinful humanity. These chapters address the question of who is worthy to judge the whole world. Only a perfectly sinless being could stand in judgment of another being. God is holy and perfect; he has never sinned. He is qualified to judge. \r\nA morally perfect God must judge sin. His perfect justice does not allow sin to go unpunished. So, he sent his perfect, sinless Son to pay the penalty we all deserve.

What Is Wrong with the World

Ben Foust
2 Timothy 3:1-15

Paul charges Timothy to confront false teachings in the church. Paul tells him the false teachers are on a path divergent from Timothy's path. The false teachers' path is based on lies and will not lead to fulfilling God's purpose, but Timothy is on a true and better path that, though it includes suffering and persecution, will accomplish God's purpose. \r\nPaul calls Timothy to do three things: To realize, to avoid and to continue. \r\nTimothy must realize the trajectory of the world. Because people are fallen and have rejected God, the world will only go from bad to worse. The world is full of people who are lovers of self rather than God. \r\nTimothy must avoid the influence of the way of the world. Do not be captivated by the worldly allure of living for self. It is a powerful current that must be resisted. \r\nInstead, continue in the better way, the way Timothy had been taught since youth, the way of Jesus Christ. The gospel is the antidote to the life built on self.

Jesus and the Future

Mike Sullivan
Revelation 1:1-18

In Revelation, John the Apostle relays a message about the future that he received by direct revelation from Jesus. It is a message to the suffering first century churches in what is modern day Turkey. The question is what did the message mean to John's original readers? They recognized that John used Old Testament imagery and symbols throughout his letter. They would have known the lamb imagery was referring to the suffering savior and the glowing description of Jesus implied a sovereign king. Where the Old Testament does not identify the imagery, John explicitly reveals it.

Are You Ready?

Chris Hearty
Mark 13:28-37

Jesus moves from prophecy of the end to the practical implications for us. Together we will consider how we should live in light of the end.

The Return of Christ

Chris Hearty
Mark 13:24-37

In this passage Jesus describes his second coming. He gives us a well-rounded understanding of this incredible future event.