Bethel Baptist Church
A Ministry of Bethel Baptist Church 24600 Little Mack Avenue Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080 Service Times Sunday 9:30 am - Sunday School 10:45 am - Morning Worship 6:00 pm - Evening Praise Service Wednesday 6:45 pm - Youth Group 6:45 pm - AWANA (During School Year) 7:00 pm - Bible Study & Prayer More Information about Bethel Baptist Church Bethel Baptist Church bbcscssound@gmail.com Pastor Robert Cosand
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Revelation: The Judge Of All The Earth
05/11/2026
Revelation: The Judge Of All The Earth
Scripture Reading: Revelation 20:11-15 This passage describes a great judgment before God in a future day. This will be a judgment in which the dead are raised and judged "according to what they had done" (Rev 20:13). Scholars debate whether this "great white throne" judgment will be for unbelievers alone or for all people. What is not debatable is the reality that, whether in one judgment or in two judgments, all people will be judged, one day, according to what they have done. 2 Corinthians 5:10 echoes multiple biblical texts when it says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." To be clear, heaven is not gained on the basis of the deeds of our lives, but the thoughts and deeds of our lives reveal either the unbelief or faith that resides in the heart. The deeds of unbelievers will give evidence of their heart's rejection of God … and God will be vindicated in condemning them. The deeds of believers will give evidence of their faith in Christ … and God will be vindicated in accepting them. As Christians, the penalty for all our sins has been paid by our Savior. Hell has been taken away from us. But that does not mean that how we live our lives does not matter. A judgment is coming which will determine, not our residence in heaven, but our rewards in heaven. Let us, therefore, be tenacious in our discipline, longing for our Lord's declaration, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
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Revelation: The Justice of Hell
05/03/2026
Revelation: The Justice of Hell
Scripture Reading: Revelation 20:7-15 In the middle ages, the Italian theologian and poet, Dante Alighieri, wrote his famous Inferno. In this lengthy poem he described the horrors of hell. The sign above the gateway to Dante's hell read: ABANDON HOPE, ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE. It is a fitting statement. There is no hope in hell, no community, no joy or peace or love. John's phrase for the place of eternal punishment for sins is 'the lake of fire,' which is found five times in Revelation 19-21. The description in Revelation is that this place "burns with fire" (Rev 19:20; 21:8) and that it is a place of "torment" (Rev 20:10). From Jesus' own words we see the reality and horror of hell. It is a real place of darkness, weeping, and the angry gnashing of teeth (Mt 8:12; 22:13; 25:30). It is an existence of loneliness, apart from God (2 Thess 1:9) and torment (Rev 20:10). And these horrors will be unending (Mt 3:12; Mk 9:47,48; Jude 12,13; Rev 20:10,15). Let us never speak of hell with glibness, but with shuddering, broken hearts. The notion that the punishment in hell must be everlasting rises out of the fact that God is an infinite being. When someone wrongs the infinite God, in order to satisfy an infinite justice and holiness, there must be an infinite punishment. The punishment fits the crime because the crime was committed against an infinitely holy God. Hell is utterly indescribable in its horrors, but it is also utterly unnecessary if someone will but humbly hope in Christ. The justice of God causes the heart to tremble in dreadfulness … but the mercy of God, rightly considered, causes the heart to rejoice in hope.
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Revelation: The Coming Kingdom of Christ
04/27/2026
Revelation: The Coming Kingdom of Christ
Scripture Reading: Revelation 20:1-10 In light of the multiplied and complicated problems of our world, it is clear that what the world needs is a king … someone to rule in divine wisdom and perfect justice and holy compassion. A king is exactly what God promised to David and through David, in what is usually called the Davidic Covenant. "When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. . . . I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever" (1 Chr 17:11,14). This is the earthly kingdom prophesied in the Old Testament and specifically detailed in Revelation 20:1-6. "And to him [Messiah] was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him" (Dan 7:14). "They (tribulation martyrs) came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years" (Rev 20:4). The King will come and He will establish His kingdom. It will be a kingdom of peace (Isa 9:6,7) … justice (Jer 23:5,6) … holy sovereignty (Rev 19:11-21) … and eternal duration (Dan 7:13,14). It is the coming of Christ and His promised rule that comforts us in the face of our fears and steels us in the face of our weaknesses. “The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever" (Rev 11:15). The goal of all creation is the everlasting honor of the triune God. When we are consumed with God’s glory then, and only then, will we work and pray and groan for Christ to have a name in all the earth.
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John: God's Plan and Promise
04/19/2026
John: God's Plan and Promise
Scripture Reading: John 3:1-8, 16-21 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16) The most beloved and memorized verse in the Bible is John 3:16. In this wondrous sentence we have a summary of God’s glorious plan for securing a people for Himself for all eternity. Considering who God is and who we are, the actions of the Almighty on our behalf in this verse are staggering to see. First, there is a warning in this verse. For those who do not hope in Jesus Christ, there is a perishing. This perishing is not just to die and leave this world. This perishing is more than physical death. It is an eternal, conscious penalty away from the presence of God (2 Thess 1:9). Second, there is a plan revealed in this verse. God the Father, because of His infinite love for us, sent His only Son to die on our behalf. Nothing God could have given would have been more precious than His Son. It shouts to us of the depth of His love. Third, there is a plea in this verse. Believe! Whoever believes in Christ has life. This belief is not just agreement with the facts about Jesus, but a wholehearted trust in Him alone. Fourth, there is a promise in this verse. For those who hope in Jesus Christ, they have eternal life. Their hearts are changed and they are never again separated from God. To know God is eternal life (1 Jn 5:20). Immortality is a reality in Jesus Christ. He is the answer to the soul’s longing for life, because He is life.
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Revelation: King of Kings
04/12/2026
Revelation: King of Kings
Revelation 19:11-21 Distinct from the religions of the world (Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism), Christianity rests on the identity of a person … Jesus. So, the question 'Who is Jesus?' is all important in the Christian faith. Many folks would allow that He was a good teacher (maybe the best ever) … a sterling moral example … a great man. These statements are all true, but Jesus was infinitely more than these descriptions suggest, and we do not do Him justice unless we see Him in all His divine grandeur and regal splendor. Christ is humble and loving and compassionate and patient, but He is also holy and just and strong and glorious. In a word, He is a judge, the Judge. Revelation 19 displays Jesus in all His majesty as He comes to establish His kingdom and display Himself as the King of Kings. He rides on the white horse of victory. He bears the sword of judgment, which is His word. He comes to establish His rule and to bring justice to the world. All those who stand against Him are destroyed and their destruction is complete and final. Let us live our lives with confidence and hope and joy because the One whose name we bear is the Ruler of the universe … and Judge of all the nations. His justice will one day be meted out. His peace one day will rule on the earth. He is the King of kings and He is our champion. So, let us bow before Him with humility and thanksgiving and awe and hope. We have no reason to fear … and every reason to rejoice.
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Ephesians: Far Above All Rule
04/05/2026
Ephesians: Far Above All Rule
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23 The point being made in Ephesians 1:20-23 is straightforward enough. Having risen from the dead, Jesus has been exalted as head over all things. Conquering death itself, He now rules as sovereign over all authorities, seated at the right hand of God the Father. He reigns, not only now, but forever and leads His church as its regal and tender head. It is the connection between this truth (the royal exaltation of Christ) and the immediate notion preceding it (the conversion and enlightenment of Christians) that is marvelously encouraging in its logic. Here is the logic . . . ... fact number one - Jesus was raised from the dead and is exalted in heaven above all earthly and angelic authorities by the power of God. ... fact number two - that same power, in all its omnipotent strength, is the power which has worked in the heart of every believer, drawing him/her to faith in Christ and changing him/her, year by year, to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. The power that raised Christ from His stone-sealed grave and set Him over everything, is the same power that has breathed life into our dead hearts. There are a few awesome implications that can be drawn from this truth. (1) What an amazing thing God has done in our lives in bringing us salvation! (2) God has the power to convert the most hardened person. This encourages us in our prayers and efforts to win others to Christ. (3) The eternal security of believers rests on the omnipotence of God. This produces genuine rest and hope.
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Revelation: The Lamb and His Bride
03/29/2026
Revelation: The Lamb and His Bride
Scripture Reading: Revelation 19:6-10 Revelation 19 contains a stirring image of the relationship between Christ and His people. The imagery is of a joyous wedding ceremony. "Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready." What a beautiful picture of the relationship between Christ and His own. A marriage calls to mind Christ's love for His people. "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Eph 5:25). A marriage calls to mind the union Christians have with Christ, as they are frequently referred to as being 'in Christ'. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Cor 5:17). A marriage calls to mind the beautiful wedding gown the bride wears. Christ dresses His people with His own righteousness. "It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints" (Rev 19:8). "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21). The relationship Christ has with His people is intimate, satisfying, meaningful, joyful, and everlasting. Indeed, to be loved by Christ and to belong to Him is the very life of life ... of greater splendor and majesty than any wedding we ever saw on this earth.
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Revelation: God's Book of Life
03/22/2026
Revelation: God's Book of Life
Scripture Reading: Revelation 17:8 Revelation 17:8 refers to people "whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world." Philippians 4:3 refers to people "whose names are in the book of life." Though there are people whose names have never been written in God's book of life, the Bible is clear that this reality does not excuse someone from personal accountability. Unbelievers have "no excuse" for their unbelief and their suppression of the truth (cf. Rom 1:18-20). The enemies of God, as they are described in Revelation, are unmistakably guilty. The people in Revelation, whose names were not in God's book of life, are also described as refusing to repent of their evil deeds (Rev 9:20,21) ... rejoicing over the murder of God's special prophets (Rev 11:10) ... and worshipping the antichrist (Rev 13:3,4). The people whose names were not written in the book of life are guilty, not because of the omission of their names from God's book, but because they love the darkness (Jn 3:19). In His mercy God has rescued some people to be His, choosing them before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4), so that "no human being might boast in the presence of God" (1 Cor 1:29). Let us not pry into a level of God's mind that He has not revealed. The God who has a plan for everything in His creation invites all ... indeed beckons all ... to come to Him that they might have life. "Come, everyone who thirsts . . . incline your ear and come to me; hear that your soul may live" (Isa 55:1,3).
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The Glory of God and the Work of His People
03/15/2026
The Glory of God and the Work of His People
Bethel Baptist Church was honored to host Reverend Joel David, North America Baptist Vice President of International Missions, during this years NAB Detroit Area Missions Conference.
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Angels in Awe: The Glory of God in the Church
03/08/2026
Angels in Awe: The Glory of God in the Church
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:22-47, 1 Peter 1:12 As the church puts the glory of our risen Savior on display before a dying world and before the curiously marveling angelic realms, our crucified, risen Savior and gloriously coming King will be with us every step of the way. “It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.” 1 Peter 1:12 ESV
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Revelation: Fallen, Fallen is Babylon
03/01/2026
Revelation: Fallen, Fallen is Babylon
Scripture Reading: Revelation 18, 19 The city of Babylon is considered by some historians and archaeologists to have been the greatest city in the ancient Near East. With its thick double walls and scores of fortified towers, people living 600 years before Christ must have thought it to be unconquerable. Today the glory that was once great Babylon has utterly vanished, except in history books. Revelation 17, 18 contain an extended description of the antichrist's kingdom on the earth in a coming day. Beginning with the tower of Babel in Genesis, 'Babylon' is the biblical symbol of godless, wealthy, arrogant, human glory. The final human kingdom on the earth will be an echo of the glory of ancient Babylon. And, like ancient Babylon, the kingdom of the antichrist will be utterly destroyed by the just and omnipotent wrath of God. The wealth and power of collective humanity, aligned against the Creator, will be destroyed and the name of God, alone, will be exalted. Because of who the almighty God is ... Creator of all things ... Giver of life ... unimpeachably righteous ... holy, holy, holy ... rebellion against Him is ultimate evil. Final and infinite punishment of such evil is altogether right. Thus, when God metes out His justice on the inhabitants of the earth, it will be right for the heavenly chorus to cry out, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just" (Rev 19:1).
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Revelation: The Lamb Will Conquer
02/23/2026
Revelation: The Lamb Will Conquer
Scripture Reading: Revelation 17 Revelation 17,18 describe, at length, the global kingdom of the antichrist during the coming time of tribulation. We have already seen, in chapter 13, that there will be both a political leader and religious leader in this vast kingdom … the beast, and the false prophet. The political/religious structural system of the kingdom of the antichrist is called 'Babylon' in the book of Revelation. Revelation 17 describes the religious aspect of this global kingdom and chapter 18 describes the political aspect of it. The religious element of the antichrist kingdom is symbolically represented by a prostitute, riding on a scarlet beast. In the Old Testament, idolatrous rebellion against God, was sometimes characterized as spiritual adultery or harlotry (cf. Nah 3:4; Ezek 16:35; 23:1-3). Undergirding the movement of events during the tribulation is the reality of God‘s sovereign design, ordering even the dark powers to fulfill his will. "For God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled (Rev 17:17). How glorious is our God, who works all things after the council of his will! (Eph 1:11).
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Revelation: They Cursed God
02/15/2026
Revelation: They Cursed God
Scripture Reading: Revelation 16:1-11 The Nature of the Human Heart Revelation 16 contains the third, and last, series of divine judgments on the population of the earth during the coming day of tribulation. It is a description of the seven bowl judgments. God is declared to be just because He has poured out His wrath on the wicked. "Just are you, O Holy One . . . for you have brought these judgments . . . Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments" (Rev 16:5,6). The overwhelming response of the people of the earth to these frightful, awesome acts of God will be to curse Him ... and the statement is repeated three times in this chapter (Rev 16:9,11,21). "People . . . cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds" (Rev 16:11). The Bible clearly reveals to us what the natural human heart does with the truth about God and why it responds as it does. Given clear information about God in creation, the human heart suppresses the truth. "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God" (Rom 1:18,21). This is the response of every sinful human heart before conversion. The reason for this suppression of the truth is a love for sin. ". . . people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil" (Jn 3:19). It is only the grace and power of God which can free the heart from its natural affection for the darkness of sin.
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Revelation: The Song of the Lamb
02/08/2026
Revelation: The Song of the Lamb
Scripture Reading: Revelation 15:1-8 Before each of the series of divine judgments on the earth, during the tribulation time, John describes a heavenly scene. The vision of heaven in chapters 4,5 precedes the judgments of the seven seals. The heavenly scene in Revelation 8:2-5 precedes the judgments of the seven trumpets. The bowl judgments will be described in chapter 16, but now, before those final judgments, there is another description of heaven. Beside a heavenly glass-like sea, "those who had conquered the beast" are gathered and they are singing a song (Rev 15:3,4). It is called both "the song of Moses" and "the song of the Lamb." In this glorious song, they laud the character of God in very specific terms. He is the Lord God Almighty ... He is just and true ... He is King ... He is holy. The only proper response is to fear Him and glorify Him and worship Him. The news, as has ever been the case, does not mention the majesty of God in its daily focus on the day's events. Revelation describes the unfolding of a coming day when "the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day" (Isa 2:11). Let us ever fear and glorify and worship Him.
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Revelation: The Perseverance of the Saints
02/01/2026
Revelation: The Perseverance of the Saints
Scripture Reading: Revelation 14:9-20 In the middle of a biblical text about the dreadful wrath of God is a passage designed to be a great encouragement to Christians. Following a passage declaring the God's wrath "poured full strength into the cup of his anger" (Rev 14:10), we read about the "perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus" (Rev 14:12, LSB). The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is the idea that, having been changed at the deepest level of one's being by the Spirit of God, Christians "can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved" (Westminster Confession of Faith, XVII:1). Perseverance in the Christian faith is both a wondrous encouragement and a sober test. We are able to hold fast to our faith, and will hold it fast, because we have become reconciled to God … and because of this reconciliation Christ will one day present us before God the Father as holy. This is ultimate security in Christ. The sober test is this … perseverance in the faith is evidence that someone's faith is genuine. Those who have true faith continue in the faith. Those who do not continue in the faith only show they have never been reconciled to God in the first place.
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Revelation: The Eternal Gospel
01/25/2026
Revelation: The Eternal Gospel
Scripture Reading: Revelation 13:11-18 A second beast appears in Revelation 13, "exercising all the authority of the first beast . . . and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast" (Rev 13:12). This beast is called the 'false prophet' in Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10. This title suggests that he will bring a religious element to the kingdom of the antichrist. He will have the power to do supernatural acts (Rev 13:13-15). The combination of a political, militaristic leader and an ecumenical religious leader will be a potent force in galvanizing the earth's population. Coercion to worship the antichrist will be used in the form of economic boycott (Rev 13:16,17) and threat of death (Rev 13:15). In the face of such global, open, rebellion against God, what happens in chapter 14 stands out as a remarkable display of God's grace. There is a description of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists, who were first mentioned in chapter 7. Then there is the appearance of three angels who bring to the earth a message of warning and life. To the whole earth one angel declares, "Fear God and give Him glory . . . worship Him who made heaven and earth" (Rev 14:7). In the face of undisguised disdain for the true and living God, He patiently and mercifully holds out the gracious offer of life in Christ. People continue to refuse God's love. It is to be dying of thirst and still to refuse the outstretched hand of God, holding a cup of the water of life.
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Revelation: A Call For Endurance
01/19/2026
Revelation: A Call For Endurance
Scripture Reading: Revelation 13:1-10 Much of the focus of Revelation is on what God will doing on the earth during the time of tribulation. The holy Judge will pour out His righteous justice on the inhabitants of the earth, in a series of horrendous, global judgments. In Revelation 12-14, however, the focus is on what Satan will be doing on the earth during the tribulation. Chapter 13 introduces us to two new figures … the antichrist (Rev 13:1-10) and the false prophet (Rev 13:11-18). Along with the devil, these three form a kind of unholy 'trinity'. The antichrist and the false prophet seem to be human beings, which arise during the time of tribulation and preside over a kingdom with global influence. These figures are both described as being 'beasts' … perhaps suggesting the brute power and ravenous desires of darkness. They are agents by whom Satan carries out his war against believers and leads unbelievers into a settled rebellion against God. God grants authority to the antichrist to "make war on the saints and to conquer them" (Rev 13:7). This chapter makes clear that everything that transpires is according to a plan, laid down before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8). What is on display here is the endurance of Christians, willing to give up their lives for the honor of the name of Christ. The fury of Satan will be overcome by the King and His children.
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Revelation: The Defeat of the Dragon
01/11/2026
Revelation: The Defeat of the Dragon
Scripture Reading; Revelation 12:1-12 To this point in the book of Revelation, much of the focus has been on what God will be doing on the earth during the time of tribulation. God will pour out His holy justice on the inhabitants of the earth, in a series of horrendous, global judgments. In Revelation 12-14, the focus is on what Satan will be doing on the earth during the tribulation. In richly symbolic language, the events and activities of this chapter center around Satan and the people of Israel. Having been cast out of heaven, Satan has opposed the Israelites of old ... through leaders like Pharaoh, Haman, and Herod ... and as well as Christians since the coming of Christ. In the tribulation many Jews will turn to Christ and Satan will seek to destroy them. In Revelation 12, Israel is seen in the symbolic image of a woman. ". . . the dragon . . . pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child [Jesus]" (Rev 12:13). God, in a display of His power and authority, protects the Jews who flee from Jerusalem (cf. Rev 12:14,16). We do not know all the reasons why God permits Satan to blind and destroy so many people, but the Bible reveals to us, in general terms, the ultimate reason. "Satan's fall and ongoing existence are for the glory of Christ. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, will be more highly honored and more deeply appreciated and loved in the end because he defeats Satan not the moment after Satan fell, but through millennia of long-suffering, patience, humility, servanthood, suffering, and decisively through his own death" (John Piper, Spectacular Sins, 49).
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Revelation: And He Shall Reign Forever And Ever
01/05/2026
Revelation: And He Shall Reign Forever And Ever
Scripture Reading: Revelation 11:15-19 In the middle of the horrendous judgments that John is describing in Revelation, he gives his readers a glorious preview of what will take place after God's justice has been fully meted out on the inhabitants of the earth. It is a foretaste of the coming kingdom of Christ, in His reign on this earth. In John's wondrous declaration, there is a stark contrast between the present kingdom of collective humanity and the future kingdom of the King of kings. "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (Rev 11:15). Ever since Babel, collective humanity has sought to establish a government without God … whether it is Egypt or Babylon or Rome. John says, "The nations raged," perhaps echoing the language of Psalm 2:1. "The kings of the earth set themselves . . . against the LORD" (Psa 2:2). But one of these days, the rule of humanity on the earth will give way to the rule of the Creator of all things. This is reason for hope and joy and gratitude in our souls. "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign" (Rev 11:17).
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Revelation: Prophets of God's Mercy
12/28/2025
Revelation: Prophets of God's Mercy
Scripture Reading: Revelation 11:1-14 This chapter in Revelation is one of the places in the book in which the interpretive principles of the commentator show through very clearly. Over a century ago, Henry Alford, a reputable New Testament scholar and commentator, wrote that Revelation 11 is "undoubtably one of the most difficult [chapters] in the whole Apocalypse" … and "no solution has ever been given to this portion of the prophecy" (Alford, The Greek Testament, IV:655,658). The approach I have employed in our study of Revelation is to take words and phrases literally whenever it is possible to do so … of course, allowing for obvious symbolic language. With that in mind, the terms in this chapter will be taken normally. The temple is a reference to a rebuilt temple, during the time of tribulation … the 'two witnesses' are two individuals … 'great city' is Jerusalem … the 'forty-two months' are a literal three and a half year time period … the earthquake is a literal earthquake. The two witnesses are prophets (Rev 11:3,6) who have the power to do miracles to buttress their message of God's judgment and salvation, like Old Testament prophets also did. They are sent to proclaim God's message to "peoples and tribes and languages and nations" (Rev 11:9, cf. 10:11). Eventually, like the prophets of old, they will be killed by the enemies of God. This chapter is another display of God's mercy to an unbelieving world. The prophets of old were always a display of divine mercy in the face of impending judgment. God is patient and faithfully beckons rebels to receive His mercy. It is suicidal folly to love the darkness of evil more than the light of life.
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Micah: From The Days Of Eternity
12/21/2025
Micah: From The Days Of Eternity
Scripture Reading: Micah 5:1-5a There are many prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the coming of Jesus Christ in His first advent, beginning with a very early reference in Genesis 3:15. One of the wonderful predictions of the coming of Christ is found in Micah 5. Micah lived and wrote 700 years before Christ, during a time of rampant wickedness . . . idolatry (Mic 1:7), greed (2:2), thievery (2:2), injustice (3:2,3), falsehood (5:5), bloodshed (3:10). Micah sounds two great messages in this book . . . the consuming judgment of God, on one hand (1:3,4), and the compassionate mercy of God, on the other (7:18). Sooner or later every person will face one or the other of these characteristics of the Almighty. In the book of Micah, against the dark background of Israel's failure and Judah's spiritual hardness, there blazes a blinding light of hope in Micah 5:2-5a. Although the kings of Israel and Judah had not led the people to holiness and peace, a ruler would one day arise who would be like no other. He would care for His people like a shepherd, guarding them and feeding them in the strength and majesty of God (5:4). It is a message filled with relevance for our time. Our world stands, desperately, in need of a king . . . and our own hearts need a king. We need someone to guard us and lead us and feed our souls, in strength and majesty. Our hearts yearn for such a sovereign in whom we can safely rest in peace. We have such a Ruler. The baby in the manger . . . is the King of Kings.
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Revelation: Take and Eat
12/14/2025
Revelation: Take and Eat
Scripture Reading: Revelation 10:1-11 The context of this chapter is the interlude between the sounding of the sixth trumpet … in chapter 9 … and the sounding of the seventh trumpet … in the middle of chapter 11. As there was an interlude between the breaking and opening of the sixth and the seventh seals … Revelation 7 … so there is an interlude between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets. These interludes have a literary function, at least, for the readers of this book … as they contemplate what has taken place … and anticipate what is coming in the unfolding of God's furious and glorious designs. A glorious, mighty angel appears in John's vision … roaring like a lion, with repeated thunders resulting from his voice. In his hand he has a 'little scroll.' The contents of this little scroll are not explicitly described, but what appears in chapters 10 and 11 give us some idea, as John and the two witnesses of chapter 11, are called on to prophesy to the nations. John is commanded to 'take and eat' the scroll. It is sweet in his mouth, but bitter in his stomach. God's offer of eternal life is sweet 'good news' to the perishing. But it becomes bitterness to those who reject God's mercy. Indeed, the Word of God is sweet to those who hear it with their ears and receive it in their hearts (Ezek 3:10). Let us strive to increasingly satisfy the longings of our hungry hearts with the bread of life.
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Revelation: They Still Did Not Repent
12/08/2025
Revelation: They Still Did Not Repent
Scripture Reading: Revelation 9:13-21 This passage contains another description of the horrors brought to humanity during the coming time of tribulation. The sounding of the sixth trumpet will bring the death of a third of the earth's population (Rev 9:18). Like the fifth trumpet, this judgment will be effected by a demonic host that will be released on the earth. The description of these beings, riding frightful horses points to the power they will possess and the lethal effect they will produce … heads like lions and tails like serpents. Whereas the judgment of the fifth trumpet brought horrible physical suffering short of death, this judgment will claim a third of the people on the earth. An interesting comment on this situation appears in Revelation 9:20,21. For all the death and suffering, the majority of the unbelievers who were left alive did not repent of their sins in a pleading with God for mercy. How enslaved the sinful human heart is to the darkness of sin. Repentance must be a work of God in the stubborn, sinful heart. It is not that the light of the truth about God is lacking, but that the light is hated. "People loved the darkness because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light" (Jn 3:19,20). We must plead with God to do His life-giving work, deep in our souls. This is true repentance.
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Ezekiel: The Father of Lies
12/01/2025
Ezekiel: The Father of Lies
Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 28:11-19 Origin and fall of Satan Ezekiel 28:11-19 Names and titles of Satan Satan ('adversary') - Job 1,2; 1 Chr 21:1 Devil ('slanderer') - Mt 4:5; 1 Pet 5:8 Beelzebul ('lord of flies') - Mt 12:27; Lk 11:15 Belial ('worthless') - 2 Cor 6:15 Serpent - Gen 3:1; Rev 12:9 Evil One - Jn 17:15; 1 Jn 5:18 Accuser of the brothers - Rev 12:10 Prince of the power of the air - Eph 2:2 god of this world - 2 Cor 4:4 Tempter - Mt 4:3; 1 Thes 3:5 Liar, Father of lies - Jn 8:44 Angel of light - 2 Cor 11:14 Purpose of Satan - to oppose God and His purposes . . . regarding unbelievers . . . takes truth away from their minds - Lk 8:12 . . . blinds their minds - 2 Cor 4:3,4 . . . promotes false teaching - 1 Tim 4:1 1 Jn 4:1 . . . regarding believers . . . plants doubt - Gen 3:1-5 . . . tempts to sin - lying in Acts 5:3 immorality in 1 Cor 7:5 pride in 1 Tim 3:6 discouragement in 1 Pet 5:6-10 . . . infiltrates the church with false teachers and false disciples - 2 Cor 11:12-15 . . . causes division in churches 2 Cor 2:6-1 Eph 4:25-27 Conclusion Ephesians 6:10-18 Satan has schemes and subtle ways of troubling us and deceiving us. The only defenses against him are of a spiritual nature . . . salvation in Christ, prayer, the Word of God, resting in our Father.
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Revelation: The Locusts From Hell
11/23/2025
Revelation: The Locusts From Hell
Scripture Reading: Revelation 9:1-12 The seventh seal on the great heavenly scroll introduces the seven trumpets of judgment. The seventh trumpet introduces the seven bowls of final judgment. The first four trumpets bring calamity on earthly elements … land, sea, rivers, and light. The fifth and sixth trumpets … the first two of three ominous 'woes' … unleash demonic powers of destruction. Reminiscent of the prophet Joel, John describes demonic activity in terms of a plague of locusts (Rev 9:1-3). The grotesque imagery points to the diabolical power and destructive intent of these evil, spirit beings (Rev 9:7-11). In our culture there is an increasing interest in the supernatural, but it is not, for the most part, honoring to God. There is a supernatural realm, but it is cleanly divided between two domains: that kingdom which glorifies God and that kingdom which opposes Him at every turn. Satan is a real being and demons are the powerful agents of his evil will. Demons are angels who fell, along with Satan, from their position in heaven (2 Pet 2:4; Jude 6). They are called 'demons' (Mt 8:28-34), 'spirits' (often evil or unclean spirits - (Lk 8:2; 10:17-20), and even 'angels' (Mt 25:41). Let us be ever vigilant because we have an enemy who is powerful and cunningly opposes the work of Christ in the world. "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against . . . cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Eph 6:12).
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Revelation: Silence in Heaven
11/16/2025
Revelation: Silence in Heaven
Scripture Reading: Revelation 8:1-13 The opening of the seventh seal on the heavenly scroll, leads to seven trumpets of increasing divine judgment on the people of the earth … which, in turn, lead to seven bowls of further divine fury of God's holy justice against earth's wicked rebels. With the opening of the seventh seal, Revelation 8:1 says, "there was silence in heaven for about half an hour." After all the loud sounds of praise and songs by the inhabitants of heaven (cf. Rev 4:7; 5:2,9-12; 6:10), this long silence seems to be the silence of awe and anticipation of the coming judgments. The ardent, repeated prayers of the saints are mentioned for the second time in Revelation. Earlier there were prayers for God's justice to be meted out (cf. Rev 4:9-11). The answer to that plaintive cry is the outpouring of God's justice on the wicked. In considering the fury and suffering with which God will one day bring His judgments … and even in considering the suffering of so many people now … it is instructive to why God brings (or even permits) so much human suffering and death. We do not have to guess as to at least some of the reasons God does as He does. The death of the wicked is the means of bringing them into God's court of justice, from which there is no appeal. The death of the righteous is the means of bringing them into their eternal home, to enjoy eternal life in God's presence. The death of anyone is a warning to the living to turn to Christ before it is too late.
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Revelation: Sealed By God
11/09/2025
Revelation: Sealed By God
Scripture Reading: Revelation 7:1-8 In Revelation 7, we have an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. The chapter has in mind two groups of Christians … 144,000 servants of God who are given His seal, and a "great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages." A literal and future interpretation of the 144,000 servants sees this as Jewish Christians, who are raised up, and protected from the earthly calamities, in order to proclaim the gospel during the great tribulation. They are chosen from the twelve tribes of Israel and are the "firstfruits for God" (Rev 14:4), indicating that there will be many Jewish people who will turn to Christ during this time. This is God's 'remnant' of the people of Israel, who will be saved during the final season of human history (cf. Rom 9:27,28; 11:25-27). The seal here seems to be a seal of protection from the calamites that befall the human race (cf. Ezek 9:1-8). This group is also mentioned in Revelation 14:1-5 as a redeemed group, who are sexually and spiritually pure … who "follow the Lamb wherever he goes … and in their mouth no lie was found.” The 144,000 seem to be a group of Jewish evangelists who are raised up to proclaim the gospel in all the world. This is yet a display of God's mercy to a rebellious world. Even in His horrible judgments during this season, He offers eternal life through the global proclamation of the gospel of Christ. The 'seal' of God is mentioned in Ephesians 1:13,14 and 4:30. The Holy Spirit is God's seal displaying His ownership and protection of His own. Let us rest in this comforting reality.
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Revelation: From Every Tribe and Tongue
11/02/2025
Revelation: From Every Tribe and Tongue
Scripture Reading: Revelation 7:9-17 Since 1996, one Sunday in November has been designated the "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church." Exact statistics are hard to determine, but continuing into the 21st century, worldwide, even on the low end of estimates, tens of thousands of Christians are killed every year for the Christian faith … in places like Pakistan, Sudan, North Korea, China, Indonesia, and Iran. Revelation 7 reveals yet another scene in heaven where there is a great assembly of people "from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne" (Rev 7:9). They are "the ones coming out of the great tribulation" (Rev 7:14). Presumably, many of these are martyrs, similar to the descriptions we find in Revelation 6:9 and 13:5-7. We are commanded in the Bible to "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body" (Heb 13:3). There are great benefits in considering, with both mind and heart, that the church elsewhere is suffering. First, it makes us bolder to share our faith with others (Phil 1:14). Second, it broadens our perspective concerning what God is doing in our world and how He is doing it. Third, it sobers us about our own faith, reminding us that we are in a deadly war and must live disciplined lives (2 Tim 1:8; 2:3). "The Voice of the Martyrs" is a free monthly magazine designed to inform us about the suffering church the world over. For a free subscription, call 1-800-747-0085. There are videos for adults in our church library produced by Voice of the Martyrs on the persecuted church in Sudan and also videos for children. The Voice of the Martyrs website address is
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Revelation: The Wrath of the Lamb
10/26/2025
Revelation: The Wrath of the Lamb
Scripture Reading: Revelation 6:9-17 In this passage, the fifth and sixth seal of the great scroll are opened, and the unleased suffering on the earth continues. The fifth seal reveals that, during this time there will be an extensive martyrdom of Christians. In this heavenly scene these martyrs are praying for God's justice to be brought, in full, on His enemies. The sixth seal releases both cosmic and natural disasters. The inhabitants of the earth, great and small, begin to realize that the horrendous troubles, relentlessly being experienced by everyone, are actually divine in origin. Rather than turn to God for mercy, they simply pray for death … blindly imagining that death is an escape from God's judgment. The wrath of God is on full display in this passage, and in the passages to come in Revelation. God's anger is His holy and controlled response against sin and against those who persist in opposing Him. His wrath rises out of His holiness and justice and, therefore, is not simply emotional, but fundamentally judicial. One definition of divine wrath is: God's holy reaction to sin and His resolve to bring judgment on those who rebel against Him. The more we understand the wrath of God and, given that we deserve it, the deeper our wonder of the mercy of God in Christ and the greater our gratitude to God and our love for Him.
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Revelation: Six Seals of Earthly Horror
10/20/2025
Revelation: Six Seals of Earthly Horror
Scripture Reading: Revelation 6:1-8 The focus in the book of Revelation changes sharply from chapter 5 to chapter 6. Chapters 4 and 5 pictured the throne of God in heaven, but in chapter 6 the scene shifts to the earth. There is a stark contrast between the glories of God's presence and the darkness of His wrath, beginning now to be described in chapter 6. Most of the remaining chapters in Revelation have in view what will take place on the earth during the wondrous and horrible time of tribulation that will befall the earth near the end of history, as we know it. The troubles described in this text have certainly been part of the history of humanity, but they will be concentrated during the great tribulation, especially during the last 3½ years of that period. One purpose of this global tribulation is a display of divine justice on the rebellious nations of the earth. 19th century English pastor, Henry Alford, described this time of divine judgment as "the beating down of earthly power, the breaking up of earthly peace, the exhausting of earthly wealth, the destruction of earthly life" (Alford, The Greek Testament, IV:613). Let us stand in awe of God's power and justice and let us be deeply thankful to be saved, by God's grace, from the fearsome fury of His justice.
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