With the breaking of the 7th seal, there are 7 angels, and 7 trumpets were given to them (one each). There’s something about Revelation and the number 7! 

Trumpets were used in various ways back in the OT. They were used to warn, to summon armies, to call an assembly, etc. (Joel 2:15; Ezek. 33:3). What’s interesting with these trumpets are their similarities to the plagues of Egypt. 

In verse 7 the first four trumpets are blown, and with them come judgment upon the earth. We see the calamities on the earth – on the land, sea, waters, and even universe. The chapter ends with an eagle preparing the way for the final 3 trumpet blasts. They are called the 3 “woes” from the words of the eagle.

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“Jesus said, ‘A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another’ ” (John 13:34-35).

What Jesus taught was revolutionary. His revolutionary teaching didn’t overthrow a political system, but He did turn the spiritual world upside down.

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David was described as a man after God's own heart. What do you think that means?

#salvation #grace #faith #christiancharacter #dietoself #christmakesmewhole #fearGod #pride #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalLove #GodIsLove #FaithPodcast #ScriptureStudy #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #LoveInAction #FaithAndLife #SpiritualGrowth #BibleVerses #ChristianTeaching

The purpose of Revelation 7 was to fill the faithful with courage to endure the sufferings which were about to strike the earth. In the previous chapter the believers, who were already martyred for their faith, cried out to God asking, “How long until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (6:10). God answers that question by the opening of the six seals which lock tight the revelation of God’s plan for the earth. The first four seals show God positioning His instruments in place to execute His judgment on the wicked. Then in the sixth seal the fearful judgment of God is pictured. All of creation turns against the wicked— both great and small.  

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This question comes from the 3rd Equalizer movie with Denzel Washington. He is being healed of a gunshot wound and the man attending to him asks him this question.

Romans 3:10-12 Paul quoting from the Old Testament…

Ecclesiastes 7:20 - “For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.”

Psalm 14:3 - “They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.”

Jesus says in Mark 10:18, “So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.”

#salvation #grace #faith #christiancharacter #dietoself #christmakesmewhole #fearGod #pride #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalLove #GodIsLove #FaithPodcast #ScriptureStudy #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #LoveInAction #FaithAndLife #SpiritualGrowth #BibleVerses #ChristianTeaching

In chapter 5 we read of the Lamb taking the sealed scroll from the One on the throne (5:7). Chapter 6 opens with the Lamb breaking the seals. When the first four seals are broken we see 4 horses carrying riders (6:1-8). The images of horses takes us back to the prophecy of Zechariah (Zech. 1:8-10; 6:1-7). However there are some differences between the horses of Zechariah’s prophecy, and the horses read of here in Revelation.

#victory #winning #won #victoryinjesus #christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #walkwiththelord

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6)

Worry can literally eat our lunch! When our hearts are filled with worry, we cannot do enough. At night we worry that everything we’ve done will fall apart. We replay those conversations in our heads to find how we could have been misunderstood...

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I was recently asked the statement and follow up question:

It is often the case that people will display more kindness and patience toward strangers than with members of their own family. Why it can be challenging to display Christian character at home and what we can/should do about it?

I think it’s the fact that those who know us the most/best, the closest to us are the most knowledgeable of our bad habits or tendencies, therefore they feel they have the right/authority to condescend or judge or manage their kindness. It’s also easier for resentments to build when you’re around your family more than the single chance interaction you have with strangers.  

#salvation #grace #faith #christiancharacter #dietoself #christmakesmewhole #fearGod #pride #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalLove #GodIsLove #FaithPodcast #ScriptureStudy #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #LoveInAction #FaithAndLife #SpiritualGrowth #BibleVerses #ChristianTeaching

The book of Revelation begins with the words, “The Revelation Of Jesus Christ.”  The book was given to allow God’s people to look behind the scenes.  They were going through terrible persecution for their faith.  Did God know?  Was He planning to do something about it?  

John responds, “Yes, God knows, and He is going to do something about your situation soon.”  That news gave theseChristians great comfort. And, it gives us great comfort to know that our God knows about our needs and is working to bring about His will. 

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The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all active in our salvation. They had to do certain things for us to be saved. Consider some things that were necessary on God's part for us to be saved: 

• “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭33‬ ‭
• “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭7‬:‭25‬ ‭
• “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬
• “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬

We have God's Provisions, and then our Response to His provisions.

Use the Whole Bible and don't mince words. There is not a single verse in the Bible that gives you exclusively what is essential to salvation, but the entirety of God's Word tells us what we must do to be saved.

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Do you get a lot of mail? Do you get letters from family, friends? Typically what fills my mailbox is bills and ads. Imagine with me – today Rickie goes outside to the mailbox outside of the church building, and in our mailbox is a letter addressed to the church at Campbell Road – a letter written from Jesus. In the letter He shares with us what He sees in this church – the things done well, the areas of weakness, the encouragement for the future. What would His letter say?

#victory #winning #won #victoryinjesus #christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #walkwiththelord

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 3:3-5).

Isn’t life largely about perspective? If we see people and painful situations as threats, those threats imprison our hearts. We can languish for days, even weeks longing for the problems or people to just go away. We often end up frantically trying to get out any way we can.

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard #walkwiththelord

What section of Scripture you find most meaningful in defining Christian character and why?

It’s incredibly hard to choose just one.  

When I opened up my Bible to begin answering this question, I, without flipping any pages, opened up to 1 Peter 2:14 which the two pages covers through 5:10.  No one person or text defines Christian character exhaustively, not even the accounts of Jesus in the gospels, but the collective of the New Testament scriptures is where we get the comprehensiveness that is Christian character.  So, when I opened up to the first epistle of Peter, I took notice of the section beginning in chapter 2 verse 11 and 12 where it reads...

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Jesus is introduced as Prince who came to the earth, Ruler, Redeemer who loosed us from our sins by His blood. Revealed by our God who is said to be the Alpha and Omega. This is to people who believe He is the Alpha. He began this process. He is God Who became flesh and came into this world. 

But the thing these people of God want to know is, will He be the Omega. The One who had been there at the beginning will He be there when it is all over? He was there when all this process of creation and redemption began, will He be there when it all ends?

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What if your life was compared to a section of beach just wide enough for your to walk back & forth, but extended from the water all the way back to where the sand ends. What would it mean to get closer and closer to the water?

#washedbytheword #dietoself #christmakesmewhole #fearGod #pride #selflove #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalLove #GodIsLove #FaithPodcast #ScriptureStudy #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #LoveInAction #FaithAndLife #SpiritualGrowth #BibleVerses #ChristianTeaching

Keys to Revelation: 

1. Realize the Specific Audience.
2. Realize the Specific Setting.
3. Realize the Specific Time Table.
4. Realize the Specific Style of Writing.
5. Realize the Specific Purpose of the Book.

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Such an encouraging word, rejoice. The word sounds wrong if you don’t say it with a lilt in the tone of your voice. Rejoice! I believe the quintessential scripture on what it means to rejoice is found in Philippians 4:4-7 where Paul begins, “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice.” What follows is an instruction manual in the mindset of a rejoicing Saint.

The predicate statement is that we should be constantly rejoicing. In our relationship with God. In our relationship with others. In the blessings God provides.

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard

Kindness and encouragement go a long way in helping every kind of relationship. More importantly, love is kind and kindness is a fruit of the spirit (1Cor. 13:4; Gal. 5:22). The emphasis is that we can tell the character and heart in a person by how kind they are. We can tell the Holy Spirit is in them when we see the fruit of the spirit.

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard #walkwiththelord

When looking for seashells:

Do keep everything you find?

Do you find beauty in broken shells?

Do you discard the broken and only keep the whole ones?

What if God discarded the broken...

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Contentment is disturbed because our plans are broken.  The family brings home a friend or additional family pops in for dinner.  The vacation is busted when our flight is cancelled.  You are deep in work, focused upon the task at hand and someone taps you on the shoulder and says, “by the way…” as you jump out of your skin from being startled.  Life is moving according to plan, then your employer eliminates your position, you are unemployed.  So many ways our contentment can be undermined, altered, ruined.  How do we handle these intrusions?

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard