Revelation 4: A Throne in Heaven

Once John was finished taking down the seven lettersโ€”after these thingsโ€”the scene changes dramatically. John looks up as a portal opens in the sky, and the sound of a trumpet-like voice invites him to come up into heaven.

“How We Choose To Be Happy”

I do not usually pick up self-help books, but the title was so intriguing (and I was so unhappy) that I decided to take a chance on it.

Isaiah 12: Sanctification

When you and I believe in and look for the supernatural goodness in ourselves and in other believers that God has personally put there, as well as gently help each other back into the way when we notice that someone is off the path, we are living into sanctification.

Isaiah 12: Joy

From the first patriarch, Abraham, to every person mentioned in the Hebrews Hall of Faith, to Peter, to Paul, to the apostle John and the Revelation given him by Christ, it is the reconciliation of all things in Christ that held their attention.

Revelation 3: Laodicea, A Final Word

For those who will respond to Jesusโ€™s chasteningโ€”who open the door to Jesusโ€™s gentle knockโ€”then Jesus would come in to dine together with them, certainly a reference both to Godโ€™s invitation in the Torah to feast with God, and to the love feasts of the early church, celebrating the Lordโ€™s Supper.

Revelation 3: Laodicea, Appearances Deceive

By all accounts, the Laodicean Christians really were rich in both temporal wealth and spiritual teaching. But Jesus said they were actually impoverished and they had no idea.

Last Call: Study the Gospel of John

John takes a dramatic departure in his gospel in several ways, not the least of which is in his depiction of Jesus with women. If you would like to study this gospel with us, please register here.

Isaiah 11: Harmony in Community

After delivering the shudder-worthy oracles in chapter 10, God turned Isaiahโ€™s eyes to the much farther future of Messiahโ€™s reign.

Isaiah 11: Righteousness and Peace

out of the stump of Jesse, the father of King David, against all likelihood, a new David would emerge. This would not be Davidโ€™s successor, but rather the perfect David, the greater David, the one David himself called โ€œmy Lordโ€ in one of his Psalms

Revelation 3: Laodicea, Tepid Tap Water

The word Jesus used, แผฮผฮญฯ‰ | emeล, actually means vomit. It brings to mind that feeling of having put something so repellant into oneโ€™s mouth that the gag reflex kicks in and out it spews before one hardly has the chance to stop.