Scripture: Hebrews 9:15-28, Christ will come from His heavenly sanctuary and take us to Himself with joy. Our greatest joy should be Jesus and His priestly ministry, for He delighted in us, making us the heirs of His last will and testament. Jesus has made us righteous and holy through His sacrificial death that has redeemed us from our condition of sin, death, and the devil.

Scripture: Revelation 14, In chapter 14:6, John relates a vision of three angels warning the world against the disaster that will come upon those worshiping the beast. Despite a multitude of such admonitions, people, including those who know better, still chase after false gods. But those who remain faithful to God and His Word will be blessed, entering into eternal rest when they pass out of this world. In chapter 14:14, John describes the final judgment in terms of a harvest and treading of a winepress. Those in Christ need not worry over God's wrath, for instead of their blood flowing from God's winepress, Jesus' blood was poured out from the cross for them. His sacrifice for their sin removes the penalty of eternal death.

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-14, The Holy Place of the Old Testament (OT) tabernacle was a picture of the Old Covenant and the old sacrificial system. But the Most Holy Place was a picture of heaven and of Christ's New Covenant. OT services, therefore, pointed ahead to Christ, while NT services celebrate His work, distribute His benefits, and anticipate His return. Christ is the true Priest who sacrificed Himself to reconcile us to the Father. The good things that have come, redemption, salvation, forgiveness, have come to believers in the Word and Sacraments and will be fully bestowed in the future resurrection of Christians.

Scripture: Revelation 13:1 - 14:5, A review of the two beasts is given, the first from the sea and the second from the earth. Satan enlists their assistance, thus forming the "unholy trinity". The former beast represents worldly and political power. The latter beast represents deceit and corruption from within the Church. The elect, kept safely in Jesus' hand, remain secure during these attacks. Chapter 14 begins with John relating a vision in which those who have been delivered to heaven by the Lamb stand gathered around God's throne, singing a heavenly song of praise. This group is described as blameless and differs from the earthly people of God, who still slip into sin by defiling themselves in countless ways. Yet God remains faithful and forgives when we fail to remain true to Him. This gives us every reason to join the saints in heaven in praising Him.

Scripture: Hebrews 8:7-13, The preacher to the Hebrews quotes from Jeremiah when he states that a better covenant is coming. The old Sinai Covenant is going away, but the covenant with Abraham stays. God says it is going to be better. For mankind, the desire to keep the Law results from becoming a new creation and having a new sensitivity to the will of God. God's love and his blood shed for us is the motivation to obey the Law. Under the New Covenant, we are part of the Family of God. We willingly obey because God is our Father. What God promised through Jeremiah has happened.

Scripture: Revelation 12:7-13:10, Satan is thrown out of heaven at the Ascension of Christ, and shows his ugly face to the Church on Earth. After unleashing his anger against the Church, he goes after the offspring of the Church, those of us who hold to the testimony of Jesus. It is no secret that attacks are frequent to believers. We must pray daily for deliverance from evil. As chapter 13 begins the Beast is introduced. Pastor Rhode shows us that this Beast is anything the Devil can use to cripple the Church. As even the government moves steadily against the Church, it becomes clear to us that John's warnings ring true: "To him who has an ear, let him hear."

Scripture: Hebrews 7:20-8:13, Jesus, our high priest and king in the New Covenant, brings us, along with Himself, into the holy of holies. Christ was without stain (sin), yet did not separate himself from sinners. Jesus promises to meet us in Divine Service. He is both a minister of the holy things, including his body and blood, and a minister in the holy places. The New Covenant is a better one: better promises, better word of pardon, better resurrection, better homeland, and more. What Jesus brings is better!

Scripture: Revelation 12, Now we see a woman clothed in the Sun. The woman can be viewed as Mary, and the Church as well. She is about to deliver a child when a brilliant dragon appears to devour that child. Michael and the Angels fight him off and he is thrown back to earth in defeat. The dragon, Satan, seeks to devour the church of God and all believers. Although the dragon appears mighty and may seem like a god, he is not God. In todays world there are dragons that may appear powerful, but we must stand with our Lord knowing that He is the victorious one. Satan may plague us yet, but his time is short. Listen as Pastor Rhode unravels the symbolism in Chapter 12, and look for the meaning in our current day lives.

Scripture: Hebrews 7:4-24 Psalm 110:4 Zechariah 6:11-13, Melchizedek's priesthood is from God. In Psalm 110:4,God,speaking to Jesus, has sworn that Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. God joins the offices of King (promised to David's lineage) and Priest. These offices were kept separate in the Law of Moses. However, Melchizedek represents a different order by God, established long before the Law of Moses. Through the Melchizedek priesthood, God intervenes and provides a better new way of Divine Service and forgiveness of sin. If the Law could have delivered perfection, there would be no need for a different way. The sacrificial system was not perfect, but it foreshadowed Christ. The new order of Melchizedek cannot operate under the old priesthood order of Levi. We can come near God in the Divine Service because God makes Jesus our guarantor through this better covenant. Sin can only be dealt with by Jesus.

Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-10 Genesis 14:14-18 Psalms 110:4, Melchizedek meets Abraham after his slaughtering of the kings and blesses him. Who is this mysterious man who appears in ten places in the Bible? Scripture tells us he had no father or mother, no beginning or end and no genealogy. Join us for this interesting study.