Scripture: Revelation 11:15 -12:12, The seventh trumpet (11:15-19), otherwise called the Third Woe, is summarized by Pastor Rhode.Chapter 12 is introduced and consists of two overarching signs: 1. A Woman in Heaven and 2. a Red Dragon. The Woman is an icon for the Church and the Red Dragon an icon for Satan. During this interlude between John's second and third visions for earth, we are given insight into the overarching cosmic war between God and Satan and the consequences of this warfare for the Church on earth.

Scripture: Revelation 11, Pastor Rhode continues to emphasize that the throne room of God the Father, and the Lamb who stands before him, are the central point in the story of the Revelation. Satan will continue in his efforts to destroy the church. There is persecution, and martyrdom, and the watering down of the Word. Take heart believer and don't look at the literal meanings of the Revelation. If you are looking for literal meaning, you are missing the point. God's Word continues to go forward, and nothing will stop it. Remember that glory does not point to your exultation but rather to our God, and to those saints who are, and were faithful, yes faithful even unto death.

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-7:3, Can partakers of the Holy Spirit be restored after falling from the faith? Hebrews suggests restoration is highly unlikely, but nothing is impossible with God. The preacher in Hebrews then directs the congregation to Jesus, the One who can be depended on. The One to whom we pray is powerful and backs up his promises by an oath which is enough and God's promises deliver certainty. We have a refuge in God's presence, our heavenly place. Even though our souls have not yet departed, they have reached their destination because we are safe now in-Christ. In Divine Service we enter the place Christ has already prepared for us. We are entering heaven when we enter Divine Service.

Scripture: Revelation 10 and 11, Pastor Rhode leads us through the definition of The Church Age, which could be defined as the crucifixion through the second coming. We refer to Daniel and Zechariah in the Old Testament to clarify some of the references in Revelation. Although some would have us believe that Christ is to have a literal reign on earth, Christ himself said that His kingdom was not of this world. Fellow Christians, we are not waiting for the events in John's Revelation, but rather like the first century Christians we are living it. Grab your bibles and listen as Pastor Rhode unpacks the complex meanings in Revelation.

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-6:6, Scripture calls on us to mature faith for our own benefit. We hone our powers of discernment by constant practice to distinguish between good and evil. We are to receive well the teaching of solid food and be carried along in learning. For those who fall away from the faith, there is no new start apart from what they have already received in baptism. These are people who once believed and were enlightened and understood the faith fully and now rejected it. Restoration and repentance are extremely unlikely (i.e. impossible for the Church) but "with God all things are possible". Regardless, rebaptism is not to be done.

Scripture: Revelation 9:16-11:3, John's picture of spiritual warfare continues with demonic horses and riders. A third of mankind is killed. Of note, the wounding power of the horses is in their mouths, as well as the mouth of the serpent in their tails. In Chapter 10, a mighty angel descends from heaven with a face like the sun and his legs like pillars of fire. His stance is over land and sea, thus holding down the two beasts. His voice is as a lion roaring and the seven thunders are heard here as well. John is told not to write what he hears and must take an oath that he will not. The angel holds a scroll in his hand and John is commanded to take and eat. He takes the scroll from the angel's hand and consumes it. Sweet to taste, but bitter when consumed. These words become part of him, and he must proclaim them. Is that true for every Christian? The Gospel is the sweetness of life itself, however we will all suffer because of it.THIS TEACHING IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN VIDEO FORMAT. See Link listed abov

Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-14, The authority and work of Christ as High Priest is the theme of this and the next few sections we study. The work of a human priest/pastor is examined, beginning with his call by God to act on the behalf of God. Christ was also called to be High Priest, even though He was not from the family of Aaron. Christ was not a time-limited priest, but a priest forever out of the order of Melchizedek, a man in the bible with no historic beginning or ending. Jesus needed no training as a priest because He is the Wisdom of God, yet He had to experience our weakness. Jesus did this by becoming man. His training was a life-long obedience to God. Jesus remained faithful and suffered much. In His priestly office, Jesus continues to pray for believers. His words "It is finished" reverses His work. Jesus now gives life after conquering death. He is the source of salvation to all who obey Him. This obedience is not a "works righteousness". Obedience means to receive, believe/trust the Gospel.

Scripture: Revelation 9, As we begin Revelation 9, the 5th and 6th angel appear. A star falls from heaven to earth and he (Satan) is given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. Smoke arises from the pit, and with the smoke come the swarm of locust, who can be recognized as demons. They are instructed to leave alone the people of God, who have the seal on their foreheads. However, the others are to be tortured until they call for their own death. These demons appear to have power, but in fact are false and do not have the power of God. The sixth angel blows their trumpet and ushers in three plagues, and one-third of mankind are killed. In today's world there are false gods and worship of things that are temporal. In fact, Satan's victory would begin by claiming ownership of God's people on earth through His Church.

Scripture: Hebrews 4:13-16, The very reason the Incarnation took place was so Jesus would be our mediator, our intercessor to God the Father. Christ became our merciful and faithful priest, Heb. 2:17. Jesus has bridged the gulf between God and man so we can join Christ and go into the Father's presence. Because of what Christ has done for us, "let us hold fast to our confession". Draw near to God so we may receive mercy and find grace and forgiveness in our time of need.

Scripture: Revelation 8:1-9:10 Hebrews 1:2, The opening of the Seven Seals and the blowing of the Seven Trumpets and the pouring out of the Seven Bowls are not independent events as seen in John's vision, but all reflect the same End Times. Think of a TV crew capturing all the action of a single soccer game using six different cameras. This week we cover the opening of the seventh Seal and the blowing Trumpets #1-#5. As long as we remain in this life, we can expect tribulation and tears. We can turn to the Lord in prayer and encourage one another and He will sustain us until that glorious day when we will see Him face to face in heaven.