Gateway Bible Talks

Who owns you? Revelation 13 shows a second beast—lamb-like in appearance but speaking like Satan—using deceptive signs, threats and economic pressure to direct worship to the first beast. The mark of the beast is not physical, but a sign of allegiance and ownership, contrasted with the Lamb’s name on his people in Revelation 14:1. Behind false worship and beastly power is Satan’s desire for the worship that belongs to God.

Big idea: The greatest powers in this world want your worship. Worship Jesus.

Supporting passages: Daniel 3; Matthew 24:23–25; 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12; 1 Kings 18:36–39.

Go deeper: (51 mins) Don Carson on Revelation 13:11-14:5

Also though I don't agree with his take on the EU, the physicality of the beast's mark and the rapture, a great sermon by David Guzik (1hr 11 mins) Revelation 13 – All About the Antichrist.

Governments can serve God’s good purposes, protecting people and maintaining order. But human power becomes beastly when it demands the allegiance and worship that belong to God alone.

Revelation 13 reveals the spiritual reality behind oppressive and tyrannical power. The beast appears fearsome, speaks against God and wages war against God’s people. Yet its authority is only given for a limited time. It may take Christians’ freedom or even their lives.

Jesus does not conquer by becoming a greater beast. He conquers as the Lamb who was slain, and his kingdom will never end.

So what should Christians do when power demands worship? Do not fear the beast as though it were God. Remember that you belong to the Lamb, and continue with patient endurance and faithfulness.

Go deeper: D. A. Carson, Revelation 13 (Part 1): Missions as the Triumph of the Lamb — a full-length message on this exact passage, exploring the beast, satanic opposition, competing claims to allegiance, and the call to endure faithfully.

How We Overcome — Revelation 12:7–17

Revelation 12 pulls back the curtain on the spiritual battle behind the struggles of God’s people. Satan has been defeated through Christ, yet he continues to wage war against those who belong to Jesus.

So how do Christians overcome? “By the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” — trusting Christ’s victory, holding firmly to Jesus, and remaining faithful even when that faithfulness is costly.

Bible passage: Revelation 12:7–17

Go deeper: (1hr) How Long, O Lord? — a message from Don Carson on Revelation 12:1–17, exploring Satan’s defeat, accusation, persecution, the blood of the Lamb and the faithful witness of Christians.

Watch on YouTube

Kept in the Wilderness — Revelation 12:1–6

Behind the struggles of ordinary Christian life lies a cosmic conflict—but the decisive victory has already been won. Revelation 12 introduces the woman, the dragon and the child, showing Satan’s determination to destroy God’s saving purposes, Christ’s secure reign, and God’s continuing care for his people in the wilderness.

Go deeper: David Guzik (56 mins) — Revelation 12: The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon Watch on YouTube

Genesis 3:20–24 | First Things, Talk 8 of 8

Genesis 3 ends with humanity driven from Eden, cut off from God’s presence and barred from the tree of life.

Yet God gives signs of hope. Eve is named for life, and God clothes Adam and Eve. These point forward to Jesus, who opens the way home through:

Cleaning — our sin washed away.

Clothing — believers clothed with Christ.

Curtain — the barrier to God’s presence torn open.

Through Christ, the way home is open. One day God’s people will live in his renewed creation, free from the curse, and “see his face” (Revelation 22:4).

Book mentioned: The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton

Go deeper: David Guzik: Genesis 3:10–24

Why are we so quick to hide from God and blame someone else? Genesis 3 shows sin bringing fear, broken relationships, painful toil and death. Yet judgment is not the final word: God promises that the woman’s offspring will crush the serpent—a promise fulfilled in Jesus, our serpent-crushing Saviour.

Go deeper - 1 hr 6 min - Sin’s Confrontation and Curse — Genesis 3:10–24 | David Guzik A detailed, verse-by-verse treatment of God confronting Adam and Eve, the judgments pronounced, and the hope contained within the passage.

Widespread attacks on the trustworthiness of God’s Word are nothing new. Since the temptation of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, the question “Did God actually say?” has been at the heart of Satan’s attacks. In this message, R.C. Sproul examines the nature of Satan’s temptation in Genesis 3 and urges us to believe God and take Him at His Word.

Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/?utm_source...

This message is from Dr. Sproul’s 12-part teaching series Themes from Genesis. Learn more: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series...

What is the ideal intimate relationship? Genesis 2 shows God’s good design for marriage: a man and woman united as one flesh, fully known and without shame. But even the best marriage is only a signpost to Jesus—the one who knows us completely, carries our shame and loves his people faithfully.

Going Deeper: David Guzik's teaching on this passage. (58 min video)

God’s Purpose, Provision and Protection — Genesis 1:26–2:17

God creates human beings in his image and gives them a purpose: to live under his rule, care for his world and love him and one another. He generously provides everything they need for life and flourishing, and protects them by setting a clear boundary around the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Yet Adam will step outside that protection, choosing his own way rather than trusting God. Jesus shows us the life humanity was made for: loving God, loving our neighbour, and remaining in his love through obedient, self-giving friendship.

Bible readings: Genesis 1:26–2:17; Matthew 22:37–39; John 15:9–14

In days four to six of creation, God fills the ordered world he has formed. He appoints the sun, moon and stars to govern light and mark days, seasons and years. He fills the seas and skies with living creatures, and the land with animals. Finally, God creates human beings—male and female—in his image, blessing them and commissioning them to fill the earth and rule it under him.

Ziech explores what it means to bear God’s image: human life has a unique dignity, purpose and responsibility. Matthew 8 shows this creation authority perfectly embodied in Jesus, whom even the wind and waves obey.

God’s world is ordered, abundant and purposeful—and when it is filled, God declares it very good.

Passage: Genesis 1:14–2:1 Preacher: Ziech van Onselen Series: First Things: Genesis 1–3

Best links

• It Is Well - song by Bethel music mentioned - listen here
• Read Genesis 1:14–2:1
• Read Matthew 8:23–27 — Jesus commands the wind and waves
• BibleProject: Image of God
• BibleProject: Genesis 1 visual commentary
• Listen to the rest of Gateway Parish’s sermons