In this "Revelation" devotional, Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff explores the central and recurring call of the book: What does it mean to "overcome"?

The word "overcome" appears repeatedly in Christ's letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2-3), each time linked to a profound promise. Pastor Mike explains that in the New Testament, this victory is radically redefined. It’s not about achieving political dominance, military conquest, or seizing power. Instead, Jesus reveals that true overcoming looks like faithful endurance, sacrificial love, and unwavering loyalty to Him—even when it is costly.

This message centers on the shocking image from Revelation 5: the conquering "Lion of Judah" is revealed as a slain Lamb. Victory comes not through force, but through absorbing evil without becoming evil. Overcoming, therefore, is the call to live by the pattern of the cross: to remain steadfast in witness, resist the allure of false empires, and find our triumph in the faithfulness of Christ.

Join us for a transformative look at the Christian's call to be an overcomer in the way of the Lamb.

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In this "Revelation" devotional, Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff examines a curious and easily overlooked detail from Revelation 21:1: in the vision of the new creation, "the sea was no more."

For those who love the ocean, this might initially sound like a loss. But Pastor Mike explains that in the biblical imagination—especially for the Jewish people—the sea was rarely neutral. It was a symbol of chaos, danger, separation, and the untamed forces of evil and trouble. From the formless deep in Genesis to the pounding waves in the Psalms, the sea represented everything that opposes God's order and peace.

When John writes from the isolation of Patmos, separated from his churches by water, this promise carries profound hope: in the new heaven and new earth, all barriers, chaos, and fear will be utterly gone. This isn't a geographical statement about missing beaches, but a theological promise of ultimate restoration where every threat is removed and God's people dwell in perfect security and peace.

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In this "Revelation" devotional, Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff addresses one of the most famous and often misunderstood symbols in the Bible: the meaning of the number 666 from Revelation 13:18.

Pastor Mike cuts through the superstition and speculation that often surrounds this number, exploring its likely significance to the original audience. While some theories connect it to a coded reference like Emperor Nero, he emphasizes the powerful symbolism of numbers in biblical literature. The number seven represents completeness and perfection, so six—being one short—signifies incompleteness and imperfection. The triple repetition (666) intensifies this meaning, pointing to something that is utterly and profoundly fallen, a counterfeit of God's perfect reign.

More than a cryptic code to be cracked, this mark serves as a sobering contrast to the seal God places on His people. The core warning of Revelation is not about avoiding a specific numeric sequence, but about spiritual allegiance: whom will we worship? This message calls us to be marked by Christ through faithfulness, prayer, and community, so we can stand alert against deception and remain steadfast in worshiping the one true God.

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In this Revelation Devotional, Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff tackles a challenging question: Are the powerful images and themes in the Book of Revelation—like the throne room, the "Son of God," and the cosmic dragon—simply borrowed from pagan myths and Roman propaganda? Or is something more profound happening?

Pastor Mike explores why similarities between biblical and other ancient stories don’t mean the Bible is copying them. He discusses the key differences between pagan myths and Christian scripture, and how Revelation intentionally subverts the claims of Caesar and empire to proclaim the ultimate truth of Jesus Christ.

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In this final devotional of our "Revelation" series, Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff tackles a sobering and essential question: What is the second death mentioned in Revelation?

Pastor Mike explains that the "second death" is the ultimate, eternal separation from God—a state of final judgment referred to in Revelation 20:14 and 21:8. Unlike our physical death (the first death), this is a spiritual and eternal reality, depicted as the lake of fire. While the concept is undeniably solemn, it is presented in Scripture not to frighten us, but to underscore the urgent and gracious invitation of the Gospel. It stands in stark contrast to the promise of eternal life for those who are in Christ.

This concluding message calls us to lean fully into Jesus, the one who has overcome the second death, and to find our hope and security in His victory alone.

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In this "Revelation" devotional, Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff addresses a profound and deeply personal question: What does the Book of Revelation teach us about suffering?

Pastor Mike explains that Revelation, written by John from the isolation of Patmos, is "resistance literature" for a church facing persecution. It does not deny the reality of pain or sanitize hardship. Instead, it grounds our understanding of suffering in the person of Jesus—the One who suffered on our behalf and is intimately acquainted with our pain. The book calls believers to faithful endurance, recognizing that suffering is not a detour from discipleship but often part of the refining process that God uses to shape and strengthen His people.

This message offers a sober yet hopeful perspective, assuring us that our suffering is seen by Christ, has purpose, and ultimately points to the coming victory where every tear will be wiped away.

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In this "Revelation" devotional, Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff explores a fascinating and nuanced question about our role in God's kingdom: What does it mean that we, as a kingdom of priests, "shall reign on earth" (Revelation 5:10)?

Pastor Mike dives into the textual and theological discussion around this verse, noting that scholars are divided on whether it refers to a present reality or a future promise. He wisely points to the biblical concept of the "now and not yet" of God's kingdom—illustrated by the time between D-Day and VE Day in World War II. The victory of Christ is assured, and His reign has begun, but the full realization of His kingdom on earth is still to come.

This message provides clarity and hope, reminding us that we live in the tension between the kingdom's inauguration and its final consummation. We are called to live as faithful priests and ambassadors of Christ's rule today, with the confident expectation of reigning with Him in a fully restored creation.

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In this "Revelation" devotional, Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff tackles a deep and multi-layered question: Who is the beast from the sea described in Revelation 13?

Pastor Mike explains that a sound interpretation must start with understanding what the first readers would have heard. For them, the beast was almost certainly the oppressive, persecuting Roman Empire—the all-consuming political power of John's day. But the meaning doesn't stop there. Throughout history, there have been subsequent "Romes": political and systemic forces that rise, misuse power, and oppose God's people.

In this exploration, Pastor Mike outlines his hermeneutic for Revelation: the beast is a prototype of systemic evil, a symbol of any antichrist power, and a call for the church to be prepared for patient endurance. The ultimate assurance remains the same: the Lamb, Jesus Christ, has already won the victory, and evil—though real and formidable—is no match for His sovereign power.

Join us for a clarifying look at this vivid symbol and be encouraged to stand firm, knowing who holds the future.

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In this "Revelation" devotional, Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff delves into one of the most pivotal images in the book: the scroll sealed with seven seals, introduced in Revelation chapter 5.

Pastor Mike explains that this scroll represents God’s perfect plan for history—His design to defeat evil, vindicate His people, and bring about the restoration of all creation. The dramatic tension arises when no one in heaven or on earth is found worthy to open it, until the announcement comes: the Lion of Judah has triumphed and is qualified. Yet when John turns, he sees not a conquering lion, but a Lamb looking as if it had been slain. This stunning revelation shows that Jesus is worthy not through force, but through His sacrificial death on the cross.

Join us for a powerful look at how the crucified Lamb holds the future in His hands, assuring us that history is not random, evil does not have the final word, and our hope is anchored in the One who alone is worthy to unfold God’s ultimate plan.

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In this "Revelation" devotional, Senior Pastor Mike Woodruff examines one of the book's most striking images: Jesus portrayed with a sharp, double-edged sword coming from His mouth, found in Revelation 1 and later in Revelation 19.

Pastor Mike explains that this powerful symbol is not about physical violence, but about the piercing, unmasking power of God’s Word. Drawing a connection to Hebrews 4:12—which describes the Word of God as living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword—he clarifies that the sword represents divine truth, judgment, and the ultimate authority of Christ's speech. In a world where Roman swords enforced Caesar's will, Jesus conquers and reigns through His Word, which cuts to the heart, exposes evil, and brings justice.

This episode invites us to see Jesus in His full, resurrected glory and to understand the transformative, penetrating power of His truth in our lives and in the world.

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