I am Matthew Podcast: Overcoming Past Mistakes with Spiritual Growth

Do you feel like the world is spiraling out of control?When we read about the locusts of the abyss and the four angels of the Euphrates, it’s easy to be consumed by fear. But what if these judgments aren't just about destruction? What if they are a loud, final call of mercy?

In this episode, we dive deep into Revelation Chapter 9. While the world focuses on the sting of the locusts and the magnitude of the loss, we are looking at the "Seal of God." We explore the profound truth that even in the midst of the Fifth and Sixth Trumpets, God’s elect are marked and spared.

We serve a God who measures His judgments. Even when a third of mankind is lost, two-thirds remain—a testament to His lingering patience and His desire for the world to turn back to Him before the end. If you’ve felt like you are "too far gone," this episode is a reminder that God’s hand is still moving, His people are still protected, and His mercy is still available.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Mark of Protection: Understanding who is spared from the "stings" of the abyss.

• The Math of Mercy: Why the "one-third" judgment is actually a sign of God's restraint.

• The Call to Repentance: Why the world remains hardened, and how we can stay softened.

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“The Called. The Changed. The Commissioned.”

In this episode of our Revelation series, we step into Revelation 8, where the seventh seal is finally opened — and before anything happens, heaven falls silent.

For about half an hour, there is silence in heaven.

After all the worship, thunder, voices, and movement throughout Revelation, this silence stands out powerfully. It is the calm before the storm. A holy pause before the trumpet judgments begin.

Using insights from the Enduring Word Commentary, we unpack the weight of this moment and what it reveals about the seriousness of what is about to unfold on the earth.

We also look at the prayers of the saints rising before God like incense. Even in judgment, prayer still matters. God still hears His people.

As the trumpets begin to sound, we see devastation unfold across the earth — affecting the land, the sea, the waters, and the heavens. But through it all, Revelation continues to remind us that none of this is random chaos. God is still sovereign, still just, and still calling humanity to repentance.

This chapter challenges us to reflect on:
➡️ The holiness and justice of God
➡️ The power of prayer before His throne
➡️ The seriousness of rejecting Him
➡️ And the hope still available through Jesus Christ

Even in the silence before judgment, God is speaking.

Scripture Focus:

• Revelation 8:1–13

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In this episode of our Revelation series, we walk through Revelation 7, a powerful pause in the middle of judgment that reveals something incredible about the heart of God: even in the midst of judgment, God is still calling people to Himself.

As the world moves deeper into tribulation, heaven is not closed off to humanity. Instead, we see the mercy of God still reaching, still sealing, still redeeming.

We unpack the sealing of the 144,000 and then focus heavily on the great multitude standing before the throne — people from every nation, tribe, and language who came out of the tribulation and now stand before the Lamb in worship.

One of the most powerful parts of this chapter is the honor given to these tribulation saints. Scripture says they serve God day and night in His temple. Many of these people may have come to Christ later than others, during the darkest days imaginable — and yet they are brought incredibly close to God.

This is a powerful picture of Jesus’ words that the last shall be first, and the first last.

And that brings hope.

Hope for the wayward son.
Hope for the prodigal.
Hope for the person everyone thinks is too far gone.
Hope for the one people have given up on.

Because as long as there is breath in someone’s lungs, God is still able to save.

This chapter reminds us:
➡️ God’s mercy is still active even during judgment
➡️ No one is beyond the reach of redemption
➡️ Faithfulness through suffering is seen and rewarded by God

And through it all, we see the tenderness of the Lamb — leading His people, shepherding them, and wiping away every tear from their eyes.

Even in Revelation’s darkest moments, hope continues to shine through Jesus Christ.

Scripture Focus:

• Revelation 7:1–17

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In this episode of our Revelation series, we continue into the fifth and sixth seals in Revelation 6 — where the focus shifts from what is happening on earth to what is happening in heaven… and then back again.

With the fifth seal, we see the souls of those who were martyred for their faith, crying out to God for justice. This moment reminds us that God sees every act of persecution, every sacrifice, and every life laid down for His name. Their cry is not ignored — it is heard.

Then, as the sixth seal is opened, everything begins to shake. The earth responds with upheaval, and people from every level of society recognize something sobering — the wrath of the Lamb.

We unpack these moments carefully, focusing not on fear, but on truth:
➡️ God does not overlook injustice
➡️ There is a coming day of accountability
➡️ Even in judgment, God is revealing Himself

This passage is both sobering and hope-filled. For those who belong to Christ, it is a reminder that suffering is seen and that justice will come. For the world, it is a call to recognize who is truly on the throne.

The same Lamb who was slain is also the righteous Judge — and that truth calls us to both reverence and hope.

Scripture Focus

• Revelation 6:9–17

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In this episode of our Revelation series, we walk through the opening of the first four seals in Revelation 6 — often known as the four horsemen.

As the Lamb begins to open the scroll, we see the start of what unfolds on the earth: conquest, conflict, scarcity, and death. These aren’t random events — they are released under the authority of Christ, reminding us that even in judgment, God is still in control.

We take a careful, Scripture-centered look at each of the first four seals and what they represent, while keeping our focus grounded in truth — not fear.

This passage can feel heavy, but it points us to something deeper:
➡️ Nothing is outside of God’s authority
➡️ Judgment is not chaos — it is purposeful
➡️ Even in difficult passages, our hope remains in Christ

The same Lamb who was slain is the One opening the seals. That matters.

This episode continues to build our understanding of Revelation while keeping our foundation steady — not in speculation, but in the sovereignty of God and the hope we have in Jesus.

Scripture Focus

• Revelation 6:1–8

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In this episode of our Revelation series, we step into one of the most powerful scenes in all of Scripture — Revelation 5, where heaven is searching for someone worthy to open the scroll.

At first, no one is found worthy… and John begins to weep. But then everything changes.

Jesus is introduced — not first as the Lion, but as the Lamb. And not just any lamb… a Lamb that was slain.

Using insights from the Enduring Word Commentary, we unpack the depth of this moment. Even in the throne room of heaven, Jesus is revealed in His sacrificial identity. The marks of His sacrifice are not erased — they remain.

This points us to a powerful truth:
➡️ Jesus didn’t just die once and move on
➡️ His sacrifice is eternally significant
➡️ Before the Father, He still stands as the Lamb who was slain

This doesn’t mean He is continually suffering — it means His finished work is forever present and sufficient. Our hope is anchored in a sacrifice that never loses its power.

As heaven erupts in worship, we’re reminded that everything centers on Jesus — the only One worthy to redeem, restore, and bring God’s plan to completion.

This episode calls us back to the heart of our faith:
our hope is in the Lamb.

Scripture Focus:

• Revelation 5:1–14

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In this episode of our Revelation series, we move from the letters to the churches into a breathtaking new scene — the throne room of heaven.

In Revelation 4, John is given a glimpse beyond this world. A door is opened, and he is invited to see what is happening in heaven. What he sees shifts everything — not chaos, not uncertainty, but a throne… and One seated on it.

We unpack the significance of that moment. Before anything else unfolds in Revelation, God shows us this truth: He is still on the throne.

Surrounded by worship, glory, and holiness, we see heaven declaring who God is — not based on circumstances, but on His nature. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.

This chapter re-centers our perspective:
➡️ God is not reacting — He is reigning
➡️ Heaven is not in panic — it is in worship
➡️ No matter what unfolds on earth, God remains in control

This isn’t just a vision of the future — it’s a reminder for right now. When life feels uncertain, when the world feels unstable, our hope is anchored in the reality that God is still on the throne.

• Revelation 4:1–11

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In this episode of our Revelation series, we walk through the letter to Laodicea — the lukewarm church.

Jesus delivers a strong and sobering message: they were neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm — and because of that, He said He would spit them out. This wasn’t about weakness… it was about indifference. A faith that had become comfortable, self-sufficient, and unaware of its true condition.

Laodicea believed they were rich, in need of nothing — but Jesus reveals the truth: they were spiritually poor, blind, and exposed.

We unpack what it means to live in a lukewarm state and how easy it is to drift into it without realizing it.

This message challenges us:
➡️ Comfort can lead to complacency
➡️ Self-sufficiency can blind us spiritually
➡️ Lukewarm faith is not neutral — it’s dangerous

But even here, there is incredible hope.

Jesus doesn’t walk away — He stands at the door and knocks. He invites us to repent, return, and restore fellowship with Him. The same One who corrects also calls us back in love.

This episode is a powerful reminder that no matter how far we’ve drifted, the door is still open — and Jesus is still calling.

Scripture Focus:

• Revelation 3:14–22

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In this episode of our Revelation series, we walk through the letter to Philadelphia — the spiritually alive church.

Unlike many of the other churches, Philadelphia receives no rebuke — only encouragement. Jesus recognizes their faithfulness, even though they had “little strength.” They held fast to His Word and did not deny His name.

We unpack what it means to be spiritually alive in a world full of pressure and opposition. This church reminds us that true strength isn’t found in numbers, influence, or power — it’s found in faithfulness to Christ.

Jesus also speaks of an open door that no one can shut, showing us that when God moves, nothing can stand against it. Their obedience, even in weakness, positioned them in a place of promise.

This message is full of hope:
➡️ You don’t need to be strong to be faithful
➡️ God honors obedience, even when it feels small
➡️ What God opens, no one can close

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have much to offer, this episode is a reminder that God works powerfully through those who simply remain faithful.

Scripture Focus:

• Revelation 3:7–13

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In this episode of our Revelation series, we walk through the letter to Sardis — the spiritually dead church.

Jesus delivers one of the most sobering messages to this church: you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Outwardly, everything may have looked right — activity, appearance, even influence — but inwardly, something was missing.

We unpack what it means to have the appearance of life without the reality of it. How a church — or even a believer — can go through the motions while becoming spiritually lifeless.

This message is a wake-up call:
➡️ Reputation is not the same as reality
➡️ Activity is not the same as spiritual life
➡️ What looks alive on the outside can still be empty within

But even here, Jesus gives hope. He calls them to wake up, strengthen what remains, and remember what they first received. This isn’t a message of condemnation — it’s a call to revival.

If you’ve ever felt like your faith has become routine, distant, or empty, this episode is an invitation to come back to life in Christ.

Scripture Focus:

• Revelation 3:1–6

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