In His Grip

Dr. Betters continues in the second parallel section with the study of chapters 6 and 7 of Revelation.  In this message, we learn the contents of the scroll as the Lamb of God opens and reveals six of the seven seals.  Again, Dr. Betters helps to explain the rich symbolism and the meaning behind the numbers found in these passages that uncover more of the detail behind God’s plan for the end times.

Sexual Abuse of Children – You’ve heard the news stories and read the headlines. Each word drives a sword deeper into the hearts of those who love and protect their children. Tom Stewart experienced a decade of sexual abuse throughout his childhood by his Scout leader. His story is not easy to hear but he pulls back the shades on decades of the cover up of horrific sexual abuse in a highly respected organization: The Boy Scouts of America. In this transparent interview, Tom not only shares his story, but helps equip listeners to see the signs of abuse, the pathway to healing from abuse and the enormous battle that sexual abuse causes in the heart of a child and into his adulthood. Through Tom’s sometimes excruciating words, other victims of abuse will hear a resounding declaration of help and hope, no matter how shattered by the actions of another.

Learn more about Tom and the way God is creating beauty from the broken places in his life: Histruthtransforms.com or Secretknots.net

As noted in several of the previous messages in this series, the book of Revelation was not written in chronological order and must not be read and understood as such.  It must be read and understood as seven parallel and progressive sections. Each of the seven sections tells the story of the events between the first and second coming of Christ in a progressive style that provides more detail, intensity, symbolism, and application. The first parallel progressive section covers chapters 1-3 and speaks of the Holy Spirit who dwells among the churches.  The Holy Spirit speaks, prods, and challenges the churches. We see the revealed Christ in chapter 1 and in chapters 2 and 3 there are specific messages to the congregations in Asia Minor that were representative of congregations throughout the age of the church. In this message, Dr. Betters begins the study of the second parallel section which covers chapters 4-7 and opens with John’s glorious vision surrounding the throne of God.

The letter to the church at Laodicea from Christ is the seventh and the last of the letters to the churches in Asia Minor.  There was not one word of praise or commendation in this letter. The congregation was half-hearted, materialistic, given to temptation, and compromised the truth.  They were rich in wealth and material goods but poor in spirit. The majority of the body of this congregation was not even saved. This church was nauseating to Christ.  What was so tragic about this church was that they did not even know it. Is that possible? Yes! And sadly the state of this church is representative of some churches today.  Accordingly, it should not alarm you that many who attend churches today are lost and don’t know it. The rebuke of Christ in this letter to the Laodiceans is designed to get their attention and change their hearts.  Listen in as Dr. Betters traces the impact of the history and geography of Laodicea on the church there and ways to discern if your heart is making Christ nauseous.

God uses, as He does with all seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor, characteristics of the city and culture in which the people lived to bring home the message of who He is.  The city of Philadelphia had no power, wealth, or military. Yet God had strategically placed the little congregation in Philadelphia at the crossroads of opportunity to demonstrate what can be done by them through Him.  He opened a window of opportunity that no one could shut. In part two of this message, Dr. Betters challenges us to recognize how God has strategically placed and equipped us and the church today with His gifts and power.  The divine windows of opportunity have been opened wide before us. What window has Christ opened in order for you to use your gifts, talents, and abilities?

The church in the city of Philadelphia in Asia Minor was the sixth of seven churches that received a spiritual evaluation directly from God through Jesus Christ.  The city of Philadelphia during this period was characterized by terror, fear, and powerlessness. The church, however, was able to rise above the circumstances of the city and provided stability in an unstable world.  Join Dr. Betters in this message as he explores the historical and geographical context influencing Philadelphia, the details of the letter from Christ to the church, and the expectation of the church to endure and overcome with the power of Christ when faced with despair, failure, and difficulty.

On October 2, 2006, Marie Monville’s husband entered an Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and shot ten young girls, killing five of them, before turning the gun on himself. The event shocked the nation and left many staggering under the weight of such tragedy and evil. How does a person find hope in such darkness? How does the wife of the man who perpetrated such horror rebuild her life and the lives of her children? How could she ever forgive her husband? How did the Amish community react to Marie and her family? Listen as Marie’s story reveals what she learned about forgiveness and that one Light can still shine in the midnights of life.

In our continuing study of Revelation, we come to the fifth letter from Christ to the church at Sardis. Here we have a wealthy church that has many people and ‘programs.’ Nonetheless, Christ delivers a scathing rebuke by calling them a dead church. How can a church like this be pronounced dead? In contrast to some of the letters to the other churches, the church at Sardis was not reprimanded for being dead from the poison of heresy within the church or resulting from persecution from outside of the church. God’s postmortem of Sardis reveals another cause of death. Join Dr. Betters as he explores the cause of death at Sardis and how the church today can remain alive.

How do we as Christians live in the world without drifting?  How do we keep Christ front and center in our lives when immersed in a culture that would lead us astray?  How do we discern the black and white areas of Christ-focused living as well as the gray areas without falling into legalism or compromising the standards of what we believe as Christians?  These are the same questions and struggles that the church at Thyatira faced and faltered. This church abounded in many great works but the praise was overshadowed by Christ’s dire rebuke and warning to them.  In this message Dr. Better examines the demographics and historical context of ancient Thyatira to uncover some of the factors behind the root problems that negatively impacted the church there. As with the other letters, the warning from Christ in this fourth letter is just as relevant to the church and individual believer today.

In this sermon, Dr. Betters examines the third letter from Christ to the church at Pergamos. The city of Pergamos was considered the seat of authority and power in the province of Asia and labeled by Christ as the seat of Satan’s throne. The church at Pergamos was established right in the center of Satan’s power base. So did this church fail under the extreme pressure of trial and persecution? No! The church at Pergamos triumphed and stood strong even at the cost of martyrdom. Satan knows that sometimes a full frontal assault can cause us to rise up, lock shields, and keep the faith stronger than ever. As we fight the good fight on one front with blood, sweat, and tears, we must be ever vigilant in the ever so subtle but deadly tactics of Satan on another front. Tune in as Dr. Betters traces the failure in the church at Pergamos and the wake-up call for you, me, and the church today…if it’s not too late!