Pea Ridge Audio Podcast

John is given a vision of a new heaven, a new earth and new Jerusalem. This city is so much more than just a new place ... it is created as the perfect environment for believers to have a perfect relationship with God the Father, and perfect relationships with others who have followed Him in faith. His work has already begun, however. We who believe are new creations through a relationship with Christ Jesus, and we grow in this as we establish relationships with others.

One day every human being will stand before the throne of God as we are judged. Only those who have their names written in the book of life will be granted an eternity with God forever, while those whose names are not in that book will be cast into a place of torment. Faith in Christ and in him alone will determine if your name is in that book.

Is Jesus the Lamb of God who humbled himself to become human and took our sin as he submitted to the death of the cross? Or is the he the conquering king who judges the enemies of God and rules with a rod of iron? He is both.

The system of this world is corrupt, and we can easily see this through history, current circumstances and John's vision of the future "Babylon." It will collapse, and followers of Jesus must remember this so we don't get drawn into the corruption. For us to carry the light of God to a lost world, we must come out from its system and follow the way of Jesus.

The system of this world desires to seduce, influence and control people. But we who follow Jesus are called, chosen and faithful, and this means we must flee from evil and pursue Christ.

The framework for God's wrath is made up of His attributes of truth and justice. As we consider the wrath of God seen in these chapters of Revelation, we must also look toward the cross, where His wrath was poured out upon His Son so that people could experience His forgiveness.

The song written in Revelation 15:3-4 is referred to as "the song of Moses ... and the song of the Lamb." It is sung by those who have participated in the victory over the enemy, and this gives us a needed reminder of God's power, as well a hope that comes from knowing He will overcome evil.

As John continues to see a vision of the last days, he is given a vivid picture of the contrast between those who follow Jesus and those who reject him. While it's difficult for us to read the judgment of God upon those who reject him, we must also remember that while there is a day coming when Jesus will judge, he came first to save, and he is still saving people today!

God loves His children. This foundational truth of our faith is much deeper than our culture's idea of love. In Revelation 13 there is a call for believers to have endurance, faith and wisdom. This comes from looking to Jesus, and from experiencing God's love through His perfect discipline.

Measuring the temple, lampstands and olive trees, two witnesses who conquer their enemies and then are killed before they are raised from the dead, an earthquake ... what is John's prophecy in Revelation 11 pointing to? With some Old Testament connections, we can see practical instructions for the church.