Discern Before You Declare
“And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”” Revelation 10:4 ESV Several years ago I visited the island of Patmos and saw the cave believed to be where John resided after he was sentenced for his proclamation of Jesus Christ. He would have likely been in his nineties when he served time on this Alcatraz-type island. While there, John wrote letters to the seven primary churches… Read More
Baby Names, Name Changes, and the Names of God
My wife and I recently had lunch with some good friends, who are expecting their third child. I asked, “Have you thought about names yet?” The conversation meandered around various suggestions in search of the perfect name. Names are significant for many reasons: some names are passed down from family members, or in honor/memory of loved ones; some are meaningful because of the inherent meaning of the name; and some names just sound good to the parents. (And sometimes you wonder, “What were the parents thinking??”) Through Scripture, names are revealed to… Read More
What Happened in Heaven on the Day Jesus Died?
On school mornings I would often pack lunches for my kids. Gabby liked fruit, Kaleb liked goldfish crackers. Occasionally I would write notes to them, so when they opened their lunch bags they would see a handwritten message from me, reminding them that I love them. Imagine your Heavenly Father, with pen in hand, writing down His love for you, His plans for your life, and His commitment to bring it to pass. Well, in a sense, that’s exactly what He did. In Revelation 5, the Apostle John was taken “back in… Read More
A Call to Endurance and a Promise of Eternity
To appreciate the true value of the book of Revelation, here are some keys: As with any portion of Scripture, seek to understand the context of Scripture before making conclusions and applications of its meaning. The book of Revelation is exactly what it’s first words declare: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” In other words, more than attempting to solve every detail of prophecy, look for how Jesus is revealed. The book of Revelation is a letter. It is personal as well as prophetic as the Apostle John writes words of encouragement to believers… Read More
How I Approach the Last Book
Likely one of the youngest of Jesus’ disciples, John managed to outlive them all. He had mourned the loss of his friends, particularly because each of his fellow comrades had been martyred for his faith. John, too, had been persecuted and suffered; yet his life had somehow been spared. With leathered skin and a weathered soul, John’s mind and spirit remained vivacious and sensitive to the voice of God. Banished to a remote island (Patmos) as a prisoner, John spent his time praying for and writing to the several churches under his… Read More
Pastor Dale Jenkins 