I want to start out this series with a pretty intense statement that hopefully will ring true with your heart by the end of the series: The letters to the seven churches are perhaps some of the most “forgotten” passages in the entire book of Revelation.

In a day when even unbelievers are becoming more and more interested in what the Bible has to say about the future, discussion between various camps in studying the book of Revelation always tends to revolve around passages like Revelation 20 (the 1000-year reign of Jesus), Revelation 4:1 (“come up here”), Revelation 6:1 (the first seal), or Revelation 12 (the symbolism of the woman and the dragon). These passages and others are rightfully discussed and debated more than these letters to the seven churches, simply because of the various systems of eschatological thought that have developed in the last 2000 years since the book’s writing in 96AD.

In the limelight of these passages lies Revelation 2-3. Despite their lack of emphasis across the body of Christ today, there is much in the New Testament surrounding the issues Jesus raised in Revelation 2 and 3 – from fervency and wholeheartedness, reigning with Christ, and the first commandment to the toleration of immorality and a dull spirit.  read more »

For anyone like me dismayed and utterly disgusted with the political system, the elections, and the state of our nation because it does not line up with that of heaven's, I'd highly recommend reading this amazing blog by one of my favorite teachers here at IHOP, Stephen Venable. I couldn't agree more with what he said.

Here's a quote that sums it all up:

Biblically God’s winds of change do not blow from capitals and courtrooms, nor are they the least bit hindered by the resistance of wicked men. The greatest revival in history began in the city that crucified the Lord of Glory, and spread like wild-fire through an empire that worshiped their leader. My guess is that neither of the candidates in this election will soon seek to demand worship, but even if they surprised us all and did, America would not be disqualified. And regardless of who gets elected America will still be the recipient of God’s judgment, for no matter who the nation crowns on November 4th, men and women all across this land will lie down on their bed after turning off the news and give no heed to the glory of Christ and His infinite worth. My concern is not that men and women in the Church have voiced support for a particular candidate, but that in doing so they have demonstrated more commitment and more zeal than they do for the majesty and renown of Jesus. We are consumed with a host of things but not with Him, and it is this disease of Christ-less Christianity that threatens the future of our nation, not a movement to the left or the right of the political aisle. We must awake and return to our first love, curing the malady that now runs rampant under quaint country steeples and in the sprawling suburban campuses of mega-churches alike.
- Stephen Venable

For some other great reading by another favorite of mine, John Piper, check this out.

The only possible option for our nation is God's mercy. Even though His mercy might not come in the way much of the church may expect it to, rest assured He will answer us as we ask for it. The “cry for change” might be louder than the “cry for mercy” in our day, but that does not negate the prayers we offer Him for it. God remembers and cherishes our prayers - and because they are prayed in agreement with His will (Micah 7:18), He will dispense mercy. This is where we must find our hope - not in a single candidate, even though they may seem like they have the "best plan" for America or even because they love what Jesus loves. Mercy and Justice is a Man named Jesus Christ. We will never experience the fullness of these things we are all longing for apart from Him.

For the past few weeks I've been studying Revelation 2-3 extensively, trying to wrap my head and my heart around each of the issues Jesus rebuked and affirmed in them and the promises to the overcomer given to each of the churches. In the past I have not spent much time in these chapters, but I've recently begun to see their importance and application towards us today. These two chapters are critical to understanding the rest of Revelation, and they're instrumental in motivating us to be an "overcomer".

John penned some hard-to-swallow yet encouraging messages that Jesus gave to the churches during the first century. Some scholars like to apply the spiritual principles set forth to each church to specific ages in the history of Christendom. It may indeed be a worthy way to apply Jesus' words, but I believe the most important application of each letter (after its primary purpose of speaking to real churches in the first century) is speaking to believers who will witness the events of Rev. 6-19 in their own lifetime. That could quite possibly be some of you reading this blog right now.

The main phrase that provoked me to study these chapters in more detail is actually repeated seven times in the 51 verses in Rev. 2-3. Each time Jesus finishes speaking to a church, he closes with the phrase: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Do you have an ear? Jesus is speaking about you and I - the readers and hearers of the words that He spoke. Have we taken heed to the words He's spoken? Does our heart begin to burn when we meditate on receiving a "white stone" (Rev. 2:17) from Jesus? Do we have any idea what it means to have the new name of Jesus written on us? (Rev. 3:12)

I'm just beginning to scratch the surface of the answers to those questions, and I figured a series on my blog would help me to understand them a bit better. So, you get to benefit from my study and my prayer. :) Hopefully it provokes you to go deeper in these things as well!

I'm still helping out with Dave Sliker's Biblical Foundations of Eschatology class at IHOPU for the next few weeks, but expect at least a 7-part (perhaps more) series on Rev. 2-3 in the weeks to come. Stay tuned!  read more »

Even though it's a couple of months away, we're already getting excited about the year-end conference held in Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City. The promo video we've put together came out really well - I'm a huge fan of the mountainous scene at the end where my friend Steven is running around as someone who was just healed by the power of God. I heard that the video team actually drove all the way to Colorado with the jib camera just for that shot... It was worth it!!!

Enjoy the video! If you're reading the feed, you may want to look at the actual blog entry to see the video. More on onething as the end of the year approaches. For now, check out the website at:

http://www.ihop.org/onething08

Next week I’ll once again be a teaching assistant for 3 weeks for David Sliker’s IHOPU class called “Biblical Foundations of Eschatology”. The course gives first year students a broad overview of the “why behind the what” and the events surrounding the end of this age, the second coming of Jesus to the earth, and the future of mankind. Studying what the Bible has to say about the future (technically termed “eschatology”, or “the study of the last things”) I believe is critical for every believer in Christ. Since there are over 150 chapters and passages alone in the Word about the future (more than the 89 chapters in all four gospels), it’s clear that the Bible does not tread lightly on the subject. Our understanding of the future greatly affects our long-term commitments and thus, our present actions. Since our actions today have serious and far-reaching consequences for good and evil, what we believe about tomorrow is one of the most significant determining factors about what we do today.  read more »