We concluded Revelation 20 with the end of the millennium, the judgment of the wicked dead, and their fate in the lake of fire. What follows is the remaking of Eden and earth made new by fire and as we’ll see in chapter 21, Heaven makes it home on the earth made new. It is also worth mentioning that in … Continue reading →
As we pick up with the story-line in Revelation 19 we find Jesus returning to earth to deliver His saints from the troubling world directed by the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet. Revelation 19:11 say that “in righteousness he doth judge and make war” and following that In Revelation 20 we are introduced to a 1000-year period where … Continue reading →
When it came to how we did church, CrossHope Chapel held to the following four church purposes and seven governing values that guide our practices and focuses as a church. Biblical Purposes 1. We seek to be a church where one can safely, without denominational bias, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 … Continue reading →
For nearly 12-years CrossHope Chapel was an informal, simpler expression of church, where one could encounter the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, engage others in authentic New Testament fellowship, and be encouraged through the verse-by-verse study of the Bible. When you walked through the doors you would immediately notice that we had round tables, no pews or side by … Continue reading →
We are going to tackle a large portion of Revelation from chapter 17 through chapter 19, because it is all focused on God’s specific wrath against the Beast, apostate religion, and their partnership for global power, which we read about in the previous chapters. If you remember, from Revelation 12 to Revelation 14 we have an overview of Satan’s end-time … Continue reading →
From Revelation 12 to Revelation 14 we have an overview of Satan’s plan to war against Christ through the deception of the Beast and his image using wicked men to persecute the saints. Now as we come to Revelation 15 and Revelation 16 we read of God’s response to the wicked who have made their allegiance to Satan and rejected … Continue reading →
In Revelation 12 we saw that Satan went off to scheme for an end-time war of deception against the people of God “which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). In Revelation 13 we saw that this end-time scheme is the enforcement of the mark of the beast on a global scale that … Continue reading →
In Revelation 13 we are introduced to the Mark of the Beast and the enforcement to worship an established “image” to the beast “out of the sea” that is enforced by the beast “out of the earth.” Remember that Revelation 12 concludes with Satan being angry that his plan of killing the Christ-child and martyring Bible-believing Christians did not work. … Continue reading →
Revelation 12 is an important chapter that pivots the first half of Revelation to the second half of Revelation by providing an overview of the conflict between Christ and Satan. Some commentators have said that the first half of Revelation is historical while the second half of Revelation is eschatological. I can understand that from where we are today in … Continue reading →
We recently tackled a big portion of Revelation in our Sunday morning gathering at CrossHope Chapel, namely the presentation of the seven trumpets found in Revelation 8:6 through Revelation 11:19. When we covered this at the Chapel I was able to address it in more details than I will give here. The reason for that is I shared a lot … Continue reading →
At CrossHope Chapel we are currently going through the book of Revelation and we covered chapter 7 and the beginning of chapter 8 a few weeks ago. I have been busy with my hospital chaplaincy ministry lately and have fallen behind on these Study Highlights. In this Study Highlight, I want to share some things from our look at Revelation … Continue reading →
At CrossHope Chapel yesterday we opened to Revelation 6 and talked about John’s vision of the opening of the 7 seals. Only the Lamb — the Resurrected Jesus Christ — was worthy to open the scroll by removing the seven seals, and as He did we got a glimpse of the prophetic unfolding of His church in conflict. We spent … Continue reading →
I’ve been contemplating 2 Timothy 4:8 and Paul’s mention of those who “love his appearing.” Paul is reflecting on the end of his life and ministry and writes, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them … Continue reading →
Sunday at CrossHope Chapel we opened to Revelation 4 and 5 and talked about John’s vision of the throne room in Heaven. Chapters 4 and 5 are a transition of sorts from the seven letters to the seven churches and to the seven seals. When we are back together on Sunday, January 16, 2022 we will get into the 6th … Continue reading →
Sunday at CrossHope Chapel we opened to Revelation 3 and talked about the three churches mentioned in the chapter. Jesus dictated to John letters for these seven churches and in this chapter we have the letters for the last three: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The letters have application to each of the local churches of John’s time, an application to … Continue reading →
Yesterday at CrossHope Chapel we opened to Revelation 2 and talked about the four churches mentioned in the chapter. Jesus dictated to John letters for these seven churches and in this chapter we have the letters for the first four: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyartira. The letters have application to each of the local churches of John’s time, an application … Continue reading →
Yesterday at CrossHope Chapel we opened to Revelation 1 as we began our journey through this new study series and I want to share with you some of the highlights from our study and discussion… Revelation 1:1 — It is important to note that this is the revelation of Jesus Christ, not the Anti-Christ. Some translations say “the revelation from … Continue reading →
Yesterday at CrossHope Chapel we completed our study through the book of Matthew when we opened to its final chapter. In Matthew 28 we dealt with the resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission. One of the things that caught our attention was Matthew’s account of how the soldiers were bribed by the priests to lie and report that the … Continue reading →
This coming Sunday, October 17th, at CrossHope Chapel we will open to the 27th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew and continue through the closing scenes of Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. We will cover Matthew 27:1-44 this coming Sunday, and on the following Sunday, October 24, we’ll look at the remainder of Matthew 27 into Matthew 28 as we … Continue reading →
This past Sunday at CrossHope Chapel we examined the 20th chapter of Matthew, but we spent the bulk of our time discussing the parable of the workers in the vineyard. The chapter engaged us with the stories of Jesus healing two blind men, the mother of James and John asking Jesus to make her sons the two highest in command … Continue reading →
Our next thru the Bible study series at CrossHope Chapel will be through the book of Revelation and here you’ll find a list of some resources and an outline. This upcoming study series will give attention to explaining both the historicist and dispensational eschatological interpretations of the book of Revelation. Online Commentaries: David Guzik • John Walvoord • Chuck Smith … Continue reading →
If you follow my Today’s Daily Promise devotionals you have likely noticed that I have recently been using the New International Version, having recently switched from using the English Standard Version. In this post I want to explain why I have been using the NIV again. This story has to begin in 1980 when I became a born again believer … Continue reading →
I’ve been thinking about Revelation 1:10 lately and how it relates to CrossHope Chapel. I probably need to mention that with this pandemic I’ve been thinking a lot about CrossHope Chapel, where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re heading. This coming January 2, 2021 when we gather we’ll be celebrating our 10th consecutive year of fellowship as a … Continue reading →
I was reminded this morning by a friend still living in my home town of Rossford, Ohio that it was 40 years ago today that we graduated from High School in the class of 1980. After the shock wore off that it was 40 years already, it occurred to me that Payton is graduating from High School on this very … Continue reading →