There are moments when a passage of Scripture grabs you by the shoulders and refuses to let you drift into comfortable reading. Revelation 6:12-17 is one of those moments. It pulls back the curtain on the future and lets us see what the world will face when the Lamb (Jesus) opens the sixth seal. It’s dramatic, it’s intentionally unsettling, and it’s meant to awaken something inside us. As the apostle John describes these events, we’re meant to feel the weight of what’s happening. We’re meant to let the words sink in until our hearts start to say, “This is real, this is coming, and Jesus is at the center of it.” This section of Revelation takes place during the future seven-year Tribulation, a time Scripture describes as unlike anything the world has ever seen. Jesus called it a period of great tribulation in Matthew 24:21. Daniel wrote about it in Daniel 9:27 when he spoke of the final week in God’s prophetic timeline for Israel. These chapters in Revelation let us see the judgments God will pour out on the world as He prepares the earth for the return of Christ and the establishment of His millennial kingdom. And here, in the sixth seal, Creation itself begins to crumble. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we read Revelation 6, we’re shown a fascinating glimpse of future days. The Lamb (Jesus), who alone is worthy to open the scroll, begins to break its seals. What follows isn't random chaos or meaningless destruction. It’s the righteous unfolding of God’s plan for the world. Every seal opened is a step closer to the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom on earth. From the theological perspective I lean toward, these verses describe the beginning of the tribulation period. This is a future time when God’s judgment will be poured out for 7 years upon this world that has rejected Him. But even as we see the judgments begin, we can’t miss the central truth: Jesus, the Lamb, is still in complete control. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast at the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When I attempt to picture what heaven looks like, there are multiple images that come to mind. When I ask others to tell me how they envision it, I'm often told that they imagine things like clouds and harps, reunion and rest. But Revelation 5 shows us something far greater. It gives us a picture of worship that’s full of life, sound, and awe. It’s the scene that defines eternity. It’s where the entire created order joins in one song, declaring that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is worthy of all praise. What we see in these verses isn’t just a picture of heaven’s worship. It’s a glimpse of God’s ultimate plan being fulfilled. Everything that exists, everything that’s ever been made, finds its purpose in recognizing and glorifying Jesus Christ. This passage brings the story of redemption to its crescendo. I also believe that reflecting on what the apostle John saw as he witnessed this scene of heavenly worship can shape the way we see our lives, our struggles, and the nature of our hope in Christ. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast at the website. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When John was given a glimpse into the throne room of heaven, what he saw filled him with awe, wonder, and deep emotion. In Revelation 5, we move from the heavenly worship scene of chapter 4 to a moment that feels like the very center of all redemptive history. The apostle is caught up in a vision where the eternal plan of God is held in His hand, written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. The scene is mysterious but meaningful, full of anticipation and tension. It reveals who alone is worthy to bring history to its rightful fulfillment. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
There are times when Scripture doesn’t just tell us about God, it lets us see Him. Revelation 4 is one of those moments. John isn’t describing a symbol or a parable here. He’s describing reality. He’s been invited into the throne room of heaven to witness what’s happening around God’s presence right now. It’s hard to picture, isn’t it? The colors, the sounds, the movement. It’s a scene that stretches our imagination to the limit. Yet what stands out most isn’t necessarily the mystery of it all, but the worship that fills the room. The closer anyone gets to God, the more worship naturally overflows from them. This passage isn’t just meant to inform us about heaven. It’s meant to transform how we think about worship, purpose, and the glory of Jesus Christ. The vision John saw wasn’t meant to stay locked in the pages of Revelation. It’s meant to awaken our hearts to the same reality right now, that God reigns, and that all of creation exists to honor Him. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
There are moments in Scripture where heaven seems to peel back its curtain and give us a glimpse of realities our minds can hardly contain. Revelation 4 is one of those moments. The apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos, is invited to look through an open door into heaven itself. What he sees isn’t just meant to satisfy curiosity about what heaven looks like. It’s meant to reframe how we live on earth. It reveals the majesty, holiness, and sovereignty of God, all centered on the glory of Jesus Christ. When we slow down to take in this vision, we find hope for weary hearts, perspective for confusing times, and worship that lifts us above fear. Let’s walk through it piece by piece. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
I find the words of Christ to the churches in Revelation to be both convicting and encouraging. They remind us that the risen Savior knows His people intimately, He sees what is hidden from human eyes, and He calls us to live faithfully in light of the gospel. In Revelation 3:1–13, we hear His message to two very different churches; Sardis and Philadelphia. One receives a warning; the other, a commendation. Taken together, these passages confront us with the dangers of spiritual complacency and the beauty of gospel perseverance. Let’s walk through this passage carefully, asking the Lord to both awaken and encourage us. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The book of Revelation can feel intimidating, filled with vivid images, heavenly visions, and prophetic words. Yet at its heart, it is a letter from Jesus to His church. Revelation 2:12–29 records two of His messages, one to the church in Pergamum and one to the church in Thyatira. Both communities of believers faced tremendous pressure to compromise their faith. Some were tempted by false teaching, others seduced by cultural practices, and many felt the daily weariness of living faithfully in a hostile world. But in verse 25, Jesus gives a simple and powerful exhortation: “Only hold fast what you have until I come.” . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
The opening chapters of the book of Revelation contain seven letters dictated by the risen Christ to seven churches in Asia Minor. These were real churches, with real people and real struggles, yet the Spirit intended their messages to echo across the centuries into the life of the global church. In each letter, Christ examines the heart of His people, commends what is commendable, warns what is dangerous, and promises eternal reward to those who endure in faith. Revelation 2:1–11 addresses two congregations, Ephesus and Smyrna. Both faced spiritual pressures, yet their challenges differed. The Ephesian church was orthodox and disciplined but spiritually drifting. The Smyrna church was persecuted and poor but spiritually rich. Taken together, these letters remind us of the deep concern Christ has for both the truth we proclaim and the love we cultivate. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Every one of us walks through seasons of grief. Sometimes it comes suddenly, like the loss of a loved one, the collapse of a dream, or the breaking apart of something we thought would stand forever. Other times, grief settles over us gradually, through the slow erosion of hope, the growing weight of discouragement, or the heaviness of living in a broken and sinful world. But Scripture assures us that the God who created us is not distant from our grief. He sees it. He feels it with us. He promises to meet us in it. The psalmist declares in Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3) . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Revelation is, at its core, a Christ-centered and hope-filled book of prophecy. It reveals Jesus as the risen, glorified Son of God, King of kings and Lord of lords, who holds authority over history, defeats Satan, and ushers in the new heavens and new earth. The book emphasizes that all of history is moving toward the day when every knee will bow before Christ. Its primary theme is the triumph of Jesus and the call for believers to persevere in faithful worship and witness until His return. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
A few years back, we decided to make some updates in our kitchen. After replacing the cabinets, floors, and appliances, it was time to paint and decorate the walls. For a little while, we weren’t sure how we wanted the decorations to look, but then I suggested an idea to my wife that we both were in favor of. I suggested placing a verse from Scripture on the wall that we face while we’re at the table eating. I wanted the verse to be a powerful reminder of God’s nature, as well as His love for us and presence with us. We agreed that Zephaniah 3:17 would be a great verse to begin and end our days reading, and that verse has been featured prominently on our kitchen wall ever since. Zephaniah 3:17 is an encouraging verse that shines with warmth and tenderness, speaking of a God who is not distant, not indifferent, but present, mighty, and filled with joy over His redeemed people. It’s also a verse of contrasts. Just a few lines earlier, Zephaniah was pronouncing judgment on nations steeped in rebellion. But then here, we find a picture of intimacy and delight. We’re reminded of a God who saves, rejoices, loves, and sings. It’s a reminder that judgment is not God’s final word for His people. Redemption is. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) — Some passages in Scripture have such profound theological and practical significance that they form the very heartbeat of God’s people across generations. Deuteronomy 6:4–9 is one of those passages. Known as the Shema (from the Hebrew word shema, meaning “hear” or “listen”), these verses have been recited daily by devout Jewish people for centuries. Jesus Himself identified the command to love God with all our heart, soul, and might as the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29–30). In these verses, we are invited into a life that is centered fully on God in our heart, mind, body, home, and community. This passage calls us to a faith that isn’t compartmentalized but all-encompassing. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Proverbs 3:5–6 is really a call to a Christ-centered life. It’s an invitation to trade the uncertainty of self-reliance for the security of God’s wisdom. It asks for total trust, continual acknowledgment, and a willingness to follow His lead. And it holds out a beautiful promise: when we do, He will guide us faithfully. Picture your life like a journey through unfamiliar terrain. The road may twist and turn, but you walk with a Guide who knows every step ahead. You don’t have to figure it all out; you simply trust Him, listen for His voice, and follow where He leads. That’s the essence of these verses, and the pathway to peace. And for this reason, many believers throughout the centuries have committed the words of this proverb to heart. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."(Proverbs 3:5–6) . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Is there someone you need to forgive, again? Someone who has let you down, but is seeking restoration? Ask God for the grace to reflect His mercy, and remember that persistent forgiveness is the mark of a heart that understands the gospel. We forgive, because we’ve been forgiven. When sincere faith in Jesus meets generous, gospel-saturated forgiveness, mountains really are moved. It’s a miraculous thing to witness, and only the Lord Himself could inspire such a thing. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Jesus made it clear that the peace He gives is not like the so called “peace” this world attempts to offer. The world’s peace depends on circumstances. It’s a circumstantial peace that only works when when things are going well, when there’s money in the bank, when everyone is healthy and happy. But that kind of peace disappears the moment something goes wrong. The peace Jesus offers isn’t based on what’s happening around us; it’s based on who He is. It’s a peace that stays with us even in the midst of uncomfortable or unpredictable circumstances. Jesus also tells us, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” That’s not just wishful thinking; it’s an invitation to trust Him. He’s not asking us to ignore our fears or pretend everything’s fine. He’s asking us to hand our fears over to Him. When we remember that Jesus is in control, that He’s present with us and for us, our hearts don’t have to be overwhelmed. . Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith. . If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange . The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here: https://amzn.to/41v1DKh . To email John Stange directly, please send your message to biblestudyheadquarters@gmail.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
SuprChickn77
You are a huge blessing pastor, keep up the good work!