Join Us for the Grand Opening of Alpha & Omega Outfitters!

The wait is almost over! We are thrilled to invite our community to the Grand Opening of Alpha & Omega Outfitters this weekend, June 6-7 at the Elvis Cinema Theater 2.

This exciting new thrift store is the result of a partnership between The FORGE and Alpha & Omega Outfitters, created with a shared vision of serving families, strengthening our community, and providing affordable access to quality items for every season of life.

Shoppers will discover a wide selection of gently used and new clothing, household goods, décor, accessories, and much more. Whether you're searching for a great bargain, a unique treasure, or simply want to support a meaningful community initiative, Alpha & Omega Outfitters has something for everyone.

Revelation 8:1-12

When Heaven Falls Silent
Few spiritual disciplines are more difficult to cultivate than prayer. We know prayer matters, yet many believers struggle to make it a consistent part of their lives. Prayer can feel like hard work, and often we do not immediately see the results.

Revelation 8 opens with a surprising scene. As the Lamb opens the seventh seal, heaven falls silent for about half an hour (Revelation 8:1-2). Throughout Revelation, heaven has been filled with worship, praise, and celebration. Suddenly, everything stops.
The silence is significant. It is the calm before the storm. It is a dramatic pause before God acts in judgment and justice.

For believers, this moment serves as a reminder that God's silence should never be mistaken for God's absence. Even when we cannot see Him working, He is accomplishing His purposes.

The Prayers of God's People
The next scene reveals one of the most encouraging pictures of prayer in all of Scripture.
An angel approaches the altar with a golden censer and offers incense together with "the prayers of all the saints" before the throne of God (Revelation 8:3-4).
The image is powerful. Every prayer offered in faith rises before God. Every cry for help, every request for wisdom, every plea for justice, and every prayer for God's kingdom to come is heard.

For generations, believers have prayed the words Jesus taught:

Matthew 6:9-13

"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
Revelation 8 reminds us that those prayers are not forgotten. They are gathered before the throne of God.

Prayer is far more than a religious activity. It is participation in the work of God. It is one of the primary ways believers engage in spiritual warfare and align themselves with God's purposes.

Prayer and Spiritual Warfare
The Bible consistently connects prayer with spiritual battle.
In Ephesians 6:18-20, believers are instructed to pray at all times and remain alert with perseverance. The Christian life is not lived in neutral territory. Scripture teaches that there is an ongoing conflict between the Kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of darkness.
That reality makes prayer essential.

Prayer strengthens believers, advances God's kingdom, and reminds us that our ultimate dependence is not on our abilities, strategies, resources, or programs. Our dependence is on God Himself.

When God's people pray, they acknowledge that He alone has the power to transform lives, save souls, and accomplish His will.

When Prayers Become Part of God's Answer
One of the most striking moments in Revelation 8 occurs when the angel fills the censer with fire from the altar and throws it upon the earth.
Immediately, there are peals of thunder, flashes of lightning, rumblings, and an earthquake (Revelation 8:5).

The picture is unmistakable. The prayers that rose before God now become connected to His response on earth.

This should encourage every believer who has ever wondered whether prayer matters.

God hears.

God remembers.

God responds.

His timing is perfect, even when it differs from our own.

As Romans 12:19 reminds us, believers do not need to take vengeance into their own hands. God is just, and He will make all things right.

The Trumpet Judgments
The first four trumpet judgments demonstrate God's sovereignty over every part of creation.

God Is Sovereign Over the Earth
Revelation 8:7

The first trumpet brings hail and fire upon the earth, recalling the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 9:13-35; Joel 2:31; Acts 2:19).

God Is Sovereign Over the Seas
Revelation 8:8-9

A great burning object is cast into the sea. A third of the sea becomes blood, sea life dies, and ships are destroyed.

God Is Sovereign Over Rivers and Springs
Revelation 8:10-11

A star named Wormwood falls from heaven, poisoning a third of the fresh water and bringing bitterness and death.

God Is Sovereign Over the Heavens
Revelation 8:12

A third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened, affecting both day and night.
Each judgment reveals the same truth: God rules over every aspect of creation.

Where Is Your Hope?
The trumpet judgments expose the fragility of everything people often trust.

Human achievement cannot save.

Government cannot save.

Wealth cannot save.

Technology cannot save.

Even creation itself is temporary.

The purpose of these judgments is not merely destruction. They reveal the futility of false gods and false hopes while pointing people back to the One who truly reigns.

Christ alone is on the throne.

Christ alone is worthy of worship.

Christ alone is able to save.

The Power of Prayer
One of the most remarkable truths in Revelation 8 is that God chooses to involve the prayers of His people in His sovereign plan.

Prayer is an action of finite and sinful people that God mysteriously uses to accomplish His perfect purposes.

Prayer moves believers closer to God's heart.

Prayer advances His kingdom.

Prayer strengthens His church.

Prayer becomes one of the means God uses to bring justice, mercy, salvation, and transformation.

The eternal impact of prayer is far greater than we can currently understand.

Salvation Is As Near As a Prayer
The chapter concludes with a reminder that judgment is real, but so is God's mercy.

Scripture teaches that one day every person will stand before God. The good news is that salvation is available to all who call upon Him.

Romans 10:12-13 reminds us:
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

That invitation remains open today.

No matter your past, your failures, or your struggles, Jesus Christ offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life.

Revelation 8 ultimately reminds us that while judgment is coming, grace is available now.
So pray.

Pray with confidence.

Pray with perseverance.

Pray for revival.

And pray knowing that the God who hears is also the God who acts.

May 30 & 31, 2026
Prayers Above and Judgment Below
Scripture: Revelation 8:1-12

God responds to the prayers of His people by bringing judgment on the earth that
vindicates their faithfulness and demonstrates His sovereignty.

Prayers Above and Judgment Below
Revelation 8:1-12

Revelation 8 reveals the powerful connection between the prayers of God’s people and the sovereign purposes of God. As the seventh seal is opened, heaven falls silent and the prayers of the saints rise before God like incense. Those prayers are not forgotten or ignored. Instead, God uses them as part of His unfolding plan to bring justice, vindicate His people, and accomplish His will on earth. The trumpet judgments remind us that Christ is sovereign over creation, history, and judgment. In a world that often seems chaotic, believers can take comfort knowing that God hears every prayer and acts according to His perfect wisdom and timing.

Takeaways

• Prayer is not preparation for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.
• God hears and treasures the prayers of His people.
• Prayer is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare.
• Christ is sovereign over all creation and all history.

Application for This Week
When life feels uncertain or when heaven seems silent, continue to pray. Revelation 8 reminds us that every prayer offered in faith rises before God. Trust Him to work in His timing, for His glory and your good. Keep praying for His kingdom to come and His will to be done.

Devotional 1: The Silence of Heaven
Revelation 8:1  - When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
Reflection Question
How do you respond when God seems silent in your circumstances?
Prayer Prompt
Ask God to strengthen your trust during seasons when His answers seem delayed or unclear.

Devotional 2: Prayers Before the Throne
Revelation 8:4 - And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.
Reflection Question
How does knowing that your prayers rise before God encourage your prayer life?
Prayer Prompt
Thank God that He hears every prayer and ask Him to deepen your dependence upon Him.

Devotional 3: Prayer and Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) - Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Reflection Question
What spiritual battles in your life need to be brought before God in prayer today?
Prayer Prompt
Pray for perseverance, discernment, and faithfulness in the spiritual battles you face.

Devotional 4: Salvation Is Near
Romans 10:13 (ESV) - For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
Reflection Question
Who in your life needs to hear the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ?
Prayer Prompt
Pray for opportunities to share the gospel and for hearts to respond to Christ in faith.

Ephesians 6:18-20
Romans 12:19
Romans 10:12-13
Matthew 6:9-13
Habakkuk 2:20
Zechariah 2:13
Daniel 10
Numbers 10
Exodus 30
2 Kings 6
Hebrews 9
Exodus 9:13-35
Joel 2:31
Acts 2:19
Romans 8:22
Genesis 3
Exodus 7
Exodus 10
Amos 5:18
Luke 21:25-28

Providing faith-informed counseling support right within our space.

We are incredibly excited to announce a new partnership between The FORGE and Trailhead Christian Counseling as they become an on-site counseling partner serving our church and community. This partnership represents another important step in our mission to provide holistic care and support for individuals and families by connecting people with trusted resources that strengthen emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Trailhead Christian Counseling exists to “meet people where they are emotionally, spiritually, and relationally and walk with them toward healing and wholeness.” Their team serves children, teens, adults, couples, and families through counseling that integrates clinical excellence with compassionate, faith-centered care.
 
Trailhead Christian Counseling offers support for a wide range of needs including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, addiction recovery, marriage and family counseling, spiritual formation, and life transitions. They also provide specialized support for ministry leaders, children and adolescents, and individuals navigating difficult seasons of life.

If you are needing biblical counseling please complete the form below so we can connect with you today!

Family Sunday takes place on the last Sunday of every month, and it’s one of our favorite ways to worship together as a church family. On these Sundays, we invite our children to join us in the full worship service as we gather, learn, and grow side by side.

There will be no Kids Sunday School on Family Sunday; instead, children are welcome in service with their families. To help them stay engaged, we’ll provide activity bags for use during the service. Childcare will continue to be available for newborns through age three.

Family Sunday is a meaningful opportunity for our children to experience what it looks like to worship together across generations. They stand alongside us in worship, listen to the full sermon, practice taking notes, and learn how to engage with God’s Word. They also have the opportunity to learn about the beauty, value, and meaning of the sacrament of communion as we partake together.

The Antichrist of Legalism
Acts 15:1-11 

There is a universal truth woven through all of Scripture that shapes our lives, our relationships, and our walk with God: The good things that God makes, Satan counterfeits.

This Sunday, Pastor Stu took us to Acts 15 — a pivotal moment in the early church — to expose one of the most subtle and persistent counterfeits in the history of Christianity: legalism.

The Crisis in the Early Church
The church was alive with momentum. The Holy Spirit had moved powerfully. Gentiles were coming to faith. There were dramatic conversions, healings, and miracles. Joy was everywhere.

Then a group of Jewish believers from Jerusalem arrived with a different message. These men came from the party of the Pharisees, and while they had accepted Christ, they were insisting on something more: "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved" (Acts 15:1).

It sounds religious. It sounds devout. But it is a dangerous distortion of the Gospel — and the apostles knew it. After much debate, Peter stood and cut straight to the heart of the matter: "We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will" (Acts 15:11).

That's the whole story. Grace alone. Faith alone. Christ alone.

Jesus Plus Anything Ruins Everything
Legalism is not a problem from the ancient past. It is alive in the church today.

At its core, legalism adds something to the finished work of Jesus. It says: Faith is not enough. You also need to perform, conform, and comply. But the moment you add anything to Jesus — any rule, any ritual, any requirement for salvation — you have distorted the Gospel entirely. As Pastor Stu put it plainly: Jesus plus anything is anti-Christ, because Jesus did it all.

The law has a purpose. God's moral law is good, true, and right — like honey on our lips (Psalm 119). But the law was also given to show us that we cannot perfectly follow it, and therefore we need a Savior. Jesus didn't come to make the law easier — He made it harder (Matthew 5). He raised the standard to show us we need grace, not performance.

"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." — Titus 3:5-6

Three Ways Legalism Distorts the Christian Life

1. Legalism turns a relationship of love into a religion of laws.
God's design has always been a covenant relationship — intimate, personal, and transforming. The Gospel lifts the yoke of the law (Acts 15:10) and invites us into a living relationship with the Father through faith in Jesus. But legalism mistakes the gift of relationship for a code of conduct. It turns the Christian life into a checklist rather than a love story. As Paul warned the Colossians, rule-keeping has "an appearance of wisdom," but it has no power to actually change the heart (Colossians 2:20-23).

2. Legalism turns people from encouragers into fault-finders.
When rules become the measure of faithfulness, people become critics rather than servants. The church becomes unsafe — a place where people wear masks, perform for approval, and are afraid to be known. James' word in Acts 15:19 still applies: "We should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God." Don't make it harder for people to come to Jesus. The badge of the Christian is not a spirit of judgment — it is the joy of the Lord. "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone" (Philippians 4:4-5). And Jesus warned us directly about the hypocrisy of trying to remove the speck from someone else's eye while ignoring the log in our own (Matthew 7:3-5).

3. Legalism emphasizes outward conformity rather than inner transformation.
This is the deepest problem. Legalism completely misses the point of what God is doing. God is not trying to modify your behavior — He is transforming your heart. The New Covenant promise in Jeremiah 31:33 is stunning: "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts." God's purpose has always been an inside job. He foreknew us, called us, and is conforming us into the image of His Son. Outward rule-keeping can never accomplish what only the Spirit of God can do. As the old hymn goes, "In my hand no price I bring; simply to thy cross I cling."

The Heart of the Gospel
Jesus was not crucified so that we would have a better moral system to follow. He came so that sinners could be reconciled to God — forgiven, adopted, and transformed. He is not interested in your outward conformity to a code. He is interested in your heart.

Jesus reserved His sharpest words for the Pharisees — the legalists of His day. He called them whitewashed tombs and sons of Satan (Matthew 23:3-4). Not because they were too serious about God, but because they had replaced the living God with a system of rules that neither they nor anyone else could bear.

Pastor Stu called us to respond the same way the early church did — with grace, truth, and love. Not as religious police. Not as fault-finders. But as people who have been set free by the Gospel and who invite others into that same freedom.

A Word for You Today
You are not saved by never sinning. You are saved by admitting your sin and receiving God's forgiveness as a free gift — made possible by the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

You are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
And if you are a Christian, let that truth shape how you treat others. Speak truth in love. Serve in grace. Keep your eyes on Jesus — not on everyone else's performance.
Let us always have a heart of gratitude for God's work alone, and be gracious to everybody, speaking truth in love and serving others in love, always with a heart of mercy and grace.

The Antichrist of Legalism
Acts 15:1-11

In Acts 15, the early church faced one of its first major doctrinal battles: whether salvation required faith in Jesus alone or faith plus obedience to the Law of Moses. Pastor Stu explains that legalism is anti-Christ because it adds human effort to the finished work of Jesus. While God’s moral law is good and loving, it was never meant to save us. Legalism turns a relationship of grace into a religion of rules, transforms encouragers into fault-finders, and focuses on outward conformity instead of inward transformation. The Gospel declares that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, and true obedience flows from a transformed heart.

Takeaways

• Jesus plus anything ruins everything.
• Legalism burdens people instead of leading them to Christ.
• God desires inward heart transformation, not mere outward conformity.
• Christians are called to speak truth with grace, mercy, and joy.

Applying This Week
This week, examine your heart carefully. Are you trusting in Christ alone, or subtly relying on your own performance, morality, or rule-keeping? Ask God to deepen your love for Him so that obedience becomes a joyful response to grace rather than an attempt to earn acceptance. Let your interactions with others reflect the mercy and kindness Christ has shown to you.

Devotional 1 — Grace Alone
Acts 15:11 - But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.
Reflection Question
What are some ways you are tempted to add “Jesus plus something” to salvation?
Prayer Prompt
Lord Jesus, thank You that salvation is a free gift of grace. Help me rest fully in Your finished work and not in my own efforts.

Devotional 2 — The Purpose of the Law
Galatians 3:24 - So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Reflection Question
How has God used His law to reveal your need for a Savior?
Prayer Prompt
Father, thank You for showing me my need for Christ. Help me treasure Your grace more deeply each day.

Devotional 3 — Heart Transformation
Jeremiah 31:33 - For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Reflection Question
Where do you need God to continue transforming your heart from the inside out?
Prayer Prompt
Holy Spirit, continue Your transforming work in me. Shape my desires so that I delight in following You.

Devotional 4 — Truth in Love
Philippians 4:4-5 - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.
Reflection Question
Would others describe your Christianity as joyful, gracious, and encouraging?
Prayer Prompt
Lord, make me someone who reflects Your grace and joy to others. Help me encourage people toward Jesus instead of placing burdens on them.

Acts 15:1-11
Colossians 2:20-23
Philippians 4:4-5
Acts 15:19
Matthew 7:3-5
Jeremiah 31:33
Titus 3:5-6
Matthew 23:3-4
Matthew 12

May 23-24, 2026
The Antichrist of Legalism
Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

The scourge of legalism takes the good things of God  and destructively counterfeits them. Legalism turns a relationship of love into a burdensome religion of rules. It turns people from encouragers to fault-finders. It emphasizes outward conformity rather than inward transformation. There is a solution: The One who came to fulfill the law.

People can now find The FORGE on Facebook, Instagram, Google, and more! We are excited to continue expanding our reach so more individuals and families in our community can connect with the support, encouragement, and resources available through The FORGE.

One of the easiest and most impactful ways you can support this mission is by following The FORGE on social media and sharing our story with others. Every post shared helps us reach more individuals and families who may be searching for hope, encouragement, or resources they didn’t know existed.

We especially want to encourage you to share our latest post about the Southwest Jefferson County Mass Survey. This survey is a huge opportunity for our community to have a voice in shaping the future of local support programs, partnerships, and services. The information gathered will help us better understand the greatest physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs in our area so we can respond in meaningful and effective ways.

Together, we can help create a stronger, healthier, and more connected community. Thank you for helping spread the word and being part of the mission of The FORGE!

KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 145:9

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is God like? God is holy, good, and loving.

CHRIST CONNECTION: The people of Judah continued to sin and were destroyed by
Babylon. Even though God was patient, all sin deserves judgment. God’s patience is meant to lead us to repentance. Those who repent and trust in Jesus will escape God’s judgment.

STORY POINT: The people’s consequence for disobeying God was exile to Babylon.

AT HOME:

1. What is the ultimate consequence people face for sin if they don't trust in Jesus? Read Matt. 25:46
2. Why was it loving for God to not ignore the people's sin? Read Rom. 2:4
3. How did God's promise to bring the people home after 70 years give them hope? Read Heb. 10:23

Ephesians 1:11-14

Whether people realize it or not, every human being is searching for purpose. The self-help world offers its answers — find your passion, be true to yourself, ask what makes you happy. These aren't bad questions, but they are pointed in the wrong direction. They are questions that orbit around us. And the problem with making ourselves the center of our own story is that we were never meant to be.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism, written in 1647, opens with the most important question a person can ask: What is the chief end of man? The answer is both simple and staggering: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever (1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 11:36; Psalm 73:25-28).

That single sentence reorients everything.

Glorify God and Enjoy Him — At the Same Time
Here's where many Christians quietly get stuck. We know in our minds that we are supposed to glorify God. And yet, if we're honest, what we really want — what we can't seem to stop wanting — is to be happy. These two desires can feel like they're in tension with each other.

They're not.

Glorifying God and enjoying God are not competing pursuits. They are the same pursuit. As John Piper has written, the goal is "a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all spheres of life." He goes further: if we display the excellence of God without joy, we slide into legalism and hypocrisy. If we claim to enjoy God but nothing of Him overflows into our lives and outward to others, that too is a kind of hypocrisy. We must enjoy and display at the same time.

Jesus promised abundant life to those who follow Him (John 10:10), and the psalmist knew this satisfaction firsthand, declaring that there was nothing in heaven or earth he desired besides God (Psalm 73:25). Abundant life is not found by chasing it. It is found in Him.

What It Actually Means to Glorify God
There is a common misunderstanding worth clearing up: when we glorify God, we are not making Him more glorious. God cannot be improved. He cannot be made more beautiful, more powerful, more worthy. He is already all of those things perfectly and infinitely. Even creation itself cannot stay silent about it (Luke 19:40).

So what does it mean to glorify Him?

Think about standing at the top of a Colorado 14er. If you pull out a magnifying glass and start examining the square yard of dirt and rock at your feet, you are technically magnifying — but you're missing everything. Now imagine pulling out a pair of binoculars. Suddenly, an unimaginably vast and beautiful landscape comes into clearer view — and yet, the more you see, the more you realize there is so much more to see than you can possibly take in.
That is what it means to glorify God. Our lives are meant to be binoculars — helping the people around us see glimpses of a glory that is already there, already infinite, already breathtaking. We don't create His glory. We display it.

And when we actually see it for what it is, the response is awe. We take pictures that don't do it justice. We try to explain it to people who weren't there. We know full well that they won't fully understand until they see it for themselves. That is the invitation of the Christian life — not just to have seen the view, but to bring others to the top of the mountain.

The Danger of the Mirror
Now consider a different scenario on that same 14er: instead of binoculars, you ask for a mirror. Surrounded by mirrors, you can only see yourself. The view is still there — vast and glorious — but you have no desire to look beyond your own reflection.

This is what sin does. It turns us inward. It convinces us that love is about making us feel good about ourselves, that life is about what's in it for us, that God exists to serve our comfort. It is a man-centered gospel, and much of what passes for Christianity in America today is exactly that — a substitute product that looks and sounds similar but fails to produce deep reverence, true repentance, genuine humility, or any real giving of glory to God.

The truth is harder and better: God is more concerned with our growth than our comfort. He is the center — not us. And paradoxically, it is only when we embrace that reality that we find what we were looking for all along. A God-centered view of life is not one that diminishes us — it is the one that rightly orients us, reminding us that we are fallen, that we need salvation, and that the same God our sin offends is the One who loved us enough to provide a way out.

In Him — Everything
Paul makes the case for all of this in Ephesians 1. Notice how many times he uses the phrase in Him or in Christ across just a few verses. It is relentless and intentional. And look at what those "in Hims" bring: every spiritual blessing, being chosen, redemption through His blood, restoration, an inheritance, hope, the word of truth, the gospel of salvation, and the seal of the Holy Spirit.

All of it — every blessing — flows from being in Him. And then Paul tells us twice why (Ephesians 1:12, 14): everything is to the praise of His glory.

We were not an afterthought. God's sovereign plan — worked out according to the counsel of His own will — leads to this: His glory praised, His children blessed, His name honored throughout all of history and into eternity.

The picture of heaven in Revelation says it all. The four living creatures never cease declaring the holiness of God (Revelation 4:8-11). The angels, elders, and living creatures fall on their faces in worship, ascribing blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might to God forever (Revelation 7:11-12). That is where all of history is headed. That is the crescendo the whole story is building toward.

The Question Worth Asking
So here is the question the Westminster Catechism drives us back to, and the question Ephesians 1 answers: What are you living for?

If the honest answer is mostly yourself — your comfort, your reputation, your happiness — then the invitation today is to fix your center. Not because God needs your glory, but because you need to give it. Because in glorifying Him, you find the abundant life Jesus promised. Because the joy that overflows from truly knowing Him is the very thing your neighbors, your coworkers, and your family are desperate to see.

Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

These are not two things. They are one. And they are yours — in Him.

May 16 & 17, 2026
The Praise of His Glory
Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-14

What is the true purpose of life? In this message from Ephesians 1:11–14, Jason Painter (elder) explores how God created us to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. Far from opposing joy and worship, Scripture reveals that true happiness is found in living for the praise of God’s glory. This sermon challenges the self-centered mindset so common in our culture and calls believers back to a God-centered view of life, salvation, and identity. Through powerful illustrations, deep Biblical truth, and practical application, you will be encouraged to see how every spiritual blessing “In Him” leads us to awe, worship, joy, and purpose.

The Praise of His Glory
Ephesians 1:11–14

Paul reminds us that the purpose of our salvation is ultimately “to the praise of His glory.” In a world constantly telling us to pursue self-fulfillment and happiness above all else, Scripture calls us to something far greater — to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Pastor Stu challenged us to see that these are not competing goals. True joy is actually found in knowing, worshiping, and magnifying God. As we live “In Him,” we receive every spiritual blessing, redemption through Christ, hope, salvation, and the Holy Spirit. Our lives are meant to point beyond ourselves and magnify the greatness of God to the world around us.

Takeaways

• The chief purpose of life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
• True joy is found when we are God-centered rather than self-centered.
• We do not make God more glorious; we magnify the glory He already possesses.
• Every spiritual blessing we receive “In Him” should lead us to worship and praise.

Application for This Week
Living for the glory of God changes how we see everything — our suffering, our joy, our purpose, and even our identity. This week, ask God to help you take your eyes off yourself and fix them more fully on Him. As you behold His greatness, may your heart overflow with awe, worship, and joy that points others to Christ.

Devotional 1 — Created for His Glory
1 Corinthians 10:31 - So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Reflection Question:
What areas of your life are hardest to fully surrender to God’s glory?
Prayer Prompt:
Lord, help me live every part of my life in a way that reflects Your greatness and goodness.

Devotional 2 — True Satisfaction
Psalm 73:25–26 - Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Reflection Question:
Where are you tempted to seek satisfaction apart from God?
Prayer Prompt:
Father, teach my heart to find joy, strength, and satisfaction in You alone.

Devotional 3 — Abundant Life in Christ
John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Reflection Question:
How does Jesus redefine what “abundant life” truly means?
Prayer Prompt:
Jesus, help me pursue the abundant life found in knowing and following You rather than chasing temporary comforts.

Devotional 4 — Worthy of Glory
Revelation 4:11 - Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.
Reflection Question:
What does it mean practically for your life to declare that God alone is worthy?
Prayer Prompt:
God, remind me daily that You alone are worthy of worship, honor, and praise.

Ephesians 1:11–14
1 Corinthians 10:31
Romans 11:33–36
Psalm 73:25–28
John 10:10
Luke 19:40
Revelation 4:8–11
Revelation 7:11–12

KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 145:9

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is God like? God is holy, good, and loving.

CHRIST CONNECTION: Like God’s people, we all have sinful hearts that do not obey God
or love Him rightly. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, God made a new covenant. Those who trust in Jesus have their sin forgiven and have the law written on their hearts.

STORY POINT: God promised His people a new covenant and forgiveness of sin forever.

AT HOME:

1. Why do Christians desire to obey God's commands? Read Ps. 119:127-128
2. Have you ever heard the saying ‘trust your heart?’ Is this good advice? What does the Bible say about trusting our heart? Read Mark 7:21-22
3. Why is the new covenant good news? Read Gal. 3:23-24

In a world where suffering seems relentless and persecution of believers continues across the globe, we desperately need assurance. We need to know that our faith isn't in vain, that there's a purpose behind our trials, and that someone greater than our circumstances is in control.

Revelation 7 offers exactly this kind of hope—not the false hope of a pain‑free life, but something far more substantial: the promise of divine preservation through whatever storms may come (Revelation 7:1–17).

The Promises God Actually Makes
We often misunderstand what God has promised us. In a culture saturated with prosperity‑gospel messages, many Christians expect God to shield them from all physical harm, financial difficulty, and emotional pain. When suffering inevitably arrives, they feel betrayed, as though God has broken His word.

But Scripture is clear: God never promised that His children would be insulated from the devastating consequences of physical harm or persecution in this world (cf. John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12). In fact, Jesus explicitly told us to pick up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)—and the cross is an instrument of excruciating torture, not a minor inconvenience.

What God does promise is far better than temporary physical comfort.


This means God never lets Christians down because He takes even the worst tragedies and transforms them into instruments of our spiritual growth and His glory.

Joseph understood this when he told his brothers,


The same God who orchestrated Joseph's redemption from the pit and the prison is still weaving the threads of our lives into a beautiful tapestry, even when all we can see is the tangled underside.

Sealed and Protected by the Lamb
Revelation 7 opens with a powerful image:


Before judgment falls, another angel appears with “the seal of the living God” (Revelation 7:2), commanding that God's servants be marked on their foreheads before any harm comes to the earth (Revelation 7:3).

Who are these sealed ones?

The passage describes 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:4–8)—twelve times twelve times one thousand, a number symbolizing completeness and totality. Judah, the tribe of the Messianic King (Genesis 49; 1 Chronicles 5), is listed first, pointing us to Jesus, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). Dan and Ephraim are absent (Judges 18; 1 Kings 12; Hosea 4–14), with Joseph and Manasseh listed instead.

This is not a literal headcount of an exclusive group, but a symbolic representation of all believers who come from the Jewish people.

But the vision doesn’t stop there:


Together, these two groups—the numbered 144,000 from Israel and the innumerable multitude from every nation—represent the complete church of Jesus Christ: Jews and Gentiles united in faith, all marked by the seal of God (cf. Galatians 3:28; Romans 9–11; Ephesians 2:11–13).

What Is This Seal?
This seal is nothing less than the Holy Spirit Himself.


The Holy Spirit:


This seal doesn’t promise escape from physical suffering—many of the sealed ones in Revelation are martyrs (Revelation 6:9–11; 2:10; 19:9). It protects us from ultimate spiritual harm and guarantees that we will not be separated from Christ (Romans 8:37–39).

Satan, the great counterfeiter, mimics this reality. Later in Revelation, those who belong to the beast are marked on the forehead or hand (Revelation 13:16–18). This “mark of the beast” is a demonic parody of God’s seal, just as Satan constantly counterfeits what God creates as good—the rainbow of the Noahic covenant, for example (Genesis 9:8–17)—with twisted cultural symbols.

There are only two kingdoms: the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of Satan (Colossians 1:13; John 8:44; 1 John 5:19). There is no third option.

Washed in the Blood of the Lamb
One of the elders in Revelation asks John about the multitude clothed in white robes:

“Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?”
(Revelation 7:13)

The answer:How does blood make something white? This is the mystery and power of the cross.

At the cross of Calvary, the Son of God shed His blood so that scarlet‑stained sinners could be made clean. His blood:


Every Christian has been saved by blood that flows over our guilty stains like a cleansing flood.

The Lamb Who Is Our Shepherd
Perhaps the most beautiful turn in Revelation 7 is the transformation of imagery.

Earlier we see:
Now we see the Lamb who is our Shepherd:
This is:
The promised shepherd‑ruler of Micah 5:
What does this shepherd promise in Revelation 7?

“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.”
(Revelation 7:16)

No more hunger. No more thirst. No more scorching heat. No more tears.

These are future promises that will be fully realized in glory (Revelation 21–22), but they begin now—imperfectly, yet really—in the abundant life Jesus gives (John 10:10), even as we walk through suffering.

The Question That Matters
In a world of counterfeits, where Satan mimics and perverts everything good that God creates, we must ask a fundamental question:

Who is your shepherd?

Are you trying to shepherd yourself, relying on your own strength and wisdom?
Are you following the false shepherds of this world who promise comfort but deliver only emptiness (Jeremiah 2:13)?
Or have you surrendered to the good shepherd who gave His life for you (John 10:11)?

The reality is stark:

But here is the glorious news: no matter what you've done, no matter how far you've wandered, the good shepherd is calling you home. He stands ready to wash your robes white, to mark you as His own, to guide you to springs of living water (John 7:37–39).

Jesus wins.

That’s not just a future hope—it’s a present reality that should transform how we live today. Even in suffering, persecution, and cultural chaos, we can rest in the certainty that we belong to the good shepherd who will never let us go (John 10:27–29).

The question isn’t whether you’ll face trials. You will (John 16:33; 1 Peter 4:12–13).

The question is whether you’ll face them sealed and protected by the Lamb, washed in His blood, and shepherded by His unfailing love.

May 10, 2026
The Lamb Shepherds the Nations
Scripture: Revelation 7:1–17

In Revelation 7, we see the comforting and powerful truth that Jesus protects, preserves, and shepherds His people through every trial. Pastor Stu walks through the vision of the sealed 144,000, the countless multitude worshiping before the throne, and the promise that the Lamb Himself will wipe away every tear. This sermon explores suffering, perseverance, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the victory of Christ over evil. If you’ve ever wondered how Christians endure hardship in a broken world, this message will remind you that the Good Shepherd never abandons His people and always fulfills His promises.

The Lamb Shepherds the Nations
Revelation 7:1–17

Revelation 7 gives believers hope in the midst of suffering, persecution, and a world under judgment. Pastor Stu reminds us that God never promised Christians freedom from pain, but He does promise His presence, protection, and perseverance through it all. God seals His people through the Holy Spirit, preserving them in faith as they endure tribulation. The vision of the 144,000 and the great multitude reveals the complete redeemed people of God from every nation worshiping before the throne. Through the blood of the Lamb, believers are purified, protected, and shepherded by Jesus Himself—the Good Shepherd who wipes away every tear and leads His people safely home.

Takeaways

• God does not promise a life free from suffering, but He promises never to abandon His people.
• The Holy Spirit seals believers and preserves them through trials and persecution.
• Jesus saves and purifies people from every tribe, nation, and language through His blood.
• The Lamb who was slain is also our Shepherd-King who satisfies, protects, and leads His people forever.

Application for This Week
As followers of Jesus, we may often feel like exiles in a broken world, but Revelation 7 reminds us that we are not forgotten or abandoned. The Lamb who shed His blood for us now shepherds us with perfect care. No suffering, persecution, or hardship can separate us from His love. This week, rest in the assurance that Jesus holds His people securely and will one day wipe away every tear.

Devotional 1 — Sealed by the Spirit
Ephesians 1:13–14 - In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Reflection Question
How does knowing that God has sealed you with His Spirit strengthen your confidence during difficult seasons?
Prayer Prompt
Ask God to help you trust His preserving power and rest in the assurance that you belong to Him.

Devotional 2 — Washed White
Isaiah 1:18 - Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Reflection Question
What areas of guilt or shame do you need to surrender to the cleansing power of Christ?
Prayer Prompt
Thank Jesus for His blood that cleanses completely and ask Him to help you walk in freedom and holiness.

Devotional 3 — Nothing Can Separate Us
Romans 8:38–39 - For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reflection Question
What fears or circumstances tempt you to doubt God’s love for you?
Prayer Prompt
Pray for faith to believe that Christ’s love remains constant even in suffering and uncertainty.

Devotional 4 — The Good Shepherd
John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Reflection Question
In what ways do you need Jesus to shepherd and guide you right now?
Prayer Prompt
Ask Jesus to lead you, provide for you, and help you follow His voice faithfully this week.

Revelation 7:1–17
Romans 8:28
Genesis 50:20
Romans 8:37–39
Ephesians 1:13–14
Revelation 9:4
Revelation 22:4
Ephesians 2:11–13
Romans 11:1–2, 7–8
Isaiah 1:18
John 10
Ezekiel 34
Micah 5:2–5

The Wrath of the Lamb: Understanding the Fullness of Jesus

There's a phrase in Scripture that stops us in our tracks, a combination of words so unexpected that it demands our attention: "the wrath of the Lamb" (Revelation 6:16).

A lamb—gentle, meek, vulnerable—is one of the least threatening creatures we can imagine. Yet in Revelation we encounter this jarring reality: the Lamb has wrath. This isn't a contradiction. It's a completion of who Jesus truly is.

The Lion and the Lamb

We’re comfortable with certain portraits of Jesus: the compassionate Savior, the humble carpenter from Galilee, the friend of sinners. These pictures are true and beautiful. Jesus is sacrificial, gentle, and loving.

But if we stop there, we’re only seeing half the picture—and that partial view has consequences for our theology, our lives, our families, and our culture.

Scripture reveals a Jesus who:

In Revelation, He is both Lion and Lamb—the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb who was slain (Revelation 5:5–6; cf. Genesis 49:9–10). He is:

100% loving and 100% just
100% merciful and 100% wrathful
These attributes don’t cancel each other. They complete each other.

Anyone who has ever held a child understands this instinctively: deep love and righteous anger against anything that would harm that child are not opposites—they belong together.

Revelation makes this explicit. The “wrath of the Lamb” is the same as the wrath of God and appears repeatedly (Revelation 6:16–17; 11:18; 14:9–11, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19; 19:15).

When Heaven Cries Out

Revelation 6 pulls back the curtain on eternity. When the fifth seal is opened, John sees:

“the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne” (Revelation 6:9).

These martyrs cry out:

“O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10).

This isn’t a petty plea for personal revenge. It’s a biblical, God-centered cry for justice, like we see in the Psalms:


The New Testament agrees:

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19).

For those who suffer horrific injustice—the persecuted, the oppressed, the victims of violence—the promise that God will judge evil is not terrifying. It’s comforting.

Tell a mother in Northern Nigeria who watched her child martyred that everyone goes to heaven regardless of their choices. Tell someone whose family was destroyed by evil that God will never judge. That’s not compassion. That’s cruelty.

The promise of divine justice means that even when earthly justice fails, God sees, God knows, and God will make all things right.

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” (Genesis 18:25).
The answer is always yes.

And yet, for now, God often says what He tells the martyrs: “rest a little longer” (Revelation 6:11). He is never early, never late. His timing is perfect (cf. Habakkuk 2:3; 2 Peter 3:9–10).

The Day of the Lamb

When the sixth seal is opened, the scene shifts from heaven to earth:


This language echoes other “day of the Lord” passages (Isaiah 13:9–13; Joel 2:30–31; Matthew 24:29–30). Creation itself convulses as judgment arrives.

And every category of human being responds the same way:

Status, power, and wealth evaporate. There is no special treatment:


All cry out:


Divine judgment is the great equalizer. Every person—regardless of race, gender, nationality, or social position—will stand before the judgment throne of Christ (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11–15).

The Horror Greater Than Death

The most sobering truth in this passage is that people would rather be crushed by mountains than face the One they’ve rejected.

This goes all the way back to Eden. Adam and Eve sinned, then tried to hide among the trees:


As if God didn’t know where they were (Genesis 3:9–10).

Sin makes us foolish. We imagine we can hide from the God who:


Revelation 6 ends with a haunting question:

“For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:17).

Answer: no one, on their own.
“None is righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Left to ourselves, we all stand condemned—“children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3).

The Good News in the Bad News

And yet this is where the gospel shines brightest.

There is a way to stand—not because we’re strong enough, but because Jesus stood in our place.

At the cross:



That’s why forgiveness is precious: it cost the blood of the Son of God.
That’s why grace is amazing: justice demanded our condemnation, and Jesus took it instead.

God’s wrath is not the opposite of His love. It’s the expression of His holiness and His fierce commitment to what is good. A God who never reacted against evil would not be morally perfect. A God who took as much pleasure in evil as in good would not be good at all.

If we deny that humans deserve judgment, we empty God’s forgiveness of meaning. What are we being saved from?

But in Christ:


Two Kingdoms, Two Destinies

Our culture likes to imagine endless options and spiritual “paths.” Scripture gives only two:


“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13).

There is no third kingdom.

Right now we live in the tension of the already and not yet of God’s kingdom:


The question is not whether judgment is coming. The question is: Where will you stand when it does?


Scripture is clear:

“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13; cf. Joel 2:32).
“Now is the favorable time… now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
A day is coming when it will be too late—when the seals are opened, when the mountains fall, when:

“every knee [will] bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10–11).

The Lamb who was slain is also the Lion who judges.
To know Him truly is to know both.

And that changes everything.

KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 145:9

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is God like? God is holy, good, and loving.

CHRIST CONNECTION: God sent prophets to His people to warn them to repent of their
sin and turn to God. Jesus gave the same message, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven is near.” When we trust in Jesus, we are restored to a right relationship with God and have the hope of eternal life.

STORY POINT: God sent prophets to tell the people to repent of their sins.

AT HOME:

1. What was the similar message the prophets told the people of Judah? Read 1 Thess. 1:8-9
2. Did the prophets share any message of hope? What? Read Zech. 9:9
3. What sins do you need to repent of? Read Ps. 32:5

Take a Sneak Peak!

We are excited to announce that Alpha & Omega Outfitters will have it's SNEAK PEAK OPENING for our family and friends of RHC on Mother's Day weekend!  

There is so much to purchase and we look forward to serving SW Littleton with this store!
More details to come as to the store's regular business hours and official Grand Opening.

If you would like to volunteer in the thrift store please contact Autumn Nelson at abnelson80@gmail.com

The Wrath of the Lamb — Standing Before the Sovereign Judge
Revelation 6:9–17

This passage reveals the sobering reality of the coming judgment of Jesus Christ—the Lamb who was slain and now reigns as Judge. The martyrs cry out for justice, reminding us that faithfulness to Christ often leads to suffering. Yet God’s timing is perfect, His justice is certain, and His plan is unfolding exactly as He has ordained. When Christ returns, His judgment will be unmistakable, universal, and unavoidable. This text calls us to live faithfully now, trust God completely, and prepare for the day when no one can stand apart from His mercy.

Takeaways

• Faithfulness to Jesus will often lead to suffering, but it is never in vain.
• God’s justice is certain and will be executed perfectly in His timing.
• The return of Christ will be unmistakable and universally experienced.
• Apart from Christ, no one can stand before the wrath of God.

Application for this week
This week, live with eternal perspective. Remain faithful in your walk with Christ, even when it costs you. Trust God’s timing when you see injustice around you. And examine your heart—are you standing in Christ’s righteousness, or trusting in something that will not stand on that final day?

Devotional 1: Faithful Unto Death
2 Timothy 3:12, - Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Reflection: What does faithfulness look like for you right now?
Prayer: Lord, give me strength to remain faithful no matter the cost.

Devotional 2: Trusting God’s Timing
Romans 12:19, - Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God…
Reflection: Where are you tempted to take justice into your own hands?
Prayer: God, help me trust Your perfect justice and timing.

Devotional 3: The Coming King
Matthew 24:30, - Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man…
Reflection: Are you living as though Christ could return at any moment?
Prayer: Jesus, prepare my heart for Your return.

Devotional 4: Who Can Stand?
Revelation 6:17, - For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?
Reflection: What are you relying on to stand before God?
Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, that I stand only by Your righteousness.

Revelation 6:9–17
2 Timothy 3:12
Exodus 29:12
Leviticus 4:7; 17:11
Revelation 12:11
Psalm 94:1–2
Romans 12:19–20
Genesis 18:25
Isaiah 13:9–10
Joel 2–3
Matthew 24:29–30
Mark 13:24–37
Luke 21:25–28
Zechariah 14:4
Acts 10:34
James 2
Jeremiah 30:7
Daniel 9:24–27
Revelation 9:20–21
Revelation 16:11
Revelation 22:

May 3, 2026
The Wrath of the Lamb
Scripture: Revelation 6:9-17

What does it mean for the Lamb of God to bring wrath? In this powerful passage from Revelation 6:9–17, we encounter a sobering picture of God’s justice, the suffering of His people, and the certainty of Christ’s return. This message explores the cry of the martyrs, the perfect timing of God’s judgment, and the unmistakable signs of the end. You’ll be challenged to consider where you stand—trusting in Christ or standing on your own. This sermon will deepen your understanding of God’s holiness, awaken urgency in your faith, and call you to live ready for the day no one can escape.

KEY PASSAGE: Psalm 145:9

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is God like? God is holy, good, and loving.

CHRIST CONNECTION: Judah’s good kings led the people to God and away from sin. Yet
when they died, the people returned to their sinful ways. Jesus is our good King who died and rose again, and always leads us to God and away from sin.

STORY POINT: Judah’s good kings worshiped God.

AT HOME:

1. Why were the kings in our story considered good? Read Ps. 25:8-12
2. Josiah became king at eight years old and followed God's ways. What does this tell us about who can follow God and His ways? Read 1 Tim. 4:12
3. Why do you think the people returned to their sinful ways after each good king died? Read Ezek. 11:19

The book of Revelation often feels like stepping into the deep end of Scripture. Its vivid imagery and apocalyptic language can overwhelm us, so many either avoid it or reduce it to a future timeline we hope to escape.

But what if we’ve been looking at it too narrowly?

A Different Perspective on Revelation

Imagine a football game filmed from several cameras: one on the 50‑yard line, one high in the end zone, and one in a blimp overhead. Same game, same plays, same players—but different angles. Each perspective shows you something unique, even though the outcome never changes.

That’s how Revelation works.

Rather than a straight, chronological checklist of end-time events, John gives multiple “camera angles” on the same reality: God’s work in history from creation (Genesis 1–3), through Christ’s first coming (John 1:14; Galatians 4:4–5), to His return (Revelation 19:11–16; Revelation 21–22). The theological term for this is recapitulation—repeating and re‑viewing the same age from different perspectives.

The Throne Room and the Scrolls
Before the four horsemen appear, Revelation 4–5 gives us the control room of history.

God the Father is worshiped as Creator (Revelation 4:8–11).
Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, is the only One worthy to open the scroll sealed with seven seals (Revelation 5:1–7).
Four living creatures cry, “Holy, holy, holy” day and night (Revelation 4:8).
This isn’t just future; it’s a declaration of who reigns now (Hebrews 1:3; Ephesians 1:20–22). When Jesus opens the seals, He is exercising His authority over events that have characterized the entire age between His first and second coming.

The First Horseman: Deception’s White Horse
This rider has a bow but no arrows. He wears a crown and rides out conquering. Some have thought this is Jesus, but compared to Christ in Revelation 19:11–16, this rider looks more like a counterfeit—a picture of the spirit of antichrist, a deceiving power that has operated throughout history (1 John 2:18–19; 1 John 4:1–3).

Jesus warned:
The antichrist doesn’t show up as obviously evil. Deception usually looks good, sounds spiritual, and twists truth just enough to lead people away from Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13–15; 2 Timothy 4:3–4).

The Second Horseman: War’s Red Horse
Deception doesn’t remain abstract. It leads to hatred and conflict.

Jesus predicted that:
The 20th century alone testifies to this reality: world wars, genocides under Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot—tens of millions slaughtered. War isn’t limited to a final seven-year period; it has marked human history because people reject the Prince of Peace (James 4:1–2).

This red horse is God’s judgment through war—sometimes by direct action, sometimes by letting human evil run its course (Romans 1:24, 26, 28).

The Third Horseman: Famine’s Black Horse
“And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard… ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!’”
(Revelation 6:5–6)

A denarius was about a day’s wage (Matthew 20:2). A quart of wheat would barely feed one person. The picture is of inflation and scarcity: work all day, and you just survive.

Famine often follows war. Scripture frequently pairs sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts as judgments (Ezekiel 14:21; Lamentations 5:10).

History echoes this: famines in France, Finland, Ireland; and today, hundreds of millions undernourished while others live in abundance. The black horse reminds us that economic and food insecurity are not random—they’re part of a world under judgment.

The Fourth Horseman: Death’s Pale Horse
“And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.”
(Revelation 6:8)

This final rider gathers up the effects of the first three: war, famine, and now pestilence. History has seen:


Again, Revelation is not only about a future week on the calendar. It’s describing patterns that have marked the entire age between Christ’s comings, under His sovereign rule (Daniel 4:35; Psalm 103:19).

Why Would God Allow This?
These scenes are heavy. How can a loving God allow such suffering?

The Bible’s answer holds two truths together:

But Pastor Stu stressed a crucial distinction: God never pours His wrath on His children.

Those who trust in Christ are shielded from wrath because Jesus already bore it in our place:


Jesus Wins—and That Changes Everything
If you remember one line from Revelation, let it be this: Jesus wins.

He is already reigning (Ephesians 1:20–22; 1 Corinthians 15:24–28). The kingdom is both already and not yet (Luke 17:20–21; Hebrews 2:8–9). We still see the four horsemen ride, but we also see the gospel advancing, churches planted, lives transformed.

This should produce two responses:


Living Between the Comings
We live between Christ’s first coming and His return (Hebrews 9:26–28; Titus 2:11–13). In this in‑between time:


The same Jesus who opens the seals (Revelation 6:1) is the Lamb who was slain for our redemption (Revelation 5:6, 9) and the Lion of Judah who conquered (Revelation 5:5).

One day we will join the heavenly chorus:


Until that day, we live as kingdom people in a broken world, bearing witness to the truth that steadies us in every storm:

Jesus wins. And because we belong to Him, so do we.