Grace Fellowship Church - Kingsport

The final series of judgments are poured out on sin and wickedness as 7 angels are given 7 bowls filled with God’s wrath to pour out on the earth and cleanse it of sin. In these terrible judgments we still find that God is just and true in the measure of justice He pours out to bring an end to the reign of the Anti-Christ and to avenge His martyred servants.

This passage is an interlude between the trumpet judgments and the bowl judgments still to come. During this interlude John shows us three visions that describes the final manifestations between the Kingdom of God and powers of Satan. The three visions encourage followers of Jesus to remain faithful to Him and they implore those who follow Satan to turn or face everlasting punishment.

In this message we look at how Satan wages war against the people of God by setting up a kingdom for his glory under the rule of two beasts. Satan deceives the world by mimicking God and trying to establish his kingdom over God’s Kingdom. At this point in human history there is no more middle ground- we either choose for or against God- and our choice has eternal results.

Revelation 12 is the theological heart of the book showing the people of God how they will find hope and endurance in the middle of spiritual attacks. Many people might read this chapter and find it fearful, but John writes to bring us encouragement. Although we have an adversary in Satan, he is a defeated enemy and we have victory through the blood of Jesus and the word of our testimony.

The Church plays a role of bringing God’s Kingdom to earth in every age. But what is the role of the Church in the days of Great Tribulation? In this message we explore the witness of the Church and the message of the Church during the period of Great Tribulation.

John again describes judgment from God on the earth, but this time through a new series of Trumpet Judgments. In these judgments mercy is still shown, but the hearts of people are hard toward God and refuse to repent of sin and wickedness.

John’s vision of heaven continues as the final seals are broken by Jesus and the judgment of God is poured out. John also hears about 144,000 people sealed and supernaturally protected by God- but what He sees shows the final plan of God to redeem the nations has finally come to pass. With the seals broken, the trumpet judgments will begin to play out.

As John lingers in the throne room of God, he notices a scroll with seven seals in God’s right hand- but he grieves that no one is worthy to open the scroll! Finally, Jesus steps forward as the One worthy to open the scroll and the worship of heaven erupts. The first four seals are opened and reveal God’s long-term plan for judging the earth.

After Jesus writes letters to His churches, He invites John to view God’s throne in heaven. The worship of God around His throne anchors everything else that must take place in the rest of the book of Revelation. The worship of God changes us by helping us know no matter what happens in this life, God reigns from His throne and holds ultimate power over any and all hostile human authorities.

Our church sponsors the Hazel family, missionaries to Namibia, Africa. Today we heard from them about taking the gospel to an unreached people group.

The Church at Laodicea took their eyes off Jesus, and He had a harsh rebuke of them due to their seeming self-sufficiency. We have to fight against that same sin today and in this message, Jesus provides the answer and counsels His Church how to return to fellowship with Him.

The Church at Philadelphia is in a strategic location for God to utilize for His purposes, and while they are small, they are faithful to Jesus and earn not only His respect, but the most promises made to any of the churches in Asia Minor.

The Lord allows us to experience special, "mountain-top" spiritual experiences in which we see God with a unique clarity and purity. Unfortunately, our flesh is sinful and we often find ourselves in places of spiritual descent. In this message we identify our own fallen nature and discuss ways that we can prepare and equip ourselves to guard against seasons of spiritual decline.

Christmas is about hope! Our lives are often missing that crucial element because of the devastating effects of sin. Thankfully, God sent hope into the world in the form of a baby and the world has never been the same! We can have hope by placing our faith in the baby of Bethlehem who grew up to die on the cross for our sins and now reigns as King of the Universe in heaven.

Jesus writes to a church that has every appearance of being alive, but in truth is spiritually dead. It’s a harsh judgment, but it comes with hope- if they are willing to listen to Jesus, He can bring them out of their grave and once again give them Spirit-filled life!

The Church in Thyatira faced a false teacher in their presence and a group of faithful Christians who had not been willing to stand up to her. Jesus writes to them to deal with the sinful behavior on both fronts. But there is good news for those who hold on and are victorious- Jesus wins and we will reign with Him eternally!

The Church at Pergamum faced intense pressure to embrace the pagan practices of the surrounding culture. While they stood their ground in one season, they get a letter from Jesus in a season where some in the church had bowed to the pressure of embracing pagan practices. Jesus’ letter is a challenge to repent and to embrace His power to provide for them and pronounce them innocent.

This week we explore two churches facing similar situations but with very different results. Jesus shows Himself to be the God who brings life from death and the God who prunes evil from within His Church to purify her.

What would Jesus say if He wrote a letter directly to your church- specifically meant for the people you worship with? As we continue in the book of Revelation that is exactly what we find: seven churches who receive a letter from Jesus. In this message we find out not only how Jesus’ words applied to the church at Ephesus, but how His words impact us today, especially when it comes to balancing truth and love.