When Jesus will open the seventh seal of judgment mentioned in the book of Revelation, there will be silence in heaven for half an hour. Later on, the blowing of trumpets by angels will signal the start of another set of progressive judgments. Please open your Bible...

In John’s vision in the book of Revelation, he saw Christians in tribulation dealing with great persecution. This book also tells us that Jesus, the Lamb of God, will wipe away all tears from their eyes. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter seven, and listen...

The book of Revelation documents a vision that the Apostle Paul had in which he saw Jesus, the Lamb of God, in the midst of a vast crowd of angels and Christians, who had come out of the Great Tribulation. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter seven, and listen...

In heaven, as we gather around God’s throne, everyone’s attention will be on Jesus. This teaches us that Jesus should be pre-eminent in our lives now. Our faith should be based on the simple words of Jesus: “Come to Me; learn of Me; abide in Me, and follow Me,”...

The Apostle John had a genuine out-of-body experience in which he visited God’s throne room in heaven. In contrast to the devastating judgments that were taking place on earth, heaven was filled with worship and adoration for the Lamb seated on the throne, Who...

Today’s passage shows that, during the most intense time of God’s judgment upon the world, God will be saving an uncountable multitude of souls. Oh the magnitude of God’s grace! Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter seven, and follow along as Pastor Ray begins...

As Christians, we are sealed with God’s Holy Spirit. We have been purchased for God with Jesus’ precious blood. Therefore, we belong to the Lord, and whatever we do, we should do it to bring Him glory. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter seven, and listen as...

During the Tribulation, God will set aside one hundred forty-four thousand Jews to be God’s witnesses on earth. God does not want anyone to perish, so He mercifully provides witnesses to lead people to salvation so that their souls can be saved, even if their temporal...

The book of Revelation tells that the very God, Who holds everything in place, will cause stars to fall from heaven as if they were being shaken from a tree. In His wrath, He will allow that, which He has been holding together, to unravel. Please open you Bible to...

The full title of the book of Revelation is The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This sacred and final book of the Bible speaks of the ultimate triumph of Jesus, and it reveals to us the true weight of God’s wrath. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter six, and...

As followers of Christ, we will be met with challenges and difficulties, because we will refuse to compromise on our core beliefs. Don’t be fearful! Be bold as a lion! You are to be a true witness for Jesus Christ. Please open your Bible to the beginning of First...

Every person is going to live forever. The question is: Where will you live? According to the Scriptures, your final destination depends upon Who you believe Jesus is. Do you know where you will spend eternity? Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter six, and...

The appearance of the Antichrist will result in many things, including great judgments and trials, but this is not the time when Jesus will return. When will the Messiah return and set up His kingdom on this earth? To find out, please open your Bible to Revelation...

In the book of Revelation, there are seven judgments represented by wax seals—the kind that would have been on government documents in the Roman Empire. The first four seals reveal four horsemen that pour out God’s wrath during the Great Tribulation. When will these...

If you ask people if they think that it is possible that they might go to hell when they die, you will probably hear something like this: “Hell is a place for bad people, not me. I’m a good person—at least I’m trying my best. So, I’m probably okay.” But what does God...

Early church doctrine taught that hell was a place of eternal punishment, but today it is rarely mentioned. Today, if someone uses the word, it is usually in reference to someone going through a difficult time. But what does the Bible actually have to say about this...

If Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, and God’s glory are central themes of Scripture, then, practically speaking, those two things should be focal points in the life of every Christian. Are you investing your earthly resources to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and...

When we say, “Glory to God,” are we saying that to truly give God glory, or are we just trying to sound spiritual and, in effect, attempting to glorify ourselves? Glorifying God should be a foundation for our lives and ministries, because all glory and honor truly...

John wrote about his vision of heaven’s throne room. Two things were prominent in his vision, and they comprise two focal points of all Scripture: Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of mankind and God’s glory. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter five, and listen as...

Is your life today consecrated to the Lord, or cluttered with the things of this world? Is your heart devoted to Jesus or divided? Are you passionate about Him or passive? Please listen as Pastor Ray Viola continues his discussion of Christ’s millennial kingdim and...

In heaven, raptured believers will sing the Song of the Redeemed, which declares that our Creator has made us kings and priests, and that we shall rule and reign with Him on the earth. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter five, verse ten, and listen as Pastor...

When John got a glimpse into heaven’s throne room, he saw elders and creatures around God’s throne holding golden vials that contained the prayers of saints. This suggests that every prayer that we pray goes right to Father God. Have you taken advantage of that...

Shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to earth to comfort and guide His followers. Scripture also says that the Spirit will convict the whole world of sin, righteousness, and judgment to bring lost people to an understanding of Who Jesus...

When Jesus came to earth the first time, He was like a meek and gentle Lamb that would be sacrificed for the sins of all. Now the resurrected Christ sits on heaven’s throne, and He will one day return as the Lion of Judah to vanquish every enemy, and to rescue Israel...

Jesus is the Lion from the tribe of Judah. Unto Him shall the gathering of the people be, and He will rule and reign forever when He returns to establish His kingdom. If you haven’t done so already, accept Him as your Lord and King today, and He will always be with...

A focal point of today’s passage is a scroll with seven seals on it in the hands of the One, Who sits on heaven’s throne. Breaking the seals and opening the scroll have consequences that will be literally and spiritually earthshaking. Please open your Bible to...

Life can be filled with cares and worries about any number of things including family, friends, and finances, or less personal issues like cultural degeneration and political unrest. However, as we will see today, heaven is a wonderfully serene place where everyone...

There is a difference between prayer and intense prayer that is lived out practically. As believers, we need the power of God’s Spirit working in every area of our lives. Without that power, the church becomes too weak to stand. Please open your Bible to Revelation...

In Revelation chapter four, John painted a picture of all the creatures in heaven. He described creatures that you might think were created by C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien. The creatures in heaven are all different, but they have one thing in common: They rest not day...

All that is needed to worship the Lord is an awareness of His Presence. When you are aware of His Presence, you cannot help but worship Him! Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter four, and listen as Pastor Ray Viola completes his third of four messages on this...

John was ninety years old when he was exiled to the Island of Patmos, because it was a crime to be a Christian. In His vision of Heaven the first thing he saw was Jesus sitting on the throne. When you think of Heaven, on whom or what do you place your focus? Please...

John was ninety years old when he was exiled to the Island of Patmos, because it was a crime to be a Christian. In His vision of Heaven the first thing he saw was Jesus sitting on the throne. When you think of Heaven, on whom or what do you place your focus? Please...

Though God’s creation is glorious, the One that created it all is the only One that is worthy of worship. Since we can only see the creation, sometimes we get side-tracked on that rather than worshiping the Creator. Please open...

In Revelation chapter four, the first thing John saw in his vision of Heaven was the majesty of Jesus seated on His throne. Our first view of heaven will be of the One Who sits upon the throne: Jesus, the Redeemer of man, the Holy One of God. May we, with all the...

In Revelation chapter four, the first thing John saw in his vision of Heaven was the majesty of Jesus seated on His throne. Our first view of heaven will be of the One Who sits upon the throne: Jesus, the Redeemer of man, the Holy One of God. May we, with all the...

Revelation chapter four presents two major themes. The Redeemer of Man, Who sits on heaven’s throne is the first. The second theme concerns the redemption of man. Both of these concepts are wrapped up in the Man Jesus Christ. Please open your Bible to Revelation,...

Revelation chapter four presents two major themes. The Redeemer of Man, Who sits on heaven’s throne is the first. The second theme concerns the redemption of man. Both of these concepts are wrapped up in the Man Jesus Christ. Please open your Bible to Revelation,...

When God opened the door of heaven for John to see what was to come, the first thing he saw was Jesus sitting on His throne in all His glory, splendor, power and love. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter four, and listen as we begin an in-depth study of this...

The promises of God are given to those who overcome through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we turn to Jesus, these promises become ours. Please open your Bible to the first verse of First John chapter five, and listen as Pastor Ray Viola completes his teaching on...

Scripture tells us that, he who overcomes and keeps the Word of God will inherit all things. God will be his Father, and He will call them His son or daughter. Several verses in Revelation contain the word overcomer. Please open your Bibles to the book of Revelation,...

Jesus came to earth to represent His Father and to be our rescuer from the wrath of God. If we have put our faith in Christ, then He will ultimately take us into the Kingdom of Heaven to live with Him forever. Have you put your faith in Jesus? Please open your Bible...

What does does it mean to be lukewarm? If someone is a lukewarm member of the church, are they unsaved, or do they just need to repent? Jesus addressed this issue in His short letter to the church at Laodicea. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter three, verse...

When we share the Gospel, we should always look for common points of interest. If you wonder what you might have in common with someone that you are getting to know, ask the Lord to reveal it to you. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter three, and listen as...

Saving faith in Jesus Christ is not natural—it is supernatural. Salvation does not arise from something within us, it comes to us from God as a free gift to anyone that will accept it. Accepting this gift means that you will allow God to change you into an image of...

When Jesus commissioned the church, He commanded us to witness to the unbelievers whose hearts He has opened to receive His grace. Is this something we do on a daily basis through our actions and words? Please open your Bible to Revelation, chapter three, and listen...

When we go to a community meal at church, we put our names on the dishes that we bring so that we can get them back after the event. Similarly, Jesus told the saints at the ancient church of Philadelphia that He had written God’s name on them, because when the hour of...

The name Philadelphia means brotherly love. Jesus dearly loves His people, and He spoke against their persecutors. He encouraged them (and us) to continue in the faith and not to lose heart. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter three, and listen as we continue...

In Revelation chapter three, the church at Philadelphia was highly commended by Jesus. He encouraged them to hold fast through their persecution. Jesus is the one who sets open doors that no one can close. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter three, verse...

Be watchful! Pay attention! Redeem the time! These are Jesus’ words to the church at Sardis. He instructed them to strengthen the things that remain. What are the things in your life that need strengthening? Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter three, and...

The church at Sardis was once alive and well-known for their godliness. However, within a generation or two, Jesus declared that they had become like a spiritual corpse. What happened? We need to hear what Jesus said to the church at Sardis so that we do not become...

In Revelation chapter three, Jesus addressed the church at Sardis. Sardis was a church of past splendor and luxury. They promoted a life of ease, but their laziness ultimately lead to decay. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter three, and listen as Pastor Ray...

As Jesus continued to speak to the church at Thyatira, He encouraged them to be good stewards of the gifts that God has given them. What gifts has God given to us? Are we being responsible stewards of these gifts? Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter two, and...

In the book of Revelation, Thyatira was a church that Jesus commended for their perseverance and faithful service. Any church should seek to excel in these things. In His exhortation, Jesus probed deeper than that He is the God who sees. There is nothing too little...

In the second half of Revelation chapter two, Jesus addressed the church at Thyatira. He told them that He saw their good works, but there was also something that they needed to take care of. He also made incredible promises to those who remained faithful to the...

In Jesus’ seven letters to the seven churches, He told all but two of them that they needed to repent of something. Thyatira was one of them that needed to repent. Though they were hard working and loving, they did nothing to address false doctrine taught by a...

In the second half of Revelation chapter two, Jesus spoke to the church at Thyatira. He had severe warnings for those who followed the evil teachings of a false prophet named Jezebel. He also had amazing promises for those who held fast to the end. Please open your...

In Revelation chapter two, Jesus addressed the church at Pergamos. In his words of correction, He used some very strong language. He even told them that God hated some of their teachings. If Jesus is talking about something God hates, then we should listen to Him....

In Revelation chapter two, Jesus addressed the church at Pergamos. The name Pergamos means married to more than one. The church there had become married to the world while pretending to be part of the Bride of Christ. Jesus’ letter to Pergamos contained many words of...

In Revelation chapter two, Jesus addressed the church of Smyrna. This was a persecuted church, and He encouraged them to be faithful to the end. What does it mean to be faithful to the end? Can Jesus count on you to be faithful to the end? Please open your Bible to...

In the book of Revelation, Jesus tells the church of Smyrna that He has seen their faithfulness through all their troubles. Is this something that Jesus sees in us? Are we faithful in our trials? Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter two, and listen as Pastor...

As Jesus spoke to the church of Ephesus, He called them to return to their first love. In our relationships, the attitude of our hearts is more important than any action. What is the attitude of your heart? Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter two, and listen...

When you serve the Lord, is it out of a sense of obligation, or do you do serve Jesus because you love Him? Unfortunately, for the ancient church at Ephesus, the former had become the norm, because their love for Jesus had grown cold. As He lovingly rebuked that...

The church in Ephesus was doing a lot of things right, nevertheless they had abandoned their first love. In our text today, Jesus calls us to return to Him, the One who first loved us. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter two, and listen as Pastor Ray Viola...

In the book of Revelation, Jesus encouraged the Ephesians to be zealous with the motive of bringing glory to God. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter two, and listen as Pastor Ray Viola continues his study of verses one through seven.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus speaks to seven churches with encouragement and correction. Today we will hear what the Lord had to say to the church of Ephesus. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter two, and listen as Pastor Ray Viola begins his study of...

Jesus is pure and holy. He is the only One that can purify us. In John’s vision of the Son of man, Jesus reminded him that He is the First and the Last. Please open your Bible to Revelation, chapter one, and listen as Pastor Ray Viola completes his study of verses...

Sometimes it’s easy for Christians to live incognito when they should be drawing a line in the sand and taking a stand for Jesus. He hung on the cross for us, so we must stand for Him. Please open your Bible to Revelation chapter one, and listen as Pastor Ray Viola...

When we are washed in the blood of Christ our spiritual eyes are opened, and we see Jesus for Who He really is. When we see God in Christ, we are compelled to sing praises to Him. The book of Revelation begins with a greeting that exalts the name of Jesus. Please open...

When we are washed in the blood of Christ our spiritual eyes are opened, and we see Jesus for Who He really is. When we see God in Christ, we are compelled to sing praises to Him. The book of Revelation begins with a greeting that exalts the name of Jesus. Please open...

Jesus, the One who loves us and washes us in His blood, is the One about Whom the Apostle John wrote in his book called The Revelation of Jesus Christ. While God reveals Himself throughout all of Scripture, it is especially true in the last book of the New Testament....

When you are on a road trip, you encounter street signs and exit signs that point you in the direction you should go. As you near your destination, you see signs that confirm that you are getting closer. How are we to interpret signs that we’re seeing in the world...

In His Olivet Discourse, Jesus said that there would be signs in the earth leading up to His return: wars, rumors of wars, false teachers, diseases, famines, and earthquakes. He likened these signs to birth pangs: The closer to the time one gets, the more frequent and...

There are dozens of interpretations for a book with as much complexity as Revelation. We hope that you will join us regularly as Pastor Ray Viola carefully unpacks the only primarily prophetic book of the New Testament over the next few months. Please open your Bible...

After His resurrection, Jesus gave The Great Commission to His disciples: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. The essence of the Gospel is this: Jesus died for our sins, and, according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He rose again on...

Because Jesus has risen from the dead, we having a meaningful faith in a living Savior. After He rose from the dead, Jesus gave a command to all that believe in Him to go into all the world and preach to Gospel to everyone. Please follow along as Pastor Ray Viola...

The bodily resurrection of Jesus was the Amen to His work of atonement. Scripture tells us that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then there is no forgiveness for sin, no hope, and our faith is meaningless. However, Jesus did rise from the dead, just like He said...

Are you trusting in good works or some religious system to atone for your sin and to save you from eternal damnation? Do not be deceived, it is only through the blood of Jesus and God’s grace that one can be saved. If you haven’t done so already, look unto Jesus, Who...

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” from the cross, it was a cry of victory, because the debt for all sin had been paid in full. When He made that declaration, God tore the veil in the Temple from...

The only way that fallen man can be saved is by the grace of God. Fallen men cannot save themselves. Therein lies the difference between the Gospel of Jesus Christ and every other religious system. Salvation is the free gift of God, period. Because it is a gift, it...

Jesus’ mock trial, conviction, and crucifixion contain challenging lessons for every follower of Jesus. Not only did Jesus say, “It is finished,” as He was dying on the cross, He also said, “Follow Me,” earlier in His ministry. What are you willing to endure for the...

As Jesus moved from Gethsemane to Calvary, Scripture recorded significant events that had been prophesied centuries earlier. From this one can see that nothing in that time period happened by chance. Every detail was part of God’s plan to accomplish atonement for the...

The word Gethsemane comes from an Aramaic word that means crushed. There Jesus expressed great agony about what He was about to face, yet He remained submitted to His Father. When we find ourselves crushed by betrayal or ill will, we too can experience our own...

The night before Jesus died, He went before His Father in an agony-filled prayer in the garden at Gethsemane. Though completely submitted to His Father’s will, Jesus asked if there was any other way to redeem lost, sinful man without Him having to die on the cross....

When Jesus instituted The Lord’s Supper in the upper room on the night before He was crucified, He told His disciples to do this service in remembrance of Him. We should not only remember what Jesus did on the cross, but we should also remember that Jesus is always...

Today’s passage concerns Mark’s account of Jesus’ institution of what we now call The Lord’s Supper. The elements of this meal symbolize Christ’s body and blood that He gave that we might be saved from sin. Please open your Bible to Mark chapter fourteen, and listen...

Our modern culture has created a Christianity in which sacrifice and full devotion to Jesus Christ has become optional. This is not right. Jesus gave His all for us on the cross. Therefore, we should be sacrificing our lives for Jesus, being addicted to serving Him...

It is a waste to misuse scarce resources like time, talents, or money. However, the worldly idea of something being wasteful is often at odds with what God thinks is wasteful. Investing your life in anything other than service and devotion to Jesus Christ is wasteful...

Shortly before Jesus died on the cross, he was having a meal at the house of Simon the leper. During the meal, a woman poured an expensive ointment on Jesus’ head. Some were indignant, calling the costly act wasteful. However, Jesus heralded it as an act of worshipful...

The regathering of Jews from all around the world into their homeland is a miraculous ancient promise that God is fulfilling today. Because the Lord is a promise-keeping God, we can also be confident that what Jesus did for us on the cross, in this life and in...

In our continuing study of Jesus’ Olivet discourse, we will learn about how God is going to regather the Jewish people from all over the world into their ancient homeland. This regathering is miraculous, but many prophets, inlcuding Jesus, said that God would do it....

As we continue to work our way through the amazing prophecies of Jesus’ Olivet discourse, Jesus’ call for vigilance looms large. May the Spirit of God cause us to be tuned in to what the Lord is doing in these momentous times, and may He empower us to live our lives...

A key signpost showing that we are nearing the end of what Scripture calls The Last Days is the re-birth of the nation of Israel and the return of the Jewish people to their homeland. As prophesied, one day they will look up and see Jesus coming in the clouds, and...

In Jesus’ Olivet discourse, He talked about many events that would occur during the Great Tribulation, which will precede His second coming. According to Jesus, this will be a period of time that will be unlike anything seen all of human history. To learn more, please...

The abomination of desolation is a prophetic reference to the Antichrist standing in the most holy place of the Jewish Temple. For this to happen, a new Temple must be built. Amazingly, a group of Orthodox Jews known as the Temple Institute have been preparing...

Today we are going to look at one of the most amazing prophecies in the Bible. That prophecy concerns the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet and mentioned by Jesus in His Olivet discourse. Please open your Bible to Mark chapter thirteen, and...

A disciple of Jesus Christ in any generation will not be religiously or politically correct. Most worldly values, philosophies, and pleasures are opposed to what God deems to be true or appropriate. We all need God’s grace and the power of His Holy Spirit to boldly...

Satan has always opposed God’s plans and purposes. Therefore, Satan’s persecution of God’s people has been evident throughout world history. Jesus warned His disciples that they would face intensified persecution after He ascended into heaven and just before He would...

In the Olivet discourse, Jesus admonished His disciples to watch, and He also warned them not to be deceived. Those imperatives are still important for us today as we draw ever closer to Jesus’ second coming. God’s eternal plans and purposes are going to be fulfilled,...