Reality Santa Barbara (audio)

Christ will return to judge the living and the dead.

That cosmic battle manifests itself in military and economic power. Babylon is the beast that shows up in every history. All secular powers eventually become Babylon. Twist: 666 is not a stamp but an allegiance to the power of Babylon. The church resists!

Every injustice and evil act you see here has roots in Satan. We are all called to sacrifice and triumph over evil in the eternal power of Jesus’ death.

John recalls the Exodus plagues and the unrepentance of Egypt as a normative pattern in history, and the church as a prophetic voice with an unassailable (yet unexpected) method of victory.

History seems to get worse as the myth of human progress fails to live up to its name. But God is faithful to preserve a remnant of His people who will remain steadfast.

Ch 4 introduces God who is a big deal (v.3-11) with something to say (v.1).Ch 5: the message is in a scroll that no one can open (v.1-4) except Jesus (v.5) Twist: we see the first glimpse of what victory looks like: sacrificial love (6, 9)

Jesus speaks through John for the Church in every era living under the shadow of Babylon: Jesus is coming!

Waiting on God changes the way we see.

We Were Made To Praise by Reality Santa Barbara

Within The Walls by Reality Santa Barbara

When Facing Darkness by Reality Santa Barbara

Like the returning exiles from Babylon that had “not separated themselves from sin”, we are called to repent (change mind/direction) from sin and return to God to experience His abundant mercy & grace.

Tear Out The Tent! by Reality Santa Barbara

Be the Sponge!

Sometimes we need to remember who God is and what God has done so that we remember who we are and work with all our heart.

Like the Jews returning to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple, we are in for a battle when living out our calling from God! We will be faced with opposition in the building of the temple (the church) but the Good News is that we are provided the presence and power of God to do the work He has called us to.

Three Concerns for the Spiritual Life by Reality Santa Barbara

God is on the move; His movements require corporate renewal, and renewal is not for the faint of heart. APP: Let’s reflect on the cost of following Jesus together, ask God to awaken us corporately, and then hop off the fence of anonymity to join the family in discipleship to Jesus.

Race & Riots by Reality Santa Barbara

Gotta Plan the Pauses! by Reality Santa Barbara