Heaven

FINALLY

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

When reading this Scripture, the word that came to mind was “Finally”. There is so much in Revelation to be pondered and known, but this is the pinnacle of everything: “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

We have had lots of times in our lives when we waited for the culmination of things. You can think of many, I am sure. Some have been wonderful, like a graduation, a wedding, a birth, a prayer answered for someone’s salvation, and more. Some have been hard in the space before “finally” occurred; waiting through a long illness, being without employment, walking away from God, and other times of training in perseverance. Often, the culmination was not expected. But this culmination will be so different!

One Sunday, the choir sang a song with this chorus, “I know how this story ends, we will be with You again.” Again? Yes, exactly because this sin-cursed world is not the way it was supposed to be. When this moment happens, as Randy Alcorn says “At last, you’re with the person you were made for, in the place you were made for.” When the world was created, God created the Garden of Eden for the people He created to enjoy and walk in intimacy with Him. God came to walk and talk with them, sharing His love with them. But then, the ones He had created decided to question His love and brought sin and death into the world. Because of that choice, they could not live in God’s holy presence. At the same time that this unfolded, God planned the Way that would provide for our return. The life, death, and resurrection of the LORD Jesus is the key to “again”! Through Him and in Him, we will finally be where we were meant to be.

“But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:13

Finally! Today, ponder what it will be like to live on an earth without sin, death, fear, tragedy, etc. Walk through your day, seeing the foretaste of what it will be like when righteousness dwells in all the earth again. The chorus of the song said, “I know when this story ends…” But then is the beginning of the next story, the one that lasts forever and ever.

Francie Overstreet
EFCC Member

by Francie Overstreet

One Day

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” — Revelation 11:15

The book of Revelation gives us this glimpse of what is still to come. Here in chapter 11, the seventh trumpet sounds, and heaven erupts in ecstatic worship: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah.” However, for today, I just want us to notice the verb “has become.” From the vantage point of John’s vision, from Heaven’s vantage point, the reign of Christ is so certain and so unstoppable that it is spoken of as already finished. But on earth, we know—we’re not there yet.

Right now, kingdoms still rise and fall. Rulers, power brokers, Presidents, dictators, Kings, & Queens still vie for influence. Meanwhile, injustice keeps spreading. Tears still flow. Suffering still stings. We live in a world where sickness, disease, war, and death still rob us of those we love. We are reminded daily that we are not yet living in the reality that we long for. This is because Revelation 11 is a reminder and a proclamation: what is now is not what always will be.

One day…
The trumpet will sound, and the reign of Christ will be revealed in full.
Every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4).
All mourning, crying, suffering, and pain will be no more because Death will be defeated.
The kingdoms of this world finally submit to the reign of the true King.

Until that day, we live in the tension between reality and hope. We grieve what is broken, but we hope in what is certain. Although we struggle with sin and sadness, we trust in the victory already secured at the cross. We live in the “not yet,” but we fix our eyes on the “one day.”

What part of your life right now reminds you that the kingdom has not yet come in its fullness? Where do you see glimpses of the “not yet” in the midst of this reality? How can you hold that tension with hope in the certainty of Christ’s coming reign?

Josh Rose
Family Pastor

by Josh Rose

Resist the Beast

A few months ago, a friend of mine sent me a link to a congressional hearing on UFOs. Yes, you read that correctly. Have you noticed how much attention UFOs have gotten in recent years? Government hearings, leaked military footage, podcasts, and countless headlines speculating about what might be “out there.” People are fascinated by the unseen realm. We want to know if we’re alone in the universe, if there’s life beyond what we can see.

Here’s the irony, Scripture has been saying all along that there is an unseen realm. It’s not filled with aliens, but it is filled with very real and powerful spiritual beings. There are angels, there are demons, and there is an archenemy called Satan. Paul put it this way, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). That’s quite the statement if you really take it in; the true battle, the battle underneath every other battle, is actually spiritual in nature.

Revelation 11 pulls back the curtain on this conflict. John describes the beast rising up to wage war against the people of God. For a moment, it looks like he wins. The witnesses are struck down, silenced in the street. That’s the enemy’s tactics of intimidation, destruction, and fear. He wants us to believe he’s in control. But the story doesn’t end there. God raises His witnesses. He breathes life into His people. He proves once again that the beast may roar, but his time is short. He is not ultimate.

That’s why Peter exhorts us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” (1 Peter 5:8–9). That’s our call. Resist the beast. Stand firm. Put on the armor of God. Keep testifying to Jesus. Yes, there is an unseen realm, and yes, we have an enemy, but we also have a King who has already triumphed. And His victory means we can stand.

Pastor Ryan Paulson

by Ryan Paulson

Evangelism - Then and Now

In Revelation 11, the two witnesses boldly proclaim God's truth amid fierce opposition, performing miracles and pronouncing judgments for three and a half years. They face unrelenting hatred, culminating in their death and the world's celebration over their bodies. Unlike Jonah's reluctant sermon that sparked Nineveh's repentance or Billy Graham's crusades that drew thousands to faith, these witnesses seem to convert no one.

Therefore, success hinges on accuracy to God's message, not reception. These witnesses' divine power and resurrection confirmed God endorsed what they said. Jeremiah was similarly commissioned to speak to a defiant audience (Jeremiah 7:27) and Noah preached righteousness amid mockery (2 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 11:7). Paul endured riots and imprisonment for the uncompromised gospel, showing that obedience trumps acclaim. Evangelism demands precision, even if it provokes backlash. Jesus himself says, “[the world] hates me because I testify that its works are evil.” (John 7:7b)

As modern Christians, we have no excuse for inaccuracy; we simply cannot water down the truth for palatability. If you tell someone about the Lord and their sin, and they get mad at you for judging them, you have done as well as these two witnesses. This is excellent news, the only way we can fail is by not trying!

Jonathan Duncan
EFCC Member

by Jonathan Duncan

Two Witnesses

And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. Rev. 11:3-4

The imagery in Revelation 11 of the olive trees and lampstands isn’t new. If we go back to Zechariah 4: 1-3, we see God’s people returning from exile and the task of rebuilding the temple seemed overwhelming. Zechariah had a vision of a golden lampstand with a bowl on top and two olive trees beside it, providing a continual supply of oil. When the prophet is confused, the angel responds in Zechariah 4:6–Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts. In other words, God’s work will not be accomplished by human strength or effort but by the power of his Spirit. I find that comforting. But at the same time, what is our responsibility?

The Lampstand represents God’s people, Israel, shining as a light to the nations. (See Matt.5:14) The Olive trees represent two leaders (Zerubbabel and Joshua) tasked with rebuilding the temple and restoring worship in Jerusalem. Zechariah’s vision emphasizes the inexhaustible supply of God’s Spirit symbolized by the olive oil flowing into the lampstand. God’s Spirit empowers his people without limit.

The two witnesses in Revelation 11 are tasked with prophesying for 1,260 days, proclaiming God’s message and demonstrating His power.

In the tabernacle the lampstand (menorah) was a source of light, representing God’s presence among his people. In Revelation 11, the two lampstands symbolize the witness of God’s people and their light is fueled by the Holy Spirit. The number two is significant in biblical law and prophecy. (See Deut.19:15) Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs to preach and heal. (Mark 6:7)

So, back to our responsibility today. We rely on God’s Spirit to empower us to be a faithful witness, a light in the darkness, and an example of trust in God and his truth.

Reflect on Matthew 5:14-16. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Deb Hill
EFCC Member

by Deb Hill

Daily Bread for Our Souls

Back in the days before we all carried supercomputers in our pockets, if you wanted to find a phone number, you had to pull out a super-heavy book called a “Phone Book.” Every year, a new one would be delivered to your house. In one of those editions, there was an ad about the Phone Book itself that said:

"Born to be battered… the Phone Book. Underline it, circle things, write in the margins, turn down page corners — the more you use it, the more valuable it gets to be."

I think the same could be said about the Bible. God’s Word isn’t meant to sit pristine on a shelf. The pages aren’t meant to remain neat and tidy. It is meant to be opened, underlined, written in, and most of all, taken in until it becomes part of us.

Jeremiah said it this way: “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty” (Jeremiah 15:16). God’s Word was food for his soul — sustaining him in the loneliness and challenges of being a prophet. He didn’t just study it, he consumed it, he tore it to pieces, and it filled him with joy.

In Revelation, the apostle John is told to take a scroll and eat it: “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey” (Revelation 10:9). God’s Word is like that — sweet with the promises of grace, but sometimes bitter because it confronts sin and warns of judgment. Yet both flavors are necessary in the life of a disciple.

Just as food becomes part of us, God’s Word is meant to be absorbed until it shapes our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. It is sweet when it reminds us of His love. It is bitter when it calls us to repent. But it is always life-giving, always necessary, always valuable — like daily bread for our souls.

So pick up your Bible. Mark it up. Circle things, underline words, jot down prayers in the margins. The more you use it, the more valuable it becomes — not because the paper changes, but because you do. As Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Josh Rose
Family Pastor

by Josh Rose

Take & Eat

Well, in Revelation 10 John is told to take a small scroll from an angel and eat it. He did and it tasted sweet as honey but was bitter in his stomach. This symbolizes the dual nature of God's message: the initial joy of receiving divine revelation, followed by the sobering reality of impending judgment. John is then told to prophesy again, indicating the need to share this message with others despite its bitter aspects.

Studying, praying, and preparing to write this, my mind kept going back to 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

This verse emphasizes the importance of diligent study and accurate understanding of God's word.

"Do your best":

This emphasizes the need for effort and diligence in studying the Bible. It's not a passive activity, but one that requires commitment and intentionality.

"present yourself to God as one approved":

The ultimate goal is to be pleasing to God, not just to others.

"a worker who does not need to be ashamed":

This highlights the importance of being knowledgeable and effective in sharing and applying the truth of Scripture. A worker who is ashamed may lack confidence in their understanding or ability to communicate the truth.

"who correctly handles the word of truth":

Refers to understanding and interpreting the Bible accurately, avoiding misinterpretations or twisting of the scriptures. It's about understanding God's intended message and conveying it faithfully.

My grandma used to say, we always make time for what (or who) is most important. And we know that we get out of something as much as we put in. I know reading the bible is different for me than being in a good study–preferably inductive. I love researching word meanings and commentaries, but mostly seeking out the meaning of scripture on my own as much as possible using the tools I learned about a long time ago. But this requires time and effort.

Revelation 10:8-10 emphasizes the dual nature of God's word – it is both a source of joy and a source of challenge. John's experience reveals the importance of internalizing God's message and sharing it with others, even when it is difficult. 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages believers to be devoted students of Scripture, putting in the effort to understand its meaning accurately and apply it correctly, so that they can confidently live out their faith and share the truth accurately with others.

Lord, help me/us to be passionate students of Scripture, so that we can confidently and correctly share it with others.

Deb Hill
EFCC Member

by Deb Hill

In His Time

by Francie Overstreet