6th July 2014.

Revelation 14: 1- 13. The Lamb and God’s people (+ Judgement).

The prevailing threat of John’s day was the Roman Empire and the challenge to God’s people is to be faithful and to endure. Another refreshing interlude with a vision of the Lamb is seen – this time standing on Mount Zion – Jesus in final triumph. (Reminiscent of the prophetic Psalm 2: 6) An amazing voice is heard from heaven. From the throne come 3 messengers of Grace, Doom and Warning. Judgement is a necessary part of the Gospel – the Good News. The “wine of God’s fury” is spoken of. An outcome for those who have identified with the Beast of Babylon. But the Voice affirms: blessed are those who die in the service of the Lord.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website.

29th June 2014

Revelation 12 and 13. The woman, the child and the red dragon:

This is not a children’s story but a revelation to God’s children. John sees “signs” in the sky; the ages long battle between the Serpent and the children born of woman is seen. The woman is seen to represent Israel labouring to give birth to the Messiah and later in the chapter the woman represents the Church – tortured and labouring for its faith. The Dragon and its 3 allies are introduced. The warfare of heaven spills over into the earth. Endurance and faith is called for from God’s people in every generation. The famous 666 mark of the beast – a Hebrew cryptogram for “Nero Caesar”. Get the interpretation right or be deceived by every latter day self styled prophet or preacher.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website.

22nd June 2014.

Revelation 11: 1-14. The 2 witnesses and 15 – 19 the last trumpet.

The first part of this chapter is particularly difficult to interpret. The Lamb is still central to the vision: he alone is worthy to release future history. John’s task is to measure the symbolic temple and altar. The 2 witnesses representing Moses and Elijah appear. The beast appears and the 2 witnesses are slaughtered. The prophetic witnesses of God are often slain but here we consider the important role of the church to be prophetic even if martyred. Why does the Christian church if faithful call down persecution? We move in this talk towards the time when the time will come to destroy those who destroy the earth.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website

15^th June 2014.

The reading is from John 4:43 - 54 looking at the second of the seven signs recorded in the Gospel of John as part of a series within Jesus and the prophets with Geoff as the speaker. He asks the question "who are you listening to" and considers the meaning and importance of this incident in Cana in Galilee.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website.

8th June 2014.

Jane Thorington-Hassell spoke from Revelation 10 on The mighty angel and little book. The talk included a small group break out discussion as to the identity of this amazing figure who came from heaven to earth and placed one foot on the land and one foot on the sea. He held authority to speak and so “create a new reality”. The idea of God’s “secret plan” was suggested and the urgency to speak God’s message to many nations, races, languages and kings.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website

1st June 2014.

Revelation 8 and 9. Jane Thorington-Hassell spoke about “30 minutes silence in heaven” when even the praises of the Lamb Jesus stopped while the prayers of God’s people were listened to. As judgement was considered as a consequence not just of human actions but also the result of human prayers so too the mercy of God in restraining the consequences of human sin was stressed. The chapters end with the statements that humanity is not willing to change from idolatry, greed, murder, magical arts and all sorts of sexual immorality that are destructive of human nature and displeasing to God. These very intense and awesome revelations about the true nature of human history and a suffering planet reveal not just human need but the honesty of God to show things as they really are and consequently what will be. Throughout all the Lamb of God is revealed as the One “who takes away the sin of the World”.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website

25th May 2014

 Jane Thorington-Hassell seeks to unlock the meaning of Revelation 6 through to chapter 8 verse 1. Only the Lamb, Jesus is found worthy to open the 7 seals of the scroll. Through the unlocking of the seals we see history from several angels rather than in a chronological or sequential way. In vivid symbolic pictures God sheds light on the interconnectedness of the earth and the heavens. God’s people (marked out by a God given “seal” on their foreheads) are without number. God is seen as restraining the consequences of evil actions and not just punishing them. 

 

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website