Peeking Into The Future - Westminster Calvary

Unveiling The Future

September 18, 2019 • Jeff Cramer

When we know the central theme of Revelation is the Unveiling of Jesus Christ He brings joy/hope to those that will accept it to those that will read it / hear it / & keep it (v.3). Revelation is a prophecy (it makes specific predicts of the future); And when God talks about the future he speaks with certainty & He’s NOT guessing!

Come And See, Go And Tell

September 25, 2019 • Jeff Cramer

Last week I covered the intro to the book of Revelation and explained the flow (past / present / future) with some different ways it’s been interpreted. I shared that we’ll approach this book in a literal sense looking toward the future as prophetic events are unfolded. I should add the Futuristic approach is held by a vast majority of scholars and even Church fathers. The Apostle John writes 65-years after the death of Christ (A.D. 95). John was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos where he had been sent to die. This was after authorities tried to kill him by boiling him in oil, but it didn’t work. Yet through these harsh experiences John didn’t get bitter it actually created a deeper love for people.

Letters From The End of The World

October 2, 2019 • Jeff Cramer

There are seasons where God strips away life as we know it to get us alone with Him because He has more to say to us. Even when He leads me into a valley I can’t see thru. John uses the words – Patience endurance (NLT), describing a person who counted the cost and decided to remain faithful no matter what the outcome was!

Where's The Love?

October 9, 2019 • Jeff Cramer

Ephesus was a church that had been faithful for 35+ years (Ephesians to Revelation). And now Jesus is speaking to this church personally by telling the pastors what to say to the congregation. Ephesus was as a city known for banking, trade, & religion. With a population of 250,000 people. Ephesus held one of the seven wonders of the ancient world “The Temple of Diana” – (fertility goddess). The temple was beautiful display of marble-construction. The point is, Ephesus was a culturally rich city and the church refused to compromise in it! However, the Christians lost their FIRE as they drifted from a love for Christ.

Crushed

October 16, 2019 • Jeff Cramer

Today we see Jesus speaking to the Church of Smyrna! This was one of two churches that received no criticism from Jesus. Smyrna was a church located about 35-miles north of Ephesus with a population of about 100,000 people. This City was known for advanced sciences & medicine, and it housed the Temple of Zeus. Smyrna led the way in Emperor worship during the 1st century and they built the first temple to Tiberius Caesar. Years later under Domitian emperor worship was forced upon all citizens.

The Compromising Church

October 23, 2019 • Jeff Cramer

This is the 3rd Church Jesus speaks to. Pergamos was a very desirable place to live because it had an abundance of good features:  Education opportunities o 2nd largest library in the world (200,000 volumes).  Advanced medicine with good doctors.  Health clubs.  Attractive night life with their theaters. It was one of the best cities around! The name Pergamos means = “Objectionable marriage!” It's not by coincidence that Jesus says you cannot serve two masters.

When The Church Allows Sin

January 8, 2020 • Jeff Cramer

This is the 4th church Jesus’ speaks to. This church was located about 35 - 40 miles S/E of Pergamos in an agricultural area. This was the smallest of the seven cities / churches but it was given the longest letter! Thyatira didn’t suffer any significant political or religious persecution. But, this city was famous for the purple dye it produced (Acts 16:14-15). I find it interesting that this city known for making dye housed the church that was being stained by culture from the inside out!

Are You Dead or Alive?

January 15, 2020 • Jeff Cramer

Today, the only thing He gives the church in Sardis is reproof & criticism! He’s expressing disapproval because this church was filled with lifeless professions! There was religious movement (Formal, ritualistic, worldly, & political) but the church lacked born-again Christians. So, this message is worth repeating in today’s church. It may make you uncomfortable but whatever God speaks is FOR good. Jesus came to rescue! We're a culture that has lost the value of truth and have placed a heavy emphasis upon being non-judgmental. Yet, the reality according to Gods word is that both “Truth & Criticism” go hand in hand (2 Tim. 3:16). This word from Jesus cuts right to the core.

The Committed Church

January 22, 2020 • Jeff Cramer

A chicken & a pig were walking around the farm one morning when the chicken said, "let’s get something to eat." The pig said, "Ok… what shall we eat?" The chicken said, "how about some breakfast" – with a big smile! The pig paused for a minute, and said, "what are you thinking?" The chicken quickly replied, "eggs & bacon" The pig was quiet again for a minute, and then said, "no way!!!" The chicken said, "why not Piggly what’s wrong???" The pig replied, "well for you it’s just a contribution but for me it’s total commitment!" Total commitment... the Church in Philadelphia, the committed church, the faithful church, the church in revival! This is the sixth letter out of the seven and this letter is filled with commendation! A positive letter, to a faithful church.

The Lukewarm Church

January 29, 2020 • Jeff Cramer

Today we finish the last of the seven letters to the seven churches! No doubt, the most difficult letter of them all. A scathing rebuke!. Laodicea (Grk. = Law – I – De – Coo’s) was located in a tri-city cluster next to Colossae & Hierapolis (map) and their claim to fame was in three areas: It had the strong banking system in the region (they had money), It had a medical school that produced eye medicine (good health care), It had booming clothing market (we would call them outlet malls). This city was educated / healthy / & wealthy. Who needs God when life is so easy AND outward confidence is high!?! (Humanity is blinded by the pacifying of needs.)(1 John 5:19) sway Rocked to sleep / blind to eternal matters

I Get It

February 12, 2020 • Jeff Cramer

In revelation chapter 4 we see the church in heaven. The scene has radically changed and now we begin to look at future events. As we move through these chapters it’s like watching a play. It proceeds in parts /goes forward / it pauses and then the scenes switch back & forth between heaven & earth. Which is why it can be hard to follow! So let's grasp this from the beginning!

Upward Focus

February 19, 2020 • Jeff Cramer

As we recall chapters 1-3, the Church was mentioned (19x) different times, but then it suddenly vanished off the scene. As I mentioned last week, this is NOT an explicit reference to the rapture but this is the place where the rapture occurs. (1 Cor. 15:52) NLT “… In the blink of an eye…” So (v. 1) starts off with the Greek words Meta Tauta = “after these things” Which points back to (Rev. 1:19) and gives us the outline of the book!

The Big Picture

February 26, 2020 • Jeff Cramer

The book of Revelation was given to the 1st Century Church while they were going thru persecution! This prophecy was meant to build them up in order to help them finish their race faithfully! So too, God blesses those who listen to it & obey the words of the message. Tonight we get one last glimpse in heaven before the Tribulation Period begins! In Revelation Chapter #5 we see the church in heaven witnessing Jesus taking possession of the title deed to earth. The scene here is pictured in part back in (Dan. 7:13-14) NLT This is Jesus taking possession of the Earth where He will set up His rule and wipe out all rebellion!

The End Of The World Begins

March 4, 2020 • Jeff Cramer

Tonight we begin the judgments of God on a Christ rejecting world! God has spent thousands of years reaching out His hand to the world! And regardless of how many times He’s been rejected grace & mercy has been His attitude toward humanity but was we arrive at (chap 6) there’s a serious change that takes place! We see a 7-year span of wrath being poured out as the world falls under God’s judgment! This is the portion of Scripture that is often referred to as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!!!

Tribulation Saints

March 11, 2020 • Jeff Cramer

As we start tonight, I want to make sure you’re grasping the over-all picture of how these events unfold. The 7 year tribulation is generally broken down like this: (Rev. 6 – 9) Reveals the first 3 ½ years of tribulation. Beginning with the anti-Christ conquering… With peace treaties & deception (white horse). (Rev. 10 – 14) Gives an over-lapping middle period. Where the anti-Christ breaks his treaty with the Jews, desecrates their temple and begins to persecute the Jews. (Rev. 15 – 19) Uncovers the last 3 ½ years of tribulation known as the “Great Tribulation.” This is the climax of earthly judgments.