Today, Craig and LaDonna Smith begin a new series in their extended study of eschatology, or, biblical prophecy. They are using the Book of Revelation, which isn't taught from very often by preachers and teachers but is so necessary to cover because it presents in great detail the things that are to come for both believers in Christ and for those who reject His free gift of salvation. They move from their review of the seven churches in Asia Minor, found in Revelation 2 & 3 to the church after it has been raptured into heaven by Christ which launches the seven year Great Tribulation period here on earth. They unpackage the introductory verses of chapter 4 by reviewing what John the Revelator saw in his vision of things to come. They discuss in detail what the words of this chapter are telling those who read it and desire to understand it fully. They talk about John being invited by Christ to, "Come up here..." and how he could do this by, "Being in the spirit..." and how long it took him to get there, which was immediately. But the most important part of this episode is when Craig stops the music and turns his attention to sharing a clear presentation of the gospel and inviting listeners to come to Christ right then and there, so they don't miss this eternity altering event! If you're in that number, please consider your eternal destiny, as the Smiths plead with you to consider. You may not have much time left to decide. Is it heaven, or is it going to be hell? They only assurance we have for heaven is through Christ, the truth behind the whole book of Revelation and the other sixty-five books that make up God's Holy and universally true Word!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith finish their study in the seventh and final church in Revelation 2 and 3, the church in Laodicea. Along with their concluding comments on the discipline of the Lord as found in verse 19, they unpackage the truths about who's door it is He is standing at and knocking, seeking to come in and have fellowship with. Contrary to many who think He's knocking at the door of the lost person, He's actually standing and knocking at the door of His church, which He wasn't a part of because this was an apostate, unbelieving church. Oh, how we need to take the admonitions of Christ seriously to all the seven churches He told John to write to and give them His exact words of commendation and condemnation, but in particular this church, which was a lukewarm church that Christ would spit (vomit) out of His mouth. The passage ends on a potentially positive note as verse 21 tell us all, if we live victorious lives, we will be given a place of honor by sitting in His throne in heaven. What does that mean? Well, please tune into this series ending finale for that answer. And don't miss Craig and LaDonna's acapella rendition of Amazing Grace, sung in both English and their Native languages of Ojibwa and Navajo. A great ending to a great series, right her on Indigenous Faith! And don't forget to join them as they continue on in their extended eschatological study on the rest of the book of Revelation!

Today the Smiths help draw the parallel Christ makes about the spiritual climate of Laodicea in comparison to the climate of the practical or even physical climate of this important city as they cover Revelation 3:17-19. There were three important hallmarks of Laodicea as a community they were known for. Their wealth, their textile industry and their advances in medical helps such as an expensive eye salve they were famous for. Jesus says don't depend on your wealth, but look to me for a spiritual supply of resources that come with my blessing. Don't look for the black woolen garments they were famous for, but for the white garments associated with the righteousness that comes from Christ, and also, don't depend on the eye salve the community was famous for producing, but put on the supernatural eye salve I proved that improves both physical and spiritual sight and understanding. The bottom line of Christ's admonition to them was LOOK TO ME FOR ALL YOU NEED! He said that because they weren't looking to Christ for anything they needed. They seemed to have it all, but that "all" came from fallen mankind's sources. And that's not the living church of Jesus Christ! That's why this church was nothing more than a human organization made up of lost people who thought they were followers of Christ. It led the Lord, and the Smiths, to finish up this line of thought from verse 18, which was all bout the discipline, yes loving discipline of God for His own. If they wanted to repent and turn to Christ for salvation, then they'd have to be willing to go through godly discipline, which always is intended to bring wayward souls back to the fold of God. All important stuff, and all right here on this week's version of Indigenous Faith!