Craig and LaDonna Smith's multi-episode review of the reasons they are committed to the Premillennial, Pretribulation rapture position continues as they present a timely article written by Dr. David Jeremiah title, "The Battle of Armageddon." It is one of the most concise yet thorough overviews of this much misunderstood battle described in the Scriptures and that Hollywood has often times attempted to create movies that can't hold a candle to the clear and compelling description God's Holy Word offers. It's an important part of end time prophetic teaching and serves as the bridge between the Great Tribulation period and the Millennial reign of Christ. In Christ's Second Coming to earth, He assumes the posture of a warring King and defeats, in what seems to be a moment of time, Satan, his Anti-Christ, False Prophet, and the world's all at once, and we as His church are along for the ride! Only the premillennial literal interpretation position has room for the actual defeat and binding of Satan for a thousand year period which reminds Craig and LaDonna that for us as believers in Christ, greater days await us when what is prophesied actually becomes a reality! The literal view also affirms what John the Revelator said in the eight visions he had experienced when he uttered these words, And I saw, and I saw, and I saw, and I saw, and I saw, and I saw, and I saw, and I saw...! No allegory here. John literally saw the things he was to write about and us to read and believe! With a few minutes left on the 30 minute podcast clock, the Smiths close out this episode with their beginning to answer the question, Where is the nation of Israel in end times prophecy, starting with four key words about Israel. The first, and only one they had time to cover today is the word, Land. More great inspiration right here on today's episode of Indigenous Faith!

In today's episode, Craig and LaDonna continue their review of why they believe in the PreMillennial, Pre-tribulation rapture of the church position, which is based upon the literal translation of Scripture instead of the allegorical understanding of prophetic teaching of the Bible. They believe it important at this point in their extended series on the prophetic teaching of end times found in God's Word. As that literal hermeneutic (the art and science of interpreting God's Word) guides them, they help give clarity to the important differences between the Second Coming of Christ and the Rapture of the Church. As an example, in Revelation 1, the word "church" is mentioned 19 times alone, and then is never mentioned again until Revelation 22. Why such a huge gap? The reason is because Revelation 4-21 speaks of the Great Tribulation period. If there's no mention of the church in these chapters, then its obvious the church will not be present during the Great Tribulation. Where will it be? The only answer that makes sense is the church will be in heaven because it will have been raptured (caught away) by the Lord and taken to heaven to await returning to the earth with the Lord when He comes back at the second coming at the end of the Tribulation period. That is when His Millennial reign will take place on earth, with us as the church with Him until the end of time as we know it will happen after the Millennial reign. We will be with the Lord throughout all eternity in what the Bible describes as a new eternal state that will go on throughout the ages to come and never end! What great promises await the church when the rapture begins this amazing new fulfilled life with the Lord who saved us through His shed blood on the cross! Be blessed, dear friends, by the truths of God's Word as Craig and LaDonna Smith continue their review of end time events, right her on Indigenous Faith!

Today Craig and LaDonna takes a brief break from the seven churches in Revelation 2&3 to provide an all-important review of where they stand on the issue of the Rapture, Second Coming of Christ, the Great Tribulation Period, the Millennial reign of Christ on earth, the Great White Throne Judgement and the eternal state promised in God's Holy Word. They do so because of the recent growth of the Indigenous Faith podcast both in the United States and around the world. The Smiths want to make sure their listeners understand the Smiths are presenting this teaching on Bible prophecy from the conviction of a Pre-Millennial Pre-Tribulation rapture position which is based on a literal translation of prophetic passages in God's Word. They hope this review will be helpful to all listeners, both new and those who have followed the Smiths teaching in the almost five years since they launched the Indigenous Faith broadcasts. People in over 102 nations are now accessing this programming, and it will continue to grow as God allows. That is, until He comes for us in the rapture, which could be this very day! Are you ready, friend, should Jesus come for us soon! Be ready. Eternity depends on the choices we make today.

In today's episode, Craig and LaDonna finish up their study of the first Church Jesus told John to write to in His words to the seven churches in Asia Minor. It was the church in Ephesus. The Smiths continue to help us understand how we, today, can be like the Ephesian church, by continuing to preach and teach sound doctrine all while guarding our local church against the false teachers of today. When false doctrines, like weeds, try and sprout up in our churches today, they are to be confronted by the leaders of the church and by exercising what is called church discipline on those who bring such teaching in. Craig goes the extra mile by including some important thoughts about the legalities church discipline needs to operate under, especially in such a litigious environment like we find ourselves in today. He addresses what the church should do if and when someone goes as far as suing the church in civil court. Drawing upon his years of leading the Native Ministries of The C&MA, and the training he received while in that role, Craig helps bring out the importance of the church today in covering itself legally should something like that happen today. It all centers around Christ's affirmation of the leaders in Ephesus for doing the hard work of protecting the church from false teaching. He commends them strongly for doing so. But Christ also shares with the folks in Ephesus that there were some things He was not happy with in what He observed in this congregation. Specifically, was the fact that they had left their first love for Christ. Thankfully, Christ gave them three things to do to recapture that first love, and Craig takes the time to unpackage those items to you, his listeners, today. Those three things are, Remember, Repent, and Return. You'll be encouraged by both Craig and LaDonna's teaching on how we can even do that today. Great words of encouragement to all listeners, once again, right here on today's edition of Indigenous Faith!

Today, Craig and LaDonna continue their study of Jesus' words to the seven churches in Asia Minor in Revelation 2-3. Realizing the importance of what Christ said, they had no option but to address the issue of abortion in our modern culture. The sacrifice of children to demonic pagan idols goes as far back as the Old Testament, and is strongly condemned by Jesus Christ. Without mincing words, they strongly present the biblical case that it's not simply a "social issue" called "Choice", but a demonic and pagan practice of the worst sort. They remind us that it's not just a women's issue, but a man's issue as well. Men bear just as much responsibility by their unwillingness to care for children they bring into the world and providing a loving home for a child to be raised in. It's a worldwide issue of modern paganism that affects all cultures, tribes, nations, and people groups. The Smiths also present some of the most encouraging words ever spoken about Christ and His involvement in His church. It says He holds the seven stars (pastors) in His hand and He walks among the seven lamp stands (churches). The implications of that reality is staggering to consider and should help all believers to rejoice. It also supports the importance of being a part of a local church in order to experience this deeper work of Christ in the world today. Christ's strong words to the leaders of Ephesus included an affirmation about them promoting sound doctrine in the church all while being on the lookout for false teachers that want to come in and sow destruction. It led Craig to begin speaking strongly on the importance of these roles and he begins to introduce the issue of church discipline. Unfortunately, time ran out so you'll have to come back next week and join the Smiths as they continue to unpackage what the Book of Revelation teaches. All right here on the Indigenous Faith broadcast!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith move on to Chapters 2-3 of the Book of Revelation, which covers Jesus' words to seven churches in the region of Asia Minor. For the next little while, the Smiths will be unpacking the details of Christ's words to these seven churches, of which He is the Senior Pastor over them all. After LaDonna presents these two chapters, the Smiths begin their focus on what He said to the first church mentioned, which was the church in the city of Ephesus. John, who was the scribe for the Book of Revelation, was actually in this city when he was taken prisoner for preaching the gospel and sent to isolation on the island of Patmos, where he received all that the Lord gave him about things to come in a biblical book who's whole purpose was to give great detail to what will happen in the last days of planet Earth as we know it. He was to write the about past, present, and future events as revealed to Him by Christ, Himself. In today's episode, the Smiths give a full explanation and background of the church in Ephesus, and begin unpacking both the affirming and challenging words of Christ to them. And that's the pattern Jesus uses in what He has to say to all these seven congregations spread throughout Asia Minor. He commends them for the good things they do, but also shares with them the things that He is against as they live their Christian lives in the early days of the Church. In one of the more powerful parts of their presentation, the Smiths remind us about the relationship Jesus has with both the church leaders and the congregation in these local congregations when He says that He holds the seven stars (the seven pastors) in His hand and he walks among the seven lamp stands (the actual seven churches). And He still does that today! There's so much encouragement as Craig and LaDonna begin unpacking God's Word, right here on this and the upcoming episodes of Indigenous Faith. We're glad you are with the Smiths in this biblical journey!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith wrap up there expository look into Revelation 1. They remind us that while they hold strongly to the literal interpretation of Scripture, they leave room for imagery, illustrations, etc., that are metaphorically presented to help Bible students realize just what the scripture is saying. They speak on this as this chapter provides some of that kind of text. The end of the chapter is filled with imagery of the Savior of heaven and earth as John saw a vision of a man, "like the son of man." John struggles to describe this image as its realities far out delivered John's ability to describe what he saw in common human terms of the first century. The Smiths believe you will be blessed by this three part series and we hope and pray you'll be able to see all its splendor and might, right her on Indigenous Faith!

Today Craig and LaDonna continue their introductory study into the Book of Revelation. They continue to unpack all that chapter 1 has to say about why this book was to be scribed by the Apostle John while in prison on the island of Patmos. Write the things you see (currently), the things you saw (past tense) and the things to come (future tense) is what the angel of the Lord told him to write. The intended audience is all of us living throughout the past 2,000 years since Christ was on earth, and ascended back to heaven in preparation for His second coming which will soon be upon us! In great imagery, Christ the conquering King is presented right at the beginning of this incredible book which speaks about things to come. Excitement is building in the hearts and souls of Craig and LaDonna as they present these exciting pages of timeless truth to you. We trust that excitement will be contagious and spread to every listener around the globe who tunes into this prophetic teaching series, all designed to help build a biblical and lasting Indigenous faith in the lives of our listeners. Buckle up for another amazing study in God's prophetic Word, right here on Indigenous Faith!