Draw Me Close: Podcast - A Ministry of Whitestone Christian Fellowship, with Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The woman in  Revelation 12  represents Israel, and that holy bloodline.  God chose Abram and his descendants to bring Messiah into the world.  But the bloodline was the focus of multiple Satanic attacks through the ages to end it.  That old serpent, Satan, knows that God's Anointed will be his end. Now in Revelation (the omega of the Bible's Books) we find  "the woman"  and her...

In chapter 12, Revelation takes a detour from the step-by-step narrative of the end times. The events described occur over a wide variety of eras, including past, present, and future. In the course of these visions, seven main figures are described. Five of those appear in this chapter. The next two chapters will continue to fill in the details. Chapter 15 adds another vision of heaven, and chapte...

Obadiah is a prophet of God who uses this opportunity to condemn Edom for sins against both God and Israel. The Edomites are descendants of Esau, and the Israelites are descendants of his twin brother, Jacob. A quarrel between the brothers has affected their descendants for over 1,000 years. This division caused the Edomites to forbid Israel to cross their land during the Israelites' Exodus fr...

As we have seen the terrorist attacks against Israel this week, and Israel declaring war, Obadiah sheds light on these enemies of Israel, God's warning against the nations, and promise to Israel.  Obadiah is a prophet of God who uses this opportunity to condemn Edom for sins against both God and Israel. The Edomites are descendants of Esau and the Israelites are descendants of his twin brother...

This chapter introduces two prophets referred to as the "two witnesses." Their message, supernatural power, death, and resurrection are dramatic moments in the story of the end times. Their influence precedes the end of the trumpet judgments, and sets the stage for the final series: the seven "bowl" judgments.

This chapter introduces two prophets referred to as the "two witnesses." Their message, supernatural power, death, and resurrection are dramatic moments in the story of the end times. Their influence precedes the end of the trumpet judgments, and sets the stage for the final series: the seven "bowl" judgments. John is first given a measuring device and told to measure the templ...

How many people through the years have asked why God allows sin to run wild, why God allows sinners to prosper and succeed, why God allows Satan and his demons to deceive and to destroy. If God is there and He is holy, why doesn’t He stop all the chaos and corruption? If God loves His people, why does He allow them to suffer? When will God destroy the wicked? When will God halt Satan’s enterprise?...

Before the seventh trumpet sounds there is an interlude described in chapter 10. In the midst of divine judgment, God comforts His people with the assurance of victory. This passage reminds us that God, in the present day, is restraining the influence of evil ( 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ) and holding back on judgment ( Revelation 7:1–3 ). He exhibits patience for the sake of our salvation ( 2 Peter 3:9...

In Revelation 8:13, before the other three trumpets are sounded, solemn warning is given to those still alive on the earth. “Woe, woe, woe” introduces one threat for each of the remaining three Trumpets about to sound (9:1-21; 11:15). Woe is an expression of God’s judgment, destruction, and condemnation. God’s wrath and judgment will come upon “those who dwell on the earth,” those who have rejecte...

John's Revelation from Jesus has shown God's judgment on the earth, first symbolized as the opening of seven seals, and now as the blowing of seven trumpets. Chapter 8 described the last seal, which inaugurated the trumpets. The first four resulted in catastrophic destruction to trees and grasses, the seas, fresh waters, and even natural light. Even so, the prior verses warned that the imp...

We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation.  This morning we are in the eighth chapter of Revelation. To this point in Revelation, John has witnessed Jesus open six of the seven seals of judgment seen on the scroll in heaven ( Revelation 5:1–5 ). After the opening of the sixth seal and its consequences, John described the sealing of 144,000 Jewish believers, listed by their tribe. This...

In preparing for this week's study in Revelation 8, Pastor Bob offers insight about Bible translations, and why modern versions fall short. We are studying the book of Revelation, and this week John describes the things that take place when the Lamb breaks opens the seventh and last seal on the scroll. The scroll is the title deed to the earth. From this point on the judgments of the "Day...

We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation.  This morning we are in the seventh chapter of Revelation. We read in Revelation 7, that after the sealing of the 144 thousand Jews who come from every tribe of Israel, a great multitude which no one could number, will come to faith in Christ. They will be saved out of every nation and people-group in the world... and from every tribe of Israe...

The first vision includes angels being commanded to hold back the winds at every point on earth. Symbolically, this refers to God suspending His judgment on the earth. Scriptures such as  Jeremiah 49:36  describe the judgment of God by referring to wind. The purpose of this delay, it seems, is to allow for a "sealing" of 144,000 servants of God. As seen later ( Revelation 13:15–18 ), the...

We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation.  This morning we are finishing chapter 6 starting at verse 8. To recap, we have been going through the opening of the seven seals to the scroll by our Lord Jesus Christ.  He alone is worthy to open the seals. Each one is a judgement that takes place on the earth and upon the enemies of God.  This morning, as we look at the fourth, fifth and si...

When the Lamb had opened the " FIFTH SEAL ," John saw under the "Sacrificial Altar," corresponding to the "Burnt Offering Altar," the " SOULS " of them that were slain for the "Word of God" and for the "testimony they held." The fact that their " SOULS " were under the "Sacrificial Altar" is proof that they had been of...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "I AM' Revealed." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 1, verses 1-6. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us throu...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "I AM' Alpha and Omega." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 1, verses 7-21. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "Warnings For Every Church." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 2, verses 1-11. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "Overcome the World." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 2, verses 12-29. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us thr...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "Things Which Shall Be." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 3, verses 1-6. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us th...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "A Tale of Two Brides" - Part 1. It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 3, verses 7-13. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob wa...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "A Tale of Two Brides" Part 2." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 3, verses 14-22. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor B...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "Ever With The Lord." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 4, verses 1-3. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us throu...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "Our New Reality Awaits." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 4, verses 4-8. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us t...