Northstar Church Blacksburg

These verses provide another interlude which gives us a glimpse into heaven and the praise of God that echoes there. It occurs just before the final battle between the antichrist and Jesus, and it’s a joyfully confident reminder that praise never stops because our God is in control. We too must learn to praise God for who He is and not just for what He does.

Chapter 18 revisits the cataclysmic fall of "Babylon" - representing a city/culture that is finally judged in the end times. The message challenges us to "come out" of the world's system and think with creative beauty about how to build the kingdom of God even as the kingdoms of this world are eventually destroyed.

In one of the more difficult passage of Revelation, we're introduced to the "great prostitute" who we learn represents a city or culture. In the prelude to the final battle, a confederation of kings arise who give all their power to the beast (representing the antichrist) in a final attempt to overthrow God, beginning with the extermination of Christians who won't worship the beast or bow to evil.

This message examines the final judgements that God inflicts on the inhabitants of earth during the end times. As seven angels pour out these different expressions of God's wrath, people not only reject God but curse Him. What can we learn about God, ourselves, and our culture as we discern the times?

In this message from Revelation 15, Jeff looks at the similarities between the song that is sung in the passage and other songs recorded throughout Scripture. We learn about the heart these songs reveal, and how we can pursue that same kind of heart in our lives.

Hope is the fuel that keeps us going each day. The belief that something better is on the horizon, perhaps just beyond our current reach, but one day we might be able to achieve. But sometimes, it is so hard to have hope. It can seem like the world and its brokenness are in a concentrated effort to snuff out hope. For a Christian, our hope is what we put our faith in - that one day all of the thin...

You gotta serve somebody. No matter how “independent,” or “free” you think that you are, you cannot escape the fact that there is always something or someone who is the king of your heart. In discussing this passage, J.D. Greear says that, “Every life has a king. A king in your life is whatever you must have in order to be happy and secure. And kings make all their subjects into servants.” You got...

Revelation 14’s concluding verses speak of a time of reaping which foretells the ultimate judgment that will be administered by Jesus. It’s not an image of Jesus that we are familiar with, and some may struggle with their wrong conceptions of the Messiah. This message looks at His authority and role in administering God’s wrath and reminds us that He is the same Jesus who wept beside Lazarus’ tomb...

This message focuses on the proclamation from three different angels: 1) the eternal gospel, 2) the fall of Babylon and 3) a warning about receiving the mark of the beast. Jeff teaches through the passage, highlight the message of the gospel and the importance of preaching it to ourselves so that we will be joyfully confident to live it in trying times and share it with others who urgently need to...

In this continuation of the Revelation series, Darrell Cook talks about the importance of "following the Lamb wherever he goes," and allowing the gospel to permeate every part of our lives. Following the Lamb means a life of discipleship, a lifelong journey where the gospel permeates our lives more and more.

“The second half of Revelation 13 introduces us to another apocalyptic being - the beast out of the earth. This message examines its probable identity of the false prophet of the end times. You’ll learn how to understand the “mark of the beast” and what the number 666 is about."

“In Revelation 13, we are introduced to two satanic beasts. We study the identity of the first beast being the Antichrist and learn what his role is. God’s people will be under fire during the end times, but our endurance and patience are called for. We explore the paradox of spiritual victory - that we conquer by being conquered."

Revelation 12 shows us through symbolism that Satan is raging against God and those who follow him. It details the suffering that those that follow Jesus have and will endured. However, it also provides us with hope that even though persecution and trials we can know that the end is decided and Jesus has won!

Revelation is all about the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption. It is easy to get distracted by a variety of details and interpretations of those details, but ultimately Revelation points to a day when God's kingdom will come, he will reign on the earth with his people, and everything will be made right. This is a message that gives encouragement for now and for the future!

This message explores the killing of the two witnesses by the beast in Revelation 11 and what that means for the church. It examines the "times of the Gentiles" and the future role of Israel before the day of judgment. You will be encouraged as we see that even though Satan has strategies, God is sovereign and His strengthening of the church is secure.

Revelation 11 has been called one of the most difficult chapters in the book to understand. In this message, we examine the prophecy given to Daniel about 70 Weeks and tie that in to what is happening with God raising up two witnesses during the time of tribulation. One important lesson we can be assured of is that God is in charge; He is sovereign, and He is never without a witness to the gospel...

In this message, we begin a study of Revelation 11. With its vision of the measuring of the temple and the two witnesses who prophesy for three and a half years, we must return to some guidelines for how God speaks through prophecy. We're encouraged to walk in intimacy with Jesus as His Spirit will guide and teach us about truth in the end times.

This message examines the beginning of the interlude between the 6th and 7th trumpet. John sees a "mighty angel" who has a little scroll which he is instructed to eat! Learn why ingesting and digesting God's message for John has profound challenge for us today. We are encouraged to believe, identify and proclaim God's Word to our world and one another.

It doesn’t get pretty as the world faces the outpouring of God’s wrath. The fifth and sixth trumpets are blown in Revelation 9. Even so, we see limitations placed on judgment, which is intended to lead people to repentance. Sadly, hearts only seem to grow harder and more opposed to God in the end times. Yet, in the midst of these end times, we see God’s promises to those who have confessed Christ...

This message examines the first four trumpets of Revelation chapter 8. In the midst of great judgment, we also see God‘s great mercy and that the devastating tribulation is intended to call people to repentance. Also, we are challenged to moments of silence to reflect upon the grace and mercy of God as well as listen deeply to him.

Palm Sunday celebrates when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, at the beginning of Passover week. This symbolic and significant moment in Jesus’ ministry met high acclaim, as crowds gathered. However, we see a much better picture of what that Triumphal Entry led to in Revelation 7, as we peer into the throne room of heaven. Palm Sunday should prompt our praise and our sharing of the gospel to...

“This message launches an in-depth look at the coming wrath of God that will be poured out on planet earth and its peoples in the final days. We examine the first six seals and the sealing of God’s servants in this passage. The comfort of being known and sealed by God is an encouragement to us, and also, the sobering reality of coming judgement urges us toward proclaiming the gospel to all who wil...

This message examines the “beginning of the end.” Revelation chapters 6-18 portray the final days of planet earth, with God’s wrath being progressively poured out on humanity. In this message, we survey the reality of God’s wrath, and we answer the “why” question - about why wrath is coming upon the earth - by looking at humanity’s heart condition as revealed in Romans 1:18-32.

Revelation 5 declares that the Lamb of God is worthy to open the scroll, enacting God's plan of redemption and judgment for mankind. The Lamb's worthiness is based in his sacrificial death and resurrection. The fact that the Lamb is worthy means every follower of Jesus has hope for eternity, and can be freed from living life as a prisoner of each moment.

God is seated in the throne room of heaven. He does not need to get up, for his sovereignty is certain. Through the blood of Jesus, a Christian can enter in to that throne room in joyful submission to the Father.