The determinetruth Podcast

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie take a deep dive into Rev 13:1-10 in order to discern who or what is the Beast. They examine the context of the book of Revelation and remind us of the importance of Daniel 7--see last week's episode--for discerning the nature of the Beast. They they ask: "What does this mean for us today?" If, after all, the Beast represents all empires/nations in history, does thi...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie take a look at Revelation 13:1-10 and John's description of the Beast. They note that the Beast of Revelation 13 corresponds with Daniel's four beasts in Daniel 7. In part 1 of The Beast, Rob and Vinnie discuss the book of Daniel and the role of the four Beasts of Daniel 7 in order to discern what the Beast in Rev 13 represents.  Please "follow" this podcast and giv...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie continue the discussion of the Dragon and his pursuit of the woman--the people of God. We have seen that God's people are the means by which God brings redemption, but now we learn that there is a Dragon (Satan) who will oppose the work of God's people. The Dragon, of course, has always opposed the work of God's people only now he has been kicked out of heaven and h...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie begin a study of Rev 12 and the Woman and the Dragon. This is an excellent chapter to understand for several reasons. First, it is a clear example of how apocalypses function. Second, the chapter aims to provide a context for "the war"--that is, the one the Beast wages against the Two Witnesses--the people of God/us included--Rev 11:7. Therefore, we are reminded by...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie discuss Revelation 11 and the account of the Two Witnesses. Rob will argue that this is the center of the book and the key to understanding John's message. Who are the Two Witnesses? What happens to them? How does God bring redemption to the nations? Listen in to find out.  Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your p...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie examine Rev 10:1-11. Rob will argue that Rev 10-11 are the center of the book. The question has been, "How is God going to bring redemption to the nations?" and now we are about to find out.    Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way toward helping others find this podcast....

This is the first presentation on Jesus and the Last Days. How do we understand the "Last Days" and "the age to come" in the NT? And what does it mean for the church today?  This episode first aired in 2019. For parts 2 and 3 see Mar 2019.  For more information see my book Understanding the New Testament and the End Times https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-New-Testament-Times-Second/dp/153264947...

Rob and Vinnie interview Jack Munayer to talk about Jack's work with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine-Israel. Why would children need an international person to "accompany" them to school?  Jack explains their work in the Palestinian Territories. Then we discuss the recent attack on Dauod and Daher Nassar and their status.    That episode was originally aired in 2022 but is being...

In this episode, Rob interviews Gary VanderPol as they discuss global warming and the church. Gary gives some practical insights with regard to steps we can take to make a difference.   Gary is a professor, pastor, and activist. He has taught at seminaries in Costa Rica and Denver and pastored Evangelical Covenant churches in Oakland, Berkeley, and Boston. With Soong-Chan Rah he co-wrote Return to...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie discuss in more detail why Rob believes that the 7 Trumpets are not God's wrath, but are instead a description of what happens to the creation when humanity remains in power. Rob also explains why he believes that the 7 Trumpets are a prelude to both the destruction of Rome's economy (the world's economy) and why the 5th and 6th Trumpets are to be understood in ligh...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie look at the 7 Trumpets in Rev 8-9. Rob argues that the 7 Trumpets do not relay God's end-times wrath but that they set forth what happens to the creation when humanity is allowed to remain in power.  Rob identifies several keys in the text that indicate, contrary to what many have suggested, that Revelation 8-9 is not setting forth God's end times wrath, but what ha...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie look at Rev 7. Who are the 144,000? Who are the Great Multitude? Rob will argue that the 144,000 and the Great Multitude are the same group. John presents them as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that from your seed all the nations will be blessed and they will become as numerous as the stars and the sand. The main point of Rev 7 is to remind God's people t...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie address the 5th and 6th Seals and begin a look at the 144,000 of Rev. They discuss the importance of the "prayers of the Saints" (6:9-11) for the overall narrative as well as what it means for that the people of God are "sealed."  Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way towa...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie look at the 1st four Seals of Rev 6:1-9. This passage is commonly viewed as a series of events that begin in some future time and mark the beginning of the "end times." Instead, Rob and Vinnie note that the Seals relay the devastating effect that the nations bring upon the world when God allows them to remain in power. In addition, they note that the effects of the...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie begin a look at the 7 Seals of Rev 6. Are they the "wrath of God" in the last days? Rob argues that the idea that the Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls are God's end-times wrath which is designed to bring the nations--at least those who survive--to repentance is a major misreading of the book of Revelation. Instead, he argues, the Seals (and later the Trumpets, and Bowls)...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie explore Rev 5. It is at this point that the main story of Revelation begins to unfold. Jesus is Lamb who was slain and He is worthy to take the Scroll and to open it! What's on the Scroll? It is God's will and His plan for redeeming the creation.  Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will g...

On today's episode, Rob and Vinnie interview Nelso Kraybill, the author of Apocalypse and Allegiance: Worship, Politics, and Devotion in the book of Revelation. We discuss the book of Revelation and John's use of images and what it means for the church today.   Nelson Kraybill is an ordained minister who served as President of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Indiana (1997–2009) and Presi...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie interview NT scholar Alan Bandy (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary). Alan is a Professor of NT and Greek and the Associate Dean of Research and the Doctoral Programs at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Alan is the author of numerous works: including, An Illustrated Guide to the Apostle Paul The conversation with Alan focuses on the theme of jus...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie discuss Rev 4:1-11. This scene is central to the Book of Revelation. Contrary to public opinion, it is God who sits on the throne and not Caesar.  NB: You won't want to miss the singing at the end!  Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way toward helping others find this podc...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie finish their study of the 7 messages by looking at the closing exhortation "to those who have ears to hear" the promises of blessing to those who "overcome."    Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way toward helping others find this podcast. Then share it with others so that...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie one of the leading NT Scholars and a leading authority on the book of Revelation, David deSilva.  David is a New Testament scholar and a professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio. He received his PhD in Religion from Emory University and has authored numerous books and articles on the New Testament, including: An Introduction to th...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie continue their discussion of the seven messages by looking at the messages to Philadelphia & Laodicea. The church in Philadelphia was small and of little power yet it is 1 of the 2 churches with only positive features. The church in Laodicea was very wealthy yet it had no positive features.  Rob and Vinnie then spend a lot of time discussing the importance of al...

In this powerful episode, Rob and Vinnie interview two women who have extensive backgrounds in ministry to hear their stories. They share the struggles that they have had to endure in order to use the gifts they have been given and to fulfill God's call upon their lives.  The gravity of the situation is evidenced by the fact that we are unable to use the real names and we have had to mask their vo...

Rob and Vinnie continue their discussion of the seven messages of Rev 2-3. In this episode, they discuss the contents of the messages to the churches in Thyatira and Sardis.    Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way toward helping others find this podcast. Then share it with others so that we can get the...

Rob and Vinnie continue their study of the seven messages by looking at the words of encouragement and warning in the seven messages and what it means for the church today. In this episode, they look at Ephesus, Smryna, and Pergamum.    Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way toward helping others find thi...