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The Place of Prophecy
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWe should know the Bible's prophecies and be watching world events. But our focus on prophecy should not come at the expense of doctrine and Christian living.
Prophecy's Place
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughStudying prophecy is good, but doctrine and Christian living are far more necessary and helpful to our practicing and growing in God's way of life now.
Prophecy and the Sixth-Century Axial Period
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughProphecy has many purposes, but it is never intended to open the future to mere curiosity. Its higher purpose is to give guidance to the heirs of salvation.
The Purpose of Prophecy
CGG Weekly by Mike FuhrerGod sent prophets to do one thing: to tell His people to return to keeping His commandments. While some foretold events, all of them preached obedience.
The Duality of Prophecy
'Prophecy Watch' by Earl L. HennIf we really want to understand prophecy, we must understand that many prophecies have a type and an antitype, a former fulfillment and a latter one.
Why Study Prophecy?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe study prophecy to know the general outline of future events, be prepared for the next significant event, and understand God's will and His character.
Symbolism, Types, and Prophecies
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughWe must be careful about applying a biblical symbol to prophetic events too rigidly. The term 'Zion' may apply to the church, but not all the time.
Prophets and Prophecy (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA prophet is one who speaks for God, expressing His will in words and sometimes signs. Standing outside the system, he proclaims God's purpose, including repentance.
The Teaching of Jesus and Prophecy
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe teaching of Jesus is the key to Revelation. The Olivet Prophecy (the testimony of Jesus) in Matthew 24 unlocks the meaning of the seals in Revelation.
The First Prophecy (Part One)
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughGenesis is a book of beginnings, and in that theme, it also contains the first prophecy. Part of it is God's curse on the serpent in Genesis 3:14-15.
Matthew 24:34: 'This Generation'
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPreterists hang their entire philosophy on the interpretation (or misinterpretation) of 'this generation' in Matthew 24:34. Here is what it means.
The Unknown Deadline
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWe do not know how long the project (our sanctification process) will take. Each day is critical in doing our part to be of the same mind as God.
1335 (Part Two)
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerThe apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, suggests loving Christ's appearing on day 1,335 (Daniel 12:12) should come first in our understanding of prophecy.
The End Is Not Yet
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod's people do a disservice to the cause of truth when they allow the media-hype to trigger a false hope about Jesus Christ's return being imminent.
Fast-Forwarding the Tape
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasPeople cannot live without hope. To cope with trials, we should metaphorically fast-forward the tape to what comes later.
How Long, O Lord? (1994)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe references to trumpets suggest an announcement of a specific event or an alarm of what is to follow. Typically, the events themselves are figurative trumpet blasts.
Don't Lose Your Focus!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPaul urged that we get our focus more balanced, emphasizing love over prophetic correctness, not remaining indifferent to what Christ deemed important.
What Is Joel 2 Really About?
'Prophecy Watch' by Mike FuhrerIt is easy to misunderstand the literal meaning of the prophecy of Joel 2, in which God's army sweeps across the countryside and into the city.
The Two Witnesses (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod wants us to recognize prophecies as they occur or shortly afterward. To cling to an interpretation before the events happen leads to missing vital details.
The Beast and Babylon (Part Three): Who Is the Woman?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughIs the Woman depicted in Revelation 12 the church, as the church has dogmatically taught? Or is she another prophetic entity that is active today?
The Seventh Trumpet
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Feast of Trumpets is a memorial of blowing of trumpets, symbolizing the Day of the Lord, the real war to end all wars, when Christ will subdue the earth.
No Private Interpretation
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughPeter warns that prophecy is not 'of any private interpretation,' yet speculation runs rampant. Misguided speculation even led to Christ's betrayal and death!
Letters to Seven Churches (Part One): Introduction
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must keep the spiritual lessons of the letters, not just figure out prophecies. There are several ways to view them, but the most important is personally.
Shrugging Off Scoffers (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPeter warns of scoffers in the church, apostate tares, devoid of God's spirit, ridiculing the doctrine that Christ would return or doctrines of judgment.
To Watch and Keep
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerIs prophecy merely to enlighten us about the future? On the contrary, God's spiritual purposes for prophecy concern the subjects of warning and keeping.
Focus
Sermon by John O. ReidThough Christ has warned us to be aware of the times, we need to be more alert to how we are living. End-time events should lead us to repentance.
Preparing for Bad Times (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBoth the watchman and the one who hears have a responsibility to make preparations for bad times, helping themselves and others through the tough times.
The Book of Joel (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWhen Joel describes the devastating locust plagues, instead of promising a silver lining on a very black cloud, he says things are going to get intensely worse.
Is Any Time Right for You?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWhen life is empty, time drags; when life is full, time flies. In order to make the best use of time, we must spend it on something that will outlast it.
Stand Firm in the Truth
Sermon by John O. ReidIn this time of sharp religious confusion, it is good to hunker down in our spiritual foxhole until the deadly volleys of heretical shrapnel have ceased.
Death, or Not A Hair of Your Head?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsOur challenge in the wake of the terrible things we witness now is to retain confidence that God is in control, even though our faith will be sorely tested.
Revelation 2-3 and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe letters in Revelation 2 and 3 are for the end times, shortly before Christ's return. Each emphasizes repentance, overcoming, and judgment according to works.
'Children Are Their Oppressors'
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAnyone with eyes and a modicum of common sense can see the prophecy of Isaiah 3:12 unfold before us, with children as our oppressors and women as our rulers.