Rev. Doug Griebenaw, mission advocate for KFUO Radio in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 22:6-21. The conclusion of the book of Revelation emphasizes the truth and urgency of what John has seen and written, as well as all of the Holy Scriptures. Jesus promises that He is coming soon and that those who hold onto His Word as they wait for Him will be blessed. Now is the time for repentance and faith in Jesus, who is the first and the last. Those who have washed thei...
Jun 30, 2023•55 min
Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 22:1-5. John sees the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb; this heavenly reality is brought near to us even now in Holy Baptism. John sees the tree of life with enduring fruit; this heavenly reality is brought near to us even now in Holy Communion. The leaves of this tree bring healing that undoes the shame that attacked Adam and Eve in Eden; this he...
Jun 29, 2023•55 min
Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 21:9-27. In contrast to the great prostitute Babylon, John now sees the true Bride and Wife of Christ. He is shown the holy Christian Church in all of her true splendor as she comes down out of heaven as the eternal holy city. The glory she has is from God, and her features and dimensions come in multiples of twelve. This is a reminder that this same Church is a reality right now,...
Jun 28, 2023•55 min
Rev. Andrew Belt, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Marshfield, WI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 21:1-8. Because God has defeated His every last enemy to the uttermost, the time has come for John to see the new creation. The absence of the sea is a picture of the reality that there is no more threat to the people of God. This is the place where God promises to dwell with His people, and so all the evil effects of sin are gone. This reality has been accomplished by Christ’s...
Jun 27, 2023•55 min
Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 20:1-15. When John sees the one thousand year reign of Christ, He sees the reality that exists right now that Jesus is the Stronger Man who has bound the devil and brought us into His heavenly kingdom. This reality continues until the Last Day, even as Satan’s attacks grow stronger and his attempts to deceive and work evil grow more desperate. Even though the Church seems weak, those...
Jun 26, 2023•55 min
Rev. Andrew Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 19:11-21. John sees heaven opened and Jesus riding on a white horse. He brings judgment in the righteousness that He has won through His atoning sacrifice. He is Faithful and True, the very Word of God. His robe bears the stains of His own blood by which He has atoned for the sins of the whole world. As His final victory approaches, the enemies of God are gathered for a feast—...
Jun 23, 2023•54 min
Rev. Sean Smith, pastor at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mason City, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 19:1-10. The Lamb’s victory over Babylon, the anti-church, bring forth the singing of all the heavenly host. They join their voices in the triumphant song, “Hallelujah!” The Lamb has defeated the enemies of the Church for good, and so the Church lives in that reality. She is the bride of Christ, and she rejoices that He has come to take her into His wedding supper...
Jun 22, 2023•56 min
Rev. Mark Barz, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 18:1-24. When the Lamb wins, His enemies lose. John sees the Lamb’s defeat of the anti-church when an angel from heaven announces with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great.” As the anti-church becomes a wasteland, God renews His call for His people to come out from her and so receive His blessings rather than His plagues. All those who found security and ...
Jun 21, 2023•55 min
Rev. Kyle Mietzner, battalion chaplain with the 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army at Fort Drum, NY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 17:1-18. An angel shows John a great prostitute who represents the anti-church. In contrast to the outward weakness of the Church, the anti-church appears powerful and seduces men from every nation to have their fill of pleasure with her. However, just as Babylon of old and other forces throughout history have done, she tempts men as...
Jun 20, 2023•55 min
Rev. Dr. Ryan Tietz, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology and Dean of Students at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 16:12-21. God dries up the Euphrates River when the sixth censer is poured out. Though He is judging His enemies, the enemies of God take it as their opportunity to assemble together and attack His people. However, they are only allying themselves with the devil and his demonic forces. Their assembly at a place ...
Jun 19, 2023•55 min
Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Assistant Vice President of Admissions and Director of the Christ Academy Program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 16:1-11. John hears a majestic voice from heaven call forth the seven angels with the seven censers of God’s wrath. Coming from the temple, their purpose is a clear and final call to repentance. As each censer is poured out in turn, God’s wrath is not met with repentance but further hardening. ...
Jun 16, 2023•54 min
Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Okarche, OK, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 15:1-8. As another sign in heaven, John sees seven angels with the seven last plagues of God’s wrath. The saints standing beside the sea of glass mingled with fire shows that they faced tribulation in this life, yet they have come through as conquerors in Christ. They join in the song of Moses, which is the song of the Lamb, praising the righteous acts of the Savior. As the ...
Jun 15, 2023•56 min
Rev. Mark Squire, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 14:14-20. The cosmic view of history reaches a climax and conclusion as the Son of Man brings in the harvest of the earth. As the harvest must be reaped when the time arrives, so the Son of Man will return when the Last Day is here, and He will judge all people, the living and the dead. The vision of the general harvest then zooms in particularly on the reaping of the wicked,...
Jun 14, 2023•54 min
Rev. Joel Haak, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Fraser, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 14:6-13. In opposition to the beast from the sea and the beast from the land, the Lord sends an angel who flies in the midst of the heavens to proclaim the eternal Gospel that proclaims the victory of the Lamb. Even as the dragon and his beasts proclaim their lies, the Church continually calls sinners to fear God and give Him glory for the salvation He has won in Christ. A second a...
Jun 13, 2023•55 min
Rev. Daniel Golden, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, WV, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 14:1-5. Though the dragon and his two beasts attack the people of God, John sees that the Church is still standing with the victorious Lamb in His holy presence. They have been marked as belonging to the true God with His own name in Holy Baptism, and their voices join together as one to sing His praises. Though the battle still rages, they know the victory belongs to Jesu...
Jun 12, 2023•55 min
Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 13:11-18. The dragon finds another ally in his war against the Church in the beast from the land. This second beast has an appearance that mimics the Lamb, indicating that this beast represents those religious forces that attack the Church through false doctrine. This second beast deceives the world to worship the first beast through religious lies and marks all false worshipers ...
Jun 09, 2023•56 min
Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bishop, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 13:1-10. The dragon calls forth allies in his attacks against Christians. The beast from the sea is reminiscent of the vision of Daniel 7, indicating that this first beast shows the way that the devil attacks the Church through political power aligned against the Lord and His Word. Because of the signs accomplished by this beast, the world is deceived to give worship to the beast ...
Jun 08, 2023•56 min
Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 12:7-17. As John continues to see the cosmic scope of history, he gets a glimpse of the heavenly battle. Michael and the holy angels fight against the dragon and his demons, and the dragon is thrown out of heaven by virtue of Jesus’ victorious death, resurrection, and ascension. The saints participate in this victory through the blood of Jesus and the word of their testimony, wh...
Jun 07, 2023•55 min
Rev. Jeffrey Ries, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 12:1-6. After the seventh trumpet sounds, John sees a great sign in heaven that pictures all of history in a grand cosmic battle between the one true God and the devil. The woman with child is clothed by the Lord; she represents the promise of the Savior that was first given to Eve, was carried by the faithful people of God, and finally was born of the Virgin Mary. The dragon is the...
Jun 06, 2023•55 min
Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 11:15-19. When the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, loud voices in heaven begin to proclaim the reign of Jesus over all things forever. The twenty-four elders, representative of the whole Church, sing in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord God Almighty who has all authority. Although the nations rage against Him and His Church, Jesus rewards His servants on the Last Day. Joh...
Jun 05, 2023•57 min
Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 11:1-14. John is given a rod to measure the temple and those who worship there, while the court outside the temple is given to nations to trample for a time. This pictures the Lord’s promise to sustain His Church even as the world persecutes her. The work of the Church is pictured through the work of the two witnesses. The activity of these two witnesses is reminiscen...
Jun 02, 2023•55 min
Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 10:1-13. In the midst of the sixth trumpet, John sees another mighty angel who bears many similarities to Christ Himself. This mighty angel holds a little scroll that is open while standing astride the sea and the land, showing us the majesty of the Gospel. Although John desires to write down the message of the seven thunders, a voice from heaven forbids it. Instead...
Jun 01, 2023•57 min
Rev. Caleb Adams, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend, OR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 9:1-21. When the fifth trumpet sounds, the devil is given the key to the bottomless pit, from which he releases locusts who have power like scorpions. They harm those who are not Christians, and their torment is worse than the torment of death. Their dreadful power represents the deadly force in all false doctrine. As this first woe passes, the sixth angel sounds his trumpet. Four a...
May 31, 2023•54 min
Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor at Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Lidgerwood, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 8:1-13. The opening of the seventh seal leads to a short time of silence in heaven in anticipation of the blowing of the seven trumpets. Before the seven angels begin to blow their seven trumpets, another angel stands at the incense altar with the prayers of the saints rising before God. As this angel begins to cast fire from the altar upon the earth, th...
May 30, 2023•55 min
Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 7:9-17. After hearing the number of those sealed, John sees their host is innumerable. Though they come from every nation and language, they are all clothed in white robes and holding palm branches of Jesus’ victorious suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension. Their song of praise sounds forth along with the whole heavenly host, declaring the salvation that God has won. On...
May 29, 2023•54 min
Rev. Tim Koch, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Linn, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 7:1-8. Before the seventh seal is opened, John sees the answer to the question, “Who can stand on the great day of the Lamb?” He sees four angels restraining the four winds by which the Lord would bring His judgment on the earth. A fifth angel comes from the rising of the sun, which is the place of hope and new life. This angel instructs the other angels not to let any harm come until all...
May 26, 2023•57 min
Rev. Stephen Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 6:9-17. When the Lamb opens the fifth seal, John sees the souls of the martyrs under the altar praying to the Sovereign Lord, asking Him how long it will be until He exacts justice on the earth. Their prayer is answered through the white robe of Christ’s righteousness that covers them, and they are granted continued rest during the Lord’s patience to bring His elect. The opening...
May 25, 2023•56 min
Rev. David Appold, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Paducah, KY, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 6:1-8. As the ascended and reigning Lamb opens the first four seals of the scroll, the four living creatures call forth four horses of different colors. Each of the riders brings something different with him, yet none of this is outside of the Lord’s Almighty power. Even when trouble and suffering comes upon this world, the people of God have the confidence that He is sustain...
May 24, 2023•56 min
Rev. Sean Daenzer, Director of Worship for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and chaplain for the International Center in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 5:1-14. As John’s vision of the heavenly throne room continues, he sees a scroll in the Father’s right hand. Written within and on the back, God knows and directs all of history; none of it is a surprise to Him or beyond His control. To John’s sorrow, no human being is found at first who is worthy to open this ...
May 23, 2023•55 min
Rev. Zelwyn Heide, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hannover, ND and Zion Lutheran Church in New Salem, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 4:1-11. After John finishes writing the seven letters to the seven churches, Jesus calls him to come through an open door into God’s throne room. There, John witnesses the heavenly perspective of the events on earth through the lens of the worship before God’s throne. God the Father sits on the heavenly throne in all His brilliant glo...
May 22, 2023•55 min
