Devotions in the Deep End

This is a short chapter setting the scene for the 'Bowl' judgements which are still to come. In this episode we simply explore the various elements as they are presented to us. There is a presentation of God being ready to wield a judgement which seems pretty final, and there is the church remaining in a posture of worship as the all plays out.

A short piece to complete my journey through Revelation 14, with the heavy theme of judgement rounding the chapter out. We can bring many Old Testament passages as well as a few of Jesus’ parables into this chapter as a means of understanding things more. Things are starting to get really heavy - the ‘bowl judgements’ are coming up next!

Three angels make an appearance in Revelation 14, and for the first time the name 'Babylon' is mentioned. There is of course a region in the mind of John as he writes, but it calls us to consider how it applies as a systemic reality for us as well...

As we come into Revelation 14, we are presented with a vision of the Lamb of God accompanied again by the 144000. This time they are presented to us in contrast with those who have been marked by the beast. It appears that the saints have a mark of their own, which builds on my thesis that 'all of humanity is marked in this life, one way or the other.'As always, your comments are always welcome wherever you leave them, and I look forward to engaging with you along the way as we share ideas and thoughts together!

Ok! This is going to (hopefully) provoke some discussion. I've offered my take on the idea of the 'mark of the beast.' I believe this will comfort many believers and even offer hope to those outside our faith. It might anger some folks as well. I used to be that way too!Wherever you land on this, let's chat openly, and respectfully in the comments where you can - remember that the world is watching our interactions, so let's talk as believers ought to!! I'd love to hear what you have to say.

A second beast appears on the scene to accompany the Beast from the Sea and the Dragon (who is of course Satan). Together, they form a frightening unholy trinity. The two beasts are a human presence of some sort, and this is my take on what these might be...

With the signs of the 'Dragon' and the 'Woman' now in play, we begin to explore other figures that will wage war with the church. The Beast from the Sea has been pointed to as simply the end time Antichrist by many in the modern church, but this comes at the expense of a pretty important question: Who was the beast for the church of John's day? What did it mean to them. Surely it needs to refer to something more than a 2000+ year prophecy? It's my conviction that it most certainly does...

We are exploring the second half of Revelation 12 here, with the ongoing enmity between the 'Woman' and the Dragon

We are presented with a vision of two signs in heaven - a red dragon and a woman. One of these is easy to identify, but the other as a 'sign' is not so straight forward. Here's Cam's take on who she could be.This episode serves as an introduction to the two signs, with the next episode dedicated to the activity between them that will follow.

This is the final episode of 2025, and the last in my trilogy of studies in Revelation Chapter 11. It's a short piece on the blowing of the seventh trumpet - short because it expands on an idea already in play, and it will be filled out even more when the seventh bowl occurs.

We are again exploring Revelation 11 - this is the second episode out of three in this chapter. In this study we take some time to consider the role and identity of the 'Two Witnesses' who emerge in this chapter. The conclusions might surprise you, but I'd love to interact with your alternative ideas!

This is the first in a trilogy of episodes around Revelation Chapter 11. Here, we look at a possible meaning for the measuring of a temple complex that John is called to do. Since the Jerusalem Temple was probably not standing at the time of writing, we need to ask ourselves, 'what exactly would John be measuring here...and what would he be leaving out?'

In this episode, we will explore the whole of Revelation Chapter 10 - there's just 11 verses and one central idea to consider. A 'little scroll' is presented to John, with instructions to eat it. What purpose might this serve, and what point might we take from this?

We explore the last half of Revelation Chapter 9 in this episode, and events which might surround the blowing of the sixth trumpet.

We are coming into Revelation 9 and the blasting of the fifth trumpet. There is a sense that things are taking a dramatic turn in the narrative with new entities emerging from the Abyss...

We are beginning to explore more visions from John in Revelation - not from a linear perspective where the seals, trumpets and bowls all occur in order, but in a way where there is a degree of overlap as the end of the age approaches. In this episode from Revelation 8, we are given a brief overview of the first 4 trumpets, but we know the next three are going to have more attention given to them.

What teaching series in Revelation would be complete without a graphic timeline?! In this video episode, I am offering some very basic imagery in an effort to convey my big idea around the seals, trumpets and bowls of Revelation. Many episodes are coming to explore these further, but I felt this video would help get some ideas in play before I went any further. I would love to interact with you, and am submitting this idea in the public space, willing to learn from you and perhaps even change the graphic as we go along!

This episode explores just what the title states! We look at who the 144000 might be, and what the half hour of silence might mean in the end time that is to come. I'm always open to a discussion so jump on the comments anytime!

We are only just completing the 6th chapter of Revelation here, but we are called to consider a conclusion about what John sees here - one that might even feel jarring for those who think of this book as a linear story!

I had a bit of trouble working through this particular passage over the last week. As this goes to air, we are a week removed from the death of Charlie Kirk, and the reality of martyrdom even in the modern West is being discussed as a distinct reality. The fifth seal is a statement of hope to those who pay the ultimate price for their faith stand - and a remainder that the 'worst the world can do is nothing compared to the glory of being in the presence of God forever.'

This is one of the better known passages of Revelation, and they certainly capture our imagination! This is my take of the topic...

This episode explores the introduction of a scroll with seven seals, and the one worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. The details of the scroll and seals are still to come, but we have an amazing heavenly interlude to explore first - a source of encouragement for the church even as the seals begin to be broken...

A continuing look at the events of John's first glimpse into the Throne Room of God. We begin to see that this throne sits not so much in a palace, but a Temple...

As we come out of the seven churches, the book of Revelation becomes a tricky text to navigate, but our journey begins...NOW! In this episode, we will start to consider ideas such as 'what happens next' as well as the idea of '24 elders' and the Throne Room of God. This passage looks at just 4 verses, and I feel like we'll need to do this quite a bit in this series!I'm always up for discussion around the various ways these verses can be understood, so feel free to join the conversation in the comments wherever you can.

My second look at this particular church, but also the final episode centered on the Seven Churches of Revelation. The REALLY challenging part of Revelation is coming up next!

In this episode, we begin to explore the last church in the circuit being addressed in Revelation. This particular study considers (among other things) the idea of what being 'lukewarm' might be.

This is my exploration of the second-last church bein g addressed in this special circuit of churches.

This is the second half of my journey through the letter to Sardis. After the urgent call comes a call to be restored, not removed.

This episode begins our exploration of Jesus' letter to the church in Sardis - a church that attracts no commendation, but instead an urgent call to action.

The last short exploration of this particular church - the promises the Lord makes to a remnant who remains true.

In order to make each episode a little shorter I am creating a handful of double episodes, just while the 'seven churches' are the subject matter. The two episodes on each church will come out at the same time.This is the first look at what Jesus says to the church in Thyatira - the presence of something he calls 'Jezebel' will be particularly explored here.

This is a church in a complex setting, going through some rather complex things - there's good, and there's terrible things going on in their midst. There's a lot for us to consider in our modern church setting, much to learn from this ancient church for our time.

This is the second letter out of seven churches addressed in Revelation. It's a church with a lot going on outside of them, but no rebuke to be found within.

The next stage of our Revelation journey calls us to consider the stories of 7 key churches. For some, this can be seen as a complete picture of the whole church - either over time or in its many expressions at any current time. However, it is also of vital importance to remember that these are real churches and real disciples being addressed in their time too. Ephesus comes with the benefit of around 40 years of documented church life in the New Testament, so there is lots to explore in this particular letter.

This section introduces us to a powerful and victorious image of Jesus. In this episode Cam takes some time to explore these and what they might mean. Each part of Jesus' presentation in Chapter 1 is mentioned again in Chapters 2&3 so taking the time to understand them a little now is an important start to the Revelation series. The clear deity of Christ is also shown to us here among a number of key theological elements that we all should know, and his relationship to the suffering church is shown to us a little here too.

These are the opening statements of the book of Revelation, and already there is wonderful depth to explore!

It's the beginning of a new season with a new book of the New Testament to explore. This is an introduction to Revelation -considering the author, the setting, the time and the four major viewpoints that have helped us interpret this book over the years. My aim in this series will be to be as generous as I can to all the views while sticking to orthodoxy. I hope it's a useful journey for you!

This longer episode takes some time to consider the details of the trial of Jesus - before Pilate, before Herod - as well as some reflections on the curious case of Barabbas

This is the second of two detours from the main thread of Jesus' trial - the second case study of a disciple in crisis during this time. In this episode, we briefly examine the final steps of Judas

We take a brief pause from the trial of Jesus to consider the first of two short case studies. Peter's denial is the first of these.

In the timeline of our Synoptic Gospel journey, Jesus has been arrested and is going through the various stages of the trial process. This episode explores the initial hearing in the home of Caiphas the High Priest.

This episode continues to explore the dramatic events of Gethsemane and what takes place after the disciple's final prayer meeting together.

The Passover event crosses into a garden prayer meeting. Here we briefly look at the setting, the prayer of Jesus and the posture of the disciples. A fuller reflection on the whole process from arrest to death and resurrection is still to come, but here Cam offers a practical thought about the idea of being drawn into prayer with Christ when we're at our lowest or most challenged.

This is a fascinating passage that first looks at the bravado of the disciples contrasted with the knowledge of Jesus that Peter's denials were imminent. But it then switches gears to a teaching where some very interesting phrases are used...

This is an attempt to try to capture some of the richness of Passover and bring elements of this into the meal that has now become known as Communion. It's important to know some of the theology that existed around the first century and how Passover spoke into that - as it helps us understand how Jesus inserts himself into this thinking. But, we do this without overly Judaizing the whole thing too! As a result, this episode offers an understanding of things without overstating all the various details that others have dedicated entire volumes to over the years! Hopefully it sums things up in a helpful way for you!

This episode simple introduces the setting and logistics of the last Passover event that Jesus shares with his disciples. The idea of betrayal and some of the origin story of the Passover is presented here with a view to show in the next few episodes how Jesus puts himself into the festival in a key way - to the point that he becomes its completion

This is the third and final look at the two accounts of the broken alabaster box events in the gospel accounts. This time we return to Bethany and explore the disciples responses to this, as well as Jesus' own insight about the event an how it pertains to his redemptive work

This is the second instalment in our study of the Alabaster Box events (I made the case for two events last time). This episode considers the event which stands alone in Luke's gospel.

There are four accounts across the gospels about a woman anointing Jesus with perfume. There is some debate about them all telling of the same event, or if there were in fact two instances. I'll show my own hand on that conclusion in this episode. Then, we'll take around three episodes to explore all four accounts. There's so much to take in across them all!

This is the last part of the Olivet Discourse - and it's a tough passage to consider! The Sheep and Goats speak of the day of judgement that we'll all face, and Jesus is calling us to consider "That Day" deeply...and be ready!