Grace Abides with Nick & Andy

Dragons. Beasts. The mark of the beast. 666.What is Revelation 13 really talking about?In today’s episode of the Grace Abides podcast, Nick and Andy tackle one of the most discussed — and misunderstood — chapters in the entire Bible.Who is the beast?Can people unknowingly worship evil?Will there someday be a literal “mark” required to buy or sell?Does 666 actually help us identify the Antichrist?And what comfort does Revelation give Christians living in fearful times?Join us as we dig into Revelation 13 and talk about how Christians are called to live faithfully in a world full of deception, fear, and false worship.This one will definitely get you thinking.

Listen in as Nick and Andy dive into Revelation 12 — one of the most dramatic and mysterious chapters in the Bible. + But first, do cats go to heaven? Nick sheds light on the topic. + From the terrifying dragon who wages war against God’s people to the victorious child who rules the nations, this episode explores the cosmic battle between good and evil. + Along the way, we tackle one of the most important questions Christians can ask: What does it mean for Christians to overcome evil through Jesus rather than through worldly power or force?+ Join us as we unpack the symbolism, the hope, and the victory of Christ found in one of Revelation’s most unforgettable visions.

Listen in as Nick and Andy share lots of laughs as they discuss Revelation 11 and the following:+ They explore the meaning behind measuring the inner sanctuary, symbolizing those who belong to Jesus. How do we know if we are in the right group? + They dive into the identity of the two witnesses, who are called to proclaim God’s truth in a dark world. How are we being witnesses? + They unpack how proclaiming God’s truth often brings resistance, and can lead to rejection, ridicule, or marginalization.+ The resurrection and vindication of the witnesses remind us that death and defeat are never the end of the story for God’s people.And a whole lot more! Thanks for listening.

Nick & Andy explore Rev. 10 including...+ Pastoral care for losers+ 6 Things to Remember about Revelation (Chad Bird)+ Why chapter 10 is better.+ Not a "Timeline of Terror"+ Why Revelation can feel like "visiting a foreign country w/o knowing the language"Intro & outro Song: Everyday-Routine-Blues (144288 / Pixabay) by Won Jong Hwa. Published with permission. Stinger Music: Jazzy Memories by Musinova via Pixabay

Nick and Andy tackle Revelation 9, one of the most intense sections of Scripture to see if there is truth in the chaos. In this episode, we discuss:+ The "Worst" Chapter? | Why Revelation 9 has a reputation for being one of the most challenging reads in the entire Bible.+ Nick’s Breaking Point | The real reason Nick decided to step away from the Revelation series after recording this specific chapter.+ The Abyss Unleashed | Unpacking the terrifying imagery of a demonic army and what it actually represents for us today.+ The Ultimate Victory | Shifting the focus away from the darkness to the One who holds the final victory.+ The Value of Prophecy | How much weight should we truly give to the Book of Revelation in our spiritual walk?

Nick & Andy are still in Revelation, this week exploring... + Does God have a divine mute button?+ Do our prayers influence God’s actions? + Can fish sin? + The seventh seal, God's burns down 1/3 of nature to make a point, plagues from the heavens, darkness in the earth, Andy's dislike of Revelation, and some fun with Revelation 8 in the middle of Holy Week.

This week in Revelation 7 Nick & Andy explore...+ Are you included in the 144,000? What is it? Are marital relations allowed? + Why your guardian angel might be doing more than just watching you sleep.+ Washing robes in...blood?+ From the "Great Ordeal" to "Great Comfort": A total reversal of human suffering.+ "Ministering spirits" among us and being "sealed" by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.

The seven seals of Revelation 6

Listen in as Nick and Andy talk through Revelation 5 and try to answer the following questions:+ Who does the earth belong to, God or Satan?+ What is our image of strength and how does Jesus as the “Lamb of God” challenge that?+ Do we see our prayers as something that gives God joy, like the joy that comes from our favorite sound?+ What does it mean that Jesus was “ransomed” for us?+ Do we praise God for the way God works in the lives of other people? And so much more. Thank you for listening!Intro & Outro: Everyday-Routine-Blues (144288 / Pixabay) by Won Jong Hwa. Published with permission.

Revelation 4 + What do you expect to find in heaven? Who meets you when you show up? + Seven flaming torches and a sea of glass? + What do people do in heaven? + Who do we worship God? Intro & Outro: Everyday-Routine-Blues (144288 / Pixabay) by Won Jong Hwa. Published with permission.

Revelation 3 Part 3 w/ Nick & Andy. The Church at Laodicea.+ Are you lukewarm? + Jesus knocks. Do we have to answer? Is that consistent w/ Lutheran theology? + What does it mean to overcome "self-reliance"? Intro & Outro: Everyday-Routine-Blues (144288 / Pixabay) by Won Jong Hwa. Published with permission.

Revelation 3 Part 2. The Church at Philadelphia. When does your faith feel the strongest?What does evangelism in the modern church look like?When we all get to heaven, and all the other Christians realize that the Lutherans were right, how is that going to feel? (This is a joke!)Is the church more effective when it has little influence over the culture?Intro & Outro: Everyday-Routine-Blues (144288 / Pixabay) by Won Jong Hwa. Published with permission. 

Live from LaPalmilla, Texas. Revelation 3 with Nick & Andy.

Listen in as Nick and Andy continue their study of Revelation 2. As part of the study, they try to answer the following questions: o How do you want to be remembered? o When persecution doesn’t work, does Satan use deception to attack the church?o Are repentance and grace compatible theological ideas? o In what ways has the church been guilty of not holding leaders accountable? o How do we overcome discouragement?We will be recording live next Friday, February 6th, at 2pm on the Abiding Grace Lutheran Church Facebook page.Intro & outro Song: Everyday-Routine-Blues (144288 / Pixabay) by Won Jong Hwa. Published with permission. 

Revelation 2. Nick & Andy connect under a new podcast name (Grace Abides) to continue the study of Revelation chapter 2 plus commentary on their upcoming ministry retreat, nordic skiing, ice and snow in Texas, plus enduring change, love first, and "let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying." Intro & outro song: Everyday-Routine-Blues (144288 / Pixabay) by Won Jong Hwa. Used with permission and attribution.

Revelation 1. Nick & Andy connect under a new podcast name (Grace Abides) to begin the study of Revelation chapter 1 plus commentary on their upcoming ministry retreat, nordic skiing and Minnesota weather. Should we believe the Futurist view, Poetic view, Historicist view or Preterist view of Revelation? Or a mix?Intro & outro Song: Everyday-Routine-Blues (144288 / Pixabay) by Won Jong Hwa. Published with permission. 

Nick & Andy connect under a new podcast name to announce the upcoming study of Revelation plus the ever-present football commentary.

Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, & Love

We are all called to be sent into the world for the sake of God's Kingdom, but how do we that? Nick and Andy give 5 simple ways to proclaim God's love.

On Reformation Day, Nick and Andy talk about what it means to be part of the priesthood of all believers. 

We were created to be loved... but what does that mean for our lives?

Why did God create you? What is your purpose? Nick and Andy discuss these questions and more!

In our last episode of the year we talk all about grace. What is Grace?Is there a limit to God's grace?What God's grace do for us?

How do we keep our faith when terrible things happen?

The two main lessons of Jonah. 

Jonah finally makes it to Ninevah, but does not get the response he was expecting. 

Jonah's prayer while he is in the belly of the whale and why this part of the story reminds me of the Empire Strike Back.

God want Jonah to go to Ninevah, but Jonah has other plans. 

The unchanging nature of Jesus and the call to show hospitality. (sorry for the less than perfect audio!)

God has chosen to have a relationship with us based on love, not fear; and what does it mean to be surrounded by a cloud of witnesses? 

What is faith? How does faith change us? 

What is the big difference between forgiveness in the Old Covenant and forgiveness in the New Covenant?Does the author of Hebrews think everyone is going to heaven?How can we persevere? 

Lots of great stuff in this chapter:- What symbols do we have for our failures?- Did Jesus really need to die for God to forgive us?- Is reincarnation Biblical?And more!

Questions that are covered today:Does forgiveness equal salvation?Can forgiveness be rejected?What's the main difference between the old covenant and the new covenant?

What do we do with Bible stories that don't make sense and the difference between God's covenant with Moses and God's covenant with Abraham. 

The basics of our faith and can someone lose salvation after God has already promised it to them?

God teaches us through suffering and the ability to discern the difference between good and evil. 

What will heaven be like and who will be there? Can we walk into the presence of God with confidence? 

Why Jesus is more important than Moses and the two things that help us to remain faithful. 

Hebrews 2 is a great chapter! Here are some things that it includes:- Drifting away from God- The humanity of Jesus- Why Jesus was died (it's not what you think!)and so much more!

Does God still speak to us?What will we do in heaven?

Paul writes about contentment and the love of money. An important lesson for us today. 

I referenced Ruth in yesterday's episode. Here is her story. 

There is a lot of good stuff in this chapter! Do we have to like our siblings? When is it appropriate to publicly shame someone, and why? Which widows should the church help? Paul answers all of these questions and more!

Paul tells Timothy, "it's going to get worse before it gets better." What makes the world worse? Tune in to find out. Also, a popular verse for youth groups that may be taken out of context. 

Paul has a little bit to say about Bishops and reveals his primary reason for writing this letter to Timothy. 

Paul said women can't speak in church, but what would he say to Deborah?

A lesson on prayer and we discuss verses 11-12: "Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent."Why did Paul write this? Should we still abide by it? What does the rest of the Bible say?Also, I will be posting my lesson from last year on Deborah as a companion to this podcast. 

How do you describe God? What are you thankful for?

The last chapter of Romans.