In today's episode, Cory and Trent take a break from their study through the book of Revelation and talk about what they believe are "areas of present contention within the Southern Baptist Convention."

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Southern Baptist Convention was unable to gather in 2020, and while "absence often makes the heart grow fonder," it seems our distance has only caused dissension. With racial tensions generally on the rise, particular cultural ideologies becoming popularized, and complementarian convictions being met with increased hostility, a fracture in our fellowship is noticeable, if not undeniable.

Read More

In this episode, Cory and Trent take a look at the fifth trumpet judgment and the creatures that are released from "the bottomless pit." It is due to these horrifying creatures (referred to as "locusts" who inflict pain from their tail like a "scorpion) that unbelievers across the earth look and long for death. However, death evades them.

What does this mean? Is God prolonging their life intentionally? Is he prolonging life in wrathful pain or in gracious patience? Will believers experience this torment? How are we to apply a passage like this to our lives today? Check out this episode for more details!

If you enjoy the podcast/video, be sure to share it with a friend!

Read More

In this episode, Cory and Trent take a look at the seventh seal and the first four trumpet judgments of chapter 8 and arrive at their first disagreement with one another. Check out the episode to hear about their disagreement and learn about the significance of the trumpet judgments.

If you enjoy the podcast/video, be sure to share it with a friend!

Read More

In this episode, Cory and Trent continue to take a break from their verse by verse exposition of the book of Revelation to take a look at Dispensationalism and its take on the book of Revelation. Both Cory and Trent are familiar with dispensationalism and its framework of Revelation by growing up in churches where it was the primary understanding of the book. However, Cory and Trent both no longer hold its perspective on the book. Listen to Cory and Trent as they discuss what they believe are 8 Difficulties of Dispensationalism (as it pertains to the book of Revelation).

Read More

Join Cory and Trent as they take a break from their study of Revelation to “go down the rabbit hole” talking about their relationship with the Lord, their relationship with each other, and their relationship with the churches they serve.

Read More

The answer to the question of “who can stand as the wrath of God is poured out” is found in the following chapter. In chapter 7, before He brings His wrath against the ungodly, God commands other angels to “not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

The rest of the chapter explains that, while believers may encounter persecution, they will not experience the wrath of God due to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that protects them and marks them as the people of God (a mark antithetical to the mark of the beast).

Read More

Revelation chapter 6 tends to be where interpreters with different viewpoints on the book as a whole begin to walk down entirely different interpretive paths. With respect to many other views, it is our viewpoint that chapter 6 is symbolic of increasing persecution and martyrdom throughout the current church age culminating in Christ’s final judgment upon the earth.

Finally, the question of “who can stand” asked of unbelievers experiencing God’s wrath during the sixth seal, while yet to be answered, are believers who will not experience God’s wrath, because Jesus experienced it upon the cross in their place (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

Read More

In chapter 5, John remains in the heavenly throne room where the Father remains on His throne. In the Father’s right hand is a scroll with seven seals upon it no one is worthy to break. Because the scroll contains the God’s sovereign eternal plan for judgment and redemption, John weeps at the reality that no one is able to open the scroll. He is horrified without hope.

However, like our salvation story, Jesus comes at the right moment to give hope to the hopeless. At last there is one who is worthy! The Lamb of God!

At Christ’s ascension He was given authority over heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). In this heavenly scene, Christ ascends to heaven, having conquered death and ensuring salvation through His sacrificial crucifixion, to the right hand of the Father where He will exercise His sovereignty and execute the plans of God.

Read More

After writing practical and personal letters to seven local churches enduring tribulation, John is taken up to see the heavenly throne room where he sees one seated whose indescribable appearance was best likened to precious and colorful stones.

The throne and the one who is seated upon it is the dramatic center of the picture John describes with twenty-four elders around Him, flashes of lighting from Him, and a sea of glass with seven torches before Him.

While the reader is tempted to try to understand every detail and creature within the throne room, one must be careful not to see the forest for the trees and miss God Himself, who all of those creatures praise and to whom all of the details point.

Read More

The church in Laodicea was as apathetic as they were affluent. Not only were they spiritually ineffective (“neither hot nor cold”), their spiritual status made the Lord want to vomit (“I will spit you out of my mouth”). They were a business with a Biblical name; happy with goods and no godliness. The letter to the church in Laodicea is a strong warning against materialism and its deception. They thought themselves to be rich, yet they were poor. The exact opposite of the church in Smyrna.

Although there was nothing in the church to be commended, the Lord still loved His church in Laodicea. His command was for them to repent, and if they would, by opening the door on which He knocked (inviting His words or rebuke and repenting), He would dine with them.

Read More

In the letter to the church in Philadelphia, Cory and Trent will discuss the characteristics of a church that is designated as “weak,” yet is devoted to the Word. The church in Philadelphia patiently endured persecution as well as slander from those who called themselves followers of God, yet were not. God promises that this church will see the repentance of Jewish individuals who had rejected the Messiah as well as their recognition of God’s particular love for the very they had slandered.

In this letter we are encouraged to keep the faith and pray that our enemies would ultimately come to know the Lord they persecute us for proclaiming. God can and will save. God can and will vindicate His people. We are called to pray, commit, proclaim, and entrust ourselves to our Sovereign God.

Read More

In the letter to the church in Sardis, Cory and Trent will discuss the characteristics of a nominal ("in-name-only") church. The church in Sardis is "dead." Jesus' commands is for the church to "wake up" and repent. If they do not, He will come like a thief to them. This truth reminds us of 1 Thessalonians 5, where those that are not prepared for the Lord will be shocked when He comes like a thief in the night.

In this letter we are encouraged to stay awake, stay vigilant, and be prepared for the Lord's return at any moment.

Read More

Join Cory and Trent read and discuss the letter to the church in Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-29. This is the fourth of seven letters written to local churches enduring tribulation in Asia minor during the first century. In these seven letters Christ gives a personal and practical message for congregations enduring persecution to hear and heed.

In the letter to the church at Thyatira, Cory and Trent will discuss the idea that an ongoing toleration of divisive sin within a church is not only not destructive but it’s also disobedience to God and can lead to death. The church in Thyatira was a churched that loved well, but tolerated sin.

Read More

In the letter to the church at Pergamum, Cory and Trent will discuss the idea that a church can be faithful in proclamation yet unfaithful in practice. The church at Pergamum had begun to compromise with the world by holding the teachings of those whose desire it was to lead them away from God.

In the letter to the church at Pergamum we’re reminded to keep watch of the life and teachings of those we follow, those we commit to in a local church, and our own lives as well. The church is called to rightly judge one another so that it may not face the righteous judgment of God.

Read More

In the letter to the church at Smyrna, Cory and Trent will discuss the faithfulness of the church despite the persecution they had and would endure. The church at Smyrna is noted as spiritually healthy and eternally prosperous even while they were culturally hated and physically persecuted.

Ultimately, Christ’s commendation of the church at Smyrna teaches us that God doesn’t call his church to be successful in the world’s eyes, but faithful in His. Faithfulness to Christ is what makes a healthy church.

Read More

Discussing the letter to the church at Ephesus, Cory and Trent will mention how the people were both simultaneously, "right in their hate, yet wrong in their love." Can we identify with the church at Ephesus? What can we learn from this church? How might we "keep our first love?" Check out this episode to learn more!

Read More

Join Cory and Trent read and discuss Revelation 1:9-20. In this episode they will talk about the presence of Christ with His churches during tribulation enabling them to endure with patience. They will also talk about the common outline of the book found in verse 19 and give their take on who they believe the “angels” to be (or not to be) in verse 20.“

Read More

Join Cory and Trent read and discuss Revelation 1:4-8. In this episode they will talk about the author and audience of the book. They will also talk about how looking at the power of God, our position before God, and our peace with God is the key to enduring difficult days. Lastly, they will talk about the controversy of the “two returns of Christ” on the clouds.

Read More

Join pastors Cory Majors and Trent Roseman as they open Revelation 1:1-3 and look at its context, Christ, our culture, and and controversy that arises in the text. In this first study in Revelation, Cory and Trent will be discussing three important things in the first three verse. Namely, that Revelation was written to reveal God’s plan, prepare God’s people, and bless those who obey what’s written in it.

Read More

Join pastors Cory Majors and Trent Roseman as they begin season two of In Context and Culture by opening the book of Revelation together.

Read More