God's end-time judgments continue in Revelation 16. Here we not only see God's infinite power at work but are also reminded of His perfect justice and the depravity and hardness of those who reject Christ.
The coming tribulation will be a dark and terrifying time on earth. But as Revelation 14--15 reminds us, God is in control of it all. It is part of the plan He is working out to bring about Christ's ultimate triumph and glory.
Satan is the great deceiver, and his deception will bring into existence a political leader, a religious system, and an economy around which the world will unite. Unity grounded in that which rejects Jesus Christ, however, is destined to produce horrifying results.
The hatred and persecution of the Jewish people throughout history is testimony to their unique place in God's eternal plan. Satan tries to destroy them in order to destroy God's plan and promises. Revelation 12 reveals Satan's long war against Israel.
As the description of the tribulation period continues in Revelation 10--11, through the apostle John, we are given a view of events both in heaven and on earth. It reminds us that what happens on earth is by God's design, under His control, and ultimately for His glory.
The tribulation judgments in Revelation 8--9 reveal not only God's righteousness, but also the depths of human depravity. They remind us that while God chooses to use us to spread the gospel of Christ, we can never break through the hardened hearts of sinners--only God can.
We Christians have been delivered from God's wrath in the coming tribulation period. Yet beginning with Revelation 6, the Bible gives us details of that period that we might learn more of God's justice and grace and become more zealous in proclaiming the gospel.
Heaven is not only the dwelling place of God. As the apostle John's vision in Revelation 4 and 5 reveals, it is a place of continual worship of God. The scene in these chapters challenges us to make worship a priority in our daily lives here on earth.
It is significant that the Lord has words of commendation for only one of the three churches addressed in Revelation 3. All had started well; only one had continued in uncompromising, faithful service. This chapter provides important warnings and guidance for all of us.
Christ's concern for the world is seen in His priority on the church. Only when the church is faithfully following Him will the gospel have its full impact on the world. In addressing the churches in Revelation 2, Jesus both encourages believers and appeals for their repentance.
Psalm 51 records David’s heartfelt confession after his sin with Bathsheba, and Stephen Davey explains it as a model of genuine repentance. He begins with David’s petition—a plea for mercy based on God’s steadfast love. Aware of the weight of his guilt, David asks God to blot out his transgressions, wash away his iniquity, and cleanse him from sin. The second step is admission: David accepts full responsibility, refusing to blame others and acknowledging his fallen nature. His sin, he admits, flows from the sinful heart of humanity inherited from Adam. Next comes restoration: David pleads, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” recognizing that only divine power can renew what sin has corrupted. Finally, his resolution is to teach others from his failure—to lead sinners back to God through honesty and repentance. Davey concludes that true confession involves humble honesty, complete dependence on God’s mercy, and a transformed resolve to live transparently before Him, proving that no sin is too great for God’s restoring grace.
Psalms 42–44 open the second book of Psalms, where Stephen Davey explains that God invites believers to pour out their hearts to Him with complete honesty. The sons of Korah—descendants of a rebel who chose faithfulness—wrote of spiritual dryness and discouragement: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Davey notes that even when God seems silent, He is never absent. These psalms teach believers to trust and wait for the Lord, declaring, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” In Psalm 44, this personal trust expands to national suffering as Israel endures consequences for sin yet clings to God’s covenant faithfulness. Paul later cites this psalm to remind believers that suffering is not abandonment but evidence of spiritual maturity. Through these lessons, Davey encourages believers to be honest with God, steadfast in hope, and confident that even in dry seasons, God remains their salvation and strength.
In The Voice of Creation (Psalm 19:1–8a), Stephen Davey contrasts Carl Sagan’s hopeless view of a silent universe with David’s joyful proclamation that creation declares the glory of God. Davey explains that the heavens continually reveal God’s signature, wisdom, and grace—a universal testimony to His power and creativity. The beauty, complexity, and order of nature point unmistakably to a Designer, but this general revelation alone cannot save; it must be joined with the special revelation of God’s Word. David moves from calling God El (Creator) to Yahweh (personal Redeemer), showing that Scripture revives the soul, makes the simple wise, and causes the heart to rejoice. Davey concludes that while creation proves God’s existence, His Word reveals His character and plan of redemption. Believers, therefore, should worship the Creator revealed both in the world around us and in the inspired Word that leads us back to Him.
This lesson from Deuteronomy 16–26 emphasizes God's righteousness as the standard for all of life. Moses reviews the importance of righteous leadership—judges, kings, priests, and prophets—who are called to uphold justice and truth. God's laws are revisited to guide Israel in holy living, covering areas like inheritance, morality, and societal order. These commands act like protective boundaries, showing how a righteous person should live. Finally, Israel’s worship is tied to gratitude and public acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. The lesson encourages believers to live righteously, not just privately but visibly, so the world sees God's wisdom and character through them.
This lesson explores two psalms that reveal God’s justice and His grace. In Psalm 7, David cries out to God after enduring slander and unjust attacks. Instead of retaliating, he opens himself to God’s inspection, asking the Lord to judge his heart and use the hurtful words for personal growth. The psalm reminds us that even when vindication never comes, God uses trials to deepen our relationship with Him. In Psalm 8, David marvels at God’s majesty in creation, overwhelmed that the Creator of the universe cares for humanity. He affirms that mankind was made a little lower than God, crowned with glory and honor, and given dominion over the earth. Though sin has marred that design, the promise of co-reigning with Christ in His coming kingdom points to our future hope. Together, these psalms teach that God is both just in dealing with injustice and gracious in elevating the weak, calling us to trust His evaluation of our worth and our role in His eternal plan.
