Today, Craig and LaDonna continue their study of Jesus' words to the seven churches in Asia Minor in Revelation 2-3. Realizing the importance of what Christ said, they had no option but to address the issue of abortion in our modern culture. The sacrifice of children to demonic pagan idols goes as far back as the Old Testament, and is strongly condemned by Jesus Christ. Without mincing words, they strongly present the biblical case that it's not simply a "social issue" called "Choice", but a demonic and pagan practice of the worst sort. They remind us that it's not just a women's issue, but a man's issue as well. Men bear just as much responsibility by their unwillingness to care for children they bring into the world and providing a loving home for a child to be raised in. It's a worldwide issue of modern paganism that affects all cultures, tribes, nations, and people groups. The Smiths also present some of the most encouraging words ever spoken about Christ and His involvement in His church. It says He holds the seven stars (pastors) in His hand and He walks among the seven lamp stands (churches). The implications of that reality is staggering to consider and should help all believers to rejoice. It also supports the importance of being a part of a local church in order to experience this deeper work of Christ in the world today. Christ's strong words to the leaders of Ephesus included an affirmation about them promoting sound doctrine in the church all while being on the lookout for false teachers that want to come in and sow destruction. It led Craig to begin speaking strongly on the importance of these roles and he begins to introduce the issue of church discipline. Unfortunately, time ran out so you'll have to come back next week and join the Smiths as they continue to unpackage what the Book of Revelation teaches. All right here on the Indigenous Faith broadcast!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith move on to Chapters 2-3 of the Book of Revelation, which covers Jesus' words to seven churches in the region of Asia Minor. For the next little while, the Smiths will be unpacking the details of Christ's words to these seven churches, of which He is the Senior Pastor over them all. After LaDonna presents these two chapters, the Smiths begin their focus on what He said to the first church mentioned, which was the church in the city of Ephesus. John, who was the scribe for the Book of Revelation, was actually in this city when he was taken prisoner for preaching the gospel and sent to isolation on the island of Patmos, where he received all that the Lord gave him about things to come in a biblical book who's whole purpose was to give great detail to what will happen in the last days of planet Earth as we know it. He was to write the about past, present, and future events as revealed to Him by Christ, Himself. In today's episode, the Smiths give a full explanation and background of the church in Ephesus, and begin unpacking both the affirming and challenging words of Christ to them. And that's the pattern Jesus uses in what He has to say to all these seven congregations spread throughout Asia Minor. He commends them for the good things they do, but also shares with them the things that He is against as they live their Christian lives in the early days of the Church. In one of the more powerful parts of their presentation, the Smiths remind us about the relationship Jesus has with both the church leaders and the congregation in these local congregations when He says that He holds the seven stars (the seven pastors) in His hand and he walks among the seven lamp stands (the actual seven churches). And He still does that today! There's so much encouragement as Craig and LaDonna begin unpacking God's Word, right here on this and the upcoming episodes of Indigenous Faith. We're glad you are with the Smiths in this biblical journey!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith wrap up there expository look into Revelation 1. They remind us that while they hold strongly to the literal interpretation of Scripture, they leave room for imagery, illustrations, etc., that are metaphorically presented to help Bible students realize just what the scripture is saying. They speak on this as this chapter provides some of that kind of text. The end of the chapter is filled with imagery of the Savior of heaven and earth as John saw a vision of a man, "like the son of man." John struggles to describe this image as its realities far out delivered John's ability to describe what he saw in common human terms of the first century. The Smiths believe you will be blessed by this three part series and we hope and pray you'll be able to see all its splendor and might, right her on Indigenous Faith!

Today Craig and LaDonna continue their introductory study into the Book of Revelation. They continue to unpack all that chapter 1 has to say about why this book was to be scribed by the Apostle John while in prison on the island of Patmos. Write the things you see (currently), the things you saw (past tense) and the things to come (future tense) is what the angel of the Lord told him to write. The intended audience is all of us living throughout the past 2,000 years since Christ was on earth, and ascended back to heaven in preparation for His second coming which will soon be upon us! In great imagery, Christ the conquering King is presented right at the beginning of this incredible book which speaks about things to come. Excitement is building in the hearts and souls of Craig and LaDonna as they present these exciting pages of timeless truth to you. We trust that excitement will be contagious and spread to every listener around the globe who tunes into this prophetic teaching series, all designed to help build a biblical and lasting Indigenous faith in the lives of our listeners. Buckle up for another amazing study in God's prophetic Word, right here on Indigenous Faith!

Not only does today mark another year of the Indigenous Faith broadcast, it marks the beginning of a new series in our continued study of eschatology. Today we launch an in-depth study into the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation. In a multiple part series, Craig and LaDonna begin to unpackage the first chapter of this amazing book and attempt to put the cookies on the bottom shelf by simplifying what this book has to say about end times. We will be going through the whole book of Revelation to uncover the things the Apostle John saw while he was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos. He was to write the things that are, the things that were, and the things to come. Please be sure to join Craig and LaDonna in every episode they present on this much misunderstood book of the Bible. As you'll see in just chapter 1, it's a remarkable study into the mind and heart of God and all that He has planned for not only His children, but for those who rejected Him and His eternal plan of salvation through His One and only son, Jesus Christ. Have your Bibles ready, dear friends, as you join Craig and LaDonna Smith on their amazing journey through the Book of Revelation, right her on Indigenous Faith!

In today's fifth and final episode that focuses on the Signs of His Coming, Craig and LaDonna Smith provide a window into some o the last few chapters of the Bible, including Revelation 19-21. Chapter 19's focus is on the Rider of the White Horse which clearly speaks of the actual second coming of Christ at the end of the Tribulation period and the ushering in of the Millennial reign of Christ on earth. Chapter 20 continues to shed light on the Millennium and what happens right after it ends, which is the Great White Throne Judgement. Chapter 21 gloriously explains the establishment of a new heaven and new earth and what eternity will look like for those of us who will experience it without pain, suffering, death, or separation. What a powerful way the end of the world as we know it is described in these amazing chapters. No wonder many a preacher has said, I've read the back of the book, and guess what? WE WIN! even so, come Lord Jesus!

In today's special edition of Indigenous Faith, the Smiths pause their study of biblical prophecies about Christ's second coming to focus their attention on biblical prophecies about Christ's first coming in this special Christmas edition of Indigenous Faith. It's a special sermon Craig shares from his heart that shows a number of Old Testament prophecies about Christ's first coming then takes us to where those prophecies were fulfilled in the New Testament. And that's why he calls this a special and unique kind of Christmas message because it's all about prophecies made and prophecies fulfilled. The point is made that if all the over 300 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament about His first coming were fulfilled exactly as they were given over 700 years before these events ever happened, then we can trust the truthfulness of the over 1800 prophecies that foretell His second coming! What a strong case we have in defending the things to come! So as we approach this year's Christmas celebration, the Smiths hope that our hearts will be even more steadfast in believing the truths of the Bible! It's believable, and important to base the remaining time we have left on planet earth upon! May you deepen your love, trust, and hope found in Christ alone during this wonderful Christmas season! Merry Christmas from Craig and LaDonna Smith, and Tribal Rescue Ministries!

The Smith's teaching on the Second Coming of Christ becomes very personal as Craig and LaDonna share about the glad reunion to come when they will be reunited with loved ones who have gone on before but will be resurrected to a new eternal state and be joined with all those who will be part of that "first resurrection!" The reality that when this happens, we all will be delivered from not only the power of sin and the penalty of sin, but once and for all we all will be free from the very presence of sin as well! What a glorious day that will be! With those blessed thoughts come some important admonitions as well, including the reminder that no man knows the hour or the day when this will happen. There's been foolish people in church history that predicted the date and sometimes even the hour when the rapture would occur, but as we all know now, they all were wrong. And we don't want to be in that crowd who've grown a bit too big for their spiritual boots. An important part of the end times prophetic teaching of Scripture includes what is called the Bema Seat of Christ, or, the judgement seat of Christ. But this is not a judgement time that results in punishment. It will be a time when Christians will be rewarded for the things they have done for Christ in their lives. The analogy of two kinds of things will be judged by Christ, and that is illustrated by 1.), gold, silver, and precious stones, and 2.), wood, hay and stubble. The fire will test us all. If we've built up an array of gold, silver, and precious stones, the fire will only refine and purify these precious metals resulting in an increased value. If we've built actions that amount to wood, hay, and stubble, the same fire will consume it all and we'll be left standing in a heap of burning ashes. The admonition is clear, while we are still here, let's serve the Lord faithfully and build up the precious things that will last an eternity! All interesting realities of end time living. Will we be found faithful? We pray that be the case!