(Originally written for The Baldwin Bulletin: Pastor's Column February 14, 2024) …And all who dwell on earth will worship [the blasphemous beast], everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:8-10) Yes, here I come interrupting your lovely Valentine’s (or Galentine’s) Day celebrations with some difficult words from Revelation. I honestly had considered writing about Christian origins of today’s consumerist holiday, but I’m not well-versed and Wikipedia seems to do a thorough job. I am currently preaching through the bulk of Revelation at Baldwin Christian Reformed Church. My interpretation is not a strict literal interpretation of the book. I believe it may contain
Reflections of a Reformed pastor on the labor of ministry and how faith in God changes everything