What do the Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls in Revelation reveal about God’s judgment and His purposes for the world? In this companion podcast, Pastor Jason Smith explore these powerful and often difficult images, examining different ways Christians have interpreted them and how they may relate to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.

As they work through the imagery of the Four Horsemen, the Trumpets, and the Bowls, Jason and Manny consider the connections between Revelation, the Old Testament, and the story of God’s people. They discuss how God’s judgment is measured, how warnings create opportunities for repentance, and how the prayers of God’s people matter in the unfolding of His purposes.

Ultimately, Revelation points beyond judgment toward the hope of God making all things new. Join the conversation as we continue exploring this challenging book and discover how its message speaks to our faith today.

In this message from the Do Not Be Afraid series, Pastor Jason Smith takes us into some of the most challenging passages in Revelation, exploring the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. Through these vivid images of judgment, suffering, and warning, we are reminded that life will get hard—but a broken world does not mean God is absent.

Revelation points us toward a God who is patient and merciful, giving people opportunities to turn back to Him, while promising that evil and injustice will not have the final word. At the center of it all is Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain and has conquered death, offering redemption, hope, and the promise of a day when every tear will be wiped away.

How do we respond when the world feels broken and the future seems uncertain? Jason reminds us of the message at the heart of Revelation: life will get hard, Jesus has conquered, so stay faithful.

What do the four living creatures surrounding God’s throne represent, and why does John describe them in such extraordinary detail? In this companion podcast to St. Andrew’s Do Not Be Afraid series, Pastor Jason Smith and Pastor Manny David explore the imagery of Revelation, drawing connections to the visions of Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel. Through these vivid pictures of creation gathered around God’s throne, we begin to see how everything finds its purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in Him.

As we explore Revelation’s imagery, we’re reminded that even when the world feels out of control, God remains on the throne.

In this message from the Do Not Be Afraid series, Pastor Jason Smith takes us into Revelation 4–5 and the throne room of heaven, offering a powerful perspective for when the world—or our own lives—feels out of control. Through John’s vision, we are reminded that God is still on the throne, that Jesus is worthy, and that what we see around us is not the whole story.

As John looks toward the throne, he sees the Lamb who was slain—the One who conquered through sacrificial love and defeated death itself. Our prayers are not forgotten, our struggles are not meaningless, and our future is not uncertain because Jesus holds the story.

When fear, uncertainty, or the chaos of life begins to overwhelm us, Revelation invites us to look up, worship, and remember who is truly worthy of our trust. Things are not as they seem, and this is not how the story ends.

In Week 2 of the Do Not Be Afraid Companion Podcast, Pastor Jason Smith and Shannon Coon explores the historical and geographical context surrounding the Book of Revelation. Looking at places like Ephesus and the world of the early churches, Shannon helps us understand the people who first received John’s message and the circumstances they were facing.

As we learn more about the world behind Revelation, we can better understand its imagery, symbolism, and message—and see how it ultimately points us back to Jesus, His reign, and the hope He offers.

In this message from the Do Not Be Afraid series, Pastor Jason Smith takes us into Revelation 2–3, where Jesus speaks directly to seven real churches facing pressure, compromise, apathy, and suffering. These ancient letters reveal that Jesus sees what is happening beneath the surface and lovingly calls His people back to faithfulness.

From the church that had lost its first love, to those tempted to compromise in order to fit in, to those who had become comfortable and numb, Jesus reminds us that both truth and love matter. And to those who are suffering, He offers encouragement: hold on, because your hardship has an expiration date and Jesus is still in control.

Through these letters, we are invited to listen closely to what Jesus may be saying to us today. His message is both challenging and hopeful: don’t be afraid, hold on to truth, hold on to love, and remain faithful to Him.

What is Revelation really about—and why was it written?

In this introductory teaching to St. Andrew’s Do Not Be Afraid Companion Podcast, Pastor Jason Smith helps us see Revelation not simply as a mysterious or frightening book filled with dragons, beasts, and judgment, but as a revelation of what is truly real, where history is going, and where our hope is found.

Jason introduces Revelation as an apocalypse, a prophecy, and a letter written to real churches facing pressure and persecution. He also walks through five major approaches to interpreting the book, explores the influence of dispensationalism, and gives us a “map” for the journey through Revelation in the weeks ahead.

Our hope is that as we explore this remarkable book together, Revelation would become less intimidating and more meaningful—a book that inspires us to trust Jesus, worship Him, and live with hope because of what is still to come.

In the opening message of the Do Not Be Afraid series, Pastor Jason Smith begins our journey through Revelation by reminding us that this book was not written to scare people, but to give courage to people who are afraid.

In Revelation 1, John gives us a powerful picture of Jesus—not as weak or defeated, but as the risen and reigning King who is greater than anything we fear. Jesus is with His church, He holds His people in His hand, and He reminds us, “Don’t be afraid.”

Whatever circumstances we may be facing, Revelation calls us to look up and remember who Jesus really is, look around and recognize that He is closer than we think, and look ahead knowing that He has already won. When fear takes hold, we can have courage because Jesus is in the room.