December 22, 2025
LORD FROM BEGINNING TO END
From the first day of the year to the last, from the beginning to the end, Jesus is “the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13).
December 22, 2025
From the first day of the year to the last, from the beginning to the end, Jesus is “the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13).
May 2, 2025
When we put the needs of others in the body of Christ above our own, when we show respect and deference to others in the church, when we replace authority and prestige with a basin and towel, we demonstrate our love for Christ and the church he cherishes.
April 21, 2025
What kind of spiritual fruit delights God’s heart and reveals his character to the world? Here’s the answer: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
November 18, 2024
If there is anything that should cause us to give thanks this week it is that God has provided an eternal home for us.
November 18, 2024
Sin’s devastating effects have plagued this fallen world ever since the Garden of Eden, but “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).
November 17, 2024
The Lord’s presence will sustain us whenever the “gates of Hades” and their leader (Satan) pose a threat.
November 11, 2024
The Lord is “the Alpha and the Omega”. In the past he has kept his covenants through all generations. In the present he guides and comforts us through the Scriptures and the presence of his indwelling Spirit. He is forever faithful. The future is not a mystery to him.
November 10, 2024
There is much to remember about Jesus as we reflect upon the variety of tasks and titles given to him in Scripture and that he himself used to describe the work he faithfully accomplished.
December 22, 2022
Television audiences on the North American and European continents were treated to an added marvel of electronics on July 23, 1962, when live transmissions were beamed off the Telstar satellite. But as Solomon said, “There is no new thing under the sun.” God long ago placed in the sky His own Telstar, commonly called the “Star of Bethlehem.” . . .
October 24, 2022
Worship is at the heart of Scripture. Worship was compromised in Eden (Genesis 3:1-19). What we worship is what we become (Hosea 9:10; Romans 1:23). The angel told John to “worship God” (Revelation 22:9). The Old Testament hymnal (the book of Psalms) called God’s people to worship. . . .
October 1, 2018
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 10 (weeks 37–40; September 16—October 7, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ The Bible lessons now follow a scope and sequence prepared by Christian Standard Media. For more information, click here. ______ Lesson Aim: Come and freely take from the waters of life. ______ By Mark Scott One of the warmest words in the English language is come. In the original language, the form of that
January 22, 2018
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 1–4 (January 7-28, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Reading Daniel 7-12 is somewhat like reading Jonah 3, 4. We rarely do it. These are often neglected chapters because they are difficult chapters. But they contain important content for both comings of Christ. Daniel would need a strong faith to receive these teachings. This text might be appreciated more thematically if we
November 21, 2016
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the November 20 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott On this first day of Advent we consider the last passage of the Bible. God had the first word (Genesis 1:3), and he will get the last word (Revelation 22:20). Our lessons this month have gone to great length to describe the Holy City. Words fail us to describe its beauty. Sometimes the beauty of
November 14, 2016
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the November 13 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott So much of our environment and lives have to do with water. Think of how much of the earth is water. Think of how much of the human body is water. Israel is a dry land in the midst of various bodies of water. Our older son purchased a T-shirt in Israel for his oldest
March 17, 2014
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Revelation was written by the apostle John. While he was in exile on the isle of Patmos around AD 95, God gave John a wonderful vision. It was designed to help the first-century believers as they faced increasing opposition and hostility. An angel came to him with a scroll, but no one could open it. John began to weep because of this. The Lamb Appears Revelation 5:5-7 Around God”s throne were a group of elders (4:9,
May 23, 2011
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for May 29) is written by Ron Arnold, senior pastor with Kaimuki Christian Church in Honolulu, Hawaii. ____________ Water of Life (Revelation 22:1-9, 13-17) By Ron Arnold Water department trucks in Honolulu display the slogan “Pure Water””Our Greatest Need””Conserve It” to remind the people of Hawaii to use this limited resource sparingly. This is true in the islands, and may be true in your area, if we”re talking about the physical realm. It”s only a half-truth in the spiritual realm. In the Scriptures, water is a symbol of life flowing from
December 31, 2010
By Rick Chromey Every New Year”s Eve our culture gathers together to toast and celebrate another year”s passing. New opportunities. New friendships. New dreams. Of course, for some, too much imbibing, indiscretion, and insolence sully the festive occasion. Nevertheless, many choose to drown their sorrows in drink or ease their anxiety through gluttony. After all, humans desperately seek to numb our pain and bury the past. Alcohol, food, sex, and entertainment are simply cultural solutions to crisis and conflict. Like Band-Aids on a gaping wound, many try to mask, manipulate, or minimize the bleeding but ultimately fail miserably to find
December 23, 2007
By Robert Lowery What in the world does Charles Dickens, the 19th-century British author, have to do with the first-century prophet John? I made a connection just the other night after reading Dickens”s short story, A Christmas Carol. The rereading of this classic work intersected with a paper I had graded earlier that evening written by a student in my class on Revelation. The theology of John and Dickens merged late that evening. Most of us are familiar with the characters in the story published in 1843″” Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and Bob Cratchit and his family, notably Tiny Tim””if
September 4, 2005
A heartfelt letter to missionaries serving overseas, offering encouragement, gratitude for sacrifice, and a reminder that believers at home are praying and ready to help in practical ways.