Advertise on podcast: Verse by Verse Bible Study Podcast with Randy Duncan

We keep working through Revelation 17 by slowing down in the hardest parts and learning to live with careful, text-driven uncertainty. We trace Babylon the Great as a recurring pattern of idolatrous world power, then contrast the beast’s counterfeit “resurrection” with the unshakable authority of Jesus Christ.  • why Revelation 17 draws so many interpretations and why we take it slowly  • how to study like the Bereans by testing teaching against Scripture  • what “Babylon the Great” signals about rebellion against God across history  • why “mother of prostitutes” points to idolatry and influence, not only sexual sin  • how persecution shows up as Babylon being drunk on the blood of the saints  • what the angel reveals about the woman’s dependence on the beast’s empire  • why “was and is not and is to come” functions as a satanic counterfeit of God  • how the beast’s pseudo resurrection fuels deception and public marveling  • why modern technology can amplify believable counterfeits and confusion  • how some dispensational readings connect the beast to a revived Roman coalition  • the core takeaway: don’t marvel, don’t compromise, stay faithful to Jesus Christ  Never believe anything just because you heard a preacher or a Bible teacher say so. Like the Bereans, listen, but then you search the scriptures for yourself. Do your own research to see if you're hearing the truth.  Outro music - Joseph Habedank Support the show

We walk through why Revelation 17 is one of the toughest chapters to interpret and why faithful readers land in different places. We trace what the text clearly says about Babylon’s influence and judgment, then let the chapter press a personal question about idolatry and allegiance.  • why Revelation 17 sparks disagreement and how to study it carefully  • why the judgment of Babylon reads as added detail rather than a new timeline  • what “seated on many waters” means using Revelation 17:15  • how sexual immorality functions as a picture of spiritual adultery and idolatry  • four leading views on Babylon: ancient Rome, apostate religion, world system, papal Rome  • why the dating of Revelation matters for preterist claims about AD 70 and Domitian  • how the woman’s luxury masks inner corruption like a whitewashed tomb  • what the seven heads and ten horns explicitly mean and why the identities are disputed  • the unavoidable end: power unites against Christ and still loses  don’t believe anything just because you heard a guy on a Bible study podcast say so, but you, just like the Bereans, search the scriptures, you study, and you do the research on your own to prove whether these things that you hear are true.  Outro music - Ben Fuller Support the show

We finish Revelation 16 by walking through the fifth, sixth, and seventh bowls of wrath and tracing the Bible’s recurring patterns of darkness, deception, and judgment. We also face the hardest question in the chapter: why people can see God’s hand and still refuse to repent, even as Jesus calls us to stay awake and stay faithful.  • the fifth bowl poured on the beast’s throne and the kingdom plunged into darkness  • Exodus 10 “darkness to be felt” and how plagues foreshadow Revelation’s bowls  • darkness as judgment in Scripture from Egypt to the crucifixion of Jesus  • three days pattern and why Christ’s resurrection reframes the theme of darkness  • people gnawing tongues and cursing God rather than turning for mercy  • the Euphrates dried up and the Cyrus and Babylon historical parallel  • the dragon, beast, and false prophet sending demonic propaganda through signs  • Jesus’ warning to stay awake, keep garments, and live ready for his return  • Armageddon as the gathering point and what it may mean geographically or symbolically  • the seventh bowl into the air, “It is done,” and the unprecedented earthquake  • Babylon’s fall, collapsing powers, and hailstones followed by continued blasphemy  Run to the cross today, because the same Jesus who warned of coming judgment is also the Jesus who stretched out his hands on the cross so that everyone who trusts in him might be saved. Outro music -Ben Fuller Support the show

Revelation 16 confronts us with the first four bowls of wrath and the sheer scale of judgment poured out on a world that has chosen the beast over God. We wrestle with the hardest question the chapter raises: whether God can be truly loving while also being truly just.  • Revelation 16’s setup and why the bowl judgments escalate beyond the trumpets  • Bowl one bringing painful sores on those with the mark of the beast  • Old Testament echoes from Deuteronomy and the plagues of Egypt  • Why dogmatic end-times assumptions can blind us to biblical parallels  • Bowl two turning the sea to blood and the civilization-level fallout of total marine death  • Bowl three striking rivers and springs and the angel’s declaration that God is just  • The argument that love and justice belong together and the cross proves it  • Bowl four scorching people with fierce heat and the refusal to repent  • The chapter’s grim center: judgment recognized yet mercy rejected  Support the show

We walk through Revelation 15 as the calm prelude to the seven bowls of wrath, and we trace why God’s judgment is terrifying yet perfectly just. We also hold that warning next to a stunning scene of worship, where the redeemed sing of deliverance through the blood of the Lamb. • Revelation 15 as a pause before the seven bowls • why “bowls” fits the Greek word better than “vials” • the number seven as complete and finished judgment • the plagues of Egypt as a backdrop for final wrath • the sea of glass mingled with fire and what it signals • the fixed chasm of Luke 16 and irreversible destiny • the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb as one story of deliverance • Passover imagery pointing to Jesus as the true Lamb • modern idolatry as anything loved more than God • the heavenly sanctuary opening and the smoke of God’s glory So don't anchor your life to a world that's destined to pass away. Stand with Jesus Christ. Support the show

We finish Revelation 14 by walking through the two harvest scenes and the terrifying winepress image that follows. We weigh the main interpretation options and end with a clear line in the sand: no neutral ground, only faithfulness or compromise. • finishing Revelation 14:14-20 and the “harvest of the earth” • identifying the Son of Man on the white cloud and why many see Jesus • explaining the sickle and what “ripe” signals in the text • comparing two views: both harvests as judgment vs first harvest as salvation • linking the harvest and winepress imagery to Joel 3, Matthew 9, Matthew 13, and Isaiah 63 • unpacking the blood flow image and the symbolism of sixteen hundred stadia • tracing the meaning of forty times forty as intensified testing and judgment • contrasting the river of blood with the river of life later in Revelation • drawing the closing takeaway: compromise brings ruin and endurance leads to life Put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ, because when the final sickle is plunged into the earth, only Jesus will reign supreme, and his redeemed will stand with him forever. Support the show

We trace Revelation 14:6–13 through the three angel messages, moving from the eternal gospel to Babylon’s fall to the sobering warning about the beast and God’s full-strength wrath. We end with the call to endurance and the promise of rest for those who die in the Lord, then leave the question hanging about worship, allegiance, and eternity.  • the first angel’s eternal gospel as a public call to fear God and worship the Creator  • the gospel offered to every people group as evidence of God’s open invitation  • Babylon the Great’s certain collapse as the downfall of a corrupt spiritual system  • the third angel’s warning about worshiping the beast and receiving the mark  • the image of undiluted wine as God’s intense judgment  • Jesus as both gracious Savior and righteous Judge  • annihilationism defined and weighed against Revelation 14:11  • why sin is ultimately against a holy and infinite God  • endurance of the saints as obedience and faith in Jesus  • blessedness for those who die in the Lord as rest and lasting reward  Choose wisely my friends because your eternity hangs in the balance Support the show

We slow the pace of our Revelation study so it stays clear, focused, and easy to absorb in a single sitting. Revelation 14 shifts the scene from the beast’s mark to the Lamb on Mount Zion, reminding us that faithful believers suffer now but ultimately stand with Jesus in triumph.  • why we are returning to a shorter episode format for deeper Bible study focus  • a simple three-part outline for Revelation 14 and how we plan to cover it  • the Lamb on Mount Zion as a contrast to the Antichrist and the dragon  • the main views of the 144,000 and why “redeemed from the earth” matters  • Mount Zion in Scripture and why it likely points to the heavenly Zion  • the new song as worship that belongs uniquely to the redeemed  • “not defiled with women” as spiritual faithfulness rather than mere biology  • idolatry as covenant betrayal and spiritual adultery across the Old Testament  • why “no lie” is central in Revelation and how lies connect to idolatry  • blameless vs sinless and why redemption is the dividing line  • the overlooked theme of the other mark: the name of God on the forehead  Intro - Toby Mac Outro - Nightly Support the show

We unpack Revelation 13 with care, tracing how power, worship, and deception move from conditioning to coercion while calling believers to endurance and discernment. We weigh the beast as person or empire, examine the false prophet, and clarify the meaning behind 666 and the mark. • composite beast echoing Daniel and claims of total authority • debate over person versus empire and why both patterns matter • mortal wound as parody of resurrection and the pull of spectacle • God’s sovereignty over the beast’s limited time and scope • war on the saints as proof of faith, not failure of faith • second beast as false prophet compelling worship • conditioning before coercion across history and culture • signs, a speaking image, and misdirected awe • the mark as economic control and public allegiance • 666 as counterfeit trinity and human power exalted • 888 as hope in Christ’s resurrection and new beginning “Lift your eyes, change your mindset from fear to faith… focus on the One who will endure long after all other empires have fallen.” Intro music - Toby Mac Outro music - Blonde Maze & imallryt Support the show

A radiant woman cries out in labor. A great red dragon coils to devour her child. Then, in a single sweeping line, the child is caught up to the throne, and the accuser is hurled down. Revelation 12 compresses the story of salvation and the shape of our struggle into vivid symbols that still read like headlines for every age. We walk through the woman, the dragon, and the male child with careful attention to Scripture’s echoes—from Joseph’s dream to the Exodus to the cross—and trace how these images ground our hope and recalibrate our expectations. We dig into the details that matter: why the woman most clearly represents Israel and, by extension, God’s people; what the seven heads, ten horns, and diadems signal about counterfeit power; and how the stephanos crown points to promised victory for those who overcome. We explore the fall of a third of the stars as angelic rebellion, the war in heaven led by Michael, and the thunderous verdict that silences the accuser. Most importantly, we center the gospel: believers conquer by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, not by moral polish or cultural dominance. The wilderness scene becomes a field guide for discipleship—1,260 days of tested endurance, eagle’s wings of providence, and floods of deception that God neutralizes. Expect opposition; discern propaganda; hold fast to obedience and witness. The dragon is furious and his time is short, but the Lamb has already won. Join us as we read Revelation 12 not as code to crack, but as courage to carry: stand firm, stay clear-eyed, and live like people whose verdict is already “no condemnation.” If this encouraged you, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show. Intro music - toby Mac Outro music - Crowder Support the show

We trace Revelation 11 from the measuring of the temple to the seventh trumpet, weighing literal and symbolic readings of the temple, timeframes, and the identity of the two witnesses. The story moves from sackcloth and scorn to resurrection and reign, asking where our allegiance rests. • symbolic versus literal readings of the temple • meaning of measuring and the unmeasured outer court • forty-two months, 1,260 days, and time, times, and half a time • identities proposed for the two witnesses • olive trees and lampstands as church imagery • the beast’s war, public scorn, and refused burial • resurrection, ascent, earthquake, and fear • seventh trumpet, kingdom transfer, and eternal reign • judgment of nations, reward for servants, small and great • opened heavenly temple and unveiled ark Intro music - Toby Mac Outro music - Zach Williams Support the show

We walk through Revelation 10: the mighty angel, the little scroll, the seven thunders sealed, and the oath that there will be no more delay. We weigh whether the angel is Christ, why some revelation is withheld, and why God’s word tastes sweet and bitter at once. • administrative update and how to contact us • recap of trumpets five and six and their symbolism • the mighty angel’s imagery and global authority • the little scroll debate and prophetic purpose • seven thunders sealed and reasons for restraint • is the angel Christ or a representative messenger • oath of no more delay and the fulfilled mystery • eating the scroll, sweetness and bitterness of truth • global scope of the prophecy and faithful witness • prayer, endurance, and sharing the word despite opposition Pray for the podcast, that it might reach people who need to hear the truth of the gospel, and that God would then work in their lives to bring them to a saving faith in Christ. Share the podcast with people you think could benefit or might be helped by this type of a study. Intro music - Toby Mac Outro music - Brandon Lake Support the show

The trumpets of judgment continue to sound in Revelation 9, unveiling horrors that challenge our modern sensibilities and spiritual complacency. As the fifth angel's trumpet pierces the apocalyptic air, we witness the unlocking of the bottomless pit—the abyss where evil entities are imprisoned—releasing demonic locusts that torment humanity for five excruciating months. These aren't ordinary locusts. With human faces, women's hair, lion's teeth, and scorpion stings, they embody something far more sinister than anything in nature. Under the command of their king—Apollyon, the Destroyer—they inflict such agonizing torment that people desperately seek death but cannot find it. Yet remarkably, those bearing God's seal remain untouched, protected in the midst of chaos. When the sixth trumpet sounds, the spiritual warfare intensifies. Four angels bound at the Euphrates River unleash a demonic cavalry 200 million strong that kills one-third of humanity. The scale of this judgment is unprecedented since the Great Flood, yet the survivors stubbornly refuse to repent, clinging to their idols that "cannot see or hear or walk." This chapter forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about what we truly worship. Do we prioritize career, materialism, politics, or social media above our relationship with God? As the ancient wisdom states, "The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts"—we inevitably become like the gods we worship. God's judgment reveals both His justice and mercy. Even amidst the devastation, two-thirds of humanity is spared, given another opportunity for repentance. The message resonates beyond ancient apocalyptic literature into our daily lives: where do our affections truly lie? What occupies our time and attention? When we honestly examine our priorities, we often discover that "God's just not on the daily schedule." Take this moment to consider what holds the throne of your heart. Does Christ have the rightful place He deserves, or have lesser gods quietly usurped His position? The time for genuine repentance—a complete reorientation of heart, mind, and behavior—is now, before the final trumpet sounds. Intro music - Toby Mac Outro music - Consumed By Fire Support the show

Dive into Revelation Chapter 8, where the Lamb opens the seventh seal, ushering in a profound silence in heaven and the beginning of the seven trumpet judgments. Join me as I explore the eerie calm before the storm of God’s divine judgment, drawing parallels to the plagues of Egypt and the undoing of creation itself. From hail and fire mixed with blood scorching a third of the earth to a blazing mountain turning the seas to blood, and the bitter star Wormwood poisoning the waters, these vivid images paint a sobering picture of devastation. We’ll unpack the symbolism of the seven archangels, the golden censer, and the prayers of the saints rising like incense, while reflecting on what this silence and these judgments mean for humanity today. As an eagle cries, “Woe, woe, woe,” signaling worse to come, this episode challenges listeners to confront the reality of sin and turn to the hope and salvation found in Jesus Christ. Don’t miss this powerful study of Revelation’s call to repentance and faith! Intro music - Toby Mac Outro music - Toby Mac/ Zach Williams Support the show

Randy Duncan unpacks Revelation chapter 7, providing a breathing space after the apocalyptic events of chapter six while revealing who can withstand God's wrath. • Four angels restraining destructive winds at earth's "four corners"—a figure of speech, not a cosmological statement • God's servants receive a protective seal before judgment occurs • The 144,000 sealed from Israel's tribes spark theological debate between literal and symbolic interpretations  • A great multitude in white robes worship before God's throne with palm branches and songs of praise • Seven perfect attributes ascribed to God during heavenly worship • The multitude represents those who have come through the Great Tribulation • God will shelter His people eternally and "wipe away every tear" • This chapter answers chapter six's closing question: "Who can stand?" Join me next time as we open the seventh seal and continue our journey through Revelation. Intro music - Toby Mac Outro music - Crowder Support the show