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Episode Summary:What does Jesus actually look for in a local church? Is it the size of the building, the depth of the history, or something entirely different? In this episode, Pastor Daniel Rose concludes his walk-through of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation. Moving through Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, we explore the tension between keeping up outward appearances and maintaining inward integrity. From the "Jezebel" compromise of the trade guilds to the "lukewarm" self-sufficiency of the wealthy, Daniel examines how these ancient letters act as a mirror for the American church today. Whether you are part of a small congregation feeling "insignificant" or a leader navigating the pressures of relevance, this conversation is a call to move past the "Triple Bs" (Butts, Bucks, and Buildings) and return to the biblical standard of success: Faithfulness. Key Highlights: Thyatira: The danger of "doing more" on the outside while compromising on the inside. Sardis: Why a great reputation can sometimes be a sign of a dying faith. Philadelphia: A word of hope for small churches—why "little strength" is no barrier to God’s grace. Laodicea: The "Emperor’s New Clothes" moment and the gentleness of Jesus’ rebuke. The Remnant: Why God always keeps a people for Himself, regardless of the season.

In this episode of Beyond Sunday School, we explore the first three churches addressed in Revelation 2–3: Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum. Together, we look at what these real, historical churches reveal about the ongoing life of the church across all times and places. Ephesus warns us that right belief and right practice can still drift into lovelessness. Smyrna shows us what faithful endurance looks like in the midst of suffering and persecution. Pergamum confronts the danger of compromise—when the church slowly aligns itself with the surrounding culture rather than remaining shaped by the Word of God. Along the way, we trace the repeated pattern of Jesus’ letters, reflect on faithfulness, suffering, love, and identity, and consider how these ancient messages continue to speak to the church today. This episode serves as a grounding handhold as we continue climbing the often-challenging terrain of the book of Revelation.

In this episode of Beyond Sunday School, we begin our journey through the book of Revelation by slowing down and listening carefully to chapter 1. Rather than treating Revelation as a code to crack or a book to avoid, we receive it as an unveiling—a revealing of Jesus Christ meant to be read aloud, heard, and taken to heart. Revelation 1 introduces us to a risen, reigning, and present Christ: the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. We explore how Revelation encourages perseverance in suffering, calls the church to live as a kingdom of priests, and offers deep hope in the face of death by proclaiming that Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades. This episode also reflects on John’s overwhelming vision of Christ—holy, powerful, and beautiful—and the tender words spoken to him in response: “Do not be afraid.” Revelation is not meant to terrify the church, but to strengthen it for faithful endurance. Scripture: Revelation 1:1–20 Key Themes:Apocalypse as unveiling • Faithful endurance • Christ’s public return • Kingdom and priests • Resurrection hope Reflection Question:How might your reading of Revelation change if you received it not as a timeline to decode, but as a vision meant to shape your faithfulness today? 🎧 New episodes of Beyond Sunday School are recorded live on Tuesdays at 12:30 PM at Peace Presbyterian Church in Flint, MI.

Beyond Sunday School — An Introduction to Revelation Revelation is one of the most misunderstood—and most avoided—books of the Bible. In this opening episode of a new season of Beyond Sunday School, we begin a journey through this strange, beautiful, and often intimidating text with a simple but crucial question: What is Revelation actually trying to do? Rather than treating Revelation as a secret timeline of future events, this episode frames it as what it truly is—a letter written to real churches facing real persecution, meant to encourage perseverance and faithfulness. We explore how Revelation works: its use of symbolism, its spiral-like structure of recapitulation, and its deep roots in the Old Testament. Along the way, we address why reading Revelation linearly often leads to confusion, fear, or speculation—and why that was never the point. At its heart, Revelation tells the same story again and again from different angles: the story of God’s redemption through the Lion who is the Lamb. It is not meant to predict dates or decode modern geopolitics, but to form a people who can press on, endure suffering, and live with integrity in the present. If you’ve ever been curious about Revelation—or wary of it—this episode offers a grounded, hopeful way forward. Want to join the conversation live? Beyond Sunday School is recorded with an in-person discussion every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Peace Presbyterian Church.

We take a look at the eight presuppositions that we have about the resurrection in the Gospel narratives. 

This week we look at what Paul says about resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. 

We explore what Romans has to say about resurrection and its ongoing impact in our lives. 

We take a dive into Ephesians and Colossians to see what Paul has to say about the resurrection and its impact on our lives. 

In this week's episode we look at what the Apostle had to say about resurrection. 

We explore the writings of post biblical second Temple Judaism and their views of the after life. 

In this week's episode we look at what the Old Testament has to say about life after death. 

In the season 5 premiere we take a look at some of the Greek and Roman conceptions of what happens when you die. 

This week we take a deep dive into Jesus' death on the cross. 

We ask the question, "Did Jesus think he was God?"

We do a deep dive into the question of whether or not Jesus understood himself to be the Messiah.