Marveling at a lie, or Believing the truth of God's grace?

Those are the two mind sets at this point in the tribulation period.

We know from the last couple of chapters in Revelation, that the final wrath of God is being poured out at this point in chapter 17, through 18.

Then, Jesus will return to reign and rule on the earth for 1000 years.

When the rapture of the church takes place, the world will be left with no christians. But, throughout the tribulation period, multitudes will come to faith in Jesus Christ and be saved. Many will be martyred for their faith, and many will will survive, and be welcomed into the reign of Christ when He establishes His kingdom on the earth.

During the reign of the anti-christ, there will be a global unity both economically, and spiritually. Spiritual and commercial Babylon.

Both of these will be brought to an end by the Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 17 deals with one of these Babylon's.

But, the thing that I would like to focus on from this chapter this morning, is the fact mentioned in 17:8 that says, "And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of life from the foundation of the world,"

So, what we see is the power of satan, through the anti-christ, is so powerful, to deceive unbelievers, that instead of being able to marvel at the wonderful grace of God, they are instead, marveling at the signs and wonders of hell through a man.

Instead of marveling at the wonder of the cross through a man from heaven, it's marveling at the man from hell as it were.

How powerful is sin and satan. But, as the Bible says, "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" Rom 5:21b.....

So, we do know that God is greater then sin and satan of course. How wonderful to know this truth.
Unfortunately, for multitudes during the tribulation period, they will remain in their blinded condition, and perish under the wrath of God as recorded for us in these very chapters.

For believers, their names are to be found in "The Book of LIfe" There are many names in this Book.
Mine is there, and I rejoice with you if your's is there also.

May God bless you today.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Bursting with blasphemy, or blessing. ? Rev 17

As we move towards the completion of the tribulation period here in Revelation, John, is carried away in the Spirit into the wilderness.

God's Holy Spirit ( in a way that we cannot explain ) took John away to the wilderness. We do not know exactly what wilderness this is other then it was a wilderness. It may well have been the one the children of Israel were taken into following their deliverance from Egypt, we simply don't know.

Upon his arrival there, he saw what is recorded for us in 17:3-6. A woman ( by the way, later in this chapter, the Lord explains in great detail who this woman is ), but, John saw her there sitting on a scarlet beast, and the beast was full of names of blasphemy, it had 7 heads, and 10 horns.

She was arrayed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. More is said of her in the next few verses.

But, for now can we just look at the phrase, "names of blasphemy" for a moment today.

To blaspheme is to speak against someone or something in a derogatory and inappropriate way, deriding them, and essentially cursing them etc.

Jesus spoke of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, as being the unpardonable sin. That is, to speak against the work of the Holy Spirit, in His work of conviction, seeking to bring someone to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and upon that knowledge being brought to them, for them to resist that witness of God, and deny the truth as it is in Christ, and thereby refuse salvation.

That is unpardonable. Because, God cannot forgive a person who will not believe. Believing is the way that a person comes to faith. This is the way God has chosen to save people. By their believing in Jesus Christ as their savior.


This woman John sees is full of names of blasphemy. In other words, not just one, but rather being full of it. This woman, believed to be a religious system, of global reach, under the power of, or in great cooperation with the antichrist, is full of these names.

Hard to believe that a religious system could be so adverse to the truth, so much so as to blaspheme it. We will learn more about this woman as we go through the chapter.

But, the simple thought this morning, is that the devil, working through the man of sin, the antichrist, will explode with opposition to the true and the living God in the last days of man's governing of the earth as we know it.


What a change takes place in a person who receives Christ, and becomes a person who is in love with God. Haters of God can become lovers of God. That may have happened to you already. I hope it has. It's happened to me. Well over 39 years ago.

Blasphemers, become Blessers of God. Speaking against and denying to believing and receiving.
Grace alone, love alone, mercy alone, Jesus alone, does this in a person's life.

May God's Holy Spirit work today in our lives to fill us with such an appreciation of who He is, that we are bursting with blessing today. Imagine that , "Bursting with blessing"

He can do it.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

The Coming Judgement of the Great Harlot...Rev 17:1-2

This chapter opens with the word, "Then".....that is, it's a chapter in a sequence of previous judgements that God will bring upon the earth during the great tribulation.

This 17th chapter deals with what is called the Judgement of God on Babylon.

Is it a city, is it a system? Well, there is a city by that name, but, it most likely is referencing a system. In other words, at the end of the worlds as we know it, ( before Christ comes to reign on the earth ) the system of man's invention, empowered in the tribulation period by satan through the anti-christ, will come to an end, as God pours out His judgement on it.

We will look at this more in-depth through the week. But, let's begin today with just the first two verses of chapter 17.

John tells us that one of the 7 angels who had the 7 bowls of judgment came to him, and invited him to come and see the judgement of the great harlot as it is called, who sits on many waters, ( most likely referencing many people's )

So, this chapter gives us a very detailed look at this specific aspect of God's judgment during the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. We see it here in advance in a very graphic way.

A harlot of course is a term used to describe an immoral woman, and harlotry is used to describe both men and women who involve themselves in something beyond the bounds of what God has given to men. Fidelity in relationships is what brings blessing, and infidelity, brings destruction.

Also, harlot's are known for their seduction, and seductive ways. Seduction and deception go together, and those 2 terms truly mark the effect of satan through the anti-christ.

The sitting on many waters, seems to speak of the fact, that anti-christ's reign and influence will be global, affecting all people in one way or another. It's unheard of in human history to see the loss of life that will take place during the tribulation period. Perhaps as much as two thirds or close to it of earth's population will die at this time.

Chapter 17 goes on in verse 2, to describe what men will have been doing.

The kings of the earth, or perhaps the leaders of nations are being mentioned here.

They have committed fornication, a term used to speak of sexual immorality, is used to speak of the way they led and how they misused their positions of authority.

Going on, we are told about the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So, the actions of the leaders are spoken of as the wine of fornication. That is, their leadership caused men to become drunk as it were. Drunk, morally.

So, the judgment of God is coming to the earth.

The Bible is filled with times of Judgment from God upon men.

Jesus spoke of this coming judgment, saying that there never has been anything like it in earth's history, nor will there ever be again. It will be the worst that has ever taken place.

I'm not sure we as Christian's spend much time really thinking about what is coming, and what it will be like when it does come. It's not a pleasant subject to say the least. But it is true, and it will come quickly when it comes. It will be over before men know it as we say. Very quickly, like a thief in then night.

In the meantime, we are here now, in Christ, with the good news of Jesus Christ, and have the opportunity to share that good news even today. God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but He sure does delight in men coming to salvation.

I'm currently having the great blessing of watching someone come to Christ. They by their own admission are not quite there yet, but, are about as close as one could be. I fully expect to see this friend of mine become born again any day now. He told me that when he is ready to pray and give his life to Christ, he would like me to be involved with him in that prayer. If you remember, will you please pray for him, and ask for this work of God's grace to come to it's full and complete end.

Thank you so much.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"On earth as it is in heaven"

This is part of what Jesus said in Matt 6:10 concerning how we can pray.
The first part of this section of the prayer, was, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done" and then, to finish this thought off, He said, "on earth as it is in heaven"

So, in heaven, God's will is being done. And our prayer, says Jesus is to be along this line, that God's will would also be done on earth as well. In fact, that just as it is in heaven, that it might be that way on earth.

We can only try and imagine, based on our understanding of Scripture as to what it is like in heaven with respect to God's will being done.

We do know that there is nothing evil, sinful, etc, going on there ( short of the mystery of Satan having access there, until he is cast out during the tribulation period ) But, even satan's access to heaven, does not mean there is anything less then the most holy, blessed, glorious, pure, just, merciful, loving, gracious, wise atmosphere anywhere in all that exists going on there.

God's will, that phrase, the best that I understand it, means, "that which is pleasing to God"
So, what's pleasing to Him is what happens in heaven..

What's pleasing to God is what God wants to have happen on earth, and in particular in our own personal lives.

So, what's pleasing to God, that can happen in our lives?

Here are some suggestions........

1. Loving Him with our lives.
2. Loving others with His love.
3. Following Jesus Christ today.
4. Fellowshipping with Jesus Christ today.
5. Meditation in God's Word today.
6. Being a light to others today.
7. Seeking to do whatever God leads us to do today.

I'm sure you can add to the list when you stop and think about it.

But, to close this out, this part of the prayer model given to us, is an encouragement. God wants His will to be done in our lives, and we can pray for it to be done in our lives today.

Finally, "what do you think the Lord might be calling you to do?" May what He wants, actually happen in your life today.

In Jesus name

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

About God's Will.........and prayer.......

See Matt 6:10 "Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven"

In giving us a patter for prayer, Jesus deals with His kingdom coming, and His will being done on this earth, just as it is in heaven.

Yesterday, we looked slightly at the "Your kingdom come" portion, and also a little bit about "Your will"

Today, I just wanted to focus a little more on the "Your will" part, and especially the two things that are said about it. One being in heaven, and the other being on earth.

First of all then, in heaven, God's will is being done, continuously, and without interruption. It's simply being done all of the time, pardon the pun. There is no time in heaven, only eternity, but, in that eternal place called heaven, where God dwells, the 24 elders, the four living creatures, and the angels, and the multitude of redeemed saints, it's a place of all that is pleasing to God. His will is being done there. Imagine that. What a place heaven must be like.

Secondly, the pattern for prayer given to us by Jesus includes this request on our part, for God's will to be done also on earth. Imagine that for a moment. What exactly does this mean, and when does it apply etc, etc? When will this happen, and how does this work in our lives now? These are all questions that come to my mind as I think about this part of the prayer shown us by Jesus.

Some application then.........

1. God's will can be done in my life.
2. I can pray for God's will to be done in my life.
3. God's will is always in sync with His Word.
4. God wants His will done in my life at this time.
5. God's will means, what pleases Him.
6. God's will is the best there is.
7. Nothing is superior to God and God's will.
8. God's will is to be embraced.
9. God's will is shown us in His Word.
10. God's Spirit helps us know and do God's will.
11. God's will is not always easy to walk in.
12. Am I in God's will today?
13. Am I resisting God's will today?
14. Lord help me to walk in your will today.





Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

More teaching by Jesus on how to pray. See Matt 6:9-15

Jesus is giving us a pattern for prayer.
He is not saying that we are to necessarily repeat this prayer word for word, ( although I do not believe that that would be out of line ), but rather, He is giving us the things that go into prayer, what to pray about, how to pray, etc, etc.

Let's look today at just a couple of the things that He lists for us.....

1. Your Kingdom come.

God does have a kingdom, and He does intend to bring it to the earth ( this is the 1000 year reign of Christ that is coming ) and here, Jesus is telling us we can pray about this, and ask Him to bring His kingdom. That it might come to the earth, that Jesus might come to the earth once again.

When you begin to look at Scripture, you very quickly see that it is filled with prophecy. The plans and intentions of God given to us in advance. Most prophecies in the Bible have a dual aspect to them. That is, there is first of all the immediate fulfillment during the time of the people to whom it was given, and then a future aspect to it's fulfillment. A contemporary and future aspect.

Your kingdom come is surely in regards to the future. However, there is something in this petition that can be applied to us today and each day in our walk with the Lord. Your kingdom come, means, "might You rule now" So, we can apply this to our own lives day by day. Lord would You please rule in my life today.

Our part would be to come under His authority and seek to honor Him, and do His will. In fact, He is going to speak about His will be done in this prayer also. So, Lord, Rule in My LIfe. That's one very good application, Rule in my personal life, my family, my work, my church, etc, etc. Let me come under Your rule in all of this areas


2. Your will be done.

There you have it in black and white. Very clear. A petition for God to do His will. A request on our part for the will of God to be done. He goes on to add, "on earth, as it is in heaven"

It's interesting to do a study on the meaning of God's will. When you do, you find out, that God's will means that which is pleasing to Him. Isn't that interesting. It puts the phrase and the concept in a whole new light as it were.

To do God's will is not just to obey rules or regulations that He has put forth in His Word, but rather to yield my life and will to that which pleases Him. Think about that for just a moment. God pleased.
Yes, God is pleased when my life is in sync with His will

Why would He be pleased about that? I believe it's because He knows that our lives will be the most blessed that they can be. When we go His way, we are going in the way of blessing, and nourishment. I also believe that being in His will, means that our lives become transformed into His image, so that we are then more useful for His purposes and plans, It makes us useful instruments.



Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray. See Matt 6:9-15

Jesus, having already laid some ground work about prayer in the previous verses, ( Matt 6:5-8 ) explaining what not to do, and what to do when praying. It's so helpful and very encouraging, because it includes a promise about prayer. Jesus now continues to give further teaching on how to pray.

Here is how to pray says Jesus. There are five things I wanted to deal with this morning in this prayer.

1. This is a pattern for prayer.

 Or, a way to pray, it's a guide, it's given to us to help us know what to pray about, how to pray, etc, etc. This teaching from Jesus helps us to know various things to pray about, and how to pray about them.

2. This prayer starts with the words "Our Father"

"Our" it means, we, and us. So, our,  speaks of others besides ourselves. We are one part of God's family. There are others like us. They have a relationship with God just as we do. So, the first thing here in this prayer, is that there are others who know Him, and walk with Him, and belong to Him.

3. This prayer is addressed to Our Father.

This is who we are praying to. It's our Father. By the way, this does not mean that we cannot talk directly to Jesus, or address our prayers to Jesus, or even to the Holy Spirit. But, Jesus is giving us a pattern for prayer. Generally, in the Bible, prayers are addressed in the way Jesus is explaining it. We pray to our Father.
And, in calling God, our Father, it speaks of the fact that we belong to Him as it were, and He belongs to us. We are in a relationship with Him. We were not always in that relationship, but now, having put our trust in Jesus Christ to save us, we now are God's children, and God is our Father.


4. This prayer teaches us that our Father is actually in heaven.

He is of course everywhere, He is omnipresent. But, His visible presence as it were, is in heaven. He is there, in that place, on His throne. We are here on this earth, in this physical dimension. The prayer brings to our minds that there is a heaven, and that we are not there yet. Even though God is in heaven, and we are here on earth, we can still communicate with Him. God does hear our prayers.


5.This prayer recognizes the greatness of God

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Hallowed, means consecrate, sanctify, be holy, dedicate, or to be kept holy. There is no one like God. God Himself in the book of Isaiah, repeatedly, spoke to Judah, asking them this question, "Is there anyone like me?" Of course the answer is no, there is not.
So, in this patter for prayer, Jesus is helping us to acknowledge the greatness and the supremacy of God in our lives. And, it can also be seen as a request, and that is, that God would help us to keep Him holy in our lives It's speaks of who God is, and where He belongs in our lives, and is in a sense asking that He be kept there in our hearts and minds.


Well, many blessings from God to you today. May the Lord help us understand how to pray, and might we then be people of prayer. Jesus anticipates that we would pray, and is here teaching us how to pray. May it be very, very helpful to you.

Pastor Bob Grenier.

A few additional thoughts for reflection and application.

1. You can pray.
2. Even if you don't pray, you can start now.
3. God wants you to pray.
4. God will hear your prayers.
5. God answers prayer.
6. God loves you so much.
7. You can grow in your prayer life and understanding of prayer.
8. May we all grow together.