157 | How to Shine for Christ When Culture Pushes Back (Revelation - Part 5)

Find the full episode here: LivingOnPurposeInChrist.com/blog

Companion Resource (Printable): PaulaBehrens.com/store

Some seasons make faith feel like a quiet, lonely stand. Maybe you’re the only Christian at work who won’t compromise, or you’ve tried to share Christ with someone you love and met resistance instead of openness. In this Revelation Bible study, we open with that reality on the table and let Scripture reframe it: God doesn’t call us to guarantee outcomes, He calls us to be faithful.

We walk through the fifth trumpet judgment in Revelation 9 and the sobering truth that even dramatic warnings don’t automatically lead people to repent. That changes how we think about evangelism, prayer, and the pressure to “fix” someone else’s heart. We also make space for the emotions that can rise during a difficult Bible study passage like this, especially when our feeling and feelings around loved ones, resistance, and spiritual fatigue run deep. With biblical encouragement, we talk about God’s sovereignty, the real consequences of evil, and the mercy of boundaries God places even in judgment. When the world feels overwhelming, Revelation reminds us the darkness is not ultimate and the enemy is not sovereign.

Then Revelation 10 gives us the little scroll, sweet in the mouth and bitter in the stomach, a picture of God’s Word as both comfort and cost. Revelation 11 brings the two witnesses and the steady promise that God always preserves a witness. We connect it to the Greek word martyria (μαρτυρία), “testimony,” and to the Holy Spirit’s power that fuels courage when we feel small, tired, or afraid to speak.

If your devotions have felt heavy lately, this episode offers a steady reminder that God still speaks, strengthens, and sends His people. And if you enjoy weaving Bible study with simple rhythms like prayer, essential oils, and aromatherapy to support a calm and focused heart before the Lord, this episode will fit beautifully into your quiet time.

If you want to go deeper, we also point you to the companion printable Bible study and leader’s guide mentioned at the end. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review so more listeners can find hope in Revelation.

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Transcript

When Faith Feels Lonely

Paula Behrens 0:00

There are moments in every believer's life when following Jesus feels lonely. Maybe you're the only Christian in your workplace who refuses to compromise. Maybe your family doesn't understand why your faith shapes your decisions. Maybe you've tried to share Christ with someone you love, and instead of gratitude, you encountered resistance or indifference. Perhaps you've looked at the culture around you and wondered if the darkness is simply getting stronger than the light. If you've ever felt that way, Revelation chapters 9 through 11 have something encouraging to say to you. Stay with me all the way to the end because I will invite you into a deeper experience with a companion printable Bible study and a step-by-step leader's guide that can help you process the book of Revelation with family, friends, or maybe a small group. In a world that often celebrates the loud and visible, it's easy to feel as though your quiet acts of devotion go unnoticed. Yet scripture assures us that God sees every hidden moment of faithfulness and he uses them to weave his redemptive story in ways we may never fully comprehend. If you're navigating past wounds, finding it challenging to practice grace and difficult relationships, or longing to see how God can use your seemingly small steps to create meaningful change, this podcast is for you.

Aroma Coaching For Calm And Clarity

Paula Behrens 1:26

Hey friend, ever wonder how the Aroma of Christ coaching hour uses pure natural scents to bring calm and clarity into your faith walk? Let me give you a quick overview. First, I'll guide you through using aromas to ease emotional stress, quiet your mind, and align your heart with God's peace in just minutes. Then we'll spend a little time cultivating a simple rhythm that fits seamlessly into your busy life, small steps that add up without overwhelming your day. By the end, you'll feel refreshed, equipped, and ready to embrace more balance and faith as the mind connects the power of a pure and natural aroma with a deep sense of God's peace. Give yourself room to breathe. Head on over now to PaulaBehrens.com /coaching to book your spot. That's Paula Behrens, B-E-H-R-E-N-S .com /coaching (no spaces). It's time to take that simple step toward a calmer, more connected you. Before we dive in, I have a quick favor to ask. If this podcast has been a blessing to you or helped you grow in your walk with Christ, would you take a moment to leave a review? Thank you so much. I truly appreciate your support. All right. It's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off that notepad, cozy up to your favorite beverage, and let's dive

Why Revelation Strengthens The Church

Paula Behrens 2:44

in. Revelation contains some of the most dramatic images in all of Scripture. Trumpets sound, judgments fall, humanity continues resisting God despite repeated opportunities to repent. Yet right in the middle of all that darkness, God raises up faithful witnesses. He empowers ordinary servants to speak truth courageously. He reminds his people that faithfulness is never wasted, even when the results aren't immediately visible. The message is wonderfully practical for us today. God has not called us to guarantee outcomes. He has called us to remain faithful. And dear friend, those are two very different things. As we continue our journey through Revelation, remember that this book was written to encourage believers who were already facing persecution and opposition. These early Christians knew what it meant to feel outnumbered. They understood what it meant to stand for Christ when the surrounding culture pushed in the opposite direction. John wasn't writing a book designed to create fear. He was writing a book intended to produce endurance. The same Jesus who walked among the lampstands in the opening chapters is still walking among his people today. He sees your faithfulness, he knows your weariness, he understands your questions, and he promises that your witness matters more than you can imagine.

Fifth Trumpet Judgment Under God’s Rule

Paula Behrens 4:13

Revelation chapter 9 opens with the sounding of the fifth trumpet, and suddenly we encounter one of the most unusual scenes in Scripture. A star falls from heaven, a key is given, the abyss is opened, and strange locust-like creatures emerge. People have debated the exact meaning of these images for centuries. Some understand them symbolically, others understand them more literally. Faithful Christians have held different views on these details, and it's important to remember that our salvation does not depend on agreeing about every interpretive question in Revelation. What remains clear, however, is a larger message. The judgments of God are real. Evil has devastating consequences, yet even in judgment, God demonstrates mercy. One of the remarkable details in chapter 9 is that these judgments are limited. The destruction is not total. Boundaries are established, authority is granted, but controlled. God remains sovereign over every event. Nothing happens outside his authority. That truth matters deeply when we look at our world. Sometimes the brokenness around us can feel overwhelming. We see violence, confusion, spiritual deception, and moral compromise. We watch people reject biblical truth and we wonder whether evil is winning. Revelation reminds us that God has never surrendered his throne. The darkness may appear overwhelming, but it is not ultimate. The enemy may be active, but he is not sovereign. The Lord still rules over history.

Rebellion Is A Matter Of The Heart

Paula Behrens 6:03

Then we come to one of the saddest verses in these chapters. Revelation 9 tells us that despite everything that occurred, some people still did not repent. They continued in their rebellion against God. That should break our hearts. Sometimes we imagine that if people could simply see enough evidence, they would turn to Christ. Yet scripture teaches that the human heart can resist truth. Pharaoh witnessed miracles and his heart was hardened. Many saw Jesus perform signs and still rejected him. The problem is not merely a lack of information, it is a matter of the heart. That reality should affect how we think about evangelism. You and I cannot change anyone's heart. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. Our responsibility is faithfulness. We speak truth with love, we pray faithfully, we live with integrity, we point people toward Jesus, we trust God with the results. That takes a tremendous burden off our shoulders. Noah preached for years without widespread repentance. Jeremiah ministered through rejection and opposition, yet God called them faithful. The same principle applies to us today. Your obedience matters, your witness matters, your prayers matter. Even when you cannot see the fruit, it all matters.

The Sweet And Bitter Scroll

Paula Behrens 7:37

Revelation 10 introduces a beautiful pause in the narrative. John sees a mighty angel with a little scroll. The imagery echoes earlier prophetic experiences, especially the calling of Ezekiel. John is instructed to eat the scroll. The scroll is sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. What a perfect picture of God's word and God's calling. The truth of God is sweet because it reveals his character, his promises, and his salvation. We delight in his presence. We treasure his grace. Yet sometimes carrying God's message brings sorrow. It can be painful to speak truth into a culture that rejects it. It hurts to watch people we love walk away from Christ. There's a sweetness in knowing God, but bitterness in witnessing the consequences of human rebellion. Many believers understand this tension. We rejoice in God's truth, yet grieve for people who do not know Christ. That mixture of sweetness and sorrow is part of loving people the way Jesus loves people. The Apostle Paul understood this. He rejoiced in the gospel, but he also carried deep sorrow for those who remained separated from Christ. Love always involves vulnerability. When we care about people, their choices affect us. Yet God invites us to remain faithful even when our hearts are heavy. John receives another commission after eating the scroll. He must continue prophesying. The message cannot stop. The calling remains. Friends, that is true for the church today. The world still needs the gospel. People still need Jesus. The mission has not changed. Perhaps cultural pressure has made you hesitant to speak openly about your faith. Revelation offers gentle encouragement. Keep speaking, keep loving, keep praying, and keep pointing people toward Jesus. Faithfulness is never wasted.

The Two Witnesses Stand Firm

Paula Behrens 9:50

Then we arrive at one of the most fascinating sections in this book. The story of the two witnesses. These two servants of God have generated countless discussions over the centuries. Are they Moses and Elijah? Are they Enoch and Elijah? Are they symbolic representations of the church's witness? Faithful Christians hold various perspectives. What matters most is the theological truth being communicated. But God always preserves a witness. Even in the darkest moments of history, he raises up people who proclaim his truth. The two witnesses stand courageously in the midst of opposition. They speak God's message with authority. They endure hostility. Eventually, they suffer apparent defeat. But their story does not end there. God vindicates his servants. Death does not have the final word. That should encourage every believer who feels small or insignificant. Your faithfulness may not make headlines. Your obedience may go unnoticed by the world, but Heaven sees. God remembers, the kingdom advances in ways we often cannot measure. I think about teachers investing in children, grandparents praying faithfully, business owners choosing integrity, and nurses maintaining biblical convictions despite pressure. God uses ordinary believers who simply live for Jesus. These acts of faithfulness matter. The world may not applaud them, but Heaven notices.

God Delights In Courageous Obedience

Paula Behrens 11:31

The two witnesses remind us that God delights in courageous obedience. Courage, by the way, does not mean the absence of fear. Courage is choosing faithfulness despite fear. It is speaking truth with grace when your voice trembles and trusting Christ even when you feel alone or discouraged. That kind of courage comes from the Holy Spirit. You don't have to manufacture it. God equips those he calls. One of the beautiful symbols in chapter 11 describes the witnesses as olive trees and lampstands. Olive oil often represents the Holy Spirit in scripture. Lampstands provide light. The picture is profound. God's people shine his light because they are sustained by His Spirit. You and I cannot witness effectively through human effort alone. We need God's empowering presence. Jesus told his disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them and they would be his witnesses. Notice the order. Power first, witness second. The Christian life is never designed to be lived in our own strength. When you feel weary, ask the Lord for fresh strength. When you feel inadequate, remember that God delights in using ordinary people. When you feel alone, remember that the Holy Spirit lives within you.

Martyria (μαρτυρία) And The Cost Of Testimony

Paula Behrens 12:57

Okay, let's take a look at a Greek word that connects with these chapters. The word I want us to consider is the Greek word martyria, martyria (μαρτυρία), which means testimony or witness. It appears throughout Revelation and captures one of the book's central themes. Martyria (μαρτυρία) originally referred to giving evidence or bearing witness about something one had personally experienced. In the New Testament, it came to describe proclaiming the truth about Jesus Christ. Christians were witnesses because they had encountered the Risen Lord and testified about his saving work. Over time, this same word became connected to what we call martyrdom, because many believers remained faithful to their testimony even unto death. The two witnesses in Revelation embody this idea perfectly. Their authority does not come from political influence or military power. Their strength comes from their witness. They testify to God's truth regardless of opposition. The world may reject their message, but their testimony remains faithful. This reminds us that our primary calling as Christians is not to win popularity contests, but to bear truthful witness to who Jesus is and what he has done in our lives.

Modern Day Believers Calling

Paula Behrens 14:24

For us modern-day believers, martyria (μαρτυρία) means living lives that point toward Christ. Our testimony includes both our words and our character. When we forgive, serve, encourage, pray, and speak the truth in love, we participate in this beautiful calling and become living testimonies to God's grace. Okay, back to chapter 11. This is where something remarkable happens after the apparent defeat of the witnesses. God raises them up. Now, their enemies expected silence. Instead, God demonstrated his power. What looked like failure became victory. That pattern runs throughout scripture. Joseph endured betrayal before becoming a source of salvation. David spent years in obscurity before becoming king. Jesus went to the cross before the Resurrection. God specializes in bringing life out of places that appear hopeless. Perhaps you've experienced seasons where your faithfulness seemed ineffective. You prayed, but circumstances didn't change. You shared Christ, but people remained resistant. You served faithfully, but felt overlooked. The story of the two witnesses reminds us that God's timetable is often different from ours. Then comes one of the most triumphant

The Seventh Trumpet Jesus Reigns

Paula Behrens 15:53

moments. The seventh trumpet sounds. Voices in heaven proclaimed the kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. What a glorious declaration! History is moving toward a destination. Jesus wins. The Kingdom of God triumphs. The struggles of this present age are temporary. The faithfulness of God's people participates in an eternal story. Now sometimes we become discouraged because we focus only on immediate circumstances. We forget the ending. Revelation continually pulls our eyes upward. It reminds us that Christ reigns. It assures us that evil does not get the final word. It promises that God's purposes will ultimately prevail. That hope empowers. Because we know the end of the story, we can endure difficult chapters along the way. Because Christ reigns, we can speak truth with gentleness and confidence. Because God's Kingdom is secure, we do not need to panic when culture changes. Our assignment remains the same. Love God, love people, share the gospel, walk faithfully, trust Christ.

Final Encouragement And Study Resources

Paula Behrens 17:16

As we close today's episode, remember that Revelation chapters 9 through 11 do not call us to fear the darkness. They call us to shine faithfully within it. The trumpet judgments remind us that God takes sin seriously, but also that his mercy continues reaching out to humanity. The little scroll reminds us that God's truth is both sweet and costly. The two witnesses remind us that courageous faithfulness always matters. And the seventh trumpet reminds us that Christ reigns forever. The Kingdom is secure. The victory belongs to Jesus. If you'd like to go deeper into these chapters, I invite you to visit PaulaBehrens.com /store and look in the "Printable Resources" section where you will find the companion "Revelation (Part 5)" Bible study, and step-by-step leader's guide. Again, that's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S .com /store, and look in the "Printable Resources" section for "Revelation (Part 5). Thank you for tuning in today. And remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more listening like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on Purpose In Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in His Wisdom. See you next time.