Messianic Audio Teachings

Why was John on the Island of Patmos? The tribulation was already underway in 95 AD. This teaching tells the story behind the book of Revelation from Roman histories, Church legend, and the Chronicles of the Apostles. The story of the Domitian persecution provides clues to unlock the meaning of the book of Revelation.

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. (Revelation 1:9)

Beth Immanuel reveals the Come Home to Hudson campaign, the first of three aggressive campaigns for the new year 5776.

The first campaign invites believers from outside of the local area to pray about relocating to Hudson, WI in order to be part of a Messianic Jewish community and contribute to the work of the kingdom within the congregation of Beth Immanuel.

Exile yourself to a place of Torah, and do not assume that it will come after you, for it is your companions who will cause it to remain with you. (m.Avot 4:18)

In the first chapter of the book of Revelation, the risen Yeshua appears and declares that he holds in his hand "the keys to death and Hades." What are these keys and from where did he acquire them? What do they unlock?

This teaching, presented on Erev Rosh HaShanah 5776, discusses the resurrection of the dead in relationship to the shofar of Rosh Hashanah.

Rabbi Yochanah said: The Holy One blessed be He has retained three keys in his own hands and not entrusted them into the hand of any messenger: the Key of Rain, the Key of the Womb, and the Key of the Resurrection of the Dead.” (b.Taanit 2a–b)

The last blood moon in a series of four lunar eclipses, each falling on significant holy days, occurs on the first day of Sukkot 5776. Is it a sign from heaven? In this teaching from Beth Immanuel Plugged In, Pastor Lancaster sketches out an overview of the blood moon phenomenon and offers his own interpretation of the astronomical event.

Does the New Covenant really have better promises than the old? What are the better promises? How well do you really know the new covenant?

The book of Hebrews says that the Messiah has obtained a more excellent priesthood than the Aaronic priesthood because he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises (Hebrews 8:6). This discourse takes a closer look at the better promises of the new covenant as described in the prophecies of Jeremiah.

This lecture later became part of the First Fruits of Zion audio-teaching What About the New Covenant?

In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul teaches a short discourse contrasting the glory of the Old Covenant and the glory of the New Covenant, employing the metaphor of the veil that concealed the light of Moses' face. This passage is frequently understood to imply replacement theology the cancellation of the Torah, but a closer look reveals a the role of the Torah in both old and new covenants.

But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory. (2 Corinthians 3:7-11)

This lecture was included in the First Fruits of Zion audio-teaching What About the New Covenant?

Are "dead works" the "works of the Law"? Does the book of Hebrews tell us to repent from Torah observance when it speaks of "repentance from dead works."

What are the basic teachings of Messiah mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-3? Discover the meaning of repentance from dead works in this eighteenth installment of sermons on the epistle to the Hebrews.

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. (Hebrews 6:1-3)

Who wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews and who were those Hebrews to whom the epistle was sent? Why did the early church nearly exclude Hebrews from the canon. This teaching provides a quick introduction to the book of Hebrews addressing the questions of what, who, to whom, when, where, and why. We look for clues in introduction and subscription of the epistle and we speculate about the possible authorship of the epistle, the intended audience, the occasion that might have inspired its the composition, and the overall genre of the piece.

I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. (Hebrews 13:22) 

 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13)

What were the sacrifices supposed to accomplish? The writer of the book of Hebrews maintains that the animal sacrifices offered in the Temple cannot grant forgiveness for the world to come or the reward of eternal life. If so, why did God command the Israelites to offer sacrifices?

The contents of this discussion contributed to the First Fruits of Zion audio-teaching What About the Sacrifices?.

This sermon marks one year in Beth Immanuel's study of the epistle to the Hebrews, so it features a brief review of the first eight chapters of the book.