The Living Streams Church Podcast

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24 reframes the end of the age not as a timetable to decode, but as a way of living faithfully amid uncertainty. Rather than offering dates or predictions, Jesus prepares His disciples for a world marked by upheaval—wars, deception, suffering, and lawlessness—while repeatedly calling them to discernment, calm, and endurance. These events are described not as signs of collapse, but as birth pains, signaling that God is bringing new creation through suffering. Scripture consistently resists speculation, reminding us that no one knows the day or hour, yet believers are invited to remain spiritually alert, grounded in wisdom, and shaped by hope. Drawing on Romans 8, the groaning of creation and the suffering of the present age are real but temporary, held within the promise of coming glory and restoration. Until Christ’s unmistakable return, the church is called to be a non-anxious presence in an anxious world—faithful, patient, discerning, and rooted in Jesus—trusting that history is not spiraling toward chaos, but moving steadily toward redemption.

Isaiah 7 places us in a moment of fear, where King Ahaz faces real political threat and is invited by God to trust His presence rather than grasp for false security. The promised sign of a child—given first in Isaiah’s own day—becomes, in the light of Christ, a prophetic horizon pointing to Jesus Christ, Immanuel. What began as reassurance amid crisis unfolds into the heart of the gospel: God does not merely help from a distance but comes near, taking on flesh to dwell with His people. From Eden to the temple, and finally in Christ, Scripture reveals a God who moves toward humanity even when humanity turns away. Advent, then, invites us to confront our fear and unbelief not by escape or control, but by receiving God’s greatest gift—His presence with us, here and now.

Pastor David and Kurt sit down with special guest and LSC alum Ryan Romeo (now at New City Church) for a reflective conversation on hearing God’s voice, weighing prophetic words, and learning to walk faithfully with the Spirit amid uncertainty, suffering, and renewal. 

“King of Nations” emerges from Isaiah’s prophecy during Judah’s political collapse and fear of surrounding empires, announcing a faithful promise that even from a seemingly dead stump, a righteous King would rise from the root of Jesse. This Messianic ruler would not only restore Israel but reign with justice and peace over all nations, confronting evil, defending the poor, and bringing creation into harmony. The sixth Advent antiphon, “O King of the nations, and their desire,” points to Jesus as the fulfillment of this hope—born in David’s line, recognized by the nations, and crowned King not through conquest but through sacrificial love. His cross became the victory over sin and death, and His resurrection His coronation. Revelation completes the vision, declaring that this King will return to gather a redeemed people from every nation and establish a kingdom where the knowledge of the Lord fills the earth.