Valencia Christian Center

Revealing Revelations

vcc — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:39:54 +0000

For the past few months, Pastor Marlon has used Bible Study as an opportunity to explain Revelations. Taking the book verse by verse, and chapter by chapter he has made the often mysterious book plain english for us all. Below we have included a brief outline of the book of Revelations that should help you gain a greater understanding of the word of God when you read the book of Revelations yourself:

OUTLINE OF REVELATION

Theme: The Unveiling of Jesus Christ
Date Written: A.D. 94-96
Author: John
Setting: Isle of Patmos

Purpose: To encourage Christians by providing an astounding unveiling of Jesus Christ and insight to God’s sovereign method of completely overcoming the forces of evil in all its manifestations. Revelation also gives a forecast of history, including its apocalyptic conclusion, while giving an evangelistic appeal to those who are presently living in the kingdom of darkness to enter the Kingdom of Light.

Descriptive Text: ^“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,” (Revelation 1:1)

Prologue 1:1

The Letters to the seven churches 1:9-3:22
1. The setting: One like the Son of Man 1:9-20
2. The Letters 2:1-3:22
The seven seals 4:1-8:1
1. The setting 4:1-5:14
  1. The throne of God 4:1-11
  2. The Lamb and the scroll 5:1-14
2. The seals 6:1-8:1
  1. First seal: white horse 6:1-2
  2. Second seal: red horse 6:3-4
  3. Third seal: black horse 6:5-6
  4. Fourth seal: pale green horse 6:7-8
  5. Fifth seal: souls under the altar 6:9-11
  6. Sixth seal: cosmic catastrophe 6:12-17
    1. First interlude: 144,000 sealed 7:1-8
    2. Second interlude: a great multitude 7:9-17
    3. Seventh seal: silence in heaven 8:1
The seven trumpets 8:2-11:18
1. The setting: the golden altar 8:2-6
2. The trumpets 8:7-11:18
  1. First trumpet: Earth 8:7
  2. Second trumpet: sea 8:8-9
  3. Third trumpet: rivers 8:10-11
  4. Fourth trumpet: sun 8:12
  5. Fifth trumpet: first woe – demonic locusts 8:13-9:12
  6. Sixth trumpet: second woe – cavalry (horsemen) 9:13-21
    1. First interlude: the little scroll 10:1-11
    2. Second interlude: two witnesses 11:1-14
    3. Seventh trumpet: third woe – voices in Heaven 11:15-18
The seven signs 11:19-15:4
1. The setting: the ark of the covenant 11:19
2. The signs 12:1-15:4
  1. The woman, Dragon, Child, Michael 12:1-17
  2. The beast from the sea 13:1-10
  3. The beast from the Earth 13:11-18
  4. The Lamb and the 144,000 14:1-5
  5. Four proclamations 14:6-13
  6. The final harvest 14:14-20
  7. The seven angels and the song of the Lamb 15:1-4
The seven bowls 15:5-16:21
1. The setting: the tent of witness 15:5-16:1
2. Seven bowls 16:2-21
  1. First bowl: Earth 16:2
  2. Second bowl: sea 16:3
  3. Third bowl: rivers 16:4-7
  4. Fourth bowl: sun 16:8-9
  5. Fifth bowl: throne of the Beast 16:10-11
  6. Sixth bowl: Euphrates 16:12 (Interlude: three unclean spirits) 16:13-16
  7. Seventh bowl: the cities of the nations 16:17-21
The seven spectacles 17:1-20:3
1. The setting: a wilderness 17:1-3
2. The spectacles 17:3-20:3
  1. A woman on a scarlet beast 17:3-5
  2. The mystery of the woman and the beast 17:6-18
  3. Seven voices: Babylon fallen 18:1-19:10
  4. King of kings and Lord of lords 19:11-16
  5. The supper of the great God 19:17-18
  6. The war 19:19-21
  7. Satan bound 20:1-3
The seven sights of the consummation 20:4-22:5
1. The setting 20:4-10
  1. Living and reigning with Christ 20:4-6
  2. Satan released to deceive 20:7-10
2. The scenes 20:11-22:5
  1. The Great White Throne 20:11
  2. The Last Judgment 20:12-15
  3. The new heaven and new earth 21:1
  4. The New Jerusalem 21:2-8
  5. The bride of the Lamb 21:9-21
  6. The light of God’s presence 21:22-27
  7. Paradise regained 22:1-5

Epilogue 22:6-21

Seven confirming witnesses 22:6-17
Final warning and assurance 22:18-20
Benediction 22:21

Valencia Christian Center’s 21 Day Fast (December 2011)

vcc — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:41:49 +0000

Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. The purpose of a biblical fast is to gain deeper fellowship with God. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God. The purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn our attention to Christ. As we spend more time in prayer, more time in worship, and more time reading and studying God’s Word, we humbly seek His face and His best for our lives. Our motive over the next 21 days is not to have an emotional experience or attain personal happiness, but rather to glorify God and establish a renewed closeness with Him, gaining greater sensitivity to His will, His ways, and His desires.

Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude.

Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything given up temporarily in order to focus all our attention on God can be considered a fast.

Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

IMPORTANT NOTE

FASTING SHOULD BE DONE AT YOUR OWN RISK. CONSULT A PHYSICIAN if you are taking medication of any kind, are on a restricted diet of any kind, or if you have any kind of medical physical, or dietary concerns!!!

ALWAYS PRAY ABOUT WHAT YOUR COVENANT FAST SHOULD BE, especially if there are reasons you cannot fast as suggested. God may have you fast other things or in other ways. Your focus should be talking to God (PRAYER), reading your Bible (UNDERSTANDING GOD), and meditation (LISTENING TO GOD). In a nutshell, fasting is about building your relationship with HIM!!!

During the fast, all TV, Music, and Reading should be Christian based ONLY. Phone conversations should (to the best of our ability) be limited to encouragement, prayer, and Godly things – and not prolonged beyond what is necessary. Give yourself to prayer!

History of Valencia Christian Center

vcc — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:36:16 +0000

On Sunday, March 2, 2008, Marlon and Tamara Saunders launched Valencia Christian Center – a nondenominational church birthed out of a mandate and vision that Pastor Marlon received from God. The church opened on that Sunday, without any prior services or bible studies, with approximately 30 people – 15 to 20 of which were family who drove up to Valencia from Los Angeles to show support. That following Sunday, without family driving up from Los Angeles, would reveal the true foundation of the church – there were approximately 30 people again.

Within 3 years, God has grown Valencia Christian Center from approximately 30 people to approximately 700 people. With over 30 established ministries and a congregation that reflects true multiculturalism (ethnic, social, and economic), Valencia Christian Center has been featured in the L.A. Focus Newspaper, The Signal Newspaper of Santa Clarita, Inside Santa Clarita Valley Magazine, and the Magazine of Santa Clarita – as well as most recently featured on KTLA Channel 5.

VCC (as it is affectionately called) has not only quickly established its presence and influence in the Santa Clarita Valley but has been used on several occasions as a model church for those aspiring to launch a ministry.