Episode Summary

Smyrna was not just a city. It was a sermon. Its skyline looked like a crown. Its coins celebrated resurrection. Its loyalty to Rome promised glory through suffering. Every street preached a theology of death, vindication, and imperial reward.

Into that world, Jesus speaks two titles that unravel everything:
“The First and the Last” and “the One who was dead and has come to life.”

Before He commands faithfulness, He establishes identity. Before He addresses their suffering, He reminds them who governs history and who has already conquered death.

• Why Smyrna receives no rebuke from Jesus

• How ancient cities functioned as theological arguments

• Smyrna’s “resurrection” narrative and crown identity

• Why Christians were economically and socially pressured through trade guilds and emperor worship

• How Jesus’ self-identification dismantles Smyrna’s civic mythology

• Why identity always comes before command in Christ’s letters

Smyrna had a resurrection story.
Jesus had an empty tomb.

That difference changes everything about poverty, pressure, prison, and death.

Jesus turns from who He is to what He sees:
Their poverty.
Their accusers.
Their coming suffering.
And the command that defines the entire letter.

Be faithful.

What You’ll LearnCore TruthNext Week

In this episode of The PRODCAST, we return at last to the book of Revelation—moving beyond chapter 1 and into the first of the seven churches: Ephesus.After establishing that Revelation is not a futuristic end-of-the-world prediction, but a first-century covenantal judgment on the Jewish Old Covenant world, we now watch that theology land in a real city, under real pressure, with real consequences for real Christians.Ephesus was the nerve center of Asia Minor—economically powerful, religiously saturated, and socially unforgiving. It was a city governed by fear, profit, ritual, and reputation. Artemis ruled its imagination. Rome enforced its order. The synagogue wielded legal and social leverage. And the church lived at the collision point of all three.Jesus’ letter to Ephesus (Revelation 2:1–7) is not abstract theology. It is judgment and comfort spoken into a hostile environment where faithfulness was costly, vigilance was necessary, and endurance slowly drained joy.This episode explores:Why Ephesus is addressed firstHow pagan religion, imperial power, and Jewish opposition convergedWhy the Nicolaitans were more dangerous than persecutionHow faithfulness can survive while love quietly thinsWhy Jesus rebukes a church that is orthodox, discerning, and enduringWhat it means to leave your first love without abandoning truthWhy Christ threatens not persecution—but lampstand removalHow covenant judgment on Jerusalem (AD 70) changes everythingWhy the church’s goal was never mere survival—but burning loveThis is a warning for churches under pressure—and a promise for those who overcome.Episode StructureIntroduction – Why Revelation must be read covenantallyPart 1 – The City of EphesusPart 2 – The Religion of Ephesus (Artemis, fear, and power)Part 3 – The Nicolaitans and theological accommodationPart 4 – The hidden cost of faithfulnessPart 5 – Reading Revelation 2:1–7 in full contextPart 6 – Jewish opposition, Roman leverage, and covenant judgmentPart 7 – Christ’s rebuke: losing love without losing truthConclusion – Survival vs. joy, endurance vs. delight, warning vs. hopeScripture FocusRevelation 2:1–7Deuteronomy 28Leviticus 26Acts 19Matthew 241 Thessalonians 2:14–16(All Scripture quotations from NASB 1995)Support the ShowIf this episode helped you:SubscribeShareLeave a commentBecome a memberYour support makes this work possible.Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD_3vCL8AM6U3sJIAzq9vnA/joinThanks for listening.See you next time on The PRODCAST.

In this conversation, Kendall Lankford sits down with Matthew Everhard to talk honestly about fear, courage, and the state of the modern church. Drawing from Matthew’s book Bold as a Lion, the two reflect on how recent cultural crises—especially COVID—exposed a deep failure of nerve among many Christian leaders. Rather than speaking in abstractions, they dig into what fear actually looks like in real life, how it quietly governs decisions, and why cowardice has become so respectable in the church.

Matthew presses the point that courage is not a personality trait reserved for a few bold men, but a Christian obligation rooted in the promises of God. They discuss the fear of man, the fear of death, the role of pastors in setting the emotional and spiritual temperature of a congregation, and how bad theology often produces timid Christians. The conversation closes with practical wisdom on identifying your fears, confronting them honestly, and learning to live with settled confidence in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is a bracing, clarifying conversation—especially for pastors, fathers, and men who want to lead faithfully in an age that rewards fear and punishes conviction.

Key Takeaways

• Fear touches every human being, but it should not rule the Christian life

• Bold as a Lion takes its title from Proverbs 28:1

• The COVID era revealed how much fear had already taken root in church leadership

• Christians, of all people, should be least afraid of death

• Cowardice is not merely unfortunate—it is spiritually dangerous

• Pastors must deal honestly with the fear of man if they want to lead well

• Cultural pressures often shape the church more than Scripture

• You cannot fight fear until you identify what you’re actually afraid of

• The gospel doesn’t just comfort us—it emboldens us

• Courage grows through obedience, clarity, and dependence on God

Quotes from the Episode

“Boldness is contagious—and it has to be led.”
“The Spirit of the Lord came upon him.”
“We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.”

Chapters

00:00 – Why courage matters
01:55 – The heart behind Bold as a Lion
03:30 – COVID and the collapse of pastoral nerve
06:36 – Luther, history, and fearless faith
10:16 – Why pastors must lead with courage
12:45 – The fear of man in ministry
15:22 – Cultural pressure and Christian compromise
20:52 – Eschatology and bravery
24:11 – Thinking like victors, not victims
28:19 – Different kinds of fear
30:42 – Naming and confronting fear
34:37 – How the gospel breaks fear’s power
38:46 – Practical steps toward courage
42:11 – Courage in everyday Christian living
47:48 – Standing firm in a fearful world

Keywords

fear, courage, Christian leadership, pastors, boldness, COVID-19, church, fear of man, gospel courage, living faithfully

Why Zionism Breaks Christian TheologyThis is the final episode in our four-part series on supersessionism—what Scripture actually teaches about Israel, the Church, and the covenantal finality of Jesus Christ.This episode assumes the groundwork laid in Parts 1–3, where we traced the biblical storyline from promise to fulfillment, worked carefully through Romans 9–11, identified Paul’s remnant as historical and first-century, and showed that the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 was a covenantal verdict from God—not a tragic accident of history.Rather than introducing new proof texts, this episode follows Zionism to its logical and theological end.What This Episode CoversIn this episode, we show that Zionism is not a harmless eschatological disagreement. Once introduced into Christian theology, it becomes a structural error that forces every other doctrine to bend in order to survive.Doctrine by doctrine, we examine the consequences:* How Zionism alters theology at the root by introducing covenant standing apart from Christ* Why it forces Scripture to speak in two voices—promise and postponement* How it undermines the finality and exclusivity of Christ’s finished work* Why it fractures the doctrine of God by requiring dual covenant programs* How it compromises the gospel by introducing ethnic exception clauses* Why it detonates covenant theology and the unity of redemptive history* How it fractures ecclesiology and turns the Church into a partial project* Why it renders the sacraments incoherent* How it poisons pastoral ministry by dulling repentance and evangelism* Why it ultimately denies God’s public covenant verdict in historyCore ThesisZionism does not preserve Christian theology.
It breaks it.By insisting that ethnic Israel retains covenant standing apart from explicit faith in Jesus Christ, Zionism requires Christianity to operate on two covenant logics—something the New Testament does not allow.Why This Is the Final EpisodeThere is nowhere else to go.Once the consequences are traced, the conclusion becomes unavoidable:
Jesus Christ is God’s final covenant with the world. Everything before Him pointed to Him. Everything beside Him has been judged. Nothing outside of Him still stands.This episode is not an attack on Jewish people.
It is a defense of Jesus Christ.Recommended Listening Order* Part 1 — The Biblical Framework* Part 2 — Romans 9–11 Explained* Part 3 — Covenant, Fulfillment, and AD 70* Part 4 — The Final Consequence (This Episode)If this series has been helpful, please share it, subscribe, and consider supporting the work so this kind of long-form biblical teaching can continue.

SUMMARY

Romans 11 is the bunker where every futurist, dispensationalist, and Zionist retreats when the rest of the New Testament has already dismantled their system. It’s treated like a theological panic room—an escape hatch that supposedly shields modern Israel-centric schemes from scrutiny. But in this episode, we show that Romans 11 is not their refuge at all; it is their grave. Paul is not confused, not contradicting himself, and not resurrecting Old Covenant categories he already buried in Romans 2 and 9. He is describing his own generation: the hardening and cutting off of unbelieving Israel, the first-century grafting of Jews and Gentiles into one tree, the fullness of the Gentiles within the Roman world, and the covenantal end of the Old Covenant age in AD 70.This episode uncovers how Romans 11 explains the real “end of the world” the New Testament talks about—not the destruction of the planet, but the end of the Mosaic world and the rise of the true Israel of God. We explore why the olive tree is not “the Jews,” why “all Israel” refers to the elect remnant, why the fullness of the Gentiles is a first-century reality, and what kind of world we now inhabit since the Old Covenant world has ended—a world where Christ reigns now, the kingdom grows now, and the nations are being discipled now.

KEY TEXTS IN THIS EPISODE

Romans 2:28–29Romans 9:6–8Romans 11:1–36Matthew 21–24 (especially 21:43; 23:37–38; 24:14, 34–35)Luke 21:20–24Acts 2, 4, 6, 211 Corinthians 7:29–31; 10:11Hebrews 8:13; 12:25–28Ephesians 2–3Galatians 3–4

BIG IDEAS YOU’LL HEAR

There is only one Israel in Paul’s theology: Jew and Gentile united to Christ, the true Jew, by faith.The olive tree is not a dormant Israel waiting for a modern reboot; it is the living, first-century people of God being pruned and grafted in real time.The “fullness of the Gentiles” is a first-century reality in the Roman world, not a never-ending countdown to the last Gentile on earth.“All Israel” refers to the elect remnant within Israel, saved in the very manner Paul describes, before the Old Covenant world is torn down.AD 70 is not a random historical tragedy; it is the covenantal end of the Old World Moses built and the visible dawn of the world Christ is now ruling and filling.Zionism asks you to resurrect what God has buried and divide the one people of God into two; Romans 11 forbids it and exalts Christ as the one root, one Lord, and one covenant Head of His people.

NEXT WEEK – PART 4 TEASER

In the next episode, we will expose exactly what you lose when you adopt the lie of Zionism. We will walk through the doctrines that begin to crumble: doctrine of God, Christ, covenant, the people of God, the kingdom, the church, baptism, mission, and eschatology. Zionism does not just twist a few verses; it eats away at the foundations of Christian theology, and we will name those areas one by one.

THE MERRY CHRISTMAS, HERETIC SWEATSHIRT

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CATCH UP ON THE SERIES

This is Part 3 in the Supersessionism series. For the full argument and context, make sure you’ve listened to Parts 1 and 2 before tackling Romans 11.

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Welcome back to The PRODCAST!In this week’s episode, we continue dismantling the modern evangelical myth that unbelieving Jews still retain a covenant with God. Last week, we built the covenant scaffolding from Scripture—showing that Christ is the true Israel, the fulfillment of every covenant, and the cornerstone of a new humanity.This week, we go further. Much further.We expose the tragic consequences of claiming that modern Jews—who reject and blaspheme Christ—still maintain special covenant status. We show how that belief undermines the Gospel, contradicts the apostles, and rips the heart out of New Testament theology.Then, we demonstrate from Scripture and history that:The Old Covenant was decisively terminated in the first century.The “end-time Jewish revival” already happened—in the first century.The mission of God now runs exclusively through Jesus Christ—and Him alone.There is no future temple.No ethnic-based revival program.No parallel covenant for Israel.No salvation outside the crucified and risen Christ.What the New Testament offers—what the apostles bled to proclaim—is a single blazing truth: The covenant now rests in Christ alone, and therefore the people of God are the church alone—Jew and Gentile together, in Him.If you want to understand Scripture, mission, redemptive history, the Great Commission, and the collapse of the Old Covenant Jewish world in AD 70, this episode is absolutely vital.Key TakeawaysJesus did not come to refurbish the Old Covenant—He came to obliterate it and replace it with Himself.The first-century judgment on Jerusalem was the covenant-ending curse promised in Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26.The only Jewish revival Scripture speaks of already occurred in the first century.There is no covenant with God outside of Jesus Christ—for Jew or Gentile.Supersessionism is not cruel—it is the grammar of redemption and the only hope for anyone to be saved.Recommended ResourcesMatthew 21–24Romans 9–11Hebrews 8–10Galatians 3–6Isaiah 5Josephus, The Jewish War👍 Support This WorkIf this episode blessed you, challenged you, or sharpened your biblical understanding, please consider:Liking the videoSubscribing to the channelSharing this episodeLeaving a comment Partnering with us financially so that The PRODCAST can continue producing long-form biblical content in an age of shallow thinkingThank you for your support and partnership in the advancement of the Gospel!➡️ Next Week:Episode 3 – Romans 11We take the passage everyone runs to in order to escape supersessionism…and show why it actually destroys every non-supersessionist reading.Be ready.The whole house of cards collapses next week.

Welcome back to The PRODCAST for Episode 177!Today we begin a massive four-part series that cuts through the confusion, controversy, and caricatures surrounding supersessionism—and we do it from a fully biblical, Reformed, covenantal, Christ-centered, preterist perspective.This episode is Part 1: The Covenantal Case for Preterist Supersessionism, where we lay the foundation the apostles themselves give us:Christ is the true Israel → those united to Christ are the people of God → the land promise expands to the entire world → the Old Covenant institutions are fulfilled and therefore ended.If you understand this episode, the entire New Testament will come into focus.TODAY’S MAIN POINTS1. Christ Is Israel Concentrated and the Covenants ConsummatedJesus does not stand next to Israel’s story—He is Israel’s story brought to its climax.He relives Israel’s history and succeeds where Israel failed.He becomes the true Temple, the true Priest, the true Sacrifice, and the true Son.When the substance arrives, the shadows fall.This is the unavoidable starting point for understanding why the Old Covenant cannot continue in parallel with Christ.2. The People of God Are Defined Christologically, Not EthnicallyUnion with Christ—not ethnicity—determines covenant identity.Paul: “Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel.”Ephesians: Christ creates one new man, not two parallel peoples.Peter: Titles once reserved for Israel now belong to the church.This is not erasure—it is fulfillment. The olive tree is one, and its life is Christ.3. The Land Promise Is Transfigured to the WorldThe land never shrinks back to Canaan. Christ enlarges it.Abraham was promised the world (Romans 4:13).Jesus promises the meek the earth, not Judea.Revelation ends with a global, renewed creation—not a fenced-off ethnic homeland.The land becomes cosmological because the King is cosmic.4. Circumcision, Priesthood, Sacrifices, and Temple Are Fulfilled and EndedThe institutions that defined Israel’s covenant identity have been completed in Christ.Circumcision → heart-renewal by the SpiritPriesthood → Christ’s once-for-all priesthoodSacrifices → the final, perfect offering of the SonTemple → Christ and His Spirit-filled peopleWithout these, the Old Covenant cannot exist—and neither can an Old Covenant people.WHY THIS MATTERSSupersessionism is not harsh, fringe, or speculative—it is the New Testament’s covenantal logic.It explains:The Great CommissionThe unity of Jew and GentilePentecostThe tearing of the veilThe transformation of the world under ChristWhy no future, post-Calvary covenant identity can exist apart from HimThis episode is the theological backbone of everything that follows.FULL SERIES ROADMAPPart 1 — The Covenantal CaseChrist as true Israel, the church as His people, the land enlarged, and the Old Covenant fulfilled.Part 2 — The Prophetic & Historical CaseHow the prophets foresaw this, how the apostles taught it, and how AD 70 sealed it forever.Part 3 — Romans 11 & Preterist SupersessionismThe passage everyone runs to—and why it actually proves the opposite.Part 4 — Objections AnsweredModern Israel, political Zionism, antisemitism accusations, premillennialism—and the biblical answers.SUPPORT THE SHOWThank you for supporting, liking, sharing, commenting, and subscribing!Your generosity makes this work possible. You can join the channel as a paid member by going here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD_3vCL8AM6U3sJIAzq9vnA/joinCheck out the merch at:www.prodthesheep.comCONNECTHave questions or feedback? Drop them in the comments.Want more? Subscribe and hit the bell so you don’t miss Parts 2–4.NEXT EPISODEPart 2 — The HistoricalCase for SupersessionismWe’ll explore how the "end time revival" that was promised happened in the first century.

Welcome back to The PRODCAST — where we build Christians who stand firm in an age of collapse and advance Christ’s Kingdom in an age of retreat.In today’s episode, Pastor Kendall Lankford continues the Revelation series, unpacking the courtroom drama of heaven unfolding in chapters 2–3 — the letters to the seven churches. Before diving into each individual church, this episode lays the groundwork for understanding what these letters mean in redemptive history and why they still matter for the Church today.Episode SummaryRevelation 2–3 is not just a collection of letters — it’s the pre-trial of the covenant lawsuit Jesus brings against apostate Israel.In Revelation 1, the Judge enters the courtroom.In Revelation 2–3, He calls the witnesses — the seven churches.In Revelation 4–18, He brings the charges.And by Revelation 19–20, the sentence falls on Jerusalem.The so-called “Synagogue of Satan” was not pagan Rome but the apostate Jews who rejected their Messiah and persecuted His Bride. Jesus exposes their spiritual adultery, their allegiance to Caesar, and their blasphemy against the true Israel of God — the Church. By conspiring with Nero and Rome, they became Babylon in Jewish robes.Through this lens, Revelation isn’t about the end of the physical world — it’s about the end of the old covenant world.It’s a story of judgment, vindication, and the unstoppable reign of the risen King.Key ThemesThe Covenant Lawsuit: Revelation as the divine trial against the unfaithful covenant people.The Synagogue of Satan: Why post-resurrection Judaism became a satanic religion in rebellion against Christ.The Whore and the Beast: How apostate Jerusalem rode the power of Rome to murder the saints.The Political Calculus of Nero: How Jewish influence in Rome likely led to Christian persecution after the Great Fire.Why It Matters Today: Modern Zionism, dispensational confusion, and the Church’s call to covenantal clarity and dominion.Theological TakeawaysChrist’s judgment in AD 70 was not a mistrial — it was covenant justice.The Church is the true Israel of God, not the unbelieving nation that rejected the Messiah.Modern Christians must reject sentimental Zionism and dispensational delusion.Theology is destiny: our understanding of Revelation shapes how we live, lead, and build.Christendom must be rebuilt — not through cowardice or compromise, but through covenant faithfulness.Call to ActionIf the Judge of heaven did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare us.Be faithful. Be steadfast. Build Christendom again.Build it in your homes, marriages, churches, and cities.Row for Christ and Kingdom — one inch of obedience at a time.Episode Sections0:00 – Introduction4:50 – Revelation as Covenant Lawsuit10:20 – The Synagogue of Satan Explained24:15 – Nero, the Jews, and the Fire of Rome38:00 – The Whore and the Beast49:30 – Modern Zionism and Covenant Treason1:05:00 – Building Christendom AgainResourcesVisit prodthesheep.com for merch, resources, and ways to support the mission.Become a channel member to help us continue creating content that strengthens the Church.Watch previous episodes in the Revelation series for deeper context.Subscribe & ShareIf this episode strengthened your faith, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your friends.Let’s rebuild Christendom together — one episode, one family, one church at a time.The PRODCAST — Building Christians who stand firm in an age of collapse and advance Christ’s Kingdom in an age of retreat.Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD_3vCL8AM6U3sJIAzq9vnA/join