Tag: Jesus our Shepherd
Sheltered by the Lamb
Scripture reading for December 9: Revelation 7
“Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And He said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He Who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:13-17
John had just been shown a vision of four angels standing at the four corners of the earth and holding back the wind. He saw another angel ascending from the rising sun holding the seal of the living God and to him was assigned the sealing of the servants of God on their foreheads. He sealed 12,000 from each tribe of Israel. Right after this vision, John looked and saw a great multitude from every tribe and nation on earth assembled before God’s throne and dressed in white robes with palm branches. They were worshiping the Father and the Lamb. (Revelation 7:1-12)
The elder revealed to John that these were martyrs who were killed during the great tribulation. The were alive in God’s presence and crying out in worship and thanksgiving. Their white robes were provided by their faith in Jesus Christ and His shed blood. Jesus Christ was also their Shepherd. His protection was now over them eternally. What an amazing vision of heaven’s reality for us all to share with those still in darkness!
As you read this account of worship in heaven around God’s throne, what are your thoughts about those now suffering martyrdom for their faith around the world? What promises of Jesus Christ as your Shepherd help you most in forming a world view of God’s coming kingdom?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for showing us the end reward of those trusting in Jesus, even through persecution and possible martyrdom. Use me to proclaim these truths to my family and friends. Reveal Jesus Christ as the Great Shepherd Who can save and protect His people forever. Amen.
Sunday Rest and Reflection:Changing Leaders!
Dear Friends,
Greetings on this day of reflection and rest in the ultimate refuge, Jesus Christ! I am so thankful today to have a refuge from the enemy of my soul! God alone is my refuge and strength! Take time today to worship with a body of believers and to study the precious Word of God.
As I reflect on the reading of the past week, I am again reminded of Moses’ death for his sins. Moses represents the Law of God. God’s law can only make us aware of sin and show us God’s holy standard of perfection. The law ultimately brings all of us to death if we do nothing else but read it. All of us are born under the rule of “Sin” or “Satan” as our leader. The law exposes that truth. We must change “leader” in order to be free from the penalty of death and eternal separation from God.
We need “Joshua” to take us to the promised land of our inheritance. God has provided His Son, Jesus Christ, as our “Joshua”. He is more than able to lead us into our full inheritance. He was lifted up like the snake on the pole to be our remedy for sin. Sin was put to death on that cross as Jesus took the penalty for us. All who will look to Him will live. We change our leader to Jesus Christ, and the great news is that He is alive! Death could not hold Him! He has the keys of death and hell! He is alive forever and we can live forever as we make Him Lord of our life!
Thank God today for the wonderful gift of salvation and for your new leader! Jesus is the Good Shepherd who will take you into the full inheritance of your heavenly Father!
In His Love, Pastor John