Tag: Revelation 7
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.
The Multitude in White Robes!
Scripture reading for December 9th: Revelation 7
Between the opening of the sixth seal and the seventh seal, John saw two visions, one related to Jews and the other to believers from the nations who come to faith in Christ during the great tribulation. Jesus warned of this time of great tribulation, “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now–and never to be equaled again.” (Matthew 24:21)
In the first vision, John saw the four angels that had been summoned at the opening of the first four seals. They appeared to be standing at the four corners of the earth holding back the four winds of heaven. Another angel came with the seal of God and he ordered the four angels to hold back until he sealed or marked the servants of God. There were 144,000, and this was twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. These were Jews who had believed on Christ as Messiah. (Revelation 7:1-8)
In the second vision, John saw “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. The were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. The cried in a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10) An angel told John that these in the white robes had come out of the great tribulation, and their robes had been made white by the blood of the Lamb! This great multitude from all nations had been martyred during this time of distress! They were enjoying God’s eternal presence! Worship was their response to God the Father and to Jesus Christ the Lamb!