Tag: Revelation 7:13-17
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.
Multitudes clothed in white!
Scripture reading for December 9th: Nehemiah 7-9, Psalm 140, Revelation 7
Revelation 7: 13-17 “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.””
In the heavenly vision given to John, he beheld a great multitude of people from every tribe of the earth standing before God’s throne. One of the elders around the throne asked John who they were. John wisely answered, “Sir, you know.” It was revealed that these were those who came out of the great tribulation of the last days. They had white robes because they had repented of sins and come to Jesus Christ for cleansing and His righteousness. They had been martyred and now stood in God’s presence cleansed and satisfied by the Good Shepherd who wiped away every tear and gave them living water! Praise His Name forever and ever!
Psalm 140:12-13 “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your Name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence.”
Prayer: Father God, I thank You for Your mercy and for Your justice. Thank You for showing mercy in the great tribulation to those from all nations who will repent. I have given my body to you to use for Your purposes of reaching the nations and all lost with the Good News of salvation and righteousness in the kingdom of Heaven through Jesus Christ and His blood. May I worship You through obedience today.
Nehemiah 9:3 “And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.”