Revelation 7:9-17
Imagine the biggest party you have ever been to. It’s not a party for just one person, but for everyone who loves Jesus. They come from every nation, peoples, and languages, and they are standing before the throne, united in worship and celebration!
After this I looked, and there was a great crowd that no one could number. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands. They cried out with a loud voice: “Victory belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All the angels stood in a circle around the throne, and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell facedown before the throne and worshipped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and always. Amen.” Then one of the elders said to me, “Who are these people wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” Then he said to me, “These people have come out of great hardship. They have washed their robes and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. This is the reason they are before God’s throne. They worship him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them. They won’t hunger or thirst anymore. No sun or scorching heat will beat down on them, because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:9-17 (CEV)
The book of Revelation is actually a word of hope addressed to Christians who have come out of great hardship and suffering. In these verses John sees a great multitude, so great that no one can count them. They are wearing beautiful white clothes, a color that shows they are clean and good because Jesus saved them. They are also holding palm branches, a symbol of victory and celebration. They are just happy to be with Jesus.
Most of us have dealt with difficult times. We have been sad, hurt, scared, battled illness or pain. We can find comfort in knowing that God loves us, and one day, because of Jesus’ saving blood, we will be in heaven. We don’t know what heaven will be like but we can find hope in knowing that for those who love God, life after death will be wonderful. One day we too will be in heaven standing with the angels and those who have gone before us. God will wipe away every single tear from our eyes. There will be no more hurt, no more crying, no more illness, no more sadness, only joy! I can only hope to be in that Big, Big Crowd! Let the hope of heaven encourage you.
Questions for Reflection:
- How does it make you feel to know that one day, if you love Jesus, you can be part of that HUGE, happy party in heaven?
- How have you celebrated God’s faithfulness in your life?
Prayer:
Dear God, Thank you for your boundless love that is for all people. Give us strength and perseverance when we are facing troubled times and help us to remember that we have been saved by the blood of Jesus. Show us your will so that we may join with the heavenly party offering shouts of praise and worship. Amen
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