Revelation 7:9-17
Please read your Bible text – Rev 7:9-17
We have discussed the 144,000 Jewish remnants protected on earth. The second distinct people are the countless multitude of Christians, protected in heaven. The awesome thought here is the innumerous multitude! This tells me that out of the Great Tribulation, there is going to be a lot of Christians who would stay faithful to the Lord even if they must face martyrdom. Praise the LORD. But would I be among this faithful multitude, remaining faithful till the end? Would you?
All-Inclusive Multitude that is Saved – vv.9-10
No nation, no tribe, and no language or tongue are excluded from the salvation of the Lord. The multitudes who are saved represent every nation, every tribe, and language. Heaven attributes salvation to God as the source and Jesus Christ as the means, but the wonder of it all is that salvation is for all people to embrace. Those who are found faithful till the end would find themselves here.
This multitude of Christians was standing in an honored place before God and Christ. They could sing, “Salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb” which the angels could not. They waved palm leaves for victory and clothed in white as purity (pure in their faith to Jesus Christ). They died as martyrs, but they live as victors. Having gone through the Great Tribulation, they came out as victors, and the Great Tribulation has surely purified them as white as their robe. Their joyous service is to worship day and night (v.10). That could mean worship God continuously because, in Heaven, there is no night.
All the angels and Heaven rejoice – vv.11-12
Jesus once said on earth, that the angels rejoice over just one sinner who is saved. How much more a great multitude is saved! The angels and all Heaven resonate into worship too as do the saved multitude. If the sight of the saved multitude awakens new joy among the host of angels, how much the heart of Christ reverberates with inexplicable joy? Notice the seven folds doxology of the angelic hosts: praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, and strength belong to our God forever and ever. But the hosts of angels could not sing the tune the saints sang, “Salvation belongs to our God…” Because only the saints having experienced salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ can sing this tune.
Awesome saints of the Great Tribulation – vv.13-17
How did these multitudes of Christians get into this highest place of honor? By being faithful even unto martyrdom. It is not by the Rapture (as most evangelicals thought). The passage here does not teach about the Rapture! This great multitude, having died or martyred is coming out of the Great Tribulation. They are seen in heaven enjoying the blessings. Never again hungry, or thirsty, forever sheltered by divine pinions – no pains, no sorrow, and no tears. Indeed, this great multitude has kept the faith during the time of great suffering. But it must be remembered though, that they are not saved by their own sufferings but rather saved by Christ’s suffering. Notice in verse 14, their robes were washed in the blood of the Lamb that makes them white. It was not washed in their own blood of martyrdom that made them white. Their serving day and night before the Lord (v.15) are to worship God (v.10) before His Throne. So often we want to serve God but never quite know what it is to worship the Lord.
Think: They died as Martyrs, but they shall live as Victors.
Prayer: Thank you Almighty God for the multitude that would stay faithful to the end. Pray, make us Lord, to be among this group of people.
Leave a Reply