Reflecting today on a wonderful heavenly scene that one day, I’d love to participate in…
Apostle John described what he saw in Revelation 7…
“I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of [God’s heavenly] throne and before the Lamb [their Savior, Jesus]. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, ‘Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!’
“And all the angels were standing around the throne… And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.’
Some of you know of my love, concern, and prayers for persecuted Christians… Because of that this next part of the passage is especially is significant to me…
“Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, ‘Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?… Then he said to me, ‘These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.’” (From Revelation 7:9–17 NLT)
Revelation is a wonderful book! It provides a glimpse of the future for us – we have an opportunity to participate in the heavenly drama – it is as if the drapes of earth are pulled and John lets us see what will take place on the other side – Heaven! Eternity, if you please!
Can I be a voice that urges you to read these words again… slowly, savoring what they describe? Oh, I want to be a participant in this grand scene! I want to be a part of the throng that sings this song – that participates in this worship! And because I am part of the redeemed from all ages – all nations – all races and people groups who know Christ as Savior and Lord, I will be! And so will all those who have suffered and given their lives in service and testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ! “Faithful unto death!”
What a scene as we approach the new year! Eh?
Just read it again today during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…
Christmas nostalgia grips us and we are swept into the cultural holiday river… we’re tempted to make it more about trees and tinsel, Santa and snowmen, gifts and giggles, carols and cookies, than JESUS! It’s the cultural holiday vortex and even evangelical Christians don’t escape it. We begin to lose focus – maybe it would be better to say we struggle to maintain focus!
