Now John’s attention is brought back to the throne room. He sees a vast multitude that no one can count dressed in white robes, holding palm branches, standing before the throne and the Lamb. And they are shouting accolades to the Lamb and to God the Father for the salvation they have been granted. Their shouts unleash another tsunami of adoration from the angels, the living creatures and the twenty-four elders.
One of the elders explains to John who this multitude is. Quite simply, these are those believers who have come through great tribulation. I believe these are the same ones who were sealed in the first part of this chapter. Described as 144,000 who were sealed before tribulation, they are now a countless throng in white robes standing before the throne after tribulation.
And the message to John’s readers is that as God’s chosen ones, they will be sealed from destruction during very desperate apocalyptic times. But they are not the only ones. There will be other tribes of believers, God’s chosen ones, who will also be sealed from destruction during tribulation, both in their day and time and in other times as well, including the final hour when this world is judged. And none of them will be destroyed. The number of them will be complete.
And then they will be with their savior forever, serving him day and night, sheltered in his presence. They will never suffer hunger or thirst. The Lamb will be their shepherd, leading them to springs of living water, and God will personally wipe the tears from their eyes. Imagine the joy this brought to the seven churches! And this passage is for all generations of believers who have experienced apocalyptic times.
One of the elders explains to John who this multitude is. Quite simply, these are those believers who have come through great tribulation. I believe these are the same ones who were sealed in the first part of this chapter. Described as 144,000 who were sealed before tribulation, they are now a countless throng in white robes standing before the throne after tribulation.
And the message to John’s readers is that as God’s chosen ones, they will be sealed from destruction during very desperate apocalyptic times. But they are not the only ones. There will be other tribes of believers, God’s chosen ones, who will also be sealed from destruction during tribulation, both in their day and time and in other times as well, including the final hour when this world is judged. And none of them will be destroyed. The number of them will be complete.
And then they will be with their savior forever, serving him day and night, sheltered in his presence. They will never suffer hunger or thirst. The Lamb will be their shepherd, leading them to springs of living water, and God will personally wipe the tears from their eyes. Imagine the joy this brought to the seven churches! And this passage is for all generations of believers who have experienced apocalyptic times.
RSS Feed
