I love reading chapter seven of the Book of Revelation! It truly gives me hope!
Why?
Let's get into it. Starting in verse 9 it reads:
After this I (John) looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." Verse 14 explains who these people are: "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
That's us, folks! Those white robed people are those of us who belong to Jesus Christ! And isn't it too cool that the "great multitude" is too numerous to even count?
The "great tribulation" could mean several different things, according to which Bible scholar you read. Some believe it means a specific seven-year period before Jesus returns to the earth. (We'll get more into that further into the book.) Others believe the tribulation started all the way back in John's day when Christians were being persecuted for their faith. Christians continue to this day to be persecuted all around the world, so the "great tribulation" could certainly mean now.
But one thing is for certain. Everyone will stand before the throne someday. Some in victory, wearing white robes washed in the blood of the Lamb. Some in shame, awaiting their final punishment.
Verses 16 and 17 say, " Never again will they (we!) hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water."
MAN, OH, MAN!!
Do I love those words or what?!
It's May now, so Summer is just a few weeks away. Do you know what that means?? That means the blazing, unbearable, horrible, awful, wilt-me-as-soon-as-I-step-outside heat is on it's way!! Even though I've lived in Texas (married a Texan, what can I say!) for 23 years, I will never, ever, never, ever get used to or like the heat of summer! PRAISE GOD, heaven won't be hot! "The sun will not beat upon them..." That's just one more wonderful thing about heaven! Thank you, Jesus!
The last words of chapter seven, however, are what truly touch my soul.
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
What a loving Father! Every tear I've cried matters to God. Every tear you've cried matters to God. And He loves us so much that He's created a beautiful paradise where we will cry no more! No more tears! Ever! Not about death or sickness. Not about persecution. Not about injustice. Not about sin and sadness. Not about anything!
I can't wait!
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