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"Uniting Christian & Jewish Clergy from Around the World"
Revelation Chapter 7, Part 2
Rev 7:9-10
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
Earlier in our study of chapter seven I made mention of another religious group who claimed that they were the 144,000. The rest of this group, or all who belong to this faith after 1935, according to their belief will not be in heaven with their 144,000, but they shall exist in what they call the great crowd. I guess their heaven must be pretty small and their god somewhat shortsighted to create a place that will not accommodate all who trust in him!
In the Bible (ours, not theirs) we learned just who the 144,000 are and exactly what they have been called to do. When John looks upon this great multitude, I get a sense that this is indeed a "Great Crowd!" The really good news is that there is more than enough room for them in heaven!
Audio Adrenaline’s song "Big House" says it well!
"It's a big, big house, with lots and lots of room
A big, big table, with lots and lots of food
A big, big yard, where we can play football
A big, big house, it's my Father's house!"
In number, the 144,000 pales compared to this "great multitude!" These are the "Tribulation Saints!" All of those who have been saved during an impossible time when getting saved will cost them their lives, yet here they are, this innumerable crowd, arrayed in white robes of righteousness and shouting to the Lord a song of salvation!
Psalm 100:1-5
1Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
As we continue within the parenthesis or break from judgment in chapter seven, we are going to be blessed with another amazing heavenly worship service! Poor Lucifer! What he forfeited when he chose to rebel against God!
Rev 7:11-12
11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen."
Nothing short of a hero's welcome! I believe it is a good thing to note here that when John states that "all of the angels stood around the throne.." that literally all of the angels in heaven were present! What an amazing gathering! What a party this is going to be, as every angel, all of the raptured redeemed of God and the four living creatures all gather together before the Father and the Son to worship and to celebrate the homecoming of that great multitude, all of those who have given their lives to Jesus Christ during the time of tribulation!
Rev 7:13-14a
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"
14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know."
A brilliant witness strategy! This elder demonstrates exactly what we should be doing, asking the question and initiating a conversation. How many souls will be lost if we don't ask the question? I spent many years working in sales and sales management and one important key point that is taught over and over again is; "ask for the order!" You can sell all day long, but at the end of the day, if you never ask the question, no one will buy from you. This understanding has served me well as a Christian and a pastor!
The question generated a response, an opportunity for this elder to engage in spiritual conversation!
Rev 7:14b
So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Only Jesus could wash a garment white as snow using blood as a detergent! This detergent cannot be bought in any store! It is free for the asking!
John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Amen!
Rev 7:15-17a
15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters.
John is witnessing what shall be at the end of the tribulation period. Although this time will be a time of great tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:21), there will be such an incredible harvest that it can only be described as a great multitude which no one can number! Here is what Luke says about such a home going:
Luke 15:7
7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:10
10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
I am amazed at the love and passion of our Lord! I do believe that His love for us is immeasurable!
Psalm 139:17-18
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.
He is obsessed with the very thought of us!
Rev 7:17b
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Not only for this group of tribulation believers, but also the church which was raptured. God will remove all need for tears. He will make all things new! You can forget about pain, sickness, sorrow and death, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).
A final thought as we close chapter seven. As we will see as we study through the entire book of Revelation, there are several groups that come together in the millennial kingdom, but regarding the two groups of redeemed believers, there is the church and the tribulation saints. I am happy to be counted among the church! I can't imagine going through any part of tribulation and I am glad that by faith I believed on the name of Jesus Christ beforehand. Keep in mind that the tribulation saints, although they believed unto death, had denied Christ until after the rapture and the evidences and proof that Jesus is Lord was very compelling! What I want to say is this; Don't wait kids! Listen to those who have and are sharing the truth of the gospel with you now! Believe and receive Christ and become the "Bride of Christ!" I want to know that Jesus knows that I believed without seeing, by faith!
John 20:24-29
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" 27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Won't you consider Jesus Christ today? If you have questions about what a personal relationship with Jesus Christ would mean to you, please contact me at: pastordavehoney@yahoo.com. Blessings!!
© All Rights Reserved. Property of David E. Honey, ChristianPsychobabel.com | Pastor Dave Honey.
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
Earlier in our study of chapter seven I made mention of another religious group who claimed that they were the 144,000. The rest of this group, or all who belong to this faith after 1935, according to their belief will not be in heaven with their 144,000, but they shall exist in what they call the great crowd. I guess their heaven must be pretty small and their god somewhat shortsighted to create a place that will not accommodate all who trust in him!
In the Bible (ours, not theirs) we learned just who the 144,000 are and exactly what they have been called to do. When John looks upon this great multitude, I get a sense that this is indeed a "Great Crowd!" The really good news is that there is more than enough room for them in heaven!
Audio Adrenaline’s song "Big House" says it well!
"It's a big, big house, with lots and lots of room
A big, big table, with lots and lots of food
A big, big yard, where we can play football
A big, big house, it's my Father's house!"
In number, the 144,000 pales compared to this "great multitude!" These are the "Tribulation Saints!" All of those who have been saved during an impossible time when getting saved will cost them their lives, yet here they are, this innumerable crowd, arrayed in white robes of righteousness and shouting to the Lord a song of salvation!
Psalm 100:1-5
1Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
As we continue within the parenthesis or break from judgment in chapter seven, we are going to be blessed with another amazing heavenly worship service! Poor Lucifer! What he forfeited when he chose to rebel against God!
Rev 7:11-12
11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen."
Nothing short of a hero's welcome! I believe it is a good thing to note here that when John states that "all of the angels stood around the throne.." that literally all of the angels in heaven were present! What an amazing gathering! What a party this is going to be, as every angel, all of the raptured redeemed of God and the four living creatures all gather together before the Father and the Son to worship and to celebrate the homecoming of that great multitude, all of those who have given their lives to Jesus Christ during the time of tribulation!
Rev 7:13-14a
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"
14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know."
A brilliant witness strategy! This elder demonstrates exactly what we should be doing, asking the question and initiating a conversation. How many souls will be lost if we don't ask the question? I spent many years working in sales and sales management and one important key point that is taught over and over again is; "ask for the order!" You can sell all day long, but at the end of the day, if you never ask the question, no one will buy from you. This understanding has served me well as a Christian and a pastor!
The question generated a response, an opportunity for this elder to engage in spiritual conversation!
Rev 7:14b
So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Only Jesus could wash a garment white as snow using blood as a detergent! This detergent cannot be bought in any store! It is free for the asking!
John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Amen!
Rev 7:15-17a
15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters.
John is witnessing what shall be at the end of the tribulation period. Although this time will be a time of great tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:21), there will be such an incredible harvest that it can only be described as a great multitude which no one can number! Here is what Luke says about such a home going:
Luke 15:7
7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:10
10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
I am amazed at the love and passion of our Lord! I do believe that His love for us is immeasurable!
Psalm 139:17-18
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.
He is obsessed with the very thought of us!
Rev 7:17b
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Not only for this group of tribulation believers, but also the church which was raptured. God will remove all need for tears. He will make all things new! You can forget about pain, sickness, sorrow and death, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).
A final thought as we close chapter seven. As we will see as we study through the entire book of Revelation, there are several groups that come together in the millennial kingdom, but regarding the two groups of redeemed believers, there is the church and the tribulation saints. I am happy to be counted among the church! I can't imagine going through any part of tribulation and I am glad that by faith I believed on the name of Jesus Christ beforehand. Keep in mind that the tribulation saints, although they believed unto death, had denied Christ until after the rapture and the evidences and proof that Jesus is Lord was very compelling! What I want to say is this; Don't wait kids! Listen to those who have and are sharing the truth of the gospel with you now! Believe and receive Christ and become the "Bride of Christ!" I want to know that Jesus knows that I believed without seeing, by faith!
John 20:24-29
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" 27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Won't you consider Jesus Christ today? If you have questions about what a personal relationship with Jesus Christ would mean to you, please contact me at: pastordavehoney@yahoo.com. Blessings!!
© All Rights Reserved. Property of David E. Honey, ChristianPsychobabel.com | Pastor Dave Honey.
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