SCRIPTURE: Revelation 6-8
“I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord… (Revelation 6:9-10)
These revelations were to encourage persecuted believers.
However you read these visions, don’t miss this main point.
Despite how bad it looks, God’s family is secure and guaranteed.
The full number of believers – figuratively described by the 144,000 – will be saved.
After this I 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 before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9)
I love this picture, and I love how inclusive and expansive it is.
We may feel our numbers are few, we may feel that so few remain, we may feel like a persecuted minority.
But our present lament “How long, Sovereign Lord” will change.
“And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, Who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'” (Revelation 7:10)
When persecuted, when loved ones are dying, when evil seems to have the upper hand… take heart.
The Lord does remain sovereign, and He will restore the great multitude of His family.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to focus on the unseen when I get discouraged by the church’s weakness and decline. Remind me of what is coming, so that I can endure what is happening.
Observations/Application
He is able.
He has the power.
He has all things under His control.
Rulers and princes, the rich and the mighty are not in charge. The free and the slave are not free from His power. All are mere ‘ants’ for He reigns and all will give account to Him. He reigns and has called unto Himself His own. And they will reign with Him forevermore never again suffering or being persecuted for righteousness sake. God is theirs. He is their inheritance. At all times, in all situations, in all circumstances remember.
Remember this is our Father’s world and He is in charge no matter how we see the happenings in our eyes. He protects and seals His own. He gathers them under His protective wings. He is our song and sure Defense. See God at work today while it is still today.
By the sea of crystal, saints in glory stand,
Myriads in number, drawn from every land,
Robed in white apparel, washed in Jesus’ blood,
They now reign in heaven with the Lamb of God.
Out of tribulation, death and Satan’s hand,
They have been translated at the Lord’s command.
In their hands they’re holding palms of victory;
Hark! the jubilant chorus shouts triumphantly:
“Unto God Almighty, sitting on the throne,
And the Lamb, victorious, be the praise alone,
God has wrought salvation, He did wondrous things,
Who shall not extol Thee, holy King of Kings?”