SCRIPTURE: Revelation 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
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. [Revelation 7:9]
In this vision, John sees the culmination of God’s rescue operation, from the old testament (the fullness of old testament believers) to the new testament (the great multitude from every nation), standing together before the Messiah.
That they stand before the throne and the Lamb reveals again that the only way to the Father is through the Son – the Lamb who removes the sin of the world [John 1:29].
God’s wants everyone to be saved; that some are not saved is not because God doesn’t want them, but because they don’t want Him [2 Peter 3:9].
I also find it very encouraging to see so many people are saved, you can’t count them!
Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. [John 12:31-33]
Satan (the rebel prince of this world) succeeds in separating people from God.
Jesus (the appointed messiah of this world) succeeds in reuniting people with God.
He does this as the Lamb that dies so that people can be forgiven; He is lifted up on the cross, that we might be lifted up to new life!
Notice also that He draws all people to Himself – from all nations!
Jesus died for the world, Jesus rose for the world, Jesus loves the world and invites everyone in the world to join Him in that great multitude that no one can count.
Jesus wants everyone to be saved; that some are not saved is not because He doesn’t want them, but because they don’t want Him [2 Peter 3:9].
Notice also that His death, which stands between the old testament and the new testament, applies to both Jews and non-Jews.
The 144,000 from the tribes of Israel is not a literal number, it is symbolic, a number representing the fullness of all people saved (12x12x10x10=144,000).
Israel represents the people of God, and includes both Jews and non-Jews.
It is made up of the fullness of old testament believers (12 tribes x 10) and the fullness of new testament believers (12 apostles x 10).
Together they make up the great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.
This is the culmination of God’s dream, His original plan for the creation restored, when the world will once again be a garden paradise – no more tears – and everyone will honour Him and enjoy this world with Him.
Is this your dream to?
PRAYER:
Lord, I long for this day – no more tears, no more war, no more abuse or oppression or injustice. When we will finally all get along.