Monday, April 18, 2016
THE LAMB ON THE THRONE WILL SHEPHERD THEM (1)
Revelation 7:9-10 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, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
A GREAT MULTITUDE BEFORE ... THE LAMB
Revelation, the only prophetic book in the New Testament, was written by the apostle John under guidance of the Holy Spirit. It was written to comfort believers in the face of trial and tribulation.
John himself, it's believed, was in exile on the island of Patmos because of widespread persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. Like his predecessor Nero (54-68 A.D.), the emperor Domitian (81-96 A.D.) made sport of throwing Christians to the lions in his outdoor amphitheater. The persecution of early Christians was not just subtle, in other words, but open and savage.
Not unlike today. As this is being written, the news comes that a bomb ripped through a park in Pakistan packed with family Easter celebrations. At least 65 people were killed and some 250 wounded, many of them women and children. Those claiming responsibility said the bombing was targeting Christians celebrating Easter.
From our human perspective it may appear that Satan is winning the "war" on the "church militant" here on Earth. Do not be discouraged, dear Christians. Revelation makes clear that even during times of persecution, Jesus--the crucified, risen, ascended, victorious Lamb of God--is in control. Later, or sooner, the Savior comes to take His believing children, of whatever earthly age, from this vale of tears into the "church triumphant" in heaven.
Imagine the glorious scene: countless white-robed, palm-branch-waving, young and old martyrs from all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues crying out, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
