Daily Reading: Revelation 6-7
Scripture Focus: After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7.9-10)
Devotional Thought: Revelation is such a striking book of the Bible – unlike any of the others, containing symbolic imagery, prophecy, action, destruction and restoration. Many other books contain these elements, but none so full of the rich symbolism and strange images. It is difficult to understand at best! One section that stands out in the 6th and 7th chapters occurs in Rev. 7:9-10, as John is shown a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and praising the Lord.
If this doesn’t excite your heart towards missions, I’m not sure what will! The thought of worshiping alongside every type of person, with only our faith in common, is powerful and encouraging. There are none outside of the reach of Jesus – Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic; souls from Syria, Iraq, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Russia – even America! There is no commonality that could possibly link us all together other than faith in Jesus. It is this unlikely bond in the Spirit that attracts others to us. They are drawn to the love of Christ.
When we encounter those who don’t look like us, act like us, or think like us in our churches, are we thrilled that they are there, or simply tolerant of it while keeping to our own smaller groups? That the body of Christ is made up of every nation, people, and tongue is no coincidence; we all have different and unique gifts to contribute to the body. And we will all eventually be worshiping around the throne, dancing and singing: “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen!”
Jenny
Prayer: Our hearts long for that day of being home, of worshiping around the throne of our Father! Lord, give us hearts like yours, compassion for others and a desire that not one of the souls around us would be lost.
Psalm of the Day: 1 The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! 2 The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! 4 The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. 5 Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he! 6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name. They called to the LORD, and he answered them. 7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them; they kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them. 8 O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings. 9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy! (Psalms 99:1-9)
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