Revelation 7: 9-10, 13-17
A pitstop is when the racing car comes in to get serviced during a race. They come in for new tires and fuel- and sometimes other mechanical issues too. If something major is required, the race will be over- the average time for a pitstop is from 7-15 seconds. That’s fast! They need to be fast because they need to get the car back on the track and back in position to have a chance of winning the race.
Jesus is taking John aside to show him something entirely different from the 6 seals that have been broken in chapter 6. It’s as if God is pausing for effect. To what purpose? To bring hope to those who believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we look at the events of the end of times, you and I can become fearful and wonder, ‘will anyone be able to survive?’ The answer unfolds during our tire change in chapter 7 of Revelations.
As we read chapter 7 in Revelations, we are seeing a great multitude- many, many people, so many we aren’t able to have a number for them. There’s so many no one can count, and they are from every ‘nation, tribe, people and language.’ Jesus doesn’t divide by any of these- we are all His creation, valuable and chosen to become a member of His family. This multitude represents all that have received Jesus Christ. This multitude is often considered to be those that survived the great tribulation. They remained faithful during the times of persecution and struggle. This also shows that this refers to Jews and Gentiles because it includes all nations- this is an awe-inspiring sight of people from all times and all places gathered to sing praise to God. John is taking all this in. He’s seeing it and probably struggling to understand what it all means. Who are these people and where have they all come from?
This is the church triumphant! They stand before the throne and are wearing white robes. To stand before the throne means they have fellowship with Jesus, that they are in His presence and are ready and willing to serve Him- The Lamb of God, the Redeemer of the sinner. God has saved His people! They are crying out, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Salvation belongs to our God- not to us. We cannot save ourselves- only through the blood of the Lamb. Only because of Jesus great sacrifice can we receive forgiveness and obtain the salvation that belongs to Jesus. We don’t, and we can’t save ourselves!
In Revelations 7:11-12, The angels are giving praise to God. They are worshiping Him before the throne- they fall prostrate before Him and sing. Only God is worthy and the angels are giving the praise rightfully to the only one that truly deserves it. By writing this, John is making a statement that these attributes only belong to the one and only true supreme being: God.
This is one of the main reasons I personally like Celebrate Recovery’s approach to wholeness for anyone struggling with addictions and hurts and hang-ups. Celebrate Recovery’s 12 steps are basically the same as AA’s, but with one major distinction: Celebrate Recovery teaches and proclaims that the supreme being that each of us really need in our lives is Jesus Christ. Without Him, there is little hope of healing and a future free of hurts, hang-ups and habits. When we make Jesus supreme, we can truly find freedom from our hurts, our hang-ups and our habits/addictions. The first 3 of the CR steps are powerful:
1 We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. Romans 7:18
2 We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Philippians 2:13
3 We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. Romans 12:1
Jesus alone is worthy of all our praise and honor. The angels have the right idea, and we are directed to do the same. When we keep Jesus at the center- our life will change! We are excited to be able to offer a Celebrate Recovery beginning this fall on October 2. If you or someone you know would benefit from this ministry, please get the word out. Also, if you would like to know more or get involved, please contact me or check out the Celebrate Recovery Website.
We can have real hope for the future when we truly worship God. We can lay it all down before Him-offering ourselves as living sacrifices.
Chapter 7 ends with a beautiful picture of our Savior as our Shepherd. “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
The lamb will be at the center of the throne! He is the one worshiped, He is the one deserving all our praise and He is the one that will lead us and care for us as a shepherd care for His flock. (John 10) Jesus is the good shepherd, He cares for his people- and as we enter the great throne in heaven, he will continue to care for us. He is calling you and I by name. He knows you- He loves you! Jesus sacrifice for you prepares the way for you to be with Him forever! That’s the good news from chapter 7. That’s the message for us today- Who will be saved? Those that have believed on the name of Jesus Christ. He loves you. He wants you to be with Him forever. He is our only hope to survive in the end. When we put our faith in Him now- we are assured of a place with Him forever! There is power in His blood to wash away every sin!
