December 28 - Revelation 7:1-10:11

Good morning everyone,

Revelation 7 begins with, “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.” Saw what? Well the earth had just experienced a mass earthquake when the Lamb broke the sixth seal, none like we have ever seen. It was so intense we’re told that everyone, from the most powerful and wealthy to the poorest of slave or free person, hid themselves in caves, crying to the mountains to fall down on them to hide them. 

Imagine, if you will, see in your mind’s eye how still all of the earth was after this natural disaster of mass destruction. The angels have stopped all of the winds on land and sea, nothing is moving. It will be quite eerie, I rather imagine, and there John is in the midst of it, viewing it, trying to make sense of it. What is going through his head? Then, out on the horizon, he sees another angel headed his way, seal in hand, calling out to the four angels saying, “Wait! Wait! Hold the show, we need to place this seal on the 144,000 who will be servants to God” (slightly paraphrased) This is awesome! 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, 144,000 will be saved in the  tribulation. Perhaps they were saved by direct confrontation like Paul was, maybe not, but whatever the case, it serves to prove to us that God is not through with His chosen. The covenant He made with them over two thousand years ago He is honoring. The promises were unconditional, do you remember that? They cannot be forfeited. Despite how fickle and the many times they turned their back on Yahweh, He loves them and is true to His word. He would not turn His back on them and He will not turn His back on you or me either. LOVE that!

We also read today that John saw a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, wearing white robes, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Most scholars would agree that these are the people who came to believe in Jesus during the tribulation. In Luke 15:10 it says, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” and here we see the angels rockin’ out. 

While it is true if you are “left behind” there will still be a way for you to serve God in heaven as opposed to spending forever in the fiery pits of hell, you can believe it to be just as true that it will not be easy. Jesus Himself warned against false Christs, false prophets, false Christians, many deceptive miracles, signs and wonders and a counterfeit messiah. At that point in time, only the martyred will spend eternity in the presence of Jesus. It begs the question, “If you can not live for Jesus now today, how will you ever be strong enough to die for Him later?” 

Mark 16:16 says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” I think we all want saved, right. I would encourage you to make it easy on yourself and begin leaving for Jesus today. Don’t wait until being a martyr is your only choice. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all.