Page 67 - Living Light 91

Monday February 16 - The throne and lamb
...a great multitude... from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Revelation 7:9
It is always encouraging to be with thousands of other Christians worshipping God; maybe you have been to such annual Christian gatherings as Spring Harvest, New Wine or Keswick. One of the fascinating things is how different people are: different in age, body shapes, facial expressions, nationalities and cultures. Jesus said that he would draw all peoples to himself (John 12:32) and such celebrations remind us of how true this is. But when we can see all believers through all time it will be utterly amazing, perhaps overwhelming – certainly awe-inspiring. Such rich variety and yet all harmonised.
But John wants to make sure we don’t ‘miss the main event’. As we look at this vast crowd, we notice they are all looking in the same direction. They are focused not on one another but on the throne and the Lamb.
The throne is God’s throne. Not that of Caesar or some local leader – even though these people appeared to have all the power and could cause Christians much suffering. Nor is the throne Satan’s – although he may roar like a mighty lion, in the end he is powerless. As Peter tells us: ‘Resist him, standing firm in your faith’ (1 Peter 5:9). Jesus never had any doubt that his Father was on the throne of the universe, for in God’s kingdom it is his will that is done.
All powerful God, today, in my life, may your will be done as in heaven, and so may your kingdom come. Amen.
Tuesday February 17 - The great multitude
They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their
hands. Revelation 7:9
If you are a keen supporter of football or rugby you may well have the shirt, the scarf, the hat and the rest of your team’s gear. Keen supporters can be recognised by what they are wearing; it carries a message and indicates commitment. John noticed that for all their variety and differences the vast crowd who were worshipping in heaven had two features which linked them together, and indicated that they belonged to the same ‘team’. Not colours and designs but ‘white robes’; not scarves and banners but ‘palm branches’.
What do these tell us? It takes an angel to prompt John’s curiosity. From the angel (so we can have no doubt it’s correct!) we learn that the ‘white robes’ indicate that these people have all died as martyrs. But rather than them being stained by blood from the conflict of loyalties between Caesar and Jesus, or by the cruel deaths they have endured, their robes are white – ironically ‘washed in the blood of the Lamb’. The sacrificial death of Jesus means they are untainted, either by their suffering or by their sins.
The palm branches aren’t explained, because their meaning was obvious at that time. Palm branches are for the celebration of victory and to honour the One who is being greeted – as the story of Palm Sunday reminds us.
Risen and victorious Lord, help us today to know that if we put you first in our lives you will ensure we are forgiven and can share eternity with you. Amen.
65
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY