Revelation 7:9-17
After this I looked, and there was a great crowd that no one could number. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried out with a loud voice:
“Victory belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
11 All the angels stood in a circle around the throne, and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell facedown before the throne and worshipped God,12 saying,
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and always. Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders said to me, “Who are these people wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”
14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.”
Then he said to me, “These people have come out of great hardship. They have washed their robes and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. 15 This is the reason they are before God’s throne. They worship him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them. 16 They won’t hunger or thirst anymore. No sun or scorching heat will beat down on them,17 because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water,[a] and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Reflection
Scholars believe Revelation was written to provide hope for the communities of Jesus who were facing real suffering, including martyrdoms, economic consequences, and family and social strife. The promising end of life, with a peaceful celebration in heaven, helps us endure the difficulties and challenges of our life, no matter when and how they come to us.
Question
I wonder how it would feel for God to literally wipe your tears away? What do you wonder about?
Do you find this image in Revelation comforting or distressing? How might your belief about the end of life affect how you approach everyday life?
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for your people from every language and peoples. Thank you for those suffered for following you who now get shade from your throne. We praise you God for their life! Amen.
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