Revelation 7:1-17
Thursday, 15 April 2021
”For this reason, they are before the throne of God…...” -Revelation 7:15
Revelation, the last book in the Bible, exposes the end times and uncovers the scenes of eternity. In a way, Revelation is a conversation between heaven and earth, in which, direct information of future events was given to Apostle John. The stark realities of what will come on the earth during the rule of the antichrist are provided with vivid clarity! In Rev.1: 3, the purpose for passing this information is given: for us to read and heed, because the time is near!!
A scene before the throne of God was shown to the Apostle – a great multitude standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They are countless – and are from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues (V.9). In our key verse, we get to know how they got the access to the throne of God! They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb! (V.15)
This tells us a two-fold message – firstly we are to get washed (individually) clean by the blood of Jesus and secondly we have a responsibility to tell the people around us about this great opportunity that God has provided for mankind to be with Him forever! Eternity is a reality. Nobody can escape it. It is as real as the fact that we are alive now. And there are only two places that anybody can be in eternity – in heaven in the presence of God or in hell. We may miss this concept if we do not clearly understand God’s plan for mankind.
The following verses in the Bible tell us very clearly what God intends of every human being who were born and are now and are going to be born!!
1Thes.5:9&10 - For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
2Thes.2:13 - … because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification…..
2Thes 2:14 – It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Thes.4:7- For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.
John 3:17- For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
John 3:16- For God so loved the world…. That whoever believes in Him (Jesus Christ)…have eternal life
God’s plan for each individual ever born to this world is explicitly clear: Be saved through Jesus Christ; be sanctified through the blood of the Lamb; attain the glory of Jesus Christ (Rom.8:29 – Christ-likeness) and be eternal with God and His Son (Jesus Christ) in heaven.
From this perspective when we see our key verse – we understand that the above purpose of God is exactly what we can see fulfilled in those countless people standing before the throne of God!
They are before God and hence in eternity in Heaven
They washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb – they received salvation when they trusted that the blood of Jesus was shed for their sins
They maintained their robes white by being continually cleansed by the blood of the Lamb
Are you in this position today? Whether you accept this or not – you will stand before the throne of judgment one day and will have to give an account to God about your life. There is no remedy to cleanse your sins—except the blood of Jesus and it is freely available!
If you are a saved person – are sure that you still maintain the purity of your life as of today? Will you repent and be cleansed through the blood of the Lamb? Do you understand the responsibility on to share this truth to the world? If multitudes have to stand before God’s throne by fulfilling His conditions, then somebody needs to tell them! Will you take up this responsibility today?
Heaven declares – For this reason they are before the throne of God...