Revelation 7:9-17
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”
13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,
“they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
16 ‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
nor any scorching heat.
17 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.’” [1]
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Today our Moravian Text readings depart from the reading of John and instead we have readings appropriate for the day in the liturgical calendar, that is, All Saints Day. And the reading that most got me thinking and praying today is this passage from Revelation.
One of Covey’s seven habits: Begin with the end in mind. And this passage presents the end. The saints of God, the hosts of heaven, all joined together in worship and praise. It’s a vision of the fulfillment of the God’s mission, the fulfillment of our hopes. This is what we are heading for.
I find my thoughts drawn to one particular aspect of this picture of eternity: Reunion. Over the past few weeks Teresa and I been working on coordinating a family reunion for my family for next summer. But in reading this passage this morning, I find myself thinking about this glorious picture as the family reunion to end all family reunions. (Literally and figuaratively!)
Who are you looking forward to seeing around the throne? I’m thinking of my grandparents, Teresa’s grandparents, and other relatives. I’m looking forward to singing that song of praise with them, and with Bob Hauch, and Teresa’s uncle Delmar and many many others.
Can you imagine the joy of that reunion! Praise God that this world with all its brokenness is not the end. That because of the cross and resurrection, the final word is life. And every tear will be wiped away. All sin removed. Nothing left but joy in the presence of God and His people.
My thoughts have stirred up some old grief in me, but also a lot of anticipated joy. My prayer is one of thanksgiving: for those saints of the Lord who are with Him now, and for the joyful reunion that He has planned.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
[1] The New International Version. 2011 (Re 7:9–17). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
