The second half of Revelation 7 begins now!
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10–ESV)
When we reach verse 9 the scene shifts to heaven. These people had died and left the earth. We will see in verse 14 that they came out of the tribulation. See, Christians are not immune to plague, loss of peace, strict governmental regulation, famine and the other things that descended on humanity. Many died, but those who cast their allegiance with God and the Lamb found themselves rescued.
While God packaged the Jews on earth into their own category the scene in heaven displays the other end of the spectrum: diversity. That diversity is not fracturing the people. Their focus is unified upon God the Father and Jesus Christ the Lamb.
People retain their identities in heaven1
The features that gave distinction to the races of earth remained in heaven. Did a person speak French? Was another’s birth in a village in Germania? How about Noah’s children? Latin America? Canada? South Africa? Asia? Pick your own place on earth and there will be people around the throne standing before the Lamb that hale from that point. It does seem a bit ridiculous to imagine Christians in heaven in cookie cutter uniformity.
Diversity doesn’t divide
Paul said that in Christ the dividing lines among men are dissolved2. That does not mean that unity has dawned. Unity can be seen in pockets, but it is certainly not universal. From this scene in heaven it can be seen that disunity race can bring does not follow through the veil of death. Just look back at verses 9 and 10. The people are unified in their dress, in their understanding of salvation and in the higher, purer, proper purpose of praise.
On earth the races inject division, but in heaven the effect of difference will be changed by unity to God the Father and Jesus Christ the lamb.
People remember their lives on earth
In Revelation 6 one can appreciate that the martyred remembered. The martyr’s memories of life and death on earth had not been dissolved by dying. They still longed for God the Father to balance the scale of injustice.
Here the people remembered that they needed saved. They acknowledge that salvation was a thing God did. Their deeds separated them from God and from each other, but God in his mercy restored all of them.
God’s plans are very successful
Have you ever planned an event like a birthday party and found yourself hoping people will come? If no one comes what a failure it will be.
Look at this scene in heaven. See how many are around the throne. Can you count them? John couldn’t. John said the great multitude was beyond counting. God’s plan from the creation was a redemptive one, and this scene shows great success. He invites men into his kingdom and while many will slap that hand a multitude will take it.
Not all divisions are dissolved
Remember that the the divisions men have from one another are dissolved in Christ? Clearly all people are not in Christ, though. Think back to the conclusion of the events in Revelation 6. Recall how from great to small many preferred to be cave men than “God-men”? What did those folks do? They called to the rocks and the mountains to fall on them. Rather than call out to God for salvation they called out to rocks to stay in their separation. Those people knew God the Father and the Lamb were responsible for their demise. Some would have left for the celestial city preferring God’s ways, but many did not.
So there is a multitude who remained rebellious and a multitude who would accept the hand of God.
One group wanted to be hidden from the Lamb. The other wanted to be in the Lamb’s presence. What about you? If you want to be in his presence how do you live now? Would you be embarrassed if he arrived at your place of work? In your private moments? Anywhere?
A worship service
11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:11-12–ESV)
There are many worship services in Revelation, but they all center on God. In chapter 4 it was God the Father as initiated by the four living creatures. In chapter 5 it was God the Son, the Lamb, which started after the Lamb was able to take the book from God the Father. Here in chapter 7 worship is brought to both God the Father and God the Son and it is initiated by humanity. In all the cases the angels follow the lead of those in the service. They do not seem to initiate worship, but readily and loudly join in.
Tracy McCollister says
this is excellent. Iwish I had this type teaching every week.
Tracy McCollister
lulrich says
Thanks for your encouragement. I will add more to this entry before Sunday so keep checking back. Under Sunday school you will see the rest of my Revelation series. It’s been fun.
Tracy McCollister says
Lane: I understand that I can go to your blog to read your SS materials. But, do you send out your SS materials as an email to your class members? If so, could you consider me a remote class member and put me on your class list. Your take on the scripture is refreshing. The reason I ask this of you is that I am not computer literate & confined much to the bed, so I tend to forget blogs, etc.
Thank you for your friendship & that of your parents & brothers.
TRACY McCOLLISTER
editorbcpatriot@gmail.com