Greetings members and friends and welcome to another commentary and preview to this Sunday’s study of the Word. This Sunday’s study text is entitled “All People Praise God” and it is based on Revelation 7:9-17.
Revelation gives us some idea of what is to come near and at the end of this phase of humanity’s history. The words in the book serve to inform, inspire, encourage and caution believers in their quest for salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.
The lesson text begins by informing the readers that there will be a board cross section of humanity that will receive the blessing of salvation. This is another reason why Christians should see the divine imprint on every human being regardless of manmade labels and categories that serve to divide us and prevent us from uniting around our common place and divine purpose in God’s creation.
The number of people in the crowd was so large that no man could look at them and determine how many there were. But whatever the number is a fear it was only a very small fraction or portion of the number of human beings that have been and will be born on the earth.
The imagery that John gives us is of two. One of the two is sitting upon the throne while the other is described as “The Lamb”. I believe the One on the throne is the Father and the Lamb is the Son of God or Jesus Christ. Much worship and praise are given to these two by those already there including angels, elders and other living creatures.
John said that one of the elders asked him if he know who the large crowd was and that he replied that he didn’t but believed that the elder did. The elder answered that the crowd was the people who had achieved salvation by availing themselves of the blood sacrifice of the Lamb or Jesus Christ.
It is my belief that whether a person know about Jesus or not, His blood covers them as much as it covers those who know Christ as Lord and Savior. Why? Because Christ’s blood is the atonement for all of humanity’s sin both before, during and after His death. There is one thing I believe that unites all the people in that crowd.
Those things include a belief in and a longing to know the True and Living God our Creator. A sincere desire and effort to live and do the things that He has revealed to them to do. And a belief and longing for eternal life alongside God our Creator. So this crowd that no man could number could stretch back to as far as Abel and to those yet unborn.
Those who didn’t know or have God’s law as given by Moses and those who haven’t hear the gospel of Jesus Christ have a significant challenge to believe and have faith without the benefit of the Law and the gospel. Yet there have been and still are those who believe without knowing these things.
This is why it shall be so much worst on us who have these witnesses and still turn away from God. We shall be beat with many stripes.
Jesus said those who mourn are blessed because they will be comforted. In this world all of us will face some trials, tribulations, disappointments, pain and heartaches over what we must endure. Some of us will face much more intense times than others.
God has His reasons that are not fully known or understood by His children for these things. Yet the lesson text assures us that His children will receive that which they longed for and desired and that God Himself will comfort them and cause them to forget all of their trouble. They will be in a place like no other and all of their hurt will be healed.
This knowledge should comfort, inspired and encourage all of God’s children to endure all things because the reward and outcome will more than make up for whatever it takes and took to get there.
Well, again be sure to look over the study again and come prepared to offer your comments, questions and perspective on the meaning of the study. If you can’t attend your own Sunday School class this Sunday, you can join us live and online at 9:00 am at www.fbmbc.org and clicking the online services link.
You can also join us live by dialing 508 924-2890. If you have any comments or questions, be sure to place them in the comment section or you can share them on Sunday. So, let’s all have a great lesson and discussion this Sunday and remember to fear God and keep His commandments.
Pastor Jordan
