Thoughts to Ponder from Revelation 7:9, 14-17

Revelation 7:9, 14-17 (ESV)

A Great Multitude from Every Nation

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, ¹⁴ I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming 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 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
    the sun shall not strike them,
    nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
    and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17)

In terms of eternity, how important is what you are doing now? Maintaining this perspective can help show you what’s important on your journey toward heaven. Focusing on the splendid plans God has for us can help us not get caught up in distractions or side roads that go nowhere. Consider, for example, what is in heaven and what is available here t speed us on our journey.

There, in the company of the saints and angels, God shelters us with his presence. Here, we know his presence at times when he shelters us through a near miss in a car accident or allows things to happen that prevent a questionable relationship from become more serious.

There, hunger and thirst are no more. Here, we can share what we have by contributing to our local food cupboard or give as little as a drink of water to someone in Jesus’ name.

There, the sun will not cause us to wither. Here, sitting a long time in an uncomfortably warm waiting room can teach us patience and hope.

There, the Lamb seated upon the throne will be our shepherd. Here, the Shepherd guides us through the journey of life.

There, God will wipe away every tear. Here, as we sit with a loved one in the last stages of cancer, we can wipe away tears ourselves as we minister to Jesus’ love.

Thanks to the redemption Jesus won for us, heaven is our inheritance, and every day brings us one step closer to our true home. What’s more, every day that we live in the hope and expectation of that home, God gives us countless opportunities to manifest the glory of heaven to the world. So enjoy the trip today, knowing that the destination is amazing!

How glorious are your promises, O Lord! Through your Son, we can experience an eternity of your love. Lord, I revel in this promise today, even as I take up the call to work out my salvation in you. Amen.

wau