Those In White Robes
Opening Prayer
Good Lord God, I thank You today for the many people through whom You have touched and enriched my life.
Read 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.'” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Who are the "white-robed" and what are they doing?A breathtaking snapshot of heaven: Egyptian, Iraqi, Pakistani, Chinese, Portuguese, Belgian, North American Christians down through the centuries…. These are just some of the white-robed ones in front of the throne of God (9b,13,14), whose number undoubtedly includes some who heard Isaiah speak. Our faces are there somewhere, too. How can we be among the crowd of white-robed ones? The elder asks a similar question (13). These people are God’s servants (15). Remember Isaiah’s description of Israel (Isa. 41:8)? They are there because two important things have happened to them. Can you spot them (14)? The “Lamb” of course is Jesus. We who love Jesus are already there in the crowd, and just look at our lovely white robes! We’ll never know who’s standing there with us because of God at work through us. So let’s join the worship of heaven by praying the words of v. 12. Then, let’s enjoy imagining God spreading his “tent” over us to protect us, not from daily or longer-term knocks of life, but from ever being separated from him (15, TNIV).
Apply
Who can you influence to help see that they are in that crowd around the throne of God? What will you do?
Closing prayer
Lord, I look forward to worshiping You around Your throne with other Christians from all over the world.
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