Just how many people were there?
More than could possibly be counted, people of every race, tribe, nation and language. They all came to wave palm branches and worship God. They gave thanks to God for their salvation, for they trusted in the promise found in Jesus Christ.
The early church lived in a constant state of persecution. Following Jesus and upholding the beliefs of the Kingdom ran contrary to Roman law. The result was that followers of the Way of Christ lived in fear for practicing their beliefs. We should remember that one of the churches greatest missionaries, Paul, started out as an individual known as Saul who persecuted early Christians. The fear they lived with was very real.
Today we do not face the same persecution that early Christians experienced. However, we do live in a world and society which questions our faith and challenges our sincerity. We live in what is known as a post-Christian era. While this does not mean the church is irrelevant, it does mean that certain privileges the church once enjoyed no longer exist. This is actually a good thing as it allows the church to get on with the authentic mission of proclaiming the Good News.
Proclaiming the Good News is exactly what John was writing about in Revelation. That through Jesus Christ, the lamb, we receive our salvation and that nestled in this promise is the truth that God will make all things new.
Text: Revelation 7:9-17
Questions for Sunday
- When you read Revelation how do you feel?
- How might you share the Good News that is found in Revelation?
Prayer for Sunday
Gracious God, I join my voice to the great multitude and sing your praises. Thank you for my salvation found in Jesus Christ, may I follow him and drink from the springs of the water of life. Amen and Amen.