Blessed are Those (Revelation 7: 9-17)

9After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
     “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
11And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12singing,
     “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
     and thanksgiving and honor
     and power and might
     be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15  For this reason they are before the throne of God,
          and worship him day and night within his temple,
          and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
16  They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
          the sun will not strike them,
          nor any scorching heat;
17  for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
          and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
     and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

               Someday, a great mixed multitude will gather before the Lord.  The thought of so many humble people recognizing that salvation remarkably comes from God is encouraging.  To think that He has such compassion for humans in their plight, and has made a way, is astounding.  This wisdom of God’s is higher than anything we can imagine.  It is deeper than any love that we in our desperation could ever conceive of.  This power rescues us from the great ordeal known to us as life.  Here, we recognize our need, our dependance, and glory in His mercy where He shelters and guides us to a place of wellbeing.  In this revelation is life to the full!  So, we can patently wait for restoration, a lifted spirit, hope beyond hope, as the promise that justice and harmony will prevail is realized.  Every trouble will be resolved.  Each and every tear will be accounted for.

               But, do we really have to wait?  For there is rejoicing in this magnificent plan of generous redemption, reconciliation, and of the prospect that the battle has already been won!  We can be glad over the thought of such love, to know that even if all things fail, we are still the beloved.  Assurance is a wonderful thing.  We are radiant today as we humbly submit.

               Seek the Lord and He will answer!  Request from Him, and He will provide!  Is it strength to persevere that you need?  Is it vitality to be fruitful that we want?  God’s peace will take us a long way.  And there is joy for the journey for those who are malleable.  No longer is there fear or doubt.  All trials seem surmountable.  Happy are those who seek refuge, because God inevitably fills to overflowing those who call on His name.

               The apostle Paul teaches that we see now through a glass dimly lit, but someday we will see in full.  We will know completely just as we are completely known.  We look forward to the time when we will be like Him.  To think, in His perfect presence, we won’t so much as entertain a bad thought.  Consider such love and marvel.  As children of God, heirs to the kingdom, we rejoice.  Our waxing hope is as real as the wooden planks and nails of the cross, as the weight of the stone now rolled away.  It’s as tangible as that stark proclamation, that original witness that defied martyrdom. 

               The promise then as is now is found in the Beatitudes.  Blessed are those who can relate.  Evidently, the kingdom of heaven begins from a point of need.  The poor in spirit represents everyone who knows their hearts are downcast.  This is the entry point, a place of yearning for something better.  In this life we mourn over so many things.  One might surmise that this world is a realm of progressive grief.  Loss of a loved one, loss of security, loss of innocence, loss of health, loss of independence begins the long list.  But within the framework of the Beatitudes is not only acknowledgement, but hope and comfort. 

               We are growing.  Trials are not pointless.  There is purpose and a goal; an end place to look forward to.  Now, we can comfort others because we have been comforted.  We extend God’s love which is near, which is here!  We are meek, relinquishing expectations and prerogatives, leaving room for God to act.  The world becomes our oyster because we do not grasp.  We hold on loosely, wanting to be better, yet acknowledging our dependence.  This thirsting for righteousness doesn’t separate us from the masses, for most people want to get along.  But it is a distinction that comes with the promise of seeing results.  In like manner we are merciful exactly because we first received mercy.  We reflect God’s character, and this brings growing peace.  Our motives become pure as we cultivate the soil of our souls.  Then, we see clear enough to desire good things.  Ultimately, God wants harmony and justice.  These virtues resonate with us and we become peacemakers.  Here, we find blessing even amidst opposition.  Learning finesse, we are ambassadors for the dawning kingdom.  People are attracted to our sense of wellbeing, our gentle attitude, and our cohesive influence permeates the community.  Kindness abounds and the world takes on a more brilliant hew.  This new perspective transforms not only us, but all within our sphere of influence.  Alas, we have become useful.  We are blessed because we heard and truly believe.