After 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. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10 NRSV
There is a large outdoor concert venue in nearby Mansfield called the Xfinity Center (formerly Great Woods). During the summer, it's not uncommon to see evening traffic backed up for miles with people waiting to get off at the exit. When you finally arrive, the parking lots are packed with cars. Upon entry to the Center, you are surrounded by thousands of people (up to 19,900), all coming for one purpose to listen to their favorite music. Voices raised, they'll cheer, wave their hands, and sing along with familiar songs.
All this adoration pales compared to the reunion waiting for us in heaven. The numbers are too great to count. As far as we can look, there's a sea of saints; some we may recognize from our past, and others are new and different faces from every time and nation. But, instead of concert t-shirts, we're wearing white robes, signifying the purity of our salvation. Instead of waving BIC lighters, we're waving palm branches as the crowd waved the branches as he rode into Jerusalem. We are gathered for one purpose, to praise and worship God as we raise our unified voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Gracious God, we look forward to the day of reunification with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, when we stand with all the saints for one purpose, to praise and worship you. We don't know the day or the hour, but we know with certainty it will. Help us to be prepared to be included in that number so that we may don the white robes of purity.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
PS I'm reminded of the old southern gospel song, "What a Day That Will Be."
