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)
I'm going to get all theological and geeky for a minute. Sorry, you can't very well discuss John's vision on the Isle of Patmos without first talking about end times (also known as eschatology.) There are three interpretations of when the events shown to John will occur. There is a thousand-year reign of Christ before the end, this is referred to as the Millennium. The three interpretations of when this happens are Amillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Premillennialism. Amillennialists believe that the thousand years is not a set number but an unspecified time; however, the events will occur before Christ's second coming. So, it is the period in which we are now. The Postmillennialist believe that Christ's second coming will appear after a period when most of the world has become his followers. Premillennialist believe Christ will return then the Millennium will begin. Before this happens, there will be a period of great trials and suffering of the church. Anyone familiar with the Left Behind series will be familiar with this interpretation.
Whichever interpretation you believe, there is the surety in all three that Christ will come again. The when and how may be arguable, but without debate for Christians, he will return because he promised. We have the certainty that the events from today's scripture will occur. There will be a gathering of Christians from all nations before Christ in worship. Can you visualize that day? Picture a vast place of beauty, with white-robed people shoulder to shoulder as far as the eye can see. On our left is someone speaking an African dialect, our right someone speaking Korean, in front of us someone speaking Spanish, behind is someone speaking French, elsewhere we hear tongues which we can't identify. We understand their praise, for we are all saying the same thing, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” What a day that will be!
God our Savior, we offer you our praise and worship. While we do not know the day nor the hour of Christ’s return, we know it will happen for you have promised. We look forward to that day with joy and excitement. A time when all the saints from “every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” join together to worship you. God, while we wait, please help us to grow that number. Help us to be bold in proclaiming your glory. Amen.
Shalom,
Pastor Tim
What a Day That Will Be
Artist: Bill & Gloria Gaither
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
There'll be no sorrow there,
No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no more pain,
No more parting over there;
But forever I will be,
With the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
When I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through that Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be
Oh, What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
When I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through that Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
