Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Monday, September 21, 2015
Today’s Scripture:
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 7:9–12).
Salvation First:
We must learn to see things from God’s perspective! When He looks down through the corridors of time, He sees that one day He will finally be able to experience His people with no barriers. He sees that people from every race, ethnicity, tribe, language, background, socio-economic status, and intelligence level will soon be able to gather into His house and enjoy the bliss He has prepared for us. We need simply to trust Him with everything and see what He sees by faith.
Today’s Observation:
Just before the seventh seal is opened with the last of all the cataclysm and commotion of things that precede the Second Coming of Christ, John saw a scene almost like God pressed pause on His judgments. As we said yesterday, before He unleashes the winds of strife, hail, fires, lightnings, plagues, and all sorts of destruction, the Lord will make certain that those who ultimately chose to surrender to Him in love, will be protected.
Then the scene elevates our consciousness to a time when the faithful will have already gone through their final trials triumphantly. God pulls back the curtain so we can get a sneak peek at the throne. Immediately, we notice that there is a special group of people represented by the number 144,000, whom God especially entrusted with living through the final moments of the last days, all worshipping before His throne. This should bring relief and encouragement to us as we realize that our God is able to keep us through any situation we will face before His arrival. Yet, some may feel a bit discouraged because the number seems so small. Regardless of whether this is a literal or symbolic number; the fact is that they represent God’s power over sin in the lives of real human beings just like us.
If that number of dear saints stationed closest to the Throne of God is a bit intimidating to you, do not fear. If you pay close attention as the perspective in the scene changes, you will immediately notice that there is a larger number of people there too. This mass of people is so large that nobody can count them. That’s right the number of people saved from all around the world is going to be so massive that taking a census would be futile, all enjoying the heavenly reward in the direct presence of God.
Conclusion
Nevermore will we need to worry about making the cut. Being saved into the kingdom will not be like hoping to be among the first at on a soup line before it all runs out. Being saved into the kingdom will not be like biting your fingernails wondering if you got your application in on time for that much sought after position advertised by an employment agency. Being saved into the kingdom will not be like jockeying for position as you fight through a crowd of aggressive shoppers at the day after Christmas sale. No! There is plenty of room in the kingdom for you! Jesus has gone to prepare a place for you, so He can receive you unto Himself. He wants you to be where He is. You (and I) need to surrender to Him and be attentive to all the messages He will manifest in this Revelation, no matter how startling.
A Prayer for Your Hearts:
Lord, please show us how to trust you to the fullest possible level. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
