These Are They

Read This Week: Revelation 7

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will neither beat down on them nor scorching heat. The Lamb at the throne’s center will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ – Revelation 7:14-17 NIV

The book of Revelation paints a beautiful picture of God’s grace and love for the whole world. In it, we see the global impact of the Gospel and the implications that the things present and in the future within God’s divine and sovereign plan encompasses all people. This worldwide effect has already been discerned in the first six chapters, but John records an explicit depiction in verse 9 of chapter 7:

After this, I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

What an incredible illustration of God’s heart for every person of every culture, nation, and tongue. His love, salvation, goodness, kindness, and mercy are not regionalized or applicable to only certain people groups throughout time. It is available and accessible to all who will call on the name of the Lord, no matter their heritage or background. Jesus died for people from every nation, tribe, people, and language, and this is the forward-looking culmination of the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. Creation in that verse means individual things, beings, and creatures. In essence, everyone.

Revelation 7 captures God’s comprehensive passion for every created person on multiple levels. Verses 1-8 show us the 144,000 Jews from all the tribes of Israel who are witnesses for the Lord during the tribulation. Then in verses 9-17, we see Gentiles from all nations that are innumerable standing in Heaven. They are dressed in white robes and worshipping God with loud voices, praising Him for His salvation.

When John is asked who these people are by one of the elders, he reflects the question back to him for their identity. The elder says these are they. There is no particular distinction or mark among them as people. It is just simply them, the people of God. That is their unifying singularity, along with what they had been through.

That is our identity. We are like them, the people of God in His worldwide family. We are washed by the blood of The Lamb (v.14), brought through great struggle (v.14), blessed by the presence of God (v.15), supernaturally provided for (v.16), protected from harm (v.16), shepherded by Christ (v.17), and guided into His eternal peace (v.17). Like them, we are accepted through the sacrifice of Jesus and because of this, we can experience joy on earth amid our trials, and ultimately rewarded by the reality of Heaven. These are they. We are they.

11 Comments

  1. Javaid Ahmed on March 22, 2023 at 5:26 pm

    I love this chapter. There is a lot going on and as always God knows how to break it down for us in context and understanding as long as we open our hearts to Him.

    Revelation 7 Verses 11 &12

    11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

    “Amen!
    Praise and glory
    and wisdom and thanks and honor
    and power and strength
    be to our God for ever and ever.
    Amen!”

    God said this to me:

    “Imagine the most beautiful feeling you’ve ever had all within you and now multiply it by infinity. That is the glory you will feel being in My presence. Even the most beautiful glimpse on earth pales in comparison but it fuels your faith and allows you to share with others. This is done for a reason My son. Know that the beauty is there.”

    To me this says everything. In our wildest dreams, prayers and focus with God we only get a trillionth of the peace glory and serenity that He provides to us when being with Him. Imagine the sheer beauty. Incomprehensible. Thankfully He does give us glimpses into that beauty and we can thrive on it while being here on Earth as well as spread those glimpses to others.

    • Kathy on March 31, 2023 at 5:15 pm

      Wonderful words here, Javaid! I especially loved what you posted here:

      To me this says everything. In our wildest dreams, prayers and focus with God we only get a trillionth of the peace glory and serenity that He provides to us when being with Him. Imagine the sheer beauty. Incomprehensible. Thankfully He does give us glimpses into that beauty and we can thrive on it while being here on Earth as well as spread those glimpses to others.

      It really is hard to imagine and it is incomprehensible. I love that God gives us glimpses. Thank you for sharing!

  2. Heidi on March 23, 2023 at 1:53 pm

    Revelation 7:12
    “Saying, Amen! Blessing and glory and majesty and wisdom, and thanksgiving and honor and power, and might belong to our God forever and ever Amen.”

    Everyone and all the animals were worshiping Father God!
    All Glory and Honor and thanks to Our Father God for what He has done for us, He knows everything, He has given us the best❤️ Jesus and because Of Jesus we are saved and forgiven Thank you Jesus for Salvation and all your love for everyone love you so much!
    Father God was saying to me.
    “ when you gave your life to Jesus/ your heart the Holy Spirit now lives in your heart, you are learning every to become more like Jesus, His power is given you the ability to do work with us, helping by sharing the gospel and caring for others never forget it’s important that you pray for Salvation that’s where it all starts!
    Keep sharing My love❤️
    Love you my daughter
    Love you Father God
    Ty for letting me be apart of bringing people into the family and helping them to get to know You❤️✝️

    See on the hill of Calvary
    My Savior bled for me
    My Jesus set me free
    And look at the wounds that give me life
    Grace flowing from His side
    No greater sacrifice
    What He’s done
    What He’s done
    All the glory and the honor to the Son
    My sins are forgiven
    My future is Heaven
    I praise God for what He’s done
    Sing for the freedom He has won
    Even death is dead and done
    His life has overcome
    Speak, say the Name above all names
    Over every broken place
    He is risen from the grave
    What He’s done
    What He’s done
    All the glory and the honor to the Son
    My sins are forgiven
    My future is Heaven
    I praise God for what He’s done
    Now on a throne of majesty
    The Father’s will complete
    He reigns in victory
    Sing hallelujah to the King
    He is worthy to receive
    All the worship we can bring
    What He’s done
    What He’s done
    All the glory and the honor to the Son
    My sins are forgiven
    My future is Heaven
    I praise God for what He’s done
    What He’s done
    What He’s done
    All the glory and the honor to the Son
    My sins are forgiven
    My future is Heaven
    I praise God for what He’s done
    I praise God for what He’s done

    • Kathy on March 31, 2023 at 5:07 pm

      Great job Pastor Heidi! I loved the picture of everyone and all the animals worshiping together. What you posted in the blog was so sweet when you said this

      Love you my daughter
      Love you Father God
      Ty for letting me be apart of bringing people into the family and helping them to get to know You❤️✝️part

      I love how you made it so personal!
      I always see God in you!

  3. Heidi on March 23, 2023 at 1:55 pm

    This song is called what’s He Done

  4. Alma on March 23, 2023 at 2:07 pm

    This week in revelation chapter 7 I got a song
    Blessed
    We are blessed, blessed, so blessed because of our Lord he loves us unconditionally. He has a plan and the plan for you and me let’s get together and worship our Lord let’s get together to worship our Lord spending time becoming closer to our Lord being the light in the darkness bringing others to his light our Lord never changes his spirit flows through us to others changing one heart at a time. We are blessed blessed so blessed because of our Lord amen

    God’s life is so powerful. His plans Are always good. so let’s not waste opportunities, let’s obey, and trust in the Lord. Must be the light for our Lord, bringing others to the Lord. Amen.

    • Trina on March 24, 2023 at 11:24 am

      Revelation Chapter 7 Verses 15-17
      Verse 15
      For this reason they are [now] before the [very] throne of God and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary (temple); and He Who is sitting upon the throne will protect and spread His tabernacle over and shelter them with His presence.

      Verse 16
      They shall hunger. No more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun smite them, nor any scorching heat.

      Verse 17
      For the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and he will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

      Standing In Grace

      Who is able to stand? Only those who are saved by the lamb, washed in His blood, clothed in His righteousness, shall stand and they shall stand only to fall down in worshiping Him, their Shepherd, who shall spread His tabernacle over them for all eternity. In The tabernacle of His glorious Presence, you will never weep again.

      Tabernacle: meeting place of worship/large building or tent/ Tent of the congregation (Hebrew)/To dwell

      God Is Saying To Me:
      You are saved to worship me! You’re salvation isn’t a one-time deal. You gave your life to me, through my son’s sacrifice, so your salvation means eternity. Did you know you are one of my saints too? My Holy Spirit dwells within you now and your heart has been set free, so go now my child, worship me and share my love and my plan of salvation.

      What This Means To Me:
      I dwell in the presence of the Lord now and for eternity. God’s Presence is my tabernacle. I will serve Him day and night, praise Him and worship Him, the same in the beginning and as long as eternity. (Amazing Grace/Song Lyric 2) When we’ve been there 10 thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we’d first begun. I am to serve and worship Him for eternity in His temple, and in His Presence. God spreads His tabernacle over us and keeps us safe. Our tabernacle is God!
      He’s worthy to be praised, all day, every day, forever and ever. Thank you God for your Tabernacle Of Love! ❤️❤️

      • Kathy on March 31, 2023 at 5:00 pm

        Great job Trina! I loved that you referenced the phrase for the song Amazing Grace. I loved how you reminded us that God is our Tabernacle!

    • Kathy on March 31, 2023 at 4:55 pm

      Great job Alma! I always love your songs. Thanks for sharing this!

  5. reachchurch on March 26, 2023 at 12:14 pm

    This Week in the Life: Revelation 7

    For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and the second song.

    1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-0326-Worship1.wav
    2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-0326-Messagè.wav
    3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-0326-Worship2.wav

    Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect

  6. Kathy on March 31, 2023 at 3:58 pm

    This is what I got from Revelation 7 from God. If you are a believer you received the seal of the Holy Spirit when you were saved. This is meant to be a comfort and to challenge you. The comfort is that it assures you that you belong to Me. The challenge is to depart from all evil and identify yourself with the one you belong to. I have a throne and I sit upon it. I rule over all things, and all things do My bidding. You are to worship Me for salvation. I am the source of salvation, and no one else. You don’t earn it. I give it to you. Do not take this salvation for granted. The blood of Jesus cleanses you. In heaven the redeemed enjoy My immediate presence. In heaven, I will dwell with My people. In heaven, the redeemed will know the loving care and nurture of your Savior. Jesus shepherds you now and He is close to you, and He cares for you. In heaven it will be so much more. In heaven, I will wipe away every tear. You will know no more sorrow or pain.

    What this said to me, is God will always comfort me, no matter what I go through. Jesus is with me always and He will guide me. I need to be in worship throughout my day and praise Him for my salvation.

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