Revelation 7  I write, not as a scholar, but as one who is listening to the Shepherd's voice.. The book of Revelation is difficult and I am not in any way trying to teach from it.. I am simply listening and writing this as a devotional.  Just thought I needed to say that.. :)

After the sixth seal is broken and the tribulation continues... John observes a pause as he sees four angels "standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind should blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree."  Complete stillness over all the earth.. can you imagine?

Two significant groups of people are introduced.  The first is the remnant of Israel. 144,000 sealed people from the 12 tribes of Israel.  The second is a great multitude, "which no one can count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands." 

Whereas the sealed ones remain on the earth, the great multitudes are in heaven and are worshipping before the throne of God.  They "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."  They came out of the great tribulation, giving their lives to follow Jesus.  ".. for the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd and shall guide them to springs of the water of life; and God shall wipe every tear from their eyes." 

Regardless of who these groups are or might be.. what stands out the most to me is the greatness of God who still chooses to use His people, the Jews, to do His work, even after all they did.. failing so often to truly worship Him.. turning to idolatry.. and even killing Jesus, the Lamb of God, slain for them.  And then.. He saves multitudes of people from every nation, tongue, tribe and people.. through the great tribulation.. "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb"!!!!

Even to the end, our God is full of mercy and grace.. He is patient and kind.  His love never diminishes and His gift of salvation is for any who will turn to Him in repentance and put their trust in Jesus, the Savior of the world. 

Father, there is a time coming when it will be too late for sinners to come to You.  Our hearts yearn to see our loved ones, our friends, our neighbors.. and yes, even our enemies, turn from sin and death and hell and find life through Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain.  May they wash their robes in His blood that they might be clothed in the white robes of heaven. Word of God, run rapidly through our land and through the nations, and be glorified.  May the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ be found in every place where Your servants walk. Open doors and give the words to Your servants to speak forth the gospel of Christ, before it is too late. Move in us, Your church, to stand up and proclaim the Truth. We ask these things in the Name of Jesus, who is All and Who will forever be our Lord and our King. Amen.