Redeemed of the Lord
Day 704, Thursday, July 16
Revelation Chapter 7
After the promise of wrath, the scene shifts quckly to one of redemption.
A seal is placed on the foreheads of a multitude of those from the tribes of Israel: 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes. Most interpreters take this 12×12 count as symbolic of a large number, though some, specifically Jehovah’s Witnesses, take it as literal that only 144,000 people will be saved. That interpretation, though, is countered in verse 9, when John says there are more than can be counted: “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 of the lamb.”
This indicates a completion of the task set forth in both the Old and New Testaments to reach the whole world. In Isaiah 11:10 we read, “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.” In the Great Commission, Jesus told his disciples to make disciples of all nations, and in the second chapter of Acts people of all languages heard and accepted the good news.
Verse 14 has the confusing but familiar image of the robes of the saints being made white by being washed in the blood of the Lamb. It can’t be taken literally; blood does not turn fabric white. But it is a vision of how Christ’s followers have been clothed in the purity attained by his sacrifice on the cross.
The chapter ends with reassurance: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Thursday meditation

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18
I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Prayer focus
Wash us in your cleansing blood, Lord, that we may stand guiltless before your throne.