F O O T H O L D
READING
98 THE ENORMOUS CROWD
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PRAY Lord God I would praise
you. Help me to see that it is only the
splendour of your light
which hides you from me.
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READ Revelation 7:1-17.
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THINK What is the future for
those who stand firm through persecution
(14-17)?
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FOCUS Six of the seven seals
of suffering and judgement have been
opened. After the sixth,
John is shown the people of God who are
themselves 'sealed' as a
final protection against the terrible
sorrows and sufferings on
the earth. They are finally found in
heaven, worshipping and
praising God (12).
SOME CLUES TO THE PICTURE
The following clues may help
you understand this exciting
passage:
* four corners = everywhere
* winds = unrest and war
* seal on forehead = God's
ownership and protection (see 2
Timothy 2:19)
* twelve = a full, complete
number
* 144,000 = a large crowd of
faithful believers
* white robes = cleansed (forgiven
and renewed) by the sacrifice
of Christ.
THE JOY OF THE PRESENCE OF
GOD. Christians do not escape the
sufferings of persecution;
but they do come through them to
victory - just as Jesus
their Lord first suffered and then rose
again in triumph. Notice how
the picture-language of Revelation
does not attempt to be
consistent - the 'Lamb' is also the
'Shepherd' (17). But this
kind of thing only makes the truth more
vivid. It also warns us
against trying to understand these word-
pictures too literally.
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PRAY Bring down the powers
of evil in our day, O Lord, and help us to
be faithful in prayer as we
play our part in the battle.
