Lamb

Revelation 7:13-17 (NIV)

Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"

¹⁴I answered, "Sir, you know."

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.

¹⁵Therefore,
"they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.

¹⁶Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.

¹⁷For 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."

The Book of Revelation often seems to frighten or fascinate 21st century Americans.

Makes sense to me. It's both frightening and fascinating at times.

But on the whole, I think there's another attribute that's too often overlooked.

I think it's meant to be comforting.

In this vision from Revelation 7, John witnesses those who have suffered for their faith, in the "great tribulation."

When John received Revelation, he was himself suffering in exile on the island of Patmos.

There is good news.

Revelation is not to be feared, unless we've just got too much to lose in this life.

The wonderful news for those who suffer for their faith, or who experience pain and struggle (and that's all of us at one time or another, right?), is that God will ultimately, and always, care for them.

Revelation 7:17 is nothing short of a beautiful fulfillment of the 23rd Psalm we read yesterday:

"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."

Grace and Peace,

Adam