Part of the Crowd

The text for this week is Revelation 7:9-17. The scene is this: Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is sitting on the heavenly throne surrounded by people from every corner of the earth. Humans from every time and place imaginable, this group is gathered. The only characteristic they share is the only one that matters: they are worshiping God for salvation in Jesus Christ.

Many times we turn to Scripture looking for a set of instructions--"What should I do?" However, this passage is one of those rare, "Look and see!" sections. I find it especially poignant because this passage is for us to look and see. We don't come across it in the middle of a parable, or a history book when someone else is told to look and we catch things from the third person perspective. We're standing next to John, looking out over the multitude, standing in stunned amazement at the heavenly worship of our Lord.

It should take our breath away; and rightly so!

But more than just the image should strike us. We should be rejuvenated with hope that God's word will accomplish the purpose for which God has sent it. In days when it seems like more people may be leaving churches than coming to them, it is amazingly encouraging to know that God will continue to draw women and men to himself and that one day we will all gather in worship. Presbyterians, Methodists, Orthodox, Baptists, Episcopalians, Amish, Catholics, Lutherans, and everyone else! Where can we find community? Where is there common ground for hope? Right here, in our passage from Revelation.

You and me? We get to be part of the crowd!