The Multitude

And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne,
and to the lamb." (Revelation 7:10)

At different times in my life I have different "favorite" verses in the Bible. A few years ago, while studying the book of Revelation the entire seventh chapter gripped me. Most especially verses nine through 17. John is in the midst of heaven through a vision that God has given him. He sees before the throne of God a great multitude that cannot be counted. People from every nation, tribe, people and language crying out in worship before God. What grips my heart is that these are they who have come out of the great tribulation.

Each of us have a long list of people we know and love who have walked away from serving God or others who continually choose not to serve him. These are those whom we should remind ourselves to pray for often. Each time just one person repents, there is rejoicing in heaven! (Luke 15:7) Imagine the rejoicing as this multitude stands before Gods throne! Don't loose heart in praying for those on your list. Keep living your life outwardly for Jesus, the way your hearts love him inwardly!

A common thought woven through our culture is that each person can/should choose their own path to heaven/enlightenment/eternity, etc. As long as your "path" doesn't cause conflict with another's path. Most people have some vague internal description of what they think God is or isn't and they can morph this description to fit their life needs at will. Some will leave their "path" of choice to join another's for various reasons. Jesus said this about "paths"; "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) Despite our cultural experience, all roads do not lead to Heaven. Let us pray that those we know and love will trust Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their hearts/lives.

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 1:17-25)

In Christ,

Elizabeth