05.26.21
God’s Mercy in His Wrath
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues. (Revelation 7:7).
We just received a missionary prayer letter from a family that serves in a country that is part of the European Union. They have faced their second severe lock-down wherein they could not worship in person. It put great strain on their congregation and their family. Yet they declare that in the midst of their trials, they still have the privilege of serving King Jesus!
We have discussed the events of the seven-year Tribulation in the past two editions of this column. We have seen a vision of the wrath of God upon a Christ-rejecting world. It is now time to reflect on God’s mercy in the midst of the suffering.
During the Tribulation, there will be 144,000 Jewish men set apart by God to preach the gospel. While there are other positive influences sent by God, including the Two Witnesses, the primary evangelists are these Jewish men: 12000 from each of 12 tribes.
As a result an untold multitude of people will come to the Savior. These will be Jews and Gentiles alike from every nation. They will all eventually be martyred, but they have great praise for the Father and the Lamb.
Here is the passage that explains this to us (Revelation 7:7-14): After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, “What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And from where do they come?” And I said unto him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
God is a patient and loving God. After all, He sent His only Son to die on the cross for your sin and for mine.
Just a word of warning is necessary. Since the Rapture could occur at any moment, we must come to Christ while there is time. Paul explains to the Thessalonian church that not everyone has a second chance following the Rapture. Anyone who has been given a clear presentation of the gospel, but who has refused the gift of salvation, will not be given another chance following the Rapture. Satan, through the Antichrist, will bring a state of delusion.
So, if the Lord Jesus is still knocking on the door or your heart, and you have yet to let Him in, do so now! Your only hope is in Christ—not in anything you or your church can do for you. Jesus loves you—please respond to His love while there is time. Place your faith in the blood of the Lamb, shed once for all.