The glorious communion of saints

After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd – no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They called out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!’ (verses 9,10)

Read Revelation 7:9-17

Horrible things have happened in our generation. Rebels have gunned down entire congregations of Christians gathered at worship. One church historian has claimed that more Christians were martyred in the twentieth century that in all the previous centuries combined. In many places being a Christian doesn’t invite safety.

But in John’s vision of heaven there is an enormous crowd of the once-persecuted saints. It is so large that no-one can count them. They are from every race, tribe, nation and language and from across the centuries. They are dressed in the white robes of purity, are waving the green palm branches of victory, and are singing praises to God and to the Lamb, who has procured their salvation.

The vision is intended to make an indelible impression on Christians everywhere, but especially on those who are facing persecution, suffering and martyrdom. It is to inspire them and buoy them up in their sufferings and give them the assurance that God has not forgotten them. He has a glorious, everlasting victory prepared for them.

As a believer in Christ, you can lift up your heart, whatever your situation, for it is the almighty God who will bring you through your trials. It is his power that will uphold you, and it is his glory that one day you will share with all the saints in heaven.

O Lord, let the vision of the communion of saints sharing the glory of heaven inspire my pathway through this life. Amen.

by Kevin Schmidt, in ‘God’s Peace for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2006)

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