Revelation 7:4-17
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” – Revelation 7:9-10
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In Numbers chapters 3 and 4, the number of males in the tribe of Levi was counted twice. The LORD instructed Moses to count the Levites because the tribe of Levi was chosen by God and set apart to the LORD as holy, taking the place of all the firstborn of Israel. Therefore, only the Levites could approach the Tabernacle, and only the Levites could carry out all the work related to it.
As the tribe specially appointed to serve God among the Israelites, the Levites had one essential responsibility: no matter what role they were assigned, they were to faithfully serve God in the position He had arranged for them.
Today’s devotion shows us another scene of worship. Through the vision seen by the apostle John, we catch a glimpse of worship in the new heaven and new earth, in a world where God reigns completely (Revelation 7:4–7).
Revelation 7:4–8 seems to echo the book of Numbers. The LORD once counted the people of Israel through Moses, but this time those counted to come before God to worship Him are no longer only the tribe of Levi, but all the tribes of Israel. From each tribe, twelve thousand are sealed, making a total of 144,000. In the Hebrew Scriptures, “twelve times twelve” symbolizes a complete testimony.
Previously, only the Levites could approach the Tabernacle, and only the descendants of Aaron could serve as priests representing Israel before the LORD. But in the coming kingdom, God has not forgotten the people with whom He first made a covenant. The LORD restores the identity of His people, and all twelve tribes of Israel can come before God to worship Him.
Among the worshipers, the apostle also saw a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands, and they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (verses 9–10). What a glorious and awe-inspiring scene this is.
This scene of all nations worshiping together fulfills God’s design from the beginning of creation. In God’s creation, humanity, God, and all things lived in harmony. But because of sin, sinful people could no longer stand before the holy God. Until the Lord Jesus came into the world and, through His death, redeemed people from sin, so that they could once again be called righteous and regain their identity as children of God.
At that time, when Christ returns and the terrible great tribulation overwhelms the world, those who are counted by God and belong to Him will be saved, just as the apostle saw: “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.” (verse 14) They are a people who faithfully followed and served the Lord. Even through great tribulation and persecution, they were able to stand firm through the Lord and are called the victorious saints.
All these people have become new creations through Jesus. In the kingdom where Christ reigns completely, all of God’s chosen children, together with the angels, will worship Him. While the people of the world cannot stand in the great tribulation (Rev. 6:17), they are able to stand before the throne and before the Lamb (verse 9). This is the greatest promise God gives to all who follow Jesus Christ.
God’s intention is not only that all nations and peoples would know Him and serve Him, but that in Christ they would receive complete healing, eternal rest, and unending love and life. It is this love of God—higher than the heavens and greater than all the earth—that gives His people the strength to overcome persecution and hardship, and to serve Him faithfully to the very end.
Reflection:
Everything in this world is temporary, and our time here is limited. In light of eternity, where is your place before God? When all nations worship together, will you be among them?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the promise You have given us. Those who follow You not only have Your presence and protection in this life, but also the peace and eternal life You grant in the kingdom to come. Please help me to hold fast to my faith and calling, so that on that day I may worship You together with all faithful believers. I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen.
Click to read passage
In Numbers chapters 3 and 4, the number of males in the tribe of Levi was counted twice. The LORD instructed Moses to count the Levites because the tribe of Levi was chosen by God and set apart to the LORD as holy, taking the place of all the firstborn of Israel. Therefore, only the Levites could approach the Tabernacle, and only the Levites could carry out all the work related to it.
As the tribe specially appointed to serve God among the Israelites, the Levites had one essential responsibility: no matter what role they were assigned, they were to faithfully serve God in the position He had arranged for them.
Today’s devotion shows us another scene of worship. Through the vision seen by the apostle John, we catch a glimpse of worship in the new heaven and new earth, in a world where God reigns completely (Revelation 7:4–7).
Revelation 7:4–8 seems to echo the book of Numbers. The LORD once counted the people of Israel through Moses, but this time those counted to come before God to worship Him are no longer only the tribe of Levi, but all the tribes of Israel. From each tribe, twelve thousand are sealed, making a total of 144,000. In the Hebrew Scriptures, “twelve times twelve” symbolizes a complete testimony.
Previously, only the Levites could approach the Tabernacle, and only the descendants of Aaron could serve as priests representing Israel before the LORD. But in the coming kingdom, God has not forgotten the people with whom He first made a covenant. The LORD restores the identity of His people, and all twelve tribes of Israel can come before God to worship Him.
Among the worshipers, the apostle also saw a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands, and they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (verses 9–10). What a glorious and awe-inspiring scene this is.
This scene of all nations worshiping together fulfills God’s design from the beginning of creation. In God’s creation, humanity, God, and all things lived in harmony. But because of sin, sinful people could no longer stand before the holy God. Until the Lord Jesus came into the world and, through His death, redeemed people from sin, so that they could once again be called righteous and regain their identity as children of God.
At that time, when Christ returns and the terrible great tribulation overwhelms the world, those who are counted by God and belong to Him will be saved, just as the apostle saw: “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.” (verse 14) They are a people who faithfully followed and served the Lord. Even through great tribulation and persecution, they were able to stand firm through the Lord and are called the victorious saints.
All these people have become new creations through Jesus. In the kingdom where Christ reigns completely, all of God’s chosen children, together with the angels, will worship Him. While the people of the world cannot stand in the great tribulation (Rev. 6:17), they are able to stand before the throne and before the Lamb (verse 9). This is the greatest promise God gives to all who follow Jesus Christ.
God’s intention is not only that all nations and peoples would know Him and serve Him, but that in Christ they would receive complete healing, eternal rest, and unending love and life. It is this love of God—higher than the heavens and greater than all the earth—that gives His people the strength to overcome persecution and hardship, and to serve Him faithfully to the very end.
Reflection:
Everything in this world is temporary, and our time here is limited. In light of eternity, where is your place before God? When all nations worship together, will you be among them?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the promise You have given us. Those who follow You not only have Your presence and protection in this life, but also the peace and eternal life You grant in the kingdom to come. Please help me to hold fast to my faith and calling, so that on that day I may worship You together with all faithful believers. I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen.