September 19 Uncountable Church

Revelation 7:4-12 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. 5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, 6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, 7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000. 9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”
 
LOOK here! What is God doing? In the previous Scripture, we saw how he has sealed his own in Jesus’ blood. Now we see more clearly the gathering of his people. It is not a few, it is not even only 144,000 as some cults believe. Rejoice and be sure, John reports that God’s eternal church is a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.
    Think of it! This is great number is the result of 12 men who obeyed Jesus to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Empowered with the Holy Spirit, the Helper, God’s faithful disciples that has changed the world.
    Do you think John was overwhelmed with joy when he saw this? By this time in his ministry, he had been persecuted and isolated. He has preached the good news to many deaf ears. He had struggled with church members turning from Jesus to their former idolatrous ways. The apostle experienced the frustrations and limitations of any earthly evangelist, pastor and teacher.
    But here God gave him the vision of joy and victory for all who are faithful. Jesus’ church waved palm branches and sang praise songs. The cross is done. Death is gone. Sin is washed clean. Praise the Lord O my soul and all my inmost being, praise his Holy Name. (Psalm 103:1)
    Revelation’s foundational theme of victory through the tribulation is again reinforced in the vast view of the eternal church to come. The 144,000 relating to 12 tribes of Israel symbolizes the fullness of the “true Israel”, Jesus’ church. Paul and Peter write of this in such places as Galatians 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (also Romans 2:29; 1 Peter 2:9)  
    Throughout the centuries, God has called and empowered his people to advance the gospel. The work continues today. As you may wonder about telling the gospel, “Is it worthwhile? Am I doing any good?” recall this vision. Each person who comes to faith becomes a member of this uncountable church before God’s throne.
 
Prayer: “Amen! (May this be according to your will.) Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”