The Great Multitude in Heaven
“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. They cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?” I told him, “My lord, you know.” He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.” (Revelation 7:9-15 WEB)
The passage above depicts the scene of the saints arriving in Heaven right after the Rapture.
The main confusion for most people here regarding the timeline of this event is because of the words “came out of the great tribulation”, making them think that it happens in the middle or end of the Tribulation.
However, I believe that the Rapture happens once the appointed time for the Tribulation begins.
Whether someone comes out of the Tribulation at the start, in the middle, or at the end of it does not matter—it is still coming out of the Tribulation.
Let me give you an example. Let’s say you go and watch a movie at a cinema. You did not like the movie immediately, so you left the cinema shortly after arriving. The fact is, you still came out of the cinema, even if it was at the start of the movie. Makes sense?
Additionally, the Tribulation saints who miss the Rapture and only believe in Jesus during the Tribulation will not receive salvation immediately, but only at the end of the Tribulation when Jesus returns. They have to endure to the end (without receiving the mark of the beast) to be saved.
Read the following passage which takes place after the Tribulation, at the start of the Millennial reign of Christ. It shows that the martyred Tribulation saints will only come alive again and receive eternal life after the Tribulation has ended:
“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” (Revelation 20:4-5 WEB)
Jesus said the following words to the church of Philadelphia (all of them have fallen asleep since then):
“Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” (Revelation 3:10 WEB)
There is an hour of testing coming upon the whole world, which is the seven years of Tribulation, but it is not for the church. Jesus’ message is true for the church today as well. We will not be going through the Tribulation.
“But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8-10 WEB)
We are not waiting for the Antichrist to appear. Instead, we are looking forward to Jesus’ return. We will obtain the last part of our salvation: the transformation of our mortal bodies into glorified bodies. Those who have fallen asleep will be raised from the dead first, and then we will all be transformed in the twinkling of an eye, to have immortal bodies that match our righteous spirits.
We are not appointed to go through the time of wrath. God knows how to separate the righteous from the wicked, just as He made a distinction between the children of Israel and the Egyptians during the ten plagues in Egypt. The children of Israel were preserved alive, and so were their flocks, but the Egyptians and their flocks suffered/died.
So do not fear—lift your head and confidently expect Jesus to return for us any day now!
Let me end off with a poem I wrote called “Jesus I Need You”. As you read, tune your heart to expect His imminent return. It is a hope that purifies you!
Jesus I’d be lost without Your love,
everyday would be so hard.
When things don’t go my way,
I fall into Your embrace,
I am forever Yours.
I can’t imagine life without You,
that would be Hell for sure.
I need grace and mercy that’s from You,
by myself I’m powerless.
Let me abide in the Vine,
I’ll hear of You and be fine.
Faith will rise—I’ll speak forth life,
fruitfulness is sure.
Take my hand and guide me through life,
I know you’ll never let me go.
With You I’ll walk on water,
we’ll rise above every power.
Lord Jesus,
you’ll catch me when I fall.
Amidst every trial,
You are there through it all.
I just want to see You,
I long for that perfect day.
Where we’ll meet in the clouds,
and I’ll see Your lovely face.
Did you enjoy this post? Unlock the other intriguing mysteries in the apocalypse when you read my eBook “The Book of Revelation Explained”. This epic and yet difficult final book of the Bible does not have to remain confusing to you anymore: https://bit.ly/bookofrevelationexplained
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thanksgiving blessing words 在 Milton Goh Blog and Sermon Notes Facebook 的最讚貼文
The Godly Way to Prosper in All Things
“And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 AMPC)
The often quoted verse above is in the context of giving to supply the needs of fellow Christians, especially the needs of those who labor in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“But it was right and commendable and noble of you to contribute for my needs and to share my difficulties with me. And you Philippians yourselves well know that in the early days of the Gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church (assembly) entered into partnership with me and opened up [a debit and credit] account in giving and receiving except you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent [me contributions] for my needs, not only once but a second time. Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account]. But I have [your full payment] and more; I have everything I need and am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. [They are the] fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights. And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:14-19 AMPC)
The Philippian church had received a revelation of the gracious act of giving. Out of love for Paul, they contributed for his material needs.
They were generous, relentless, cheerful givers. To them, Paul declared the promise that because of their giving, God would liberally supply their every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
In other words, if you’re generous to fellow Christians, and especially to those who labor in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God will be even more generous to you.
God will out-supply what you gave to others. He especially loves those who give generous and happily, because such people really have faith in Him.
They aren’t afraid to give, even in times of financial famine or drought, because they believe that God will take care of them no matter what the circumstances are.
Paul is the same person who wrote this to the Corinthian church:
“[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings. Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. [Prov. 22:9.] And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever! [Ps. 112:9.] And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. [Isa. 55:10; Hos. 10:12.] Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-11 AMPC)
This further supports the truth that you will experience God’s abundant supply of provision when you give by faith.
Your money is a seed. If you sow sparingly, you will reap a small harvest. If you sow generously, you will reap a big harvest.
You reap financial blessings in proportion to your level of giving.
You are not forced to give. Do it cheerfully out of a revelation that God wants to supply His beloved people through you, and that He will supply you with much more provision, so that you can keep on being blessed to be a blessing.
When you give, you don’t have to worry how the new blessings of provision will come to you.
God will use the power, wisdom and resources at His disposal to make all grace abound towards you.
You will find surprise money, unexpected promotions, new business deals, new creative ideas, Spirit-led investment leading, new customers, etc.
You will just walk right into the blessings prepared by God’s angels and Christians who are in tune with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
As you continue in this grace of giving, you will increase in wealth to the point whereby you can be consistently generous without your supply ever running out.
Be clear on which portion of your income is seed for sowing, and which portion is bread for eating. Don’t eat all your seeds if not you have no basis to expect a harvest!
Dear brethren, I believe that giving is where the rubber meets the road. Some believers want God to liberally supply their every need, but they clench their purse strings so tightly, hardening their hearts to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The same believers won’t bat an eyelid to spend big sums of money for their entertainment, but when it comes to giving in church or supplying those who are in need, they don’t do it, or they do it sparingly and grudgingly.
You won’t become wealthy as a believer by default. You will prosper through the way God designed: giving generously by faith in God’s promises.
If you are a born-again Christian, you belong to Heaven’s royal family. You are a prince or princess. A royal priest to God.
Royalty are generous. They don’t need to be afraid of lacking provision.
If you want the promise of being enriched in all things and every way to be experientially real in your life, then start giving your way to God-given prosperity!
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thanksgiving blessing words 在 Milton Goh Blog and Sermon Notes Facebook 的精選貼文
“A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;”. (Ecclesiastes 3:6 KJV)
In life there is a season to be poor and a season to be rich—both teach you different types of lessons and shape you to become more like Jesus.
“When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.” (Luke 18:22-23 WEB)
Jesus was the true rich young Ruler in Heaven who forsook all His treasures there to become a Man.
He subjected Himself to abject poverty and humiliation at the cross—He knows what it’s like to abound and to be abased.
In both types of seasons of poverty and wealth, the secret to thrive is found in Paul’s words: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Not by your own strength or willpower. Not through yourself, but through Christ and His strength!
If you’re operating by your own strength, in the season of poverty you will despair, wallow and complain.
In the season of wealth you will become proud, obnoxious and forget God.
We need Jesus in every season to stabilize us and give us that inward shalom peace to guard our hearts.
How do you abound today? Is it by earning it as a reward for hard work and sacrificing everything else in life?
God’s plan for you is better because He doesn’t need you to ruin your health and family relationships before you can enjoy His provision.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9 WEB)
Through Jesus’ finished work at the cross, you can receive abundant provision as a gift through faith.
He can make all Grace abound towards you so that you’re able to be rich in good works—blessed to be a blessing to others.
The context of the verse above is in giving to supply the material needs of the saints
“Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia; how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints. This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God. So we urged Titus, that as he had made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace. But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace. I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-9 WEB)
God’s design is that as you give, you will prosper more.
Consistently tithes and offerings to your local church—that’s sowing a seed that will reap an abundant harvest of financial blessings for you so that you can give even more and help even more people.
“Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.” Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; you being enriched in everything to all liberality, which produces through us thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-11 WEB)
Don’t let the offering bag pass you by without putting something in by faith. It is giving God an opportunity to send you a harvest!
As you drop your “seeds” in the offering bag, praise Jesus for whatever He has already blessed you with and smile knowing that your money will go on to help others and Jesus will keep on providing for you.
This way of prospering us is by God’s design and is only made possible because of Jesus’ finished work at the cross.
If not for His sacrifice, we’d still be sinners and any money we give towards God’s kingdom would still result in us being cursed and headed for Hell.
This means that when you rely on God’s plan of provision, you may not be the hardest working at your job, but you will receive good ideas from Him that helps your company to prosper.
Somehow your boss will favor you and choose you to be promoted instead of that other hard worker who always works until late.
It means that as you have an inward restful posture, knowing that wealth comes from God’s blessing and the ability to work effectively is by the power of the Holy Spirit and not your own efforts, you will prosper through Grace.
Learn how giving generously will never cause you to become broke and how it will accumulate eternal rewards for you, in my book “Sandcastles Don’t Last Forever”.
Order it on Amazon here ===>
https://www.amazon.com/Sandcastles-Dont-Last-Forever-Biblical/dp/172671327X
#SandcastlesDontLastForever #devotional
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