May 15, 2011
Background Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17
Devotional Reading: Psalms 23

In the days when it was written, Revelation was highly prized by many Christians, particularly those from varied religions, nations, races and cultures, many of whom were inspired by apocalyptic* writing. But not all Christians believed it should be included in the New Testament. Some found it as difficult to understand as many do today.

Our problem with Revelation today is a world not generally responsive to anything visionary. As “Dragnet” Detective Friday used to put it, we want “just the facts.” Yet, even in our world of today there is more to life than just facts. The key is to understand the nature and purpose of this style of literature.
A young man who, having attempted to read Revelation, asked me, “Did this stuff really happen?” The “stuff” of Revelation cannot be tested in a laboratory or stored in a computer. Nor can it be “correctly” explained. It is of the spirit, human and Holy, not the body, nor the brain.

Someone told me that only 144,000 people will be “saved by God through Jesus Christ.”

“Where did you get that?” I asked.

“From Revelation 7,” he replied.

“But that’s meant to be symbolic,” I said. “Twelve was a sacred number and simply means that a vast throng will be marked with the seal.”
“It’s in the Bible, and it’s a sin to dispute God’s word!”
He hurried off before I could retort, “It’s also a sin to misuse God’s word.”

When, O Lord?

Revelation was written at a time when the world was in turmoil. Christians were concerned about the evil and turbulence of life in those days. So the purpose of 7:4-8 is not to give us facts and figures, but to paint a visionary picture to assure us that God is the Lord of the past, present and future. Our God, not the evil powers of the world, will be triumphant.

“But when?” John assures us that victory, not just the end of turmoil and tribulation, will be at the time of God’s own choosing. “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb” (7:10).

This is written not just for Christians of John’s day, but for us too: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (7:12).

(Suggestion: For three to five minutes, over and over again in a loud, confident voice, read Revelation 7:10 and 12. And, if you don’t feel a sense of comfort or assurance at the end of this, check your pulse!)

The colors of John’s vision are vivid and symbolic: “white” and blood “red.” Victorious Roman generals signaled their triumphs with white robes. Christians were baptized in white robes to signify new life. White also signifies cleanliness, and Moses warned the Israelites to prepare for receiving the commandments by washing their garments (Exodus 19:10; 19:14).

The writer of Psalm 51 asks God to wash him thoroughly from his iniquity with hyssop, a cleansing herb (Psalms 51:1-7). The prophet proclaims (Isaiah 1:18) that their scarlet sins shall be made whiter as the snow. When Paul writes 1 Corinthians 6:11, he reminds the people that they have been washed and sanctified.

Blood of the Lamb

It may seem strange when John says we will be made clean by the blood of the Lamb,” for we think of blood as signifying death, while the ancients believed that blood signified life, not death. So the blood of Christ represented not just his death, but also his life (see also Romans 3:24, 5:9, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:20).

Revelation 7:9,10 shows us that God’s plan is for a universal salvation, a multitude so vast and diverse that they cannot be counted. So, Christians in their seemingly tiny outposts are shown that the Christian way will span the world.

This great assemblage will be composed of those who, as M. Eugene Boring puts it, “have conquered not by violence but by having given their lives.”
Contrary to the centuries of conflicts, crusades and inquisitions in the name of Christ, John inspires us with visions of those who, like Jesus, have conquered without violence. Is that possible? Why don’t we try it?

*A more extensive explanation of the term “apocalyptic” was in the Feb. 6, 2011, “The Bible Speaks.” Or, consult a Bible dictionary.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.