Opening Prayer
Lord, make our hope sure and alive. Amen.
Text: Revelation 7:1–12
After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Devotion
The 144,000 signify the whole Church militant. The seal on their foreheads shows that God knows every one of them (2Ti 2:19), takes them into His special care, and delivers them from tribulations. The just shall not be destroyed with the ungodly. The Lord’s angels lead Lot out of Sodom and the Christians out of Jerusalem before the destruction. The saints are the salt of the earth. As long as they live among the ungodly, nation and people remain, but when the measure of sin is full and the Lord takes the faithful away, then the destruction must come. Whoever believes in Jesus has the seal of the living God on his forehead. The angels recognize it, and the devils must flee before it. This is one thing with which our text comforts God’s people in their tribulation. The second is the sight of the great number who have already gone home to the Lord. They are gathered from generations of all time, from all twelve tribes and from all Gentile people who became Israelites. And all are perfectly holy – washed of all their sins in the blood of the Lamb, – completely righteous, without spot or blemish. All are victorious lords and carry the palms of eternal peace. They were in conflict and tribulation, but “have come out of it.” They all sing with a loud voice the praise of God and the Lamb. “They are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev 7:15-17).
What glorious comfort this is for the soul struggling with sin and poverty and weariness! See, there is your home! All these who stand before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in long white robes and with palm branches in their hands, they were just like you. They had the same struggle and often thought, just like you, that they would have to give up. It is only a few days ago that they were weak and sinful, sad and tired, tempted and afflicted, and now – now they are sinless and perfect, happy and blessed, exalted and glorious. Then they walked in darkness, now they live in the Light. Then they were away from the Bridegroom of their soul, now they are home with Him. Then they sighed and lamented, now they rejoice forever. You too are sealed for this blessedness. Your place there was prepared for you from eternity and is waiting for you. As you faithfully believe on the Lord Jesus and have your righteousness in His blood and are washed with it, so you truly belong to “the great white host” and shall receive grace from the Lord to take your place among the perfected.
After Melanchthon’s death a piece of paper was found on his writing desk, on which was written (on the right side): “You will come into the Light. You will see God’s Son. You will learn to know those wonderful mysteries and questions that in this life you could not understand: Why we were created, how the two natures in Christ are united, etc.” (And on the left side it said:) “You will be perfectly free from all sin and all weariness and all struggles.”
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, turn our eyes toward glory. Give us grace to fight valiantly and to win the victory. Recognize us as Your own, seal us on our foreheads, and help us to confess You boldly against the hatred of the devil and the world. Sanctify us completely, and let us rightly be called children of Light, to the praise of Your name. Let our whole life testify that Your people indeed are a holy people. Amen.
Hymn
Behold a host, arrayed in white,
Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright.
With palms they stand. Who is this band
Before the throne of light?
Lo, these are they of glorious fame
Who from the great affliction came
And in the flood of Jesus’ blood
Are cleansed from guilt and blame.
Now gathered in the holy place,
Their voices they in worship raise.
Their anthems swell where God doth dwell.
Mid angels’ songs of praise.
Despised and scorned, they sojourned here;
But now, how glorious they appear!
Those martyrs stand a priestly band,
God’s throne forever near.
So oft, in troubled days gone by
In anguish they would weep and sigh.
At home above the God of Love
For aye their tears shall dry.
They now enjoy their Sabbath rest,
The paschal banquet of the blest
The Lamb, their Lord at festal board
Himself is Host and Guest.
Then hail, ye mighty legions, yea,
All hail! Now safe and blest for aye
And praise the Lord, who with His Word
Sustained you on the way.
Ye did the joys of earth disdain,
Ye toiled and sowed in tears and pain.
Farewell, now bring your sheaves and sing
Salvation’s glad refrain.
Swing high your palms, lift up your song,
Yea, make it myriad voices strong.
Eternally shall praise to Thee,
God, and the Lamb belong.
Brorson: Behold a host L 559 ELH 553 tr. The Lutheran Hymnary;
tune: Den store hvide Flok