Bible League: Living His Word Then I looked, and there was a large crowd of people. There were so many people that no one could count them all. They were from every nation, tribe, race of people, and language of the earth. They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They all wore white robes and had palm branches in their hands. They shouted loudly, "Victory belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."Our verses for today are a part of one of the visions from the Apostle John's book of Revelation. It is a vision of the people of God standing before the throne of God and before Jesus Christ after the second coming of Jesus, referred to in Revelation 6:17 as "The great day for their anger." Among other things, the vision depicts the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy recorded in Acts 1:8 that His disciples "will tell people everywhere about me--in Jerusalem, in the rest of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world." The vision obviously pictures the fulfillment of the prophecy because it depicts a great multitude "from every nation, tribe, race of people, and language of the earth." The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ had not been limited to the people of Jerusalem, or Judea, or Samaria, but had been preached to the people of the whole world. The great multitude is the fruit of the gospel message and they are depicted as standing before God and Jesus shouting words of victory and praise. Since the multitude had palm branches in their hands, we are immediately reminded of the day Jesus was honored with palm branches upon His entry into Jerusalem a few days before His crucifixion. This is the day Christians remember and celebrate every year as "Palm Sunday." Palm branches are an ancient symbol of triumph and victory. One might say that the people in the vision are celebrating the fulfilment of Palm Sunday, the ultimate victory and triumph of God and Jesus. Their victory, of course, is victory over Satan, his fallen angelic forces, and the people of earth they have control over. If you are a Christian, then your participation in the spread of the gospel adds to this great multitude. If you are a Christian, then you yourself will be a member of this great multitude. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Kings 10, 11 1 Kings 10 -- The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Kings 11 -- Solomon's Wives Draw Him to Idolatry; Solomon's Death NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 24:1-35 Luke 24 -- The Resurrection; Road to Emmaus; Appearances to disciples, Ascension NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Insight The more clearly Isaiah saw God, the more aware Isaiah became of his own powerlessness and inadequacy to do anything of lasting value without God. But he was willing to be God's spokesman. Challenge When God calls, will you also say, “Send me”? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Corinthians 6:16 I will be their God, and they shall be my people.What a sweet title: "My people!" What a cheering revelation: "Their God!" How much of meaning is couched in those two words, "My people!" Here is speciality. The whole world is God's; the heaven, even the heaven of heavens is the Lord's, and he reigneth among the children of men; but of those whom he hath chosen, whom he hath purchased to himself, he saith what he saith not of others--"My people." In this word there is the idea of proprietorship. In a special manner the "Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance." All the nations upon earth are his; the whole world is in his power; yet are his people, his chosen, more especially his possession; for he has done more for them than others; he has bought them with his blood; he has brought them nigh to himself; he has set his great heart upon them; he has loved them with an everlasting love, a love which many waters cannot quench, and which the revolutions of time shall never suffice in the least degree to diminish. Dear friends, can you, by faith, see yourselves in that number? Can you look up to heaven and say, "My Lord and my God: mine by that sweet relationship which entitles me to call thee Father; mine by that hallowed fellowship which I delight to hold with thee when thou art pleased to manifest thyself unto me as thou dost not unto the world?" Canst thou read the Book of Inspiration, and find there the indentures of thy salvation? Canst thou read thy title writ in precious blood? Canst thou, by humble faith, lay hold of Jesus' garments, and say, "My Christ"? If thou canst, then God saith of thee, and of others like thee, "My people;" for, if God be your God, and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special, peculiar favor to you; you are the object of his choice, accepted in his beloved Son. Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 6:31,32 "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' • "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.Psalm 34:9,10 O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. • The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. Psalm 84:11,12 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. • O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You! 1 Corinthians 7:32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Matthew 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. • "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. • "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Mark 4:40 And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 11:22 And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
Click for Video Devotionals     |