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"there was a great multitude
that no one could count,
from every nation,
from all tribes and peoples and languages,
standing before the throne and the Lamb,
robed in white, with palm branches in their hands."
(from Rev. 7:9-17)
At the Mission, we helped prepare and serve a meal for the homeless, cleaned up, took off our kitchen aprons and chatted with the folks who came to dinner.
By talking together we discovered many reasons for homelessness which expanded our awareness beyond our stereotypical images.
Our expanded awareness included the struggle of these marginalized people with their economic situation and looking for a way to get beyond their circumstances.
This is their "great tribulation".
How would they stand before "the Lamb at the center of the throne" who would wipe away every tear?
Where do we draw strength in the tribulations of our own lives?
In our chaotic world today with Covid-19 and variants, war, political unrest, and inflation, how do we make it through this "great tribulation."?
Revelation 7:9 says those standing before the Lamb are "robed in white, with palm branches in their hands."
Christians "robed in white" are the baptized.
Revelation says, through our baptism, we will stand before the Lamb's throne.
Baptism doesn't mean we escape life's hardships. It means we know we will make it through them.
It means there is God’s presence in our lives, around our lives, and beyond this life.
Revelation 7:12 says angels worshiped God singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
We make it through our tribulations and those around us by worshipping in a community singing and praising God.
When the churches read Revelation 7, they knew they would stand before the Lamb's throne.
As it was true for them so it is for all God's people now and in the future.
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