Pilot Knob Lutheran No More Tears 4/5/2023
Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
John is looking into heaven and seeing as though Christ’s return had already taken place and there were so many people from all over the earth that he couldn’t count them. He is told that they have come out of the great tribulation. To be clear, there is nowhere in scripture where ‘great tribulation’ is used in connection with a reference to ‘seven years.’ Jesus speaks of Christians experiencing tribulations and persecution of various kinds until the end of time. Also, there is no place in scripture that teaches that the church will be ‘raptured’ out of the world prior to the great tribulation. The great tribulation refers to a time toward the end of the 1000-year reign also known as the church age which began with the ascension of Jesus and continues to the end of time when Satan will be loosed for a short time (Matthew 24:15-30). As difficult as that time will be there is something more important to focus upon.
Revelation 7:14, 16-17 “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water. ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Evil and persecution is never greater than the strength and protection provided by God for those who follow in the true faith. It is the blood from the Lamb of God shed on Calvary’s cross that secures forgiveness and a shield from being overcome by evil.
The difficulties and threats of this world can be very intimidating, but by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ we will not fall or lose our eternal inheritance. Notice we are given a small glimpse of what is in store for all believers: living in the very presence of God, the removal of all thirst and hunger (physical and spiritual) because we will be fully satisfied. We will not suffer under the burning heat in the desert sun. Jesus himself will be our shepherd and remove everything that would create sorrow.
Nothing in this world or lifetime can compare to what God has instore for all who know Him. ~ Do you know Him?
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today 4:30 Confirmation.
April 7, Good Friday communion service 6:30
April 9, 9:00 AM Son-Rise Easter service. Sermon: Feast of Pentecost
10:15 No Sunday school.
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/
Sermons may be heard on KIOW 107.3 FM Sunday mornings at 7:00. Spread the word. If you would like to support this outreach with a contribution, it costs $55 each week.
