3 “Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have placed a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

— Revelation 7:3-4; 9-10

I will bless those who bless you [Abram] and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

— Genesis 12:3

They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”

— John 12:13

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Peace, joy and God’s everlasting love from Jesus Christ to you.

John recorded in Revelation that he saw 144,000 sons of Israel being sealed with the seal of the living God by an angel ascending from the rising of the sun. After this, in heaven’s throne room, John saw a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language. The immense, diverse assembly gathered before God’s throne displays the fulfillment of God’s repeated promise to Abraham that he would become a great nation and through him all people on earth would be blessed. John saw the redeemed from every culture, all dressed in white robes, united in praise before the throne.

This scene illustrates God’s love and care for all types of people, all made in His image. Salvation in Christ brings estranged people together. Like the crowd that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem the last week of His life, this joyful crowd staring before the throne also held palm branches, symbolic of God-centered celebration and victory. The vast crowd John saw before the throne had been saved by the Lord. Now and forever, the redeemed joyously proclaim, “salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Praise the Lord! Only God the Father and Jesus the Lamb truly promise wholeness of life, now and forever.