6 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!

10 For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!

11 Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

— Romans 5:6; 8-11

16 For God so loved the world that He gave the only begotten Son, so that everyone believing in Him should not perish, but should have eternal life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

— John 3:16-18

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Grace is unmerited favor to the undeserving ones. The contrast between the eternal blessings of people redeemed by Jesus and the judgment awaiting unbelievers resonates throughout Revelation. Are believers more deserving of salvation than those who cling to their sin? No, all people are born deeply inclined to seek their own way and rebel against God. Why do believers turn to Christ? How could they deserve the blessings we read about here? Only by God’s grace. God’s grace is His generous response that gives sinful people blessings and honor they do not deserve and have not earned.

The blessed people wearing blood-washed robes have been purified by God’s grace, through Christ’s sacrifice. They love and worship God alone. The salvation of God’s people and their eternal blessings are possible by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.’ People who fail to respond to God’s grace will be left with only His wrath and just judgement upon their sin. People who choose not to go God’s way receive what they desire.