Daily EncouragementSample

What an encouraging vision of the redeemed! Opinions differ as to whether all the redeemed are here or only part (i.e. the Church of the last days). It doesn’t matter, because if this is just a sample, then the whole reality will be even more wonderful!

What a hopeless task it would be for man’s computers to attempt to calculate the number of God’s elect! If we are going to think in numbers at all, we should obviously think big! F. F. Bruce quotes an interesting comment by Calvin on “the many” mentioned in Romans 5:15, 19: “If Adam’s fall had the effect of producing the ruin of many, the grace of God is much more efficacious in benefiting many, since admittedly Christ is much more powerful to save than Adam was to ruin.”

What a wonderful universality there is among the redeemed! - “they are from every nation, tribe, people and language.” How like God it is to retain his diversity in unity.

What a standing they have! They stand “before the throne” - and they are there because “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Rev. 7:10). “The white robes” speak of his righteousness; “the palm branches” of his victory. And there they serve and find shelter and eternal satisfaction - “for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd” (verses 15-17).