July 1 DIVINE THREE-FOLD MIRACLE: THE “IMPOSSIBLE” TASK
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:14
After this world’s experiment with sin, the foremost fact in the lives of this unified throng is that they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. In no way is this implying that we can save ourselves. No, indeed. It is the miracle of God! However, we are to actively and willingly choose to accept His death—the shedding of the blood of the sinless Lamb—in the place of the death that each of us deserves (Ezekiel 18:20). He does the “impossible”: the task of extricating us from our sin; but we must do the possible, which is to accept His invitation to enter the door (John 10:9). Interestingly, we must also allow Him to enter our personal door (Revelation 3:20), for He is a gentleman and awaits a personal invitation. The moment I accept Him, my past is covered (justification!). To invite Him into my abode — “Behold, I stand at the door and knock” — is to allow Him in to search me, to know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts . . . and lead me in the way everlasting (sanctification! - Psalm 139:23-24). This exuberant throng in heaven is seen in their future state of glorification: sinless!
The great multitude (v.9) in this heavenly scene from the future will surely have come through many trials and tests. The word tribulation is equated with anguish, agony, and persecution. Paul reminds us, exhorting to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22). The elder who speaks with John may be referring to the last-day tribulation (Matthew 24:21) or to the many who suffered as the Protestant Reformation was progressing in previous centuries, represented by the fifth seal of Revelation 6:9, or collectively all believers who have suffered as they held up the banner of Jesus Christ. In the original language, there is no definite article as we see in English, therefore the great tribulation could also be great tribulation. In every case, the gospel message rings out clearly: Jesus paid for our sins with His blood to provide eternal life with Him!
Do you believe that the Infinite Mind wants to reason with us?* There is an interesting comparison between man’s attempt at governance and God’s. In the U.S. alone, over 30,000 laws have been enacted since 1789. Legislatures continue to crank out more and more laws, ostensibly to create peace. But God’s simple list of ten unchanging laws covers every conceivable sin. These ten laws are interconnected, like links in a chain (see James 2:10). They express God’s love for His created ones. If any of them could be abrogated, changed, or altered, then Jesus need not have died. He voluntarily did this to offer forgiveness for the breaking of His law (justification!). Upon realizing what it cost Him to forgive us, we should not expect to enter heaven while deliberately breaking any of them. He wants to write His law upon our hearts which is more than just accepting His love; we are to love Him back, thus allowing Him to recreate our hearts (sanctification!). “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” (glorification! - Deuteronomy 5:29) To honor God’s law is not only about you; it is about those whom you influence, including and especially children.
* “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient…” Isaiah 1:18-19a