Rev 7: The Multitudes

Revelation 7 NIV

What a vision the multitudes praising God must have been. I cannot wait to see it for myself with my own eyes. That great multitude who have come though the tribulation and have been sealed by God are promised:
"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." (vss. 16-17)

Thanks be to God for salvation belongs to our God and we will live with Him in His kingdom forever!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ephesians 1:1-14 Marked and Sealed

Ephesians 1:1-14 NIV
My memory for names is absolutely horrific. I remember people quite well enough or probably more correctly I should state that I remember their spirit. I remember who and whose they are; just not always their names. I have often remarked that we should be tattooed in our foreheads upon our birth so that we might know and remember everyone's names.

In fact, we were marked with the sign of the cross on our foreheads as we were born again, into the family of God, through the water's of baptism. We were marked; sealed by the Holy Spirit, to the praise of His glory. It is this indwelling Spirit that I recognize in brothers and sisters when I greet them. For those whom I do not recognize as brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray a lot. I cannot imagine what it must be like to have to live without the spiritual blessings that those who believe have received in Christ. I cannot imagine what it would be like to not belong to God or to live without Jesus. I cannot imagine what it would be like to live without the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance as children of God; heirs of His Kingdom.

I would desire that everyone bear the name of Christ; sealed by the Holy Spirit, to live for the glory of God. And... so we pray for all whom we love and as well as for all whose names we may not remember that they too might receive this gift of God's grace. And... so we share the good news that in Jesus we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

God's Peace - Pr. J