Nougat 22

There is no satisfaction

without salvation S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N

No, we can’t get to heaven without salvation S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N

Shout it out Loud and clear

S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N

Shout it out Loud and clear

S-A-L-V-A-T-I-O-N

Those are the words of a childhood chorus thundering in my mind as I reflect on Today’s Holy Nougat.

Revelation 7:10 NIV

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

Who are the ‘They’ in the Text?

Before going much deeper into our Nougat, it might be helpful to ask, what jumps out at you, and, is there anything that invites questions from the text?

For me, without having the benefit of other verses, I’m curious about the, ‘they’ that cried out in a loud voice. Who are they, and why did they need to cry out loudly? I suspect that new converts might also wish to know about the ‘Lamb’ to whom salvation also belongs.

(Yesterday we noted that the Bible validates itself, and I bracketed that it also seems to be contradictory. That is one interesting thing about Scripture, as it is both things at the same time. So if we looked at the Lamb issue, it may seem both complementary and contradictory.) Did you note anything else?

Digging In

For the most part, the Book of Revelation is the account of a vision experienced by Y’shua’s disciple, John. He had been exiled on the island of Patmos, where he received visions of the End Times. There are several aspects to this vision, 22 chapters worth, which include the Nougat we’re chewing on today.

For me, our Nougat also reminds us why it is important to read the Bible in context, and not just pick pieces without ensuring we have the broader picture. If we read this text by itself without reading a verse or two before and after it, we might think that ‘they’ were angels, or some heavenly beings. But, verse 9 tells us of a great multitude of humans from everywhere in the world who will be worshipping in God’s presence. Those are the ‘they’ of whom John referred, and their comment is part of their worship.

I can’t speak for you, but honestly, I’m even more curious about those people. ‘They’ were more than John tried to count. That is interesting, as he’s made reference to many other numbers of things and people throughout Revelation. Yet here, in the preceding verse, he focused on the other demographics. For me, that is also important, because these aren’t the Jewish tribes catalogued in earlier verses. The ‘they’ seem to be ordinary people like you and me.

I tell you siblings, that excites me. My name isn’t physically written there, but it implies that with the effective fulfilment of the Great Commission, I can be one of those seated around the throne, offering praise, and declaring that Salvation belongs to God and the Lamb!

It further suggests that those persons whom I encouraged, and those I prayed for might also be in that great multitude of worshippers. I am confident that you feel the same excitement that I’m feeling!

So then, let us, the ‘they’, begin to practice our worship here on earth, so that we are ready when called to do so in Heaven. What say you?

Prayer Point

Let us pray for those who are struggling with their belief in Christ.

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May all we seek be found in Christ