Today in Revelation ~ A New Way of “Coming Out”

          The phrase, “coming out,” has become a slang expression for publicly declaring oneself as a self-accepting sinner. Today this two-word phrase took on a far more glorious meaning when I read Revelation 7:14: “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

          Instead of “coming out” of the inner tribulations of a sinful soul as “one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29), we can be those who come out of any great tribulation with our hearts cleansed from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

          What is the song of these “coming out” people? “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10) While we still live in a world with all its promised tribulations (John 16:33), we can add our “Amen!” to the heavenly chorus, as those who have such hope in what is waiting for us in heaven that we purifies ourselves as he is pure (I John 3:3).

          True Christians are saved out of our sin to live in the righteousness that is by faith in Jesus Christ. The hope set before us is that any tribulation we bear in this earthly lifetime will be followed by our own participation in this great “coming out” worship event that will fill God’s children with joy for eternity.

          Oh yes, the grand finale to this heavenly song of salvation is this:

          “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17).

          We are given this particular conclusion to this scene so that we will endure all things in this early lifetime, knowing that God will make all things right when we are with him forever.

          "Come out" for Jesus now, and you will be part of the "coming out" gathering that is soon taking place.

© 2014 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8 ~ in2freedom@gmail.com

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.)