“These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14

[From the version for families with children]

Let your imagination go and slowly look at the wonderful picture that the sacred writer is painting for you. Notice how symmetrical are the images; they are mirrored in units of four, like a kaleidoscope—one of those tubes you look through that has mirrors reflecting the colored stones in all kinds of star-like shapes.

Imagine: clothing becoming white when it is drenched in blood!  What’s amazing is that blood-stains are very hard to get out of clothing. In this case, the blood of Jesus poured out upon us inside and out makes us white.  Jesus’s blood flowed so that we could become pure white; how’s that for a miracle!    Verses 10 and 12 contain refrains that must have been really sung in the first years of the church, right after Jesus’s death and Resurrection.  Sing them to yourself—even out loud!  You are singing verses that have been sung down through the ages—right up to do today, if you’re singing them!  

[Final paragraph from the original version]

The chapter begins with an awesome stillness as the winds of strife and evil are held in check. The tribulation for God’s servants comes only after they have been sealed. Nothing can harm them; nothing can harm you, if you are sealed by the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In season of Kingdomtide this year,
we read 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Revelation 4—11.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.