Behold! A Host Arrayed in White

Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 7:9-17.

After hearing the number of those sealed, John sees their host is innumerable. Though they come from every nation and language, they are all clothed in white robes and holding palm branches of Jesus’ victorious suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension. Their song of praise sounds forth along with the whole heavenly host, declaring the salvation that God has won. One of the elders asks John about this white-robed crowd, and he answers his own question. Their robes have been made spotless by the blood of the Lamb, who has brought them out of the great tribulation into eternal life. In this eternal life, sin and its effects are all banished, for the Lamb of God is the Good Shepherd who has sheltered His people by laying down His life and taking it back up again.

“Come Lord Jesus!” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Revelation given to St. John. Although some look at Revelation with fear, it is a book of supreme hope in our crucified, risen, and ascended Lord. The book of Revelation gives a heavenly perspective on our earthly circumstances so that the Church in every generation is challenged, comforted, and assured of final victory through Jesus Christ.