AFTER THIS I BEHELD, AND LO, A GREAT MULITUDE, WHICH NO MAN COULD NUMBER (Revelation7:9-17)

050116PM AFTER THIS I BEHELD AND LO A GREAT MULTITUDE WHICH NO MAN COULD NUMBER

Chesswood Baptist Church

Where Everybody is Somebody

Pastor Howard Daniel, Jr.

4357 US Hwy 59 South

P.O. Box 343

Livingston, Texas 77351

936-327-8870

MINISTRY OF THE WORD

AFTER THIS I BEHELD, AND LO, A GREAT MULITUDE,

WHICH NO MAN COULD NUMBER

PASTOR HOWARD DANIEL, JR.

SUNDAY EVENING, MAY 1, 2016

SCRIPTURE READING: REVELATION 7:9-17

Revelation 7:9-10, After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10: And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

1.	BACKGROUND
	a.	Please refer to the February 28, 2016 Evening Message for the Background.

2.	INTRODUCTION
	a.	Please refer to the May 1, 2016 Morning Message for the Introduction.

3.	FOUR POINTS TO THE MESSAGE
	e.	After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number
		1.	Revelation 7:9-10, *After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number,* of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; *10:* And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
		2.	John is going to tell us what he heard and what he saw.
		3.	Here we come to a multitude. I accept the Bible as it says; that no man could number this multitude.
		4.	I have seen people so tight in various places until no one would be able to count them.
		5.	Let’s not speculate on the Word of God. When God says no man could number them He is not speaking of a specific individual; He means what He says.
		6.	God’s ways are high above our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Isaiah 55:8, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
		7.	Obviously this is a multitude of substantial size.
		8.	God tells us where they come from.
		9.	“of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb,”
		10.	Keep in mind the 144,000 has already been sealed; they are a separate group.
		11.	This group is saved during the tribulation period. Remember there are people saved after the rapture of the church. Revelation 7:13-14, And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? *14:* And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
		12.	God saves a great company.
		13.	“stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;” – the Lamb is none other than Jesus Christ.
		14.	Why do they have white robes? It represents the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1, Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
		15.	The only way we will ever get into Heaven is to be clothed in the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
		16.	Our righteousness will never and has never been able to do the job. Isaiah 64:6, But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
		17.	This company we are talking about obviously is reflected in the Olivet Discourse.
		18.	Matthew 24:13, But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. This verse has been taken out of context many times. This is talking about the end of the Tribulation Period. This has nothing to do with the church or the Church Age.
		19.	“palms in their hands;” – Palms represent something very important. In Scripture it represents victory.
		20.	We have a song called Victory in Jesus. I love that song.
		21.	This multitude will be a part of the entry when the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth. We need to know the Book of Matthew presents the Lord Jesus Christ as King.
		22.	You say that the triumphal entry was when He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
		23.	I say that on Palm Sunday when He entered Jerusalem was a time when He was about to leave the earth.
		24.	He was ready to go to the cross, die for the sins of mankind and the real triumphal entry will come when He returns and a great company is with Him.
		25.	The martyrs of the Tribulation period are also included in the first resurrection.
		26.	Now we have another phase of the first resurrection. Let’s allow God’s word to speak whatever He wants it to say.
		27.	Notice their song. “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”
		28.	Salvation is very important for all of us.
		29.	We have from birth until death to get it right. It is not a big hurdle to come by way of the cross.
		30.	We must admit we are sinners that need Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and if we will confess with our mouth and believe in our heart we will be saved. Romans 10:9-10, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. *10:* For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
		31.	There is no two or three different plans of salvation. Romans 4:3, For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
		32.	It is only the blood of Christ that cleanseth us from sin.
		33.	There are three that bear witness in the earth. 1 John 5:8, And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
		34.	They agree in bringing men and women to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

f.	And fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God
	1.	Revelation 7:11-12, And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, *12:* Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
	2.	We have finally arrived at a passage where we see universal worship of God.
	3.	I believe this joyous glory and honor and power and might presented to the Lord Jesus Christ who is God, includes the Church.
	4.	The Old Testament saints and the Tribulation saints join them.
	5.	Also notice the angels join in. Why such a joyous worship?
	6.	This brings us back to the latter part of vs. 10: “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne,”
	7.	They are praising God for all of His attributes, His goodness, who He is and for providing salvation for mankind.
	8.	This gives us a glimpse of what Heaven is like; all the redeemed are there.
	9.	Our concept here on earth many times is that there will be a small group of people that will be there.
	10.	God says there are multitudes that come out of the great tribulation.
	11.	He is going to identify those in vivid detail for us; not leaving us to any speculation.
	12.	Always remember: 2 Peter 1:20, Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
	13.	We must allow the Holy Spirit to discover the real truth of the Word and He will lead us into the right path of righteousness.
	14.	We have been commanded to worship God in Spirit and in truth.
	15.	We must recognize who He is and He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
	16.	A question is being asked and is answered. An elder provides us with some additional details.

g.	These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
	1.	Revelation 7:13-14, And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? *14:* And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
	2.	The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible itself.
	3.	If you do not understand something you need to read what is before and what is after.
	4.	You have to set the context and rightly divide the Word of Truth.
	5.	If you are willing to lay all Scripture side by side, you will come out with the truth.
	6.	Do not go to the Bible to confirm some preconceived false notion about the Word of God.
	7.	This is indeed a Living Book. It is alive and all about the Lord Jesus Christ.
	8.	One of the elders seeks to give John information. “What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?” Do not miss this is a two part question.
	9.	John does something that we saints can learn. He did not attempt to speculate who they were. He answers, “Sir, thou knowest.”
	10.	The answer: “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
	11.	When we don’t know something in response to a question in the Word of God, we should frankly say I don’t know but I will seek the Lord’s face and the Holy Spirit will guide me into all truth.
	12.	None of us have it all; we must be willing to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.
	13.	This cannot be the Church.
	14.	If it had been the Church, John would have known them. He was well acquainted with the Church, the Bride of Christ.
	15.	John does not say they are members of the Church. The Elders that are there are representatives of the Church who are now in Heaven.
	16.	That elder knew that this company was not part of the Church. It is all together a different multitude and company. John 10:16, And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
	17.	The Tribulation saints consist of all of the tribes and a special company of Gentiles, of every tongue and nation.
	18.	God has always divided the human race into two groups: the saved and the lost.
	19.	He also provides three other groups: the Jew, the Gentile, and the Church. 1 Corinthians 10:32, Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
	20.	These divisions run through the entire human race.
	21.	God says of the Church: John 14:2-3, In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
	22.	The Church is now in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ around the Throne of God. 1 Corinthians 12:13, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. This speaks of the Church.
	23.	God is calling out two divisions in the body of Christ the Jew and the Gentile.
	24.	This should give us a very clear indication that things are not out of control, God is in charge.
	25.	John makes it clear that the group he sees in Heaven is different than the Church.
	26.	They came out of the great tribulation period, washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
	27.	There is one plan of salvation; all of our sin has to be covered by the blood or we are lost. Hebrews 9:22, And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
	28.	God has already told us there will be a Tribulation Period in the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:21, For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
	29.	Both Mathew and Revelation bear this out.
	30.	This Tribulation period is something that has never happened before.
	31.	Let’s not allow scholars to tell us that this is history and has already been fulfilled.
	32.	It is future my friend. No question about it.
	33.	Let’s look at the company of redeemed people. Their robes were white speaks of the righteousness of Christ.
	34.	The only way we can stand before God is clothed in Jesus Christ’s righteousness. Isaiah 61:10, I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
	35.	We must be in Christ and His blood must cover our sin. He died for you and me on the cross, my friend.
	36.	Paul makes it very clear about the Gospel and the part it plays in salvation. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2: By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
	37.	Paul did not originate this Gospel. Galatians 1:12, For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
	38.	He tells us that he received it by revelation from Jesus Christ and he is delivering unto us what he received.
	39.	I cannot emphasize enough that we are not to change the message. The message of God, of salvation must remain as God stated it in the Preserved Word of God.
	40.	“how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” – According to the Old Testament.
	41.	The Gospel contains the plan of salvation in a nut shell.
	42.	Man has no right or authority to change it in any way.
	43.	We cannot add to the salvation process; it is a relationship that has been established by God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
	44.	Man was not invited to participate in this relationship process.
	45.	Our only entrance into this process is to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour.
	46.	To reject the plan of salvation is to commit the only unpardonable sin.
	47.	Notice that this Gospel does not indicate that God is asking us to do anything. He is not asking us to give up anything or add anything. The gift of eternal life is free.
	48.	Paul elaborates further in Ephesians 1:7, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
	49.	We are saved by grace. There is no way a sinner can clean themselves up, make themselves fit to stand before a Holy and Righteous God.
	50.	The soul must be saved. Hebrews 10:39, But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
	51.	This great company of Gentiles is not a part of the Church but they are a part of the family of God.
	52.	I have stated regularly that I love the song, “I’m So Glad I’m A Part Of The Family Of God.”
	53.	This is a special group who has had their robes washed in the blood of the Lamb. Praise God for them.

h.	Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple:
	1.	Revelation 7:15-17, *Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple:* and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. *16:* They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. *17:* For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
	2.	“Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple:”
	3.	The Church is never identified with the temple.
	4.	We know these are not member of the Church; the Bride of Christ.
	5.	New Jerusalem is being prepared for the Church.
	6.	There is no temple in New Jerusalem. The Church will never have a temple.
	7.	The Lord Jesus Christ is complete and all that the Church needs.
	8.	There will be a temple here on earth. It will be where the Dome of the Rock currently resides.
	9.	Notice the activity: “serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. *16:* They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. *17:* For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
	10.	He that sits upon the Throne provides protection.
	11.	This company had been through the Great Tribulation Period.
	12.	Most of these people had been martyred for Jesus Christ. Revelation 6:9, And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
	13.	Although we are not specifically told who was martyred and who was not, the souls of men is what God is dealing with.
	14.	The thing mentioned here are things they have endured.
	15.	They will not be hungry or thirsty anymore. Isaiah 49:10, They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
	16.	The burning heat from the sun does not affect them anymore either.
	17.	They are all about spiritual things now.
	18.	The Lamb takes over; He will feed them from the very throne of God.
	19.	There will be no weeping but they are there because of the blood of the Lamb.
	20.	The Lord Jesus Christ has other sheep.
	21.	There is a cult that will tell you that these are the ones for their group. John 10:16, And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. He could say the same thing to the Church today.
	22.	This company of Gentiles is some of the other sheep who will be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
	23.	They are not a part of the Church!
	24.	It has been a great ride through Chapter 7 and let’s see what the seventh and final seal will reveal to us as we explore Chapter 8 of Revelation.

4.	CONCLUSION
	a.	My sinner friend, if you don’t know Jesus as personal Saviour, none of this is possible for you.
	b.	Would you come to the side of the living Saviour today?
	c.	Regardless of the fact that we have projected ourselves into eternity, the present is where we must come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in this life.
	d.	If we don’t know Him, we will be subjected to the wrath of God.
	e.	The Bible says in Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
	f.	Romans 3:10, As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
	g.	Romans 10:9-10, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
	h.	Matthew 11:28-29, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
	i.	Would you come to the side of the living Saviour today and be saved.
	j.	Please stand.

AFTER THIS I BEHELD, AND LO, A GREAT MULITUDE, WHICH NO MAN COULD NUMBER (Revelation7:9-17)

Author: Daniel

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