Day 344 - It's all HIM!

Today's Reading: Amos 5-6 and Revelation 7: 

Today I was struck with several things from both Amos and Revelation. In Amos I was sobered by how God tells the children of Israel, "I despise your feast days. I will not accept your burnt offerings and sacrifices." And we find that it is because the people are living in hypocrisy. The sacrifices that they are making are more a hollow form, but there's no inner holiness, no living connection. Made me wonder how often we today offer sacrifices of form that God turns away from because of the hypocrisy of our lives. Very sobering thoughts...

But what I really loved today was in Revelation 7, where we see the Mark of God put upon His servants. And at long last they are all gathered around His throne, "A great multitude which no man can number, of all nations, and kindreds, and tongues and people."

Referencing this grand event when God's people are finally all together around the throne, Ellen White writes the following:

Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith. And beyond is the “great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, ... before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Revelation 7:9. Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the race and reached the prize.

The redeemed raise a song of praise that echoes and re-echoes through the vaults of heaven: “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Verse 10. And angel and seraph unite their voices in adoration... In all that shining throng there are none to ascribe salvation to themselves, as if they had prevailed by their own power and goodness. Nothing is said of what they have done or suffered; but the burden of every song, the keynote of every anthem, is: Salvation to our God and unto the Lamb. (From the Great Controversy, p. 665)

I love that last couple sentences... NONE ascribe power to themselves, none mention what they have done or suffered, all glory all credit goes to the Lamb that was slain. When we finally get to heaven we will realize, we had nothing to do with getting there-- it's all about Him! Wow!! Praise the Lord! How I look forward to that grand gathering. How I long to be there...

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain...

Tomorrow's Reading: Amos 7-8 and Revelation 8