◄ What Does Revelation 7:17 Mean? ►

The 70th week of Daniel heralds the prophesised Great Tribulation, which is sometimes called the 'Time of Jacob's Trouble'. It occurs after the Christian Church has been removed from the world, at the Rapture. The 70th week is the first seven years of, "the great and terrible Day of the Lord," which reaches forward into the Millennial Kingdom of Christ.

Daniel's 70th week is triggered in heaven when the Lamb on the throne breaks the first seal, on the seven-sealed scroll, while on earth it begins when a peace covenant with Israel is confirmed by the 'man of perdition' - who is Satan's tool, and the first horseman of the Apocalypse gallops onto the world scene. 

The book of Revelation gives tremendous insight into the happenings of this terrible time in earth's history - when the wrath of God is poured out on a God-hating, Christ-rejecting, sinful world, which concludes with Christ's Second Coming to set up His Millennial Kingdom on earth. But it is also a time when Israel finally recognises Jesus as their Messiah, and the Gentile nations finally know that God is the Lord, and that He is in control.

Although this Tribulation period happens after the Rapture, it does not give Christians a mandate to ignore the book of Revelation, which is a vitally important prophetic book with the primary objective of revealing Jesus Christ - and to show us the things which must soon take place in the near future, at the end of the age. Rather, we are commanded to read it, hear it, and take to heart the words of the prophecy. Indeed, a blessing is given to all who do so.

Numerous Old Testament quotes and various references to the Scripture are found throughout Revelation which should prompt us to read and understand the whole counsel of God. However, on many occasions, the book of Revelation gives us its own interpretation of a passage within the text itself!

In chapter 7 we see a great multitude of people, from every nation and language, which no one is able to number. We discover that these are people who trusted Christ for their salvation during the Great Tribulation, but they lost their physical lives as martyrs during this time of terrible trouble and intense persecution.

For whatever reason, this great multitude, who were saved by the blood of the Lamb during this terrible time, did not believe in the Lord Jesus during the Church age and are not part of the Body of Christ, which is the Church. However, in the midst of the Great Tribulation and facing fierce oppression, they believed God's Word, trusted Christ as Saviour, and overcame the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony... and their faith was credited to them as righteousness. 

However, this innumerable multitude is seen rejoicing before the throne of God and we read that by His grace, they have been saved by faith in Christ's sacrificial death and have, "washed their robes.. and made them white in the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God," in Whom we all trust.

Just as Christians in this Church dispensation have been given the role of, "kings and priests," in Christ's Millennial Kingdom, so these martyred, Tribulation believers will also be given a very specific role within the coming kingdom of Christ. They will be commissioned, "to serve in the Temple of God, day and night," and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who sits on the throne, will dwell among them.

The terrible persecution and severe martyrdom this great multitude will have to endure, ends in a triumphant heavenly scene... and we read that they will not hunger or thirst anymore... nor will they have to endure the blistering sun beating down on their parched lips and emaciated bodies, "for the Lamb in the centre of the throne will be their Shepherd. The Lamb of God will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

What glorious blessings await these martyred saints who, for whatever reason, did not trust in Christ during the Church dispensation. Praise God that they receive witness to the truth of His Word during the Great Tribulation and choose to believe in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and life everlasting. Jesus is the good Shepherd of Israel, and He is the Great Shepherd of all His sheep. Jesus became our Gentle Shepherd when we trusted Him as Saviour, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, Who died as Israel's Passover Lamb and gave His life as the ransom price for His little flock in the Church dispensation - but Jesus also gave His life for these Tribulation sheep, just as He did for you and for me. He is the one Who offers the water of life, freely and without cost to ALL who are thirsty, and He is the one who will wipe away all tears from their eyes.

"Come unto Me all who are thirsty, weary and heavy-laden," is Christ's offer of salvation throughout the generations, "and I will feed you with the bread of life, and satisfy your thirst with living water. I will carry your burdens, and I will wipe every tear from your eyes." Such is the great promise of our eternal Saviour, to all who believe on His name - to Whom be all honour and glory and praise forever and ever.

Heavenly Father, how I praise and thank You that Your mercies are new every morning, and it is not Your will that any should perish, but that all should come to faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thank You for all who have become part of Christ's Body, by faith in Him, and I praise You that You are ready and willing to save all in the coming Great Tribulation who place trust in Christ as their God and Saviour. Thank You that Jesus is the good Shepherd of the sheep and the Lamb of God, Who was slain from the foundation of the world to save us from our sin. Thank You that Jesus is the water of life, the rock of our salvation, and the Lamb in the midst of the throne, and I praise Your holy name that the day is coming when He will wipe away all tears from the eyes of all who have placed their trust in Him. Thank You in Jesus' name, AMEN.