As another scene of praise and worship opened up to the Apostle John, he tells us he saw a great multitude of people at the throne of God.

John said there were so many people that it was simply not possible for anyone to count them.

This multitude was made up of people from all over the world. Every tribe, nation, people and tongue was represented in that group.

Notice that these people had a place of high privilege as they were at God’s throne and near to Christ Jesus. Also, they were wearing white robes, symbolic of their purity and freedom from their sins. In other words, the righteousness of Jesus was imputed to them.

No one but Christ Jesus is righteous. Man is not righteous, nor can he make himself righteous. The only way we have righteousness is for it to be imputed to us from Christ Jesus, who places righteousness on us in a way similar to putting a robe on us.

In their hands were palm branches. The palm is symbolic of victory, joy and deliverance. The multitude celebrated victory in Jesus. They understood they were not there because of anything they did, but because of what Jesus did on the cross at Calvary. The words “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe,” come to mind when we look at that heavenly scene.

The multitude cried out, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” In the presence of God, redeemed people will praise Him for rescuing us from an eternity in hell. Always remember, though, praise will not just be about escape, it will also be for the One who secured victory for us.

John saw angels at the throne, as well as the elders and four living beings, and they all fell down on their faces in their worship of God.

They praised God for His generous blessings, and they acknowledged Him for His glorious presence in the universe and His sovereignty over every creature and object.

Who were these people who fell down in worship before the throne of God? They are people who will be saved in the Great Tribulation. One day Christ will rapture His church out of the world, and the Tribulation will follow with seven of the most horrible years the world has ever seen. Conditions in the world will be terrible as famine, disease, hunger and war sweep the globe.

As awful at that time will be, the great revival in world history will occur, and millions of people will be saved. The multitude John saw at the throne were martyrs who died because of their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reader, you plan for tomorrow, but have you planned for your eternal future?

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

n The Sunday school lesson is written by Ed Wilcox, pastor of Centerville Baptist Church, Lumberton. edwilcox@nc.rr.com