Shelter

Revelation 7:9-17
The Multitude from Every Nation
 
The book of Revelation is often misunderstood. The apocalyptic imagery has attempted to scare people into salvation. Even though the writing was attributed to John’s visions when he was in exile, modern scholarship suggests that it probably wasn’t the apostle John but someone who followed him in the Johannine community. The coded language was common during the time it was written because Christians were persecuted and martyred. The mark of the beast, 666, was code for Nero Caesar, a brutal and cruel emperor who killed many Christians. In this sense, this book was really to give hope to the persecuted Christians when their world would come to an end, instead of the end of “the” world as some interpret it today.

We see the multitude of martyrs in this passage, who wear white robes that have been washed clean by the Lamb, which is code for Jesus. The name of Jesus is not used in this passage, but the common images of Jesus as the Lamb of God and Jesus as Shepherd were known by the Jewish people. Readers of this text would be assured that if they are martyred for their faith, the Lamb’s blood will wash their own blood out of their robes and the Shepherd will lead them to a safe shelter. In fact, just being in Christ’s presence will be their shelter.

The multitude in this passage represents people from all nations, tribes, and languages, similar to the scene at Pentecost when people were praising God in many languages. One way to see this detail is to affirm the many Gentiles who had become martyred Christians. Heaven will be filled with many different people – too many to count – not only the Jewish tribes that were outlined in the first part of Revelation 7. All will praise God and shelter in Christ together.

A shelter is something that surrounds us and protects us from adverse conditions. It is a refuge or a retreat where we can rest from our labors. In this passage, it is used to give the persecuted, hope that Christ will be their shelter. They may meet their end, but they will rest in the shelter of Christ’s embrace. However, we don’t have to wait to be sheltered by Christ in heaven. Christ as the Shepherd wants to lead us to shelter now as we rest from our ongoing labors. We need to shelter in Christ in order to gain strength to carry on the work Christ calls us to do.

​This passage when read on All Saints Day paints a comforting image when we imagine all the saints who have finished their course in life. They are now gathering around God’s throne and praising God at the top of their voices. Day and night, they offer praise to God. They are resting from their labors in the shelter of Christ. As we continue our faith earthside, we can follow the saints’ lead by praising God and sheltering in Christ. If these are the things we will do in heaven, we might as well start now!
 
Reflection questions:
How does the image of all nations and tribes worshipping together encourage you?
How is this vision reflected in your experience of the church today?
Who do you imagine to be in this multitude? 
Who has taught you to praise God and shelter in Christ? Remember and honor them on All Saints Day.
 
Action: Spend time worshipping God this week and allowing Christ to shelter you from hardship in whatever ways that bring you rest and assurance.