Sunday, July 24, 2022

Omnem Lacrimam | Wipe Every Tear

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." — Rev 7:17 





Reflecting on this important account of Paul's rescue from the Jews and their conspiracy to kill him off in a deadly ambush (Acts 23:23-35), it amazes me that our God is Sovereign even when we're surrounded by ruthless enemies of the Cross who will and can threaten Christian lives with death threats and/or carry out ruthless acts of murders. I'm reminded of the countless martyrs since the time of St Stephen, when a zealous Saul, before his own encounter with the Risen Lord on the road to Damascus, had personally ordered the death of this first century saint by stoning. I'm also reminded of St John's beautiful vision of the great multitude in heaven, which will include the Nigerian priest who was recently found brutally murdered while his colleague had miraculously escaped.

Regarding this, let's have a look at Revelation 7:9-17 - The Great Multitude in White Robes:

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” 13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

And this is the hope that I cling to in this life, that whatever earthly pains or sorrows will pass away, and my tears too will be wiped away by the King of kings, the Beautiful Lamb of God, as I join the Heavenly Chorus in this eternal Hymn of Praise unto the Lamb who deserves all glory, honour and praise. Amen…


Hallelujah to The Lamb

Lord we stand in the midst of a multitude

Of those from every tribe and tongue

We are Your people redeemed by Your blood

Rescued from death by Your love

There are no words good enough to thank You

There are no words to express my praise

But I will lift up my voice and sing from my heart

With all of my strength

 

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

To the Lamb

Hallelujah hallelujah

By the blood of Christ we stand

Every tongue every tribe

Every people every land

Giving glory giving honor

Giving praise unto the Lamb of God

 

Lord we stand by grace in Your presence

We cleansed by the blood of the Lamb

We are Your children called by Your name

Humbly we bow and we pray

Release Your power to work in us and through us

Till we are changed to be more like You

Then all the nations will see Your glory revealed

And worship You

 

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

To the Lamb

Hallelujah hallelujah

By the blood of Christ we stand

Every tongue every tribe

Every people every land

Giving glory giving honor

Giving praise unto the Lamb of God


Every knee shall bow

Every tongue confess

That You are Lord of all

 

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Don Moen / Debbye C Graafsma

Hallelujah to the Lamb lyrics © Integrity's Hosanna! Music

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/60k_gMGRnRk



Reflection on Acts 23:23-35 by Chris Tan

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