Jude 14 "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of His holy ones."

You may not think that there are many genuine saints in this world, but there are many of them in heaven who also once lived in this world. What is more, they form a great "multitude that no one could count" (Revelation 7:9). "Thousands upon thousands" is just a symbolic way of saying "a very great many." They are all the saints.

These, says John in Revelation, have come "out of the great tribulation" (Revelation 7:14). Nobody need tell us that. There is much trouble in the world, and some of us have had more than our share. The most vicious part of it is that it tends to make us bitter and causes us to lose our faith so that we "curse God and die" (Job 2:9). Therefore the book of Revelation keeps telling about those who have "overcome." Overcome what? Clearly they have overcome the temptation to let injustice, cruelty, and suffering turn one against God. If you can hang on to the great fact of God's love in Christ in view of that, you are an overcomer.

Almost unbelievable glories are promised to the faithful, but they all come down to this: We shall participate in Christ's victory over death and have eternal life.

PRAYER: So order our lives, gracious Lord, that we with all your saints may come to the joys promised to all who love You in Christ Jesus. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 6-7    Mark 6:1-29

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