Word of Encouragement (11/11/2021)

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9-10).

We will be standing before the throne of God and before the Lamb with palm branches in our hands. Why palm branches? They were used to set up temporary booths during the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles. The feast was to commemorate Israel’s wilderness journey. To commemorate their wilderness journey was to remember their deliverance from the slavery in Egypt by God’s strong and outstretched arm. They could not be in the wilderness, traveling toward the promised land, unless they were set free from the cruel bondage of Pharaoh. To commemorate their wilderness journey was also to remember God’s faithful provision for them all through the journey: “I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet” (Deut. 29:5).

Of course, the Feast of Booths was to be celebrated after the people of Israel entered the promised land. During their wilderness journey, they were still living in tents (“tabernacles”) and there was no need to make a temporary lodging. So then, Israel’s celebration of this feast implied that God had fulfilled His promise to them, brought them into the promised land, and granted them their inheritance in the land. The great multitude in heaven, praising God and the Lamb with palm branches in their hands, implies that they are celebrating the heavenly Feast of Booths. What does this signify?

First, it signifies that our salvation is a new, greater exodus. This new exodus is greater than the first because it is from the bondage of sin to the true liberty as God’s people in the kingdom of God; from this world that is perishing away to the kingdom of heaven, which will never perish. The true promised land, which God promised for His people, is not any earthly plot of land but heaven itself, where God is all in all. A land flowing with milk and honey cannot be compared to the New Jerusalem where even the streets are paved with pure gold (metaphorically speaking).

Second, it signifies that our life on earth is a journey toward our heavenly promised land and this world is but a wilderness we are traveling through. However impressive human civilization may seem in our eyes, it is but a barren wilderness from a spiritual perspective. For the true glory and life and beauty of man is in his union with God, who is the Essence of glory, life, and beauty. This world is not worthy of our affection and hope: we are destined for far more glorious things in Christ.

Lastly, it signifies that one day we will all be in heaven, the true promised land, and praise God and the Lamb for our deliverance, His provision and protection throughout our wilderness journey, and our inheritance in heaven. Since Christ as our Head entered the heavenly promised land, we, who are members of His body, will not fail to enter it as well. And He has given us the Holy Spirit as the pledge of our eternal inheritance in heaven (Eph. 1:13-14).

Let us give thanks to the Lord for the glorious hope we have in Christ! And let us resolve in our hearts not to turn either to the right or to the left in our journey through the wilderness of this world. Let us stay close to Christ, our Good Shepherd, who leads us to our heavenly home!

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