Too many to count!

Rev 7:9-14

9 I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there-- all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb 10 and heartily singing:Salvation to our God on his Throne! 11 All who were standing around the Throne-- Angels, Elders, Animals-- fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, 12 singing: Oh, Yes! The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, The honor and power and strength, To our God forever and ever and ever! 13 Just then one of the Elders addressed me: "Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?" 14 Taken aback, I said, "O Sir, I have no idea-- but you must know." Then he told me, "These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they've washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb.

Food for thought!

Today, 1st of November, we remember and celebrate all the saints. That is, all the people that have successfully made it to the Father in heaven. Today is victory day! In order to appreciate this day, we have to remember yesterday's gospel reading, in which someone asked Jesus if those who are saved are many? The man or woman that made this question wanted to know salvation in terms of numbers. Or this person looked at himself or herself and wondered whether s/he would make it, or saw some people and wondered if they would make it.

Be it as it may, this person's question was never answered yesterday. But today, it is answered. Today's first reading says, "a huge crowd, too huge to count." Yes, those who are saved are too many to count! This is the first Good News!

The second Good News is that, the saved come from everywhere: "all nations and tribes, all races and languages. The third Good News is that the saved were not lying in tombs, since "they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing: Salvation to our God on his Throne!"

The fourth Good News is that the saved "are those who come from the great tribulation, and they've washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb." As Jesus told us yesterday, STRIVE TO ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR, the saved are those people who have survived the time of great distress, that is, those that have strived until the end.

Let's strive doing and being good because, as Jesus said in the gospel of today, (Mat 5:2-11)

3 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous— with life- joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
4 Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!
5 Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous— with life- joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long- suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!
6 Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born- again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!
7 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous— with life- joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!
8 Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous—possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!
9 Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous— with life- joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!
10 Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born- again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
11 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous— with life- joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.