Fourth Sunday of Easter: Epistle, Revelation 7:9-17             

Revelation 7:9-17

We all know the adage, “There is a first time for everything.” And so I respond with what I believe is the first time I will actually use this meditation space for a personal anecdote. The reading we are considering is a precious text from the final book of Scripture. This week as I was studying for an upcoming class where I will be teaching the Revelation, I happened upon a brief story of a pastor who, at the bedside of a dying woman from his parish, read this text for her at her request. He cited it from the King James Version at her request. It is especially beautiful there.

About midway through the passage he noted that she was speaking it softly from her bed from memory. It is neither short, nor easy. She finished with tears and told him that tonight or tomorrow she would be with those blessed saints in heaven for “I also have washed myself in the blood of the Lamb.” The author went on to say that whereas he had not given much attention to John’s Revelation in his ministry, he would now take it up as a lifelong pursuit.

Let’s read and reread this marvelous text. And perhaps to honor our departed sister, we should do so from the King James Version. May her Savior and the destiny He guarantees us move us toward lifelong devotion, yes to this writing, but even more, to its Author.

Blessed be the Lamb!