The Multitude In Heaven

In the book of Revelation, the apostle John saw a vision of a great multitude in heaven (Rev. 19:1-5). John's vision in heaven takes place at the end of the great tribulation, when God's wrath is poured out on the earth. This vision likewise takes place immediately before the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Who did John see in this vision? He saw the great multitude in heaven. That multitude included the redeemed of God, as well as the angels. The redeemed are represented by the 24 elders, representing all the redeemed of God. Twenty-four is a number that represents all of God's people. It includes the twelve patriarch's of the Old Testament, a symbol for the twelve tribes of Israel. The twenty-four also includes the twelve apostles of the Lamb, representing the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The great multitude in heaven was praising God in worship. They praised God for His salvation and righteous judgment upon the ungodly. The key word of praise was Hallelujah. That word literally means "praise Jehovah." Those in heaven were praising God for who He is, what He has done, and what He shall do.

John's vision is a great testimony to the sovereignty of our God. He who knows the end from the beginning has power over all. Those in heaven are saved to God's glory! His judgments are righteous and just. The redeemed of God in heaven submit to His control, power and dominion. God Almighty rules and reigns over all. Hallelujah!

Christ of the Covenants

Covenant is a contract or agreement that God reveals to and for his people. The framework of the Bible is covenant. To understand clearly the scope of the Bible, it is necessary to understand covenant.

The Bible reveals two major covenants (Galatians 4:21-31). The Old Covenant is also known as the Old Testament, and the New Covenant as the New Testament. The point is that God works through covenant with people. The covenants point us to Christ. 

The Old Covenant came to the nation of Israel through Moses as the mediator. It was the covenant of law, commanding holy days, sacrifices, and priestly rituals, that pointed toward our great High Priest Jesus Christ. It was Christ alone who fulfilled the Old Covenant and made the one final and only complete sacrifice for sin.

The New Covenant came through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is forever the one and only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Jesus is the Prophet, Priest, and King of the New Covenant, which is an everlasting covenant (Hebrews 13:20-21). All who trust in our Lord Jesus Christ are God's chosen people in Christ, through the promises of the everlasting covenant. Our New Covenant with God is in Christ.