Useful Bible Studies > Revelation Commentary > chapter 7
In heaven, Christians from every nation praise God with great joy. They serve God in his temple (holy place), as Israel’s priests did (Psalm 134:1-2).
That is a great honour for them. Although they came from every nation, people from their own countries frequently would not accept them. Those enemies dealt cruelly with God’s people and often forced them to leave their homes (Hebrews 11:38). So God’s people lived as strangers and foreigners in this world (Hebrews 11:13). However, God has made them into his holy nation, and they are his royal priests (1 Peter 2:9).
Perhaps the people in this world did not care about them, but God cares very much for them. Perhaps they lost their homes in this world, but God himself is their home (Psalm 90:1). They live under his protection, like young birds that find safety under the wings of their mother bird (Psalm 91:4; compare Matthew 23:37).
God is their defence from everything that would hurt them (Psalm 91). He is like a shelter that keeps them safe from the heat of the sun (Psalm 121:5-6).
Christians are aware of God’s protection even during their troubles in this life, on earth. When enemies oppose them, God is their constant helper and friend. In this life, they cannot know complete freedom from their troubles (John 16:33) - but in heaven, they will.
For them, even heaven is not their final home. God is preparing a permanent place for them in his city, the New Jerusalem (Hebrews 11:16; Revelation chapters 21 and 22). There, they will always be with him.
Next part: The Lamb will be their shepherd (Revelation 7:17)
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© 2016, Keith Simons.