December 19, 2025

Today's Reading: Revelation 7:1-17

Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40:1-17; Revelation 7:1-17

"These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:14b)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

As we said on Wednesday, Revelation is not a timeline of the last days, but an image of Christ and His Church at all times. And also, there is once again a difference between what is heard and what is seen. 144,000 is 12 (the number of the church, both Old and New Testament) squared, times 1,000 (the number of completeness). We know it isn't meant to be a literal number of those saved, because we see how many are saved: more than we can count.

Who are these countless number? They are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. Now, imagine the worst trouble you can think of. Does it fit the word tribulation in your mind? Is it worse than a perfect world where humanity was made by God to not die, being infected by sin, which destroys ourselves, harms one another, and causes all people to die? This fallen world is the great tribulation that Christ calls us out of.

And He does so by washing us. That Baptism He gives you delivers the death of Jesus to you. It brings where He shed His blood to where you are now. And by that blood, your dirty, filthy, rotten sin is taken away. By His death on the cross, your sins are paid in full. And you are made clean, purified.

Your Baptism is the seal that the Lord has put upon you. He has written His name across you, to let the world know that you are His. That's why He gives so much to save you. That's why He dies so that you would live. You are that important to Him. So important that He wants you to be in eternity with Him. He has grafted you into His people. He places you before His throne. He shelters you with His presence. He feeds you and gives you drink from Himself, so that you will hunger and thirst for righteousness no more. He has delivered it to you. And Jesus Christ, on the Last Day, in eternity, will indeed wipe away every tear from your eye.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Behold a host, arrayed in white, Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright! With palms they stand; Who is this band Before the throne of light? These are the saints of glorious fame, Who from the great affliction came And in the flood Of Jesus' blood Are cleansed from guilt and shame. They now serve God both day and night; They sing their songs in endless light. Their anthems ring As they all sing With angels shining bright. (LSB 676:1)

Author: Rev. Eli Davis, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Grants Pass, OR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.

Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you’ll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.