See How The Redeemed Souls In Heaven Immediately Minister To The Lord

Today’s Word Of Encouragement From Wayne:

“Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?’ I said to him, ‘My lord, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.’”

Revelation 7:13-15

I’m thinking about these Christians in this passage of Scripture, how they have been washed in the “blood of the Lamb,” delivered out of tribulation, have finally been brought into heaven, and immediately, “For this reason,” they take up “ministering to the Lord” (Acts 13:2) in God’s presence.

It makes me think that these saints already knew how to minister to the Lord on earth, and that they did practice their priesthood, and this practice kept them close enough to God for them to persevere in faith and love, while God delivered them completely out of tribulation to Himself.

I’m thinking that this example in heaven is for our benefit now.

Ever since Adam and Eve used to meet with God “in the garden in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8), our heavenly Father has always expressed, through the Scriptures, His desire to walk in actual intimate fellowship with His covenant children.

Here, in the book of Revelation, we see that our Lord’s Own heart’s desire is fulfilled in how redeemed souls in heaven immediately minister to Him, “for this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in the temple.”

Why?

Because, most likely, in their Christian lives on earth they wanted to be as close to God as possible, so they ministered to God in His presence, and now in heaven they truly have become as close to God as possible, so they express their gratitude and joy by immediately continuing ministering to the Lord, now in the complete fulfillment of His presence.

This Scripture definitely tells me that ministering to the Lord is a Godly, heavenly practice, and I believe this Scripture is encouraging us to minister to God in His presence now, because the saints we see showing up in heaven in this Scripture are ones who know how to minister to God - for sure.

We need this level of true Godly fellowship, understanding, and priesthood here now “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10) throughout the entire the body of Christ.

Oh beloved of God, take up the mantle of your priesthood and minister to the Lord. For every time a child of God bows long enough before the cross of Christ, to accept the full call to God upon us to Himself, to be “built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood” (1st Peter 2:5), this becomes a testimony and witness of God’s present day call to His whole church, to His living presence now, that we would all actually be empowered and strengthened to be, just as His word says, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s Own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1st Peter 2:9).

Ministering to God (along with being in God’s word) is the best thing you can do to strengthen your life in Christ continually, and ministering to the Lord is the best Godly example you can set for true Christians, who desire to be fulfilling God’s expressed will for His church now.

Yes, minister to God, with joy in His presence now, and look forward to ministering to Him in a complete fullness of joy in His presence in heaven. Hallelujah!