In Revelation, the Church is depicted as the Army of the Lord. First, we are depicted preparing for battle during the Tribulation (7:1-8), and then we see how the Church will share in the victory of God and the Lamb, Jesus Christ (7:9-17). During the Tribulation between Jesus’s first and second coming, Christians are called to remain faithful to him in every circumstance—poverty, illness, persecution, suffering—this is the way we fight as members of God’s Army. In fact, because we are reconciled to God through Jesus’ death (v. 14), we are challenged to choose a life of sacrificial love. The way we fight is by laying down our lives in generosity and service to others, resisting the seduction of the kingdom of the world and its lusts, comforts, and greed. The Church as God’s Army fights against the spiritual forces of wickedness, and conquers “by the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and because we love not our lives unto death” (v. 11). When Christians live like this, they see families, communities, and even societies transformed.

This calling is daunting, but this passage gives us two encouragements which galvanize us for the fight. While God’s judgments are poured out on the earth, Christians too are affected by the hardships and calamity, but we are sealed from wrath (v. 3). What are punishments to the world are refinements to the purity of the Church. We don’t fear death. For we do not enter through death into judgment, but into eternal life. Finally, in v. 15-17 we see a future depiction of the whole church enjoying the blessings of heaven and, most importantly, the very presence of God.

How does knowing you are sealed for this work and that your future is secure challenge you to live a life of faithfulness and sacrificial love?