These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. (Revelation 7:14)
God’s people endure suffering, trials, and tribulation in every generation. Jesus said to his disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33).
The elder is saying to John, “The people that you see here in the presence of Jesus have been through great troubles. They know what it is to be crushed.”
We sometimes wonder, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” This is difficult to answer, but most godly people will at some point endure terrible suffering. Look at Jesus – utterly, unbearably crushed – the holy Son of God.
But look at Jesus now! He’s not on the cross. He’s on the throne, sharing in the joy of his people. He is with them. They are with him. Everyone in this vast crowd has been crushed, but none of them are crushed now.
- Some of you face great pressures at work – a weight of responsibility lies on you, and other people don’t understand it. It never lifts and you feel as if it is crushing you.
- Some of you struggle with depression – a darkness comes upon you, and it just won’t seem to lift. Your mind is always troubled. You feel crushed by the weight of it.
- Some of you know the pain of difficulties at home with your husband, your wife, or with your own children. Once you went home to rest, now you only rest when you are away.
The vast crowd in heaven has all been crushed, but they’re not being crushed now. They’ve come out of great tribulation, and now they’re before the throne singing: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!” One day soon, you’ll be among them.
Do you sometimes feel crushed?
