Covered by the Blood

Before I start today’s post, I wanted to share an image another Substack writer shared.

There is so much here we could unpack! The fact that ONLY the blood of the One Who died for us can cover our sins; the fact that we are all covered in the same way; the fact that it doesn’t matter what’s on the INSIDE, but that the blood covers the outside. What does it say to you?

Next, no apologies given — it was a hectic season. The last post was before Christmas and there was a lot going on. As I type this, we are ‘snowed in’ during the great winter storm of 2026. But we are warm; we have electricity; we have food; we have each other. There are so many that do NOT have all of those things.

A Roll Call Before the Celebration

Last time we talked about symbolism and timing and such. I promised to continue that, and there’s a particular thing I want to mention next. In the book we’ve been discussing/using as a springboard — Angels, by Dr. David Jeremiah — he mentions the robes of white and the “countless multitude.” Now last time I mentioned the 144,000:

Revelation 7:4–8 – Then I heard how many people were marked with the seal. There were 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. From the tribe of Judah, 12,000 were marked with the seal. From the tribe of Reuben, 12,000. From the tribe of Gad, 12,000. From the tribe of Asher, 12,000. From the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000. From the tribe of Manasseh, 12,000. From the tribe of Simeon, 12,000. From the tribe of Levi, 12,000. From the tribe of Issachar, 12,000. From the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000. From the tribe of Joseph, 12,000. From the tribe of Benjamin, 12,000.

Now something I heard recently in a commentary about this passage was that it sounds like a roll call or a call to arms. Think of calling soldiers to battle.

Also note that the 12 tribes listed are not the same as in other places in the Bible. What’s striking in Revelation 7 is not just who is listed, but how the list differs from earlier biblical patterns. Dan is entirely absent, Ephraim is never named, Joseph appears instead, and Manasseh remains distinct. The number of tribes is still twelve, but the composition has shifted. This isn’t the standard territorial list from Joshua, nor the patriarchal ordering from Genesis. It’s a theological list, not a geographic one — signaling continuity with Israel’s story while also showing that something purposeful has changed.

That contrast becomes clearer when we compare Revelation to earlier passages. In Genesis 49, Jacob blesses all twelve sons, including Dan and Joseph’s sons implicitly through Joseph himself. In Ezekiel 48, Dan is restored and even given prominence, listed first among the tribes in the future division of the land. Revelation, however, omits Dan altogether and reshapes Joseph’s line by naming Joseph and Manasseh while leaving Ephraim unnamed. The text doesn’t explain why — and that silence matters. Rather than inviting speculation, Revelation presents a reordered but complete people of God, marked and sealed by Him, showing faithfulness to the covenant story while pointing forward to its fulfillment.

The Countless Multitude

So we have a roll call or call to arms followed by a victorious celebration in verse 9!

Revelation 7:9 – After this I looked, and there before me was a huge crowd. It was so large that no one could count the people in it. They came from every nation, tribe, people and language. They were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes. They were holding palm branches in their hands.

Some people say these are the tribulation saints, but I see these as the actual people covered by the blood of the Lamb! The saved and reborn from all ages!

So where some see this as a literal counting of the Jews that are set aside for salvation, I see it as a reminder that God is still working and still using His people. But then the great number that no one could count includes the Gentiles and the Jews! Not separated, because we are all grafted in!

White Robes and White Horses… And Names

One more point about the white robes, and fair warning here — this branches off into another major point. Jeremiah quotes Revelation 19:11-14.

Revelation 19:11–14 – Then I saw heaven open. And there before me was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and fights wars. His eyes are like blazing fire. On his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows except himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood. His name is The Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him. They were riding on white horses. They were dressed in fine linen that was white and clean.

Note the similarities first — same white imagery; very different role. But what I really want to point out is the symbolism here!

White horse symbolizes purity, of course. The rider is called Faithful and True. These are descriptors, not names. The eyes are like blazing fire — they can burn through lies and see the truth, yet, but it is because they can see ALL things.

Many crowns on His head because He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

But what is His name? “He has a name written on him that no one knows except himself.“ Have you ever wondered about this? His Name?

I personally believe that just as we are made in the IMAGE of God, and just like all other allusions (Father, Son, etc.) they are words that relate a description. Is it Jesus? Or Yashua? Or Joshua? The name we use is in a human tongue, but His TRUE name? We can’t even comprehend it!

Remember, this is the Spirt that created EVERYTHING — and yet loves us!

Seeing What Others Cannot

Next, Jeremiah goes into seeing angelic beings. He mentions how some could see and others couldn’t. He mentions Daniel 10, where Daniel could see but those with him couldn’t.

He mentions Balaam’s donkey seeing the angel before Balaam himself did.

The passage where Elijah asked God to allow his servant to see the chariots of fire all around them comes to mind. Could Elijah see them also? Or did he just KNOW that they were there?

Paul was blinded on the road to Damascus. He saw the light of Jesus. I personally think he saw Jesus Himself, but was unable to tolerate it.

Before this Stephen had seen Jesus at the right hand of the Father while the others couldn’t.

And of course there are people at death’s door that will often see loved ones that have gone on before. I do not think these are ghosts that have come back to the living, but as people are passing from this life to eternity are able to ‘see’ and experience and tell us what they see as they are passing.

In other words the dead don’t come back to earth to take them away, but they are being taken into their presence in Paradise or Heaven.

Jeremiah goes on to mention the account of Elisha. He mentions 2 Kings 6:16, which reminds me of another verse:

2 Kings 6:16 – “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”1 John 4:4 – My dear children, you belong to God. You have defeated the false prophets. God’s Spirit lives in you. He is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Or as I have heard it said, “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.”

God Is the Focus, Not the Messengers

Jeremiah points out that once the servant’s eyes are opened, he is not mentioned anymore in the passage. What comes to my mind is maybe this is so we can put ourselves in his place — to be able to comprehend how it feels to know what is around us, but not be able to see it.

Note that the servant is not the focal point of the story. Neither are we. And neither are the angels! God is Supreme and in control! God’s armies — angelic beings — are sent to protect us, to fight for us and to sustain us. That is the key takeaway!

I pray that 2026 is a great year for you and your spiritual growth! I won’t hope that your wishes come true, unless you are wishing for God’s will to be on earth as is it in Heaven! Amen!

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White Robes, White Horses, and the People of God