At that very moment there was a violent earthquake; a tenth of the city was destroyed, and seven thousand people were killed. The rest of the people were terrified and praised the greatness of the God of heaven.

A few days later there was a meeting of the believers, about a hundred and twenty in all, and Peter stood up to speak.

Yet I will leave seven thousand people alive in Israel---all those who are loyal to me and have not bowed to Baal or kissed his idol."

If the LORD Almighty had not let some of the people survive, Jerusalem would have been totally destroyed, just as Sodom and Gomorrah were.

What answer did God give him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not worshiped the false god Baal."

His choice is based on his grace, not on what they have done. For if God's choice were based on what people do, then his grace would not be real grace.

"I don't know, sir. You do," I answered. He said to me, "These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb.

She has been given clean shining linen to wear." (The linen is the good deeds of God's people.)

Jerusalem, be strong and great again! Holy city of God, clothe yourself with splendor! The heathen will never enter your gates again.

(SEE 59:5)

To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees That the LORD himself has planted. They will all do what is right, And God will be praised for what he has done.

Jerusalem rejoices because of what the LORD has done. She is like a bride dressed for her wedding. God has clothed her with salvation and victory.

All of us have been sinful; even our best actions are filthy through and through. Because of our sins we are like leaves that wither and are blown away by the wind.

Joshua was standing there, wearing filthy clothes.

He commanded the attendants to put a clean turban on Joshua's head. They did so, and then they put the new clothes on him while the angel of the LORD stood there.

save others by snatching them out of the fire; and to others show mercy mixed with fear, but hate their very clothes, stained by their sinful lusts.

Those who win the victory will be clothed like this in white, and I will not remove their names from the book of the living. In the presence of my Father and of his angels I will declare openly that they belong to me.

I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see.

In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, on which were seated twenty-four elders dressed in white and wearing crowns of gold.

Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the complete number of other servants and believers were killed, as they had been.

After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd---no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

One of the elders asked me, "Who are these people dressed in white robes, and where do they come from?"

The armies of heaven followed him, riding on white horses and dressed in clean white linen.

Mordecai left the palace, wearing royal robes of blue and white, a cloak of fine purple linen, and a magnificent gold crown. Then the streets of Susa rang with cheers and joyful shouts.

When Almighty God scattered the kings on Mount Zalmon, he caused snow to fall there.

Always look happy and cheerful.

The angel said to his heavenly attendants, "Take away the filthy clothes this man is wearing." Then he said to Joshua, "I have taken away your sin and will give you new clothes to wear."

So they entered the tomb, where they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe---and they were alarmed.

"When you come to a town or village, go in and look for someone who is willing to welcome you, and stay with him until you leave that place.

but the men and women who are worthy to rise from death and live in the age to come will not then marry.

Be on watch and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man."

All of this proves that God's judgment is just and as a result you will become worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.