Thus, the apostle Peter wrote to anointed Christians: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for according to his great mercy he gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

(1 Pet. 1:3-6) Now that we have reached the “last period of time,” there is compelling reason for anointed Christians to rejoice in that hope.

11. (a) What “living hope” do the “great crowd” also have? (b) What firm foundation is there to that hope?

¹¹ However, what of the “great crowd, . . . out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues,” who look forward to everlasting life in a paradise earth? Theirs, also, is a “living hope,” for the promise to them is: “They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down upon them nor any scorching heat, because the Lamb, who is in the midst of [God’s] throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.” (Rev. 7:9, 16, 17) Those hoping in such “good news” will not be disappointed, for it is founded solidly in God’s inspired Word.