Jan
16
Revelation 7:9-17
Filed Under Book of Revelation
v9 Following the 144,000 John sees a “great multitude which no man could number” who stood before the Lamb, and the throne in white robes with Palms in their hands. The white robe a symbol of conquering Satan and purity after having been washed white in the blood of the lamb (v14). The Palms in their hands is probably a reference to the Triumphal Entry (Matt 21:12). Probably the most rewarding time for the Savior in his earthly ministry.
v10-12 Shortly after they begin worshiping with the 24 elders and the beasts and the angels.
v14 “Washed white in the blood of the lamb” represents to me the irony, and the joy of the atonement. Ironically all the cleaning “in the world” pun intended, will never get us as clean as washing in the blood of the Lamb. Blood usually the worst stain is here the great emulsifier of sin, removing it from our eternally stained garments. Why is it that we often try so hard on our own scrubbing with the latest in technology, trying to cleanse our selves while not using the time tried remedy offered by the Holy one of Israel.
v15 Post cleansing those in white are serving him day and night in his temple. Temple worship is critical to the child of Christ, and although the Temple in the Holy land was destroyed Ezekiel prophsied that there would be another built. Ezekiel 40-47 gives us quite the grand vision of what the temple will be like.
v16-17 Perhaps because of their temple service they hunger no more and thirst no more, wonderfully enough they also feel no light from the sun, and especially no heat. Once in the temple the Lamb will feed them, and will lead them to living waters. Lastly “God shall wipe all tears from their eyes”, is a statement of pure wonder to me, because of the power it takes to wipe and to let someone wipe tears from eyes. There are very few people in my life I’d let wipe a tear from my eye, because of how intimate the feeling is when hands are laid on faces when they’ve been crying. Besides my mother and my wife, I can think of no one. The proximity of the relationship between our God and us will then be as real as is our nearness to him now spiritually.
