Free Bible Commentary
“Revelation 7:9-17”
Categories: Revelation“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, ‘Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.’ Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?’ I said to him, ‘My lord, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.’”
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“After these things” which were revealed to John about the saints living upon the earth in verses 1-8, the Lord showed Him another vision of His triumphant saints gathered around His throne of glory in heaven (verse 1). This was “a great multitude which no one could count” standing in the presence of the Father and the Lamb. This would include the souls underneath the altar who had been slain for the word of God, and cried out unto the Lord, “How long?” (Revelation 6:9-11). Their faithful endurance and the wait was entirely worth it (Romans 8:18). This would also include the 144,000 who had been sealed by the Lord on their foreheads while living upon the earth (verses 3-4). This is a vignette of God’s redeemed of all times and places, gathered unto their Lord at the end of the ages, secure in His presence, relishing His glory, praising Him eternally (verse 3).
More than anything else, this is a portrayal of hope realized. This marvelous vision of God’s victorious children singing praises to Him personally in heaven for all eternity encourages us to keep fighting the good fight of faith no matter how rough the road may get. John describes a very joyful occasion of God’s children from all around the world, assembled in heaven’s holy sanctuary, purified in the sight of their Savior (dressed in white robes), singing jubilant songs of love and adoration, while waving palm branches in a celebration of life the likes of which has never been experienced before. The palm branches they carried in their hands remind us of the Feast of the Tabernacles, the most joyful of all Old Testament festivals, that was celebrated annually after the fall harvest. If we remain faithful until the end of the way, we will reap the harvest of everlasting glory and joy as we rejoice before the Lord our God forever and ever (Leviticus 23:40).
“These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (verse 14). Premillennialism teaches that “The Great Tribulation” is the specific designation for a seven year period on earth after God’s saints are “raptured” up into heaven, but before the Lord returns to set up His kingdom for a literal one thousand year reign on earth. Nowhere in the Bible is such a farfetched scenario plainly taught, and in fact the word of God teaches that Christ’s church is His kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19; Luke 7:21; Revelation 1:6, 9), and when He returns it will be to deliver that kingdom up to heaven (1 Corinthians 15:24) and destroy the earth forever (2 Peter 3:10).
But apart from these obvious truths, John wrote this letter primarily and immediately to his contemporary brethren in Christ who were suffering tribulation because of their faith in Jesus. This period of “great tribulation” was already being experienced by our brethren who lived under the oppression and tyranny of the Roman Empire. According to Homer Hailey, this period began “with Nero’s persecution (A.D. 64) and” continued “until the edict of Constantine (A.D. 313). Those saints are now beyond this life, before the throne of God, having gained the victory. Word of such victory offered tremendous assurance and encouragement to men and women facing trials and death, and likewise encourages all since who face similar tests.”
The argument can even be made this this “great tribulation” is not limited to any place or time because it was said to have been experienced by the “great multitude” of God’s people from all ages and locations (verse 9). Paul said to the Christians in eastern Asia Minor, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Jesus tells us, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In fact, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Verses 15-17 describe a very soothing description of a life of eternal comfort and providence in the intimate presence of the timeless, boundless God of glory. “They shall experience no unsatisfied desire. Saints in glory experience the sweetest, fullest, most intimate fellowship with God and the Lamb. Therefore no tears will be in heaven (Isa. 25:8). This same scene is presented again after the judgment, portraying the eternal condition of the Lord’s faithful (21:3-4; 22:1-5).”
Please read Revelation 8:1-6 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
-Louie Taylor
