The people at the throne.
While John saw the great multitude around the throne their origins remained mysterious to him. It does not seem that he voiced curiosity about it, but he does not seem to know intuitively. An elder took it upon himself to chat with John perhaps to probe his insights, perhaps to make or maybe clarify a point. Obviously the people at this worship service with Christ followers. The elder did not think that was sufficient, and wanting John to know more headed into that conversation by asking a question.
13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:13-17–ESV)
John apparently recognized his own shortcoming and deferred the answer back to the elder who then pointed out that these were all people who had come died in the tribulation. John has tended to learn of the scenes in heaven by being informed of them. He knew who the 144,000 were because he heard the angel. He knew about the martyrs because of what they said and possibly because of wounds they bore. He knew of the Lamb because of his wounds and an elder’s words. Going all the way back to chapter 1 he knew who Jesus was because Jesus told him.
How do you get to heaven?
“No man comes unto the Father but by me.” That Jesus coined phrase was made enabled by his death on the cross. He as the lamb that was slain gave up his blood to wash away the sins of humanity. All sins are gone, not meaning all allegiances are corrected. Many prefer their rebellion liking the life of a caveman to that of a God-man (see seal 6), but many accept the gift of God’s grace: salvation.
The decision that they made to cast their allegiance with Christ was not made in heaven, but on earth. The result is told us here.
God will shelter them. Hunger and thirst shall be gone. No element God made like the sun will scorch them or over heat them again. The Lamb will be the shepherd taking them to living water and removing their tears.
In Christ there is hope
The human condition longs for security and peace and purpose. Not only these but many others as well. Some may dismiss passages like this a pie-in-the-sky, but they do so to their own loss. Many longings are legitimate and this is one of them. A choice is there for us. Will we be cavemen of seal 6 or God-men of chapter 7? Joshua said, “choose you this day whom you will serve.” He went on to label some idols or false choices but not stopping there spoke of his choice and the choice of his family. You also get to choose. Good luck would not be as good as choose wisely!
Tracy McCollister says
this is excellent. Iwish I had this type teaching every week.
Tracy McCollister
lulrich says
Thanks for your encouragement. I will add more to this entry before Sunday so keep checking back. Under Sunday school you will see the rest of my Revelation series. It’s been fun.
Tracy McCollister says
Lane: I understand that I can go to your blog to read your SS materials. But, do you send out your SS materials as an email to your class members? If so, could you consider me a remote class member and put me on your class list. Your take on the scripture is refreshing. The reason I ask this of you is that I am not computer literate & confined much to the bed, so I tend to forget blogs, etc.
Thank you for your friendship & that of your parents & brothers.
TRACY McCOLLISTER
editorbcpatriot@gmail.com