Revelation Now :
Daily Devotional Bible Studies in Revelation
Next | Previous | Contact Ron | Introduction | Foreword | Index | Tellout
Washed in the Blood of the Lamb: Day 31 
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?" I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7.9-14)
Great Multitude
Who is this great multitude? John suddenly sees a great multitude in white robes and waving palm branches in honour of the Lamb of God before the throne. He may have remembered another occasion when the crowds by the side of the road into Jerusalem also took up palm branches to welcome Jesus into the Holy City. They cried out in praise as the multitude do now. As the multitude sings God's praise all the angels, the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures join in. This huge gathering in heaven represent all the faithful throughout all generations. Every believer can be satisfied that God includes and protects us all and we are guaranteed a place at his throne. The multitude in heaven praises God that new life comes from Him and from the Lamb Jesus Christ.
Washed by the Lamb of God
How can clothes be washed white in the blood of the Lamb of God? Normally blood is a stain difficult to remove but here the blood of Christ is the world's greatest detergent. It removes even the stain of sin. White symbolizes sinless perfection or holiness, which can be given to people only through the death of the sinless Lamb of God. The robes represent human souls which normally bear the dark stains of sin but are here bleached white by the blood of Jesus. Glory describes the brightness of God and his presence in shining light.
Twenty Four Elders
One of the twenty four elders turns to John as he gazes in awe and asks about the origin of those in white clothes. When John confesses his ignorance, the elder proceeds to explain. They originate, he says, from the great tribulation, the suffering of believers through the ages. These Christians remained loyal to God, were martyred and now had the special privilege of serving day and night before God's throne. Hunger, thirst and scorching heat are now but a memory. They are now under the protective eye of the lamb of God. In heaven, there will be no hunger, thirst, or pain, and God will wipe away all their tears from their eyes.
Meditation
Consider the difference between the pain and suffering of the human body and the relief that the giver of living water brings!
Prayer
"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Sweetest name I know. Alleluiah" (1)
Notes
(1)
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place."