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3. The Immense Number of Those Called out From the Nations Standing Before the Throne of God and Before His Lamb (Revelation 7:9-17)
Priestly Ministry in the Holy of Holies: The elder assured John that the persecuted saints only received the right to enter heaven because they had believed in the cleansing power of the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:14). They became entrance into the Holy of Holies as had the high priests in the Old Testament (Matthew 27:51; Ephesians 2:18). They were not killed by the crown of radiation emanating from the Holy One, because the blood of Christ had cleansed them. They now live continuously before the throne of God and His Lamb. The Holy Spirit fills their hearts with mercy and compassion (Romans 5:5), so that they might serve before God and His Lamb as privileged kings and priests. They incessantly plead for their people, for nations, language groups and tribes, that the power of the blood of the Lamb would save, enliven and sanctify those entrusted to them. They pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit into the hearts and minds of the spiritually dead, that they might be able to repent, believe, love and hope (Ephesians 3:14-21). God allows those to be involved in spiritual service in His world government who were faithful even in the least of things (Matthew 25:14-30).
The temple of God is frequently mentioned in Revelation (11:1; 2:19; 14:15,17; 15:5,8; 16:1,7). The temple is there where God and His Son dwell. Paul writes: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16)
God does not remain far-off from His sanctified servants, but dwells above them, by them, and in them (John 14:23). The phrase “God dwells above them” can also mean: “He pitches the roof of His tent over them”, like we confess in Psalm 91:1-2. The justified remain secure in the presence of the Highest and Exalted One. They are at home in the family of their Father! (Ephesians 2:19-22). It doesn't mean they just lay around lazy and lethargic, as if they didn't know what to do. They are actively involved in the implementation of the salvation plan of God. They live and serve in the “power center” of the Eternal. His holiness and love flows through them. They are propelled by His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14) to work in the building of His new construction even amidst the going down of the old world. They, as persecuted, small and despised, wear the white garment of salvation (Isaiah 61:10), and have access to God, their Father, at all times! The glory of the Lord shines above them.
In Islam, God does not dwell in the paradise of the Muslims. In accordance with the vision of Mohammed He also does not live in the “heaven” of the Old and New Testament witnesses. Allah floats high above everything created. Muslims know no fellowship between the Creator and his created. There is no justification by grace and no white garment of salvation. Thus, in eternity they remain separated from the true God, without His protection, His warmth, His life.
The Seven Manifestations of God's and His Lamb's Grace to the Great Multitude of Witnesses: The elder in the throne room of God revealed to John seven manifestations of grace, which the chosen receive in their new existence. It deals with three negative and three positive statements, as well as a summary of that which had been previously stated.
Which deprivation will the witnesses in the throne room of God never again suffer? The justified suffer no more hunger or thirst, like the suffering of those driven from their houses and forced to wander around in barren places and deserts. The Lord provides for His witnesses. For the honor of His name they have suffered want. He now gives them everything they need in their new spiritual existence (Isaiah 49:10). The promise of Jesus is fulfilled in them: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).
The third protection the witnesses of Christ receive is this: Whoever has been in the Orient during the midday heat standing for a long time without hat or cover, without shade and without water, knows the care and security that the saints are promised (Psalm 91:1-2). The heat waves emanating from their own conscience as well, are no longer able to burn in them. Even the radiating glory of God is to them no burden, but rather a source of eternal joy (Philippians 4:4). They live with the Holy One as born-again and renewed, who do not pursue their earthly desires like Muslims do in their paradise. By way of the holiness of God they, too, live pure lives (Revelation 21:3-7).
The positively formulated manifestations of grace consist in the reality that the Lamb of God in the middle of the throne will shepherd and lead them to the springs of living water (Isaiah 49:10-14; 48:21).
Jesus Christ ascended to heaven. Because He had prevailed He was enthroned by the Father, handed a sevenfold sealed scroll, and authorized to open it (Revelation 5:1-14). Since then He sits together with His Father on the throne (Revelation 3:21). He remains not on the edge, but at the very middle of the throne. He and the Father are one (John 10:30). The Father is in Him and does His works (John 14:10). Christ's witnesses in the throne room see their Savior and His Father with their own eyes. That signifies the fulfilling of the sixth beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
We have here a profound play on words: Jesus, the Lamb of God, will shepherd the immense number making up His flock. The Shepherd is the Lamb, and the Lamb is the Shepherd. A Lamb leads the flock, the flock of those redeemed. Jesus sacrificed Himself for His followers. He is their expiatory sacrifice and their High Priest in one person. Jesus remains for His entire flock the sole Mediator and High Priest. Only through Him, with Him, and in Him do they have justification, access to the throne, and eternal life. The church of the Perfected One has no life, no right, and no power in themselves. Only “in Christ” do they find spiritual nourishment, authority, light and blessing.
The words of the elders remind us of Psalm 23:2, where the Lord, the Covenant God, as Shepherd, leads His flock to fresh water. This prophecy is expanded in Revelation. The Lamb of God leads His followers directly to the source of living water. He Himself is the source, from which flows streams of living water (John 7:38).
The Bible often speaks in pictures. In Ezekiel we read of the source of living water, flowing out of the temple of God and swelling to become a wide and deep river, which watered the wilderness and revived even the Dead Sea (Ezekiel 47:1-12; Joel 4:18; Revelation 22.1).
The water of life is the Holy Spirit, who proceeds forth from the Crucified One. Because Jesus wiped away our sins, the powerful flow of God can penetrate into each person who opens himself to His complete reconciliation (John 3:15-16). This water of life quenches their thirst eternally (Matthew 5:6; John 4:14; 6:35; 7:38-39). The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
The comprehensive promise ultimately reads: God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. This promise from Isaiah 25:8 and 66:13 is repeated twice in Revelation (7:17; 21:4) and reinforced. Like a mother takes her child onto her lap to wipe away the tears and ease the memory of pain with heart and kisses, in like manner, spiritually speaking, our Heavenly Father embraces us and wipes away the remembrance of past grief from our consciousness. His nearness and presence replace and overcome even the worst horrors known in the history of mankind.
Our God does not float infinitely high and distant above us, like Allah in the Islamic paradise. No, our Father has concluded a new covenant with us (Matthew 26:26). He cleanses us through the blood of His Son and enlivens us with the power of the Holy Spirit. He wants us to dwell with Him and live in Him. John himself testified: God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16)
PRAYER: Our Father in heaven, we thank You from the bottom of our hearts through Your Son Jesus Christ because You made us Your children and granted us the privilege to sit peacefully in Your lap. Save our friends and our enemies, and draw them to You with the ropes of Your love. Amen.
QUESTION:
- What are the seven blessings experienced by those who sit in the expanses of earth?