“Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “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 dwell among them. “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; “for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes“
7:13
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
One of the elders asks from where those clothed in white robes came. The answer comes in verse 14. These people came out of the Great Tribulation. Their white robes indicate that the Lamb made their robes white by His blood.
7:14
And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb
These saints were not believers from the church age. They came out of the Great Tribulation period. This phrase in Greek is potent, “the Tribulation, the great one.” These are the martyrs killed in the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation.
Ironically, the white robes of these martyrs were made white in red blood. By the shedding of the blood of Jesus, the Lamb, these martyrs stand completely clean before God forever. They stand without sin before God.
7:15
“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 dwell among them
The word “therefore” indicates the reason these martyrs stood before the throne and in the presence of God: the shed blood of Christ for their sins. They are now in the presence of the one whom saved them.
We will serve God day and night in His presence (temple). “Night and day” indicates that there is no cessation to serving the Lord. Evidently, they never need to sleep or go to bed.
“Dwell” means to spread a tabernacle, to live, have one’s tent, encamp. Later, John uses this term for heaven itself (Revelation 21:3). Here, God spreads his tent over these martyrs to protect them with His presence. God’s presence protects these saints perpetually. They no longer need to fear any trouble.
7:16
“They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat
Evidently, the people in white robes were martyrs who suffered hunger, thirst, and exposure. In the Tribulation, believers will go without food because of not allowing the mark put upon them by world religion. If they do not have this mark, they cannot buy food. Many will starve to death.
7:17
“for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes
The Lamb personally shepherds the martyrs by leading them to fountains of living water. Jesus sustains these martyrs personally, and He leads them to the living water. The person of Christ is central to our adequacy.
The Greek emphasis is on the word “living.” Christians will partake of God’s life on an ongoing basis — eternal life.
Principle:
We will not grieve in heaven.
Application:
Jesus takes away our grieving. No one can get through life without sorrow. God will not allow us to grieve in heaven. God will personally wipe away every tear.
Even in death God delivers grace to the martyrs. His judgement falls on those who persecuted them. For death, be it starvation or what-have-you, is a small price for life everlasting in the presence of God.
Will those martyred of Rev. 7:9-17 have their resurrected body? It seems to me they will.
Joe, Yes, in a future day.
Could Revelation 7:16 be clarified please as Revelations 13:16 and 13:17 say that only those with the mark can buy food or trade.
If the interpretation is correct for 7:16 how does this reconcile with 13:16 and 17?
Grant, could you clarify what you meant by your comment on Rev 7:16? I thought you will have to have the mark to purchase food, etc. during the tribulation. You seem to indicate that it’s just the opposite.
Dave, you are right, the statement as it was, was unclear. I have reworded that sentence. Thanks for the heads-up.
who are the Elders.
Gilbert, probably in the book of Revelation the term “elder” is not used in the technical sense of an official office in the church but simply an older or mature person. We cannot be dogmatic because there is not enough specificity in the book of Revelation.
Justin, I may have to say that the issue on the chronology of the book of revelation could be the source of your confusion. Most people are inclined to think that the book of revelation was presented in a way as to unfolding the events chronologically from chapter 1 through to chapter 22. But that unfortunately is not the case. One can not comprehend how the apostle John narrated the revelation given to him by going back and forth on certain events. As in the case of the two verses/events you’re referring to.
We can see that Rev. 7:16 Talks of those in white robes no longer going to get hungry nor thirst; even the heat of the sun shall no more strike them, which is after the tribulation when Christ will descend on earth to take over the governance. Then in verse 14 talks of them coming out of the great tribulation with their robes washed white in the blood of the lamp. The tribulation period (3.5 years) is during the rein of the antichrist when without the mark of the beast (antichrist) no one can either buy or sell which is mentioned in verse 16-17 of chap. 13. Therefore if we are to take the event chronologically, the even mentioned in chapter 13:16-17 should have come before the event mentioned in Revelation 7:16.
Paul and Justin, the outline of the book seems to be quite clear: note my outline of the book found in my “Introduction:”
OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION, 1:1-8
Prologue, 1:1-32.
Salutation, 1:4-8
I. “THINGS YOU HAVE SEEN” (Chapter one)
· The glorified Christ, 1:9-20
II. “THINGS WHICH ARE” (Chapters two and three)
· Seven messages to the churches, 2:1-3:22
III. “THINGS WHICH SHALL BE” (4:1-22:5)
A. The Church at the Heavenly Throne, 4
B. Seven-sealed Scroll of the Tribulation, 5
C. Tribulation, 6:1-18:24
D. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb, 19:1-10
E. Second Coming, 19:11-21
F. Millennium, 20
G. New Heaven and Earth, 21:1-22:5
CONCLUSION, 22:6-21
1. Epilogue, 22:6-20
2. Benediction, 22:21
When it talks about the seven corners of the world that the bowls of fire will be poured what do they mean by that?
Joshua, it simply means that there will be a worldwide judgment on the earth. You may want to go to my studies in Revelation 16 and 17.