The Apocalypse – Chapter 7 – Part 2
Yesterday we started Chapter 7 of the book of Revelation (Apocalypse), today we continue with the second part – God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Count it all joy Count it all joy my brothers Be happy and wear a smile For life is just a training ground Where you are put to trial And in the testing of your faith Your patience has a chance to grow So face up squarely to your problems Then you will clearly know The love of the Father and the Son Undeniably strong and sure Enabling you to live your life Without failing, so to endure To the very end, lacking nothing Walking in the Saviour’s feet Along the paths of righteousness In every way perfect and complete. By the late Andrew Feakin [passed away 16th March 2019]
Keys – God will wipe away all tears from their eyes
- Know that honour and happiness will come to those who have faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ, and suffered for Him.
- Those who seek after Godly knowledge must not be ashamed of own their ignorance. Nor to desire instruction from those who are able to give it.
- The way to heaven lies through many tribulations. But tribulation, however great shall not separate us from the love of God. Tribulation, when endured well, will make heaven more welcome and more glorious.
- The blood of the Lamb washes away sin. His blood makes the soul pure and clean in the sight of God.
- Everything that is pleasant and refreshing to our soul Jesus shall give us possession of.
- God Himself, with His own gentle and gracious hand, will wipe all tears away.
- This should comfort the Christian’s sorrow in his present state. The knowledge of it should support us under all the troubles we face.
God will wipe away all tears from their eyes
‘And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in his temple. He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.’
We should mark the upright
Henry says – Here we have a description of the honour and happiness of those who have faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ, and suffered for Him. A question is asked by one of the elders, not for his own information, but for John’s instruction. Ministers may learn from those aged and experienced Christians. The lowest saint in heaven knows more than the greatest apostle in the world. Now the question has two parts:—1. What are these that are arrayed in white robes? 2. Where did they come they? It seems to be spoken by way of admiration, as Song 3:6; Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness! Faithful Christians deserve notice and respect. We should mark the upright. God will wipe away all their tears.
The apostle tacitly acknowledges his own ignorance, and defers to this elder for information: Thou knowest. Those who would gain knowledge must not be ashamed of own their ignorance. Nor to desire instruction from those who are able to give it.
Palms of victory in their hands
An account is given to the apostle concerning that noble army of martyrs. They stood before the throne of God in white robes, with palms of victory in their hands. Though they had formerly been in a low and desolate state. They had been in great tribulation, persecuted by men, tempted by Satan, sometimes troubled in their own spirits. Their goods had been taken, they had been imprisonment. They had suffered the loss of life itself.
The way to heaven lies through many tribulations. But tribulation, however great shall not separate us from the love of God. Tribulation, when endured well, will make heaven more welcome and more glorious. They now enjoyed the great honour and happiness for which they had been prepared. They had washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Rev. 7:14.
Makes the soul pure
It is not the blood of the martyrs themselves, but the blood of the Lamb, that can wash away sin. His blood makes the soul pure and clean in the sight of God. Other blood stains, this is the only blood that makes the robes of the saints white and clean. They have now been advanced to a blessed state. They are happy in their station, for they are before the throne of God night and day. He dwells among them, they are in that presence where there is fullness of joy. They are happy in their employment, for they serve God continually, and that without weakness, drowsiness, or weariness. Heaven is a state of service, though not of suffering. It is a state of rest, but not of laziness. It is a praising delightful rest.
They are happy in their freedom from all the pain and misery of this present life. They no longer have any sense of want: They hunger and thirst no more. All their wants are supplied. There is no more sickness and pain. They shall never more be scorched by the heat of the sun. They are happy in the love and guidance of the Lord Jesus. He shall feed them, he shall lead them to living fountains of waters. Everything that is pleasant and refreshing to their soul Jesus shall give them possession of. And therefore they shall hunger and thirst no more.
Those tears shall return no more
They are happy in being delivered from all sorrow: God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. They have formerly had their sorrows, and shed many tears. God Himself, with His own gentle and gracious hand, will wipe those tears away. Those tears shall return no more for ever. In this He deals with them as a tender father who finds his beloved child in tears. He comforts them, He wipes his eyes, and turns his sorrow into rejoicing.
This should comfort the Christian’s sorrow in his present state. The knowledge of it should support us under all the troubles we face. For those that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Those that now go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them.
Adapted from the Matthew Henry Commentary
Prayer
Prayer: Father, I come to You. Thank You for Your Word that states that one day You will wipe away all tears from our eyes. May I be counted as one who has faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ, and been willing to suffer for Him. Help me to give notice and respect to the faithful Christians. May I never be ashamed of my own ignorance. In order to gain more knowledge may I be willing to receive instruction from those who are able to give it.
Help me accept that the way to heaven lies through many tribulations. Yet I know that in tribulations, however great shall not separate me from the love You have for me. Help me endure tribulations well. Thank You for the blood of the Lamb that washes away all my sin making my soul pure and clean in Your sight. May I be comforted by these Words to that I be strengthened in my present state. May this knowledge support me under all the troubles I face. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
God will wipe away all tears from their eyes
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