Revelation 7 -2010.10.30

THEREFORE…

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and 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: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.” — Rev. 7:13-15

In a certain place the Lord Jesus told the story of two debtors, in which He asked an interesting question.

“There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged [Luke 7:41-43].”

Meditating upon the seventh chapter of Revelation from which our text for today has been chosen, this passage came to mind. Our “nugget” relates to “a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,” standing before the throne of God and of the Lamb of God, “clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands” (v.9), who are engaged in an unending service of praise to God.

A hasty reading of the passage might leave one thinking these are “the redeemed of all ages,” won to Christ through the missionary efforts of the church fulfilling the “great Commission.” In fact, that is not the case. The church has been sluggish in its pursuit of its God-given task, slipshod and half hearted in its testimony before the watching world and miserly in its service and worship before God.

These, in fact, are “tribulation saints,” converted to Christ after the rapture of the church. They were not privileged to escape the tribulation, as we so earnestly hope to be, but were brought through it. In and through their suffering they were truly sanctified—”washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Now they are solaced in His presence and “serve [God] day and night in His temple.” Theirs is not a weekend ministry, it is continual and unwearied. His praise is their supreme motive and highest joy. They understand the magnitude of their deliverance and are moved to everlasting gratitude, not in word only.

When I reflect on this, I am ashamed at the superficiality of my worship and service for Christ. In terms of physical suffering, their deliverance is far greater than mine. Perhaps that is the reason why they seem to “love Him more.” But in terms of spiritual reality our deliverance is the same. In a great passage the Psalmist caught the significance and prayed, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy Name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell [Ps. 86:11-13, italics mine].”

Because we are comfortable in this world, surrounded by creature comforts and having access to ‘all its pleasures,’ our minds and our hearts are distracted from the true business of the redeemed, the cause of Christ suffers and the Commission remains unfulfilled.

Recently I happened on a reporter interviewing one of the world’s wealthiest women about her philanthropy. In the course of the interview he remarked on the fact that she was simply attired and not “wearing jewelry and cosmetics.” She replied, “I am not really interesting in things; I am interested in people.” The thought crossed my mind, with tears, that should be the testimony of every true believer—but it isn’t.

Though we have suffered little, we have been forgiven much. Oh that we might love Him more!

Take the world, but give me Jesus, All its joys are but a name;

But His love abideth ever, Through eternal years the same.

(chorus)

Oh, the height and depth of mercy! Oh, the length and breadth of love!

Oh, the fullness of redemption, Pledge of endless life above!

—Fanny Crosby

Saved by His matchless grace,

"Pastor" Frasier