Before the Throne of God Above - 23

Always come to the latter part of Revelation chapter 7. Let me read beginning in verse number nine Revelation chapter 7 John writes after these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice saying salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures and fell on their faces before the throne and worship God saying amen blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.

Than 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 water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. What we have here is a glimpse of heaven. John here in Revelation chapter 7 is giving us to visions that he received chapter 7 is a bit of an interlude between chapter 6 and chapter 8 first vision that John had was he heard chapter 7 verse four and I heard the number of those who were sealed.

100 and thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel, and then he comes to this section were considering tonight does not hear this vision but he sees this vision says after these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number what John is privileged to see and record for our benefit is the glorified church in heaven and are four things that I want you to see about the church in this vision want you to see its vastness.

Number two I want you to see its diversity.

Number three I want you to see its victory number four want you to see its occupation, its vastness, its diversity victory and its occupation thoughts. Look at those one by one John says after these things I looked, and behold a great multitude which no one could number is a tendency for us to think of ourselves as insignificant to think of ourselves as the minority, but John is reminding us in this vision that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is not a minority that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ in his glorified state is made up of a vast multitude. Behold, I looked and a great multitude which no one could number, saints from all the ages.

Every blood bought child and saint of God, represented in that multitude a multitude which no one could number so that we may feel insignificant, although we may feel as though we were in the minority, but us being mindful the body is building is church, and it is a glorified church and that there is a vastness about its number that no one can comprehend. And that day we won't be wondering of were in the minority, it will seem as though were in the vast majority because will be there if we are blood bought child of God in the company of a multitude of people that no one can number so there's a vastness about the church and I thought I fear that we live in such isolation and many times we think about the church in we know the church is bigger than our church, but somehow it it confines us and limits our thinking, we fail to understand that the church is a fast organization and organism God has saved a vast multitude and he has preserved and there will be a company of multitude that no one can number so a vastness the church in heaven. Number two diversity diversity. It reflects a diversity of humanity and listen to what Kevin DeYoung says at this point.

He says they're going to be millions of Africans in that great multitude, and plenty of Brazilians in Chinese and Filipinos and lots of Hispanic people, Indians, and Arabs, and there will be some white people there to heaven. He says will be diversity without political correctness set something were gonna have to force it something that will be organic.

It'll be something that will be natural because here is I diversity that has a singleness of purpose were all united around the person of the Godhead.

A multicultural unified people, unified by true purpose. Every heart, every heart head.

Every voice, giving glory to God and to the Lamb. And it's really the same. The fulfillment of what God told Abraham when God made a covenant with him.

God said I will bless you and through through you all the nations of the world, all the families of the world will be blessed and there were times that I think Abraham doubted because he was child childless. God took him out and showed him the stars in the heavens and he said, your descendents will be as the stars in the heavens as the sand on the seashore that gives us some sense of the vastness of this multitude that John is speaking about here in this vision there is a diversity here that is not divided, not fragmented, but it's of one mind, and it is the opposite of what transpired at the Tower of Babel.

Remember where God sent confusion and dispersed the people and cause people to speak of various and different languages know the nations of the earth will be joined together in one faith, one shared salvation know it's hard it's hard to overcome human barriers. It's hard to overcome cultural barriers is hard overcome racial barriers and economic barriers, but in that day. All barriers will be gone will be united as one people of God. They will be a great and wonderful diversity so the church here in John's vision is revealed. Number one in its vastness number two in its diversity it's revealed number three in its victory.

Notice what he says. He says before the throne and before the Lamb. People be clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands. Here's a multitude of people from all nations, tribes, peoples, and tons standing before the throne of God and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands the white white robes speak of righteousness imputed righteousness and acceptable righteousness like speaks of purity and of holiness and of full and final cleansing with palm branches speak of victory anticipated victory and it's interesting that John would be giving us that this description because of the four Gospels that speak of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. John's the only one of the four who mentioned the people standing and waving palm branches. What were they doing.

They were waving pulp palm branches and were singing glory to God. Praise to God and asking of asking God for salvation and here are people with palm branches giving thanks for salvation. It's already been given so it's victory that is being depicted here, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands up and enjoying devotional commentary by Don Johnson. It's ironically entitled victory in Jesus. That's the title of this devotional commentary and listen to what he has to say here about this multitude. He says I marvel at the equality that God is bestowed on all his saints, there will be an infinite variety of rewards according to each man's labors.

Yet, there will be no distinction in their final outward and inward status. All are fully dressed in white robes and fully acceptable before God through the shed blood of the son of God. All are dressed in the righteousness of Christ. There is equal redemption equal justification and equal righteousness. No distinction is found in their final experience for all are seen with palm branches in hand all have the same unspeakable joy all have won the victory in all stand in the delightful presence of Jesus Christ. All are praising God with a loud voice with the utmost zeal and all are participating in a full and complete salvation. Total redemption of body, mind and soul. All are seen to have made it successfully through their troubles. So says Don Johnson.

So here they are with palm branches final victory, victory over sin victory over tribulation. Finally, in the presence of their Redeemer white robes.

This is the apparel of Christ's bride. This is the apparel of the triumphant church sanctified by him and cleanse us from all defilement.

John said at the end of his first epistle in first John chapter 5 in verse four.

This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith and then not just the vastness of the multitude not only the vastness but the diversity and the victory, but number for the occupation. What is this white robed multitude doing in heaven. What are they doing it says there, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice saying salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne into the Lamb. They doing what they occupied with they are preoccupied with the praise of God and of the Lamb for the salvation that they are in joint church above is occupied is preoccupied with the sovereign grace of God in the final work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross notice again what they say crying out with a loud voice saying, salvation belongs to our God. Salvation belongs to our God is sourced in him. It comes from him. It's dispensed by him. It belongs to our God is not something that originates with man. It's something that is sourced and originates with God. So they appropriately cried with a loud voice, saying, salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. Folks, we find great joy in this place, doing what the saints are doing and what we will be doing when we join them in heaven.

One day we find great joy and delight in saying and singing and proclaiming salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb. He dispenses it as he wills it sourced in him. It comes from him. We owe it all to him. He is the author and the finisher of our faith. If these things are proclaimed with great vigor. In heaven we ought to be engaged in preoccupied here on earth with the same themes similar to what Moses led the people of God led the children of Israel as they came through the Red Sea in a miraculous deliverance. The song of Moses as recorded in Exodus chapter 15 in verse two it says the Lord is my strength and my song he has become my salvation.

And that's true that's true of everyone who has received salvation of what has become our salvation is vision, however, does not just include the church. The notice moves from the glorified saints in heaven to verse 11 it says and all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they all fell on their faces before the throne and worship God, the angels, the angelic host are gathered with the church and they are expressing their own adoration, not for salvation that they partook of, but they are rejoicing in the salvation that God is bestowed on sinful humanity. They're not just giving their own praise, but they are looking upon the church dressed in white raiment cleansed, redeemed, and they are affirming joining the voices and giving affirmation to what the redeemed Saints are saying. Notice it says all the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before or the throne and worshiped God, saying, amen.

That is, let it be so.

Notice then there are seven attributes of God that they are including in their adoration and their worship of God blessing and glory and wisdom and might and honor and power and and I'm sorry blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever.

And then, amen. Again and again. They're not. They're not glorifying God in the during God for their reception of salvation, but they are giving praise and honor to God because they long to look into these things. And they marveled at what God is done for sinful humanity.

Jesus told us in one of the parables that the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents so here we see them rejoicing and giving thanks. Here's the great amen and again you I think of, followed me in this study long enough to know that the fact that there are seven attributes of God mentioned is is illustrative. The seven attributes mentioned here certainly do not exhaust the attributes of God. But there are seven mentioned here and why is that will because seven is a number of perfection seven is a number of completion.

We see that over and over again. In fact, this this course.

This praise this blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, that is found, yet so many times the book of the Revelation.

Seven. Seven times you'll find that list of attributes that are mentioned in again. John is continually repetitively making use of this number seven what we make of them. That is, these attributes blessing. Amen. Blessing. Remember how Paul began his letter. There Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ, blessed be God. Paul George is to say, blessing, every blessing comes from God, glory, blessing and glory. Again there in Ephesians chapter 1, Paul was talking about God's electing grace is redeeming work is adopting us his sons and many other things he's done in salvation.

But what does John say in relationship to the work of God in salvation. Three.

Three times he makes this reference wisely chosen is wise. He redeemed us wisely made as part of his family wise. He cleansed us to the praise of his glory. Notice what their extolling blessing and glory. Ephesians 16 Ephesians 112 Ephesians 114 that phrase he did all this to the praise of his glory. Wisdom the wisdom of God. We sing this him penned by John James Montgomery hope of voice. How marvelous how Y's how great, how infinite to contemplate Jehovah's saving plan he saw me in my lost the state yet purpose to regenerate this faithless fallen man with the emphasis there. How marvelous how wise, how great, how infinite to contemplate Jehovah's saving plan, the wisdom of God. Thanksgiving how worthy God is of Thanksgiving for all he's done for us in Christ. Honor is to be honored for what he's done. Power power Paul would say, in his letter to the church in Corinth for the message of the cross is what it's foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the what power of God, the power of God know that context, those who are being saved is speaking of God, sanctifying work, but it's a sanctifying power God raising us from the dead. God imparting spiritual life to dead man takes power and that's what the angels are rejoicing in and then might God bearing his arm is mighty right arm in the salvation of sinners see all eternity will echo with praise like this and it's why we do well to find these patterns and find these emphases and find these themes in Scripture and do our best to mirror our worship here on earth in the churches we direct and lead in worship that when we get there.

It will be strange to us and will be man centered, it will be God centered will be used, to being having a heart directed toward God and singing to God and worshiping God around the steam blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Robert mouse writes how on believable how unbelievably great will be the joyful adoration of the heavenly host went all of the redeemed stand for their God. I trust and like it you can see yourself in that throng that you can see yourself in that place is good for us to engage in some sanctified imagination where we think and contemplate what life will be like after this world where will we be what we be doing this good to find ourselves if we've been redeemed if we are children of God. We know ourselves to be saved, forgiven of our sins that we will be in that multitude. We will be in that number. We will were represented in that vision that John has been privileged to get, but is not for those who simply have profession and empty profession. Remind you what Jesus had to say. When he came to Mary and Martha.

They were grieving over the death of Lazarus set I am the resurrection and the life he though he were dead, yet shall he live, and then he says he who liveth and believe it in me shall never die.

And then the question believe as though this he who liveth and believe it in me.

Sometimes people miss that liveth part focuses on what I believed on Jesus I've asked Jesus into my heart on trust. Okay, how do we know if you have, we know you have. If you are living for Jesus. If you're living this faith. But if there's a disconnect between what you say you believe in the way you're living your life then you haven't believed in the way Jesus says you need to do in order to be insured of eternal life.

Will this vision becomes animated when we get to chapter 13. The taxes then one of the elders answered, saying to me to hear John is observing this vision and then all of a sudden it becomes very personal to him because one of the elders similar to what we are told in Revelation Revelation chapter 5 in verse four. Remember when John was weeping because there was no one worthy to take the scroll and open the scroll and read it and reveal its content and then an elder.

This is an elder came and said to John do not we for the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed well this is the second time that an elder speaking to him again as I said becomes animated. John is one of the elders answered, saying to me. Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from two questions, both related.

Who are these in white robes, and where did they come from.

So the who question in the where question and when somebody who is of an angelic character asks a question John does the right thing. He defers he doesn't seek to answer the question. He says what is he say and I said to him, Sir, you know, the best the Bucky said Sir you know. And he didn't 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 two parts to that question.

Who are they, and where did they come from these of the ones who come out. Of the great tribulation and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

I think if we answer the second question, it'll help us answer the first question in the second question is where did they come from. I'm sorry that the two-part question is who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from and again the question is, 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 who are the ones who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb whether the what they're the same ones that are in pictured by John in the vision, the great multitude dressed in white is not a subcategory. It's represented of the whole. There are some who look at this and say well he speaking of a subcategory of of us and of another group of people lesser then the multitude, and I don't think that context can support that interpretation. Who are these of washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb whether the multitude of been redeemed. The been cleansed. They been washed.

They been justified. They been given a white robe of Christ righteousness. That's who they are and in the first part of the question. Who are these who are these non-fairness as we make our way through the book.

The Revelation were going to come to the. The beast were to come to the antichrist and were going to come to how they make havoc in bringing terrible turmoil in affliction and persecution upon the earth, so there will be I believe an intensification of persecution that will come upon those who are on the earth. Jesus said as much.

Your member in me. Read from the Olivet discourse Matthew chapter 24 he says in verse 21 for then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been seen since the beginning of the world until this time know nor ever shall be, and unless those days be shortened were shortened, no flesh would be saved but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. So Jesus is indicating that there will be a time of intensified persecution that will try of the church and try the Saints of God in apart from God's preservation, even the elect would fall away, but we we must not get lost in all of this discussion and miss this major point trials and persecutions are not just likely or possible for some. They are the norm. They are to be expected.

We say that so often, but I think it needs to be set often because too often we entertain thoughts were guilty of anticipating and wondering, and questioning when difficulties do, or why is this happening to me. What have I done, we fail to realize that this is what's been promise this is what we are to expect. This is what we are to anticipate. Peter said in first Peter chapter 4 and verse 1211.

Do not be surprised when fiery trials come upon you as though some strange thing were happening to you, but I think sometimes that's exactly the way we act were surprised no Christianity in our lifetime is abnormal. The normal Christian life is one that is met with difficulty, persecution, opposition that's the way it's been throughout the history of the church so remember what John is doing John is writing to the church to the churches of Asia Minor to warn them, and to fortify them against tribulation against persecution and is not talking about something that's in the far distant. He's talking about something that's very real and very personal and very much a part of their existence as a threat to them right now. Remember what John said began this letter I John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. All of his contemporaries had died a martyr's death in here.

John is banished to the island of Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. He's a brother in the tribulation so all through history the church has suffered and endured and has endured terrible persecutions for the sake of the gospel.

Some of you've been in the church history summer elective class and heard really good things about that class from number people. Some of our inquired as I got to continue next summer.

That's been so good and Lord willing I need to talk to the teachers in there to see if there willing and able to continue but most likely yes, but think with me about a little bit about church history. The English Reformation during the English Reformation. There was the rain of blood. He married preachers gospel preachers were rounded up, tied to the stake. One was piled up around the state. They were set on fire and they sang and preached to their death By the power of God By the Holy Spirit of God in the same Holy Spirit that kept them will keep us in that hour in that day, if God wills persecution come our way, was told something this morning by brother and I haven't had the time to confirm it. Don't not not even sure how to go about confirming it but he told me through some people he knows and sources that they have contact with that the underground church. The church in Afghanistan was a number not to off long ago about 300 but it's grown to 3000 in the midst of this upheaval and this persecution and this threat that's the way God works is cause for regal rejoicing. What about the persecution is going on in Sudan in northern Nigeria.

The persecution is going on in Muslim areas, Muslim terrorists, persecution of the church in China. One commentator said this quote, it would be difficult to tell a Christian in China Iraq or North Korea today that the tribulation is not yet started." So what I'm saying to you is that the great tribulation. It's mentioned that these are the ones who come out of the great tribulation. I'm not going to be dogmatic and say that that could not represent a time period of time in church history that will precede the coming of Christ is very likely could be.

Might be. I don't know what God wills and will come upon the church but I think we can see the wins in our day that things are not going to get easier for believing Christians. It's going to be more costly to identify yourself as a Christian that there is the threat of increased opposition and persecution that is coming up on the church in America and it is being felt even not future but right now with many Christians around the world.

There are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and of washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Else interesting.

If you think about what said they are in relationship to what is said to God in worship remember what was said to God in worship salvation.

Remember in the verse 10. Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne into the Lamb.

Salvation belongs to our God, and then down here in verse 15. They are the ones who have made they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. It's something that they have done under how do we reconcile what that salvation is of the Lord.

And here's description of what people have done.

They washed their robes that made themselves white house that happened as a person.

How is a person justified how does a person cleanse will that happens when people trust in Jesus personal faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ causes that to happen and it's it's thrilling to think about the fact that at the moment. We believe that the moment we trust that the moment we cast ourselves upon the mercy of God and on the merits of his son. We are forgiven we are cleansed of all our sins past, present and future. We are accepted based on the fact that Jesus paid our sin debt in full. We are in possession of. At that point.

Eternal life. John three verse 36 whoever believes in the son. Hats has eternal life. That's good news. We come to verse 15 when we come here we have a reminder of what our future looks like. Here's what our future looks like. Notice the word therefore, 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 are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple of the word Temple refers not to the structure of the building, but rather to the holy of holies, which is the place where God dwells. John is asked will explain later that there is no temple in the new Jerusalem debris no physical building because the Lamb himself is the temple. John will explain that the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple so being in the presence of God before his throne in serving him cease unceasingly can be compared to the role of the high priest in the old Levitical order new. Remember that they were able to go into the holy of holies once a year and to represent themselves and to represent the people of God but here we won't be there just once in a while one time a year. We will be there can manually 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. John is going to show us three things here about our future. Let me enumerate them for you. Number one he speaks about the shelter that God provides for his people.

The shelter that God provides for his people with his own glorious presence. The eight the ESV the English standard version brings this out there at the end of verse 15 he who sits on the throne will what will shelter them with his presence is what the ESV says will dwell with them.

The new King James says in his temple in his presence there. We will be filled with all the fullness of God. God will shelter us amazing will know the fullness of salvation in a way that we could never have understood it before number two.

He speaks about the blessing that is experienced in the shelter of his presence notice for 16 they shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore. The sun shall not strike them, nor any heat shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore what he's talking about. There is a salvation rest. There is a salvation rest of full salvation rest that awaits us. Yes, we are resting in Christ while were living out our Christian life on this earth.

But even as we are resting in Christ in his person and finish work. We still hunger we still thirst. We still are living our life under the curse, but in that day in that day there will be no hungering. There will be no thirsting that we know sun beating down upon us and the reason I think John makes reference to that is because they were they were nomads they were pilgrims. They lived in the desert. They lived in a place that was hard to find shelter from the sun. Yes, the bliss of salvation rest continual perpetual needs being met. No longer hungering no longer thirsting no longer worrying and toiling under the curse of sin at all remove paradise has been restored and then he speaks about the eternal shepherding of the Lamb. Notice he says, verse 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. He will lead us not merely to the living water but to the very source of the living water to the springs of the living water. He is the source of eternal life, and therefore we will drink with all of our needs fully met and satisfied. David the shepherd boy bend Psalm 23 and he talks about. He comes to the end about my cup overflows. It's like here we are needy, hungry, thirsty, and we have our cup term turned up in God in his grace and abundance feels the cup of our needs to overflowing. That's what will be like will know nothing of knee. All of our needs will be fully met and satisfied and then verse 17 concludes and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. No more tears again. Keep in mind how the book of Revelation is structured. John keeps drawing on these visions and he keeps relating more and more detail. The book is not chronological. Here we are being reminded of things that are similar to what we read in Revelation chapter 21 verse four were God will wipe away every tear.

Remember, listen to the similarity God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, there shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away. Then Jesus sat on the throne said, behold I make all things new. And he said to me right for these things are true and faithful will. Here's a mirror of the very same thing, but here we are only at the end of chapter 7 so if you're reading the book of the Revelation chronologically you're gonna be very confusing in a single what's how is this different from Revelation chapter 21 and the answer is there is no difference.

John will keep revisiting the scenes and giving us more and more detail in its to encourage us is to encourage the suffering saints. The persecuted Christians of John's day that they would persevere that they would endure. They would continue because this is what awaits you. This is what God has promised no more tears every loss will be repaid with interest. Every grief will be met with joy every longing fulfilled in glory.

One commentator summarizes this portion. Speaking about the suffering church of John's day in the suffering church of today.

He says this as God's people. We have security today but our tomorrow is unspeakably glorious were secure. God is with us, God will be God will see see us through whatever comes but all an eye toward the future on speakable glory found it interesting this morning that we sang a hymn that I had chosen to read to you was him number 653 in her hymnbook so I won't turn to that one, but in light of what we've considered here. Revelation chapter 7, a great multitude, which no man could number around the throne.

Listen to the words of another song we sang this morning before the throne of God above before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfectly when Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within upward.

I look and see him there, who made an end to all my sins. That's what we need. That's the perspective we need. That's why we need the benefit of this perspective, the John is given to us, behold him there. The risen Lamb my perfect spotless righteousness, the great unchangeable. I am the king of glory and of grace again. I'm reminding you that we try and saying Kim's that reflect the praise that we see given in the Scriptures so that when a stranger when we get there organist saying a new song and when we sing a new song there. It's going to echo in our minds the themes in the things that we sang as a body of believers here should thrill us.

That should encourage us and should help us on our way to go, we buy with me as we pray father how we thank you for what awaits us, your church, the people of God, the ransomed of all the ages. Thank you for giving John this vision. Thank you for preserving it for our edification and for our encouragement, how we thank you that you are God you are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end that you are superintending our salvation. Salvation belongs to you and it's all to the praise of your glory. We conclude with the words of Paul ringing in our ears.

Oh the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God, how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out for him and through him and to him are all things to him be glory forever. Amen