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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Revelation 7:13 - 7:13
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As if John had said, One of the elders, not out of ignorance as to himself, but out of desire to inform me, asked me, Whether, I knew what these were that stood arrayed in white? And I told him I did not know, but desired him to imform me. He replied, They were such as had suffered great tribulation for Christ, and were now accepted of him, and dignified by him; not for their own worthiness, but for the sake of his sufferings.
Note here, 1. The present state and condition of the church of God, and members of Christ in this world, they are in tribulation, yea, in great tribulation here; as long as there is a devil in hell, and wicked men upon earth, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer tribulation.
Note here, 2. The future state which they shall be advanced to, they shall come out of great tribulation; the saints' sharp sufferings and persecutions shall have a joyful issue and glorious end.
Yet note, 3. That though the cross was the way to the crown, yet the cross did not merit the crown; their sufferings would not, could not, bring them to heaven, without having their souls washed in the blood of the Lamb, much less could their sufferings merit and purchase heaven; but it pleased God of his free grace thus to reward their sufferings. They were washed in the blood of the Lamb, whose blood paid the price of their salvation.
Note, 4. The description which is here given of heaven; it is called a temple, in allusion to the Jewish temple, in which God dwelt of old; as God by his gracious presence dwelt in his temple in heaven; and accordingly the glorified saints in heaven do temple-service, they worship God continually, and serve him day and night.
In allusion, this is probably spoken to the priests standing in the material temple, and serving in their courses night and day, Psa_134:1.
Heaven is a place of employment and service, as well as of pleasure and joy; and the greatest joy results from the greatest service.