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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Revelation 7:16 - 7:16
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Here St. John proceeds in giving a farther description of the place and state of the blessed; he acquaints us both with the private evils they shall be everlastingly delivered from, as also with the positive good they shall eternally rest in.
As to the former he assures us that glorified souls shall be acquainted with no wants, and exposed to no afflicted providences. They shall neither hunger nor thirst; that is, they shall by in a condition free from all, and all manner of wants whatsoever. Neither shall the sun, nor the heat, light upon them; that is, the scorching heat of persecution, to which they were exposed here, shall never more affect or afflict them there. And, God will wipe away all tears from their eyes, that is, all cause of sorrow and mourning shall everlastingly cease.
Farther, He acquaints us with the positive good which the glorified saints do eternally rest in; the Lamb in the midst of the throne shall feed them, that is, Christ shall satisify them with a satiety of joy, and fulness of pleasure: and lead them to the living fountains of water; that is, to the never-failing comforts of God's presence.
O happy place and state! which will at once cause the saints to forget all former sorrows for time past, and happily prevent any farther cause of affliction and sorrow for time to come; where no sin shall afflict them, no sorrow affect them, no danger affright them, where all tears shall be wiped from their eyes, all sorrows banished from their hearts, and everlasting joys shall possess their souls; where they shall obey their God with vigour, praise him with cheerfulness, love him above measure, fear him without torment, trust him without despondency, serve him without lassitude and weariness, without interruption or distraction, being perfectly like unto God, as well in holiness as in happiness, as well in purity as in immortality.
Lord, strengthen our faith, in the belief of this desirable happiness, and set our souls a-longing for the full fruition and final enjoyment of it.