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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rev_7:13-17
13Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?" 14I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."
Rev_7:14 "I said to him, 'My Lord, you know'" This is a common human response to angelic messengers (cf. Zec_4:5; Zec_4:13; Dan_10:16), which reinforces the identification of the elders with a group of angelic beings.
Apocalyptic literature is characterized by angelic mediation and interpretation. These interpretations become crucial (as are the choir's songs) in defining and understanding the symbolic language.
▣ "these are the ones who come out of the great tribulation" This is a present participle and is an allusion to the persecuted churches in John's day (cf. Rev_1:9; Rev_2:9-10; Rev_2:22). However, it is obvious that the historical allusions in the Revelation address the persecution of the saints in every age and also point to an end-time intensification of persecution (cf. Dan_12:1). This is related to
1. the persecution of God's children (cf. Mat_24:21-22; Mar_13:19; 2Th_2:3 ff; Rev_2:10; Dan_12:1)
2. God's coming wrath on unbelievers (cf. 2Th_1:6-9; Rev_3:10; Rev_6:17; Rev_8:2 ff; Rev_16:1 ff)
These problems, to some degree, have been associated with every age. Christians have often suffered in Jesus' name (cf. Joh_16:33; Act_14:22; Rom_5:3; 1Pe_4:12-16). Both of these events are often called the birth pangs of the new age of righteousness (cf. Mar_13:8 and the apocryphal book of II Baruch, chapters 25-30).
The Greek term thlipsis (tribulation) in Revelation is always used of believers' suffering persecution at the hands of unbelievers (cf. Rev_1:9; Rev_2:9-10; Rev_2:22; Rev_7:14). The Greek terms thumos (cf. Rev_12:12; Rev_14:8; Rev_14:10; Rev_14:19; Rev_15:1; Rev_15:7; Rev_16:1; Rev_18:3; Rev_19:15) and orgç (cf. Rev_6:16-17; Rev_11:18; Rev_14:10; Rev_16:19; Rev_19:15) are always used of the Father's or the Son's wrath on rebellious, stubborn unbelievers.
As a theological aside, if the book was written to encourage believers going through tribulations, why do some interpreters insist on a secret rapture to spare some future generation of believers persecution? Persecution was the lot of most of the Church's first leaders, and every generation of believers. Why then should one future group be spared?
▣ "they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" This apparently refers to martyrs who die for their faith in Christ during the Great Tribulation. What a striking metaphor of redemption (cf. Rev_22:14)! This idea of cleansing by means of the sacrificial death of Christ can be seen in Rom_3:25; Rom_5:9; 2Co_5:21; Eph_1:7; Col_1:20; Heb_9:14; 1Pe_1:19; and 1Jn_1:7. The truth of the cross is often alluded to in Revelation (cf. Rev_1:5; Rev_5:12; Rev_7:14; Rev_12:11; Rev_13:8; Rev_14:4; Rev_15:3; Rev_19:7; Rev_21:9; Rev_21:23; Rev_22:3).
Notice the combination of Christ's provision and mankind's need to respond to God's invitation. The covenantal aspect of both Testaments asserts God's initiation and provision, but the sovereign God has also chosen that fallen mankind must respond (cf. Joh_1:12; Mar_1:15; Act_3:16; Act_3:19; Act_20:21; Rom_10:9-13).
Rev_7:15-16 A future time of bliss and heavenly peace is described in OT terms. This is an allusion to the wilderness wandering period and the Tabernacle (cf. Exo_40:34-38; Num_9:15-23). It is an additional allusion to the Shekinah cloud of glory, which symbolized God's presence with the people (cf. Isa_49:10; Mat_5:6; Joh_4:14; Joh_6:35; Joh_7:37). This period of Israel's history was in reality a period of judgment. However, YHWH was never closer and more attentive than during this period of judgment. It is often referred to by the rabbis as YHWH and Israel's honeymoon.
Rev_7:15 "they serve Him day and night" In the OT this referred to Levitical priests (cf. Psa_134:1; 1Ch_9:33). The access to God and the service of God has been expanded to (1) persecuted believers and (2) all believers. There is no longer a Jewish elite priesthood! All believers are priests (cf. 1Pe_2:5; 1Pe_2:9; Rev_1:6).
The phrase "day and night" is a metaphor for continuance. It is found several times in Revelation (cf. Rev_4:8; Rev_7:15; Rev_12:10; Rev_14:11; Rev_20:10).
▣ "in His temple" It is somewhat difficult to relate this passage (and Ezekiel 40-48) to Rev_21:22 which says there will be no temple in heaven. Some try to make a distinction between a temporal millennial reign and the eternal reign. Obviously, the metaphors and time frame in this book are fluid. This may refer to the spiritual Tabernacle in heaven (cf. Heb_9:23).
▣ "will spread His tabernacle over them" This is a verbal metaphor of God's dwelling intimately with His people. God's tent represents His permanent presence with His new people from every kindred and tribe. The initial purpose of the Garden of Eden is restored. Humanity is redeemed (cf. Gen_3:15). Intimate fellowship with God is again possible (i.e., Gen_3:8).
Rev_7:16-17 These are blessings (from the OT) for all believers, not just martyrs.
Rev_7:16 "they will hunger no more, nor thirst anymore" Rev_7:16 is an allusion to Isa_49:10-13. God's physical provisions are used as a symbol of God's spiritual provisions (cf. Mat_5:6; Joh_4:14; Joh_6:35; Joh_7:37).
▣ "nor will the sun beat down on them; nor any heat" This is an allusion to the shade provided by the Shekinah cloud of glory during the 38 year Wilderness Wandering Period (cf. Psa_121:5-7).
Rev_7:17 "for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd" This is an OT allusion to Eze_34:23. Notice that the slain but risen Redeemer is the focal point of God's redemptive activity. The Good Shepherd of Joh_10:11 is now the Shepherd of all the sheep (cf. Joh_10:16).
▣ "and will guide them to springs of the water of life" For desert people water has always been a symbol of abundance and life. This is an allusion to Isa_49:10 (cf. Psa_23:2), which is repeated at the close of the book in Rev_21:6; Rev_22:1.
▣ "and God will wipe every tear from their eyes" This allusion is to the Messianic banquet and new city of God in Isa_25:6-9 (cf. Rev_21:4). What a comfort this must have been to the persecuted believers of John's day and every age!
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