Revelation 7:14-17

DISCOURSE: 2510
THE FELICITY OF THE GLORIFIED SAINTS

Revelation 7:14. 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. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

THE more light and knowledge God has communicated to us, the more ready shall we be to confess our ignorance, and to receive instruction from those who are qualified and appointed to teach us. Unsanctified knowledge indeed will puff us up with conceit; but that which comes from God, will lead us to God with deeper humility. The Apostle John was distinguished above all the Apostles by special tokens of his Master’s favour; insomuch that he was called “the Disciple whom Jesus loved.” Nor was he less distinguished by the multitude of revelations that were given to him. In the chapter before us he records a vision which he had of the heavenly world, wherein he saw all the hosts of heaven, and heard the anthems which they sang before the throne of God. Being interrogated by one of the celestial choir respecting the persons whom he had seen, Who they were? and, Whence they had come? he modestly declined offering any opinion of his own; and, in hopes of obtaining information from him, confessed the superior intelligence of this divine messenger. The desired information was immediately imparted: he was told, in the words we have just read, Whence they came; How they came thither; and The nature and extent of their felicity. Taking this therefore as the distribution of our subject, we shall shew, respecting the glorified saints,

I. Whence they came—

[Perhaps the persons whom the Apostle saw, were those who had suffered martyrdom for the sake of Christ [Note: Revelation 6:9.]. But “it is through much tribulation that every one must enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Persecution indeed does not rage equally at all times, or affect all in an equal degree: but “all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer it.” It is necessary that they should endure it, not only to prove the sincerity of their faith, but to accomplish, in many other respects, the gracious purposes of God towards them. Besides, there are numberless other troubles, which are peculiar to the true Christian, and are more afflictive than the most cruel persecution. The temptations of Satan are often like fiery darts that pierce the soul, and inflame it with a deadly venom. The body of sin and death, which even the most exalted saints carry about with them to the latest hour of their lives, often drew from the Apostle tears and groans, which his bitterest enemies never could extort. He could rejoice and glory in the sufferings which they inflicted; but a sense of his indwelling corruptions broke his spirit, and humbled him in the dust. There is yet another source of tribulation, which, when opened, overwhelms the soul with inexpressible anguish. The hidings of God’s face were the chief ingredient of that bitter cup, which so distressed our adorable Saviour, that his “soul was sorrowful, even unto death.” Nor are any of his followers so highly privileged, but they at times cry out by reason of dereliction, and feel a grief too big for utterance. Hence then may it be said of all that are in heaven, That they came thither through much tribulation; or, as it is spoken by the prophet, That “the third part, the chosen remnant, are brought through the fire [Note: Zechariah 13:9.].”

But as they are a remnant only who partake of that glory, while by far the greater part are left to perish in their sins, it will be proper to inquire,]

II.

How they came thither—

[Though tribulation is the way to heaven, and, when suffered for the sake of Christ, is the means of advancing us to higher degrees of glory, or, as the Apostle says, “worketh out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,” yet is it by no means meritorious in the sight of God: if our trials were ever so great, ever so long continued, and ever so patiently endured, they would not expiate our guilt, or purchase the remission of one single sin. Nor is repentance, however deep, at all more available for the removal of our guilt. As well might the Ethiopian hope to change his complexion, or the leopard to wash away his spots in water, as we to cleanse our souls from the stains they have contracted, even though we could bathe them in rivers of tears. But though neither the tears of penitence, nor the blood of martyrdom, can avail for the washing of our robes, “there is a fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness,” a fountain in which “sins of a crimson dye may be made white as snow.” The blood of the Lamb of God was shed for this very purpose, and is ever effectual for this end. And if we could ask of every saint that is in heaven, How came you hither? Whence had you this white robe? there would be but one answer from them all; all without exception would acknowledge that “their own righteousnesses were as filthy rags;” and that they “washed them white in the blood of the Lamb.” This is noticed in the text as the express reason of their being exalted to glory; they washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb; therefore are they before the throne of God. And, if ever we would go thither, we must go in the same way, and “be found in Christ, not having our own righteousness, but his.”

That we may be stirred up to seek a participation of their privileges, let us consider,]

III.

The nature and extent of their felicity—

While we are in this world we can form but very inadequate conceptions of what is passing in heaven. But respecting the glorified saints the text informs us, that,

1. They serve God—

[Heaven is not a scene of inactivity, but of constant diligence in the service of God. As God dwelt visibly in the temple, and the chambers of the priests surrounded him on every side; and as the priests ministered before him in white garments, all in their courses attending upon him by day and by night, so he is represented as seated on his throne in heaven; and all his saints being made priests unto him, they surround his throne clothed in white robes, and minister unto him, not in rotation, but all together, with incessant watchfulness. They once were prevented by their infirmities, and by the very necessities of nature, from glorifying him so continually as they would have wished; but now their powers are enlarged, and they can serve him without weariness and without distraction. Now also they have a freedom from every thing that could at all abate their happiness in his service. When they were in the flesh they had many wants yet unsupplied, and many trials that were grievous to flesh and blood. If they had lost their desire after earthly things, yet they hungered and thirsted after God, and felt many painful sensations by reason of their distance from him. But now every trial is removed: the sun of persecution no longer lights on them; nor do the fiery darts of Satan any longer wound their souls [Note: Revelation 21:3.]. Hence their services are unintermitted, and their happiness is unalloyed.]

2. God serves them—

[Both the Father and Christ delight to minister to their happiness. The Father has long “pitied them, as a parent pities” his dear afflicted infant; and, rejoicing with them in the termination of their trials, now “wipes the tears from their eyes,” and receives them to his everlasting embraces. The Lord Jesus too, who, though on his throne, is yet “as a Lamb that has been slain,” delights to minister unto them [Note: Luke 12:37.]. Once, as the great Shepherd of the sheep, he sought them out, and brought them home on his shoulders rejoicing, and fed them in green pastures, and made them to lie down beside the still waters. The same office does he still execute in heaven, where his widely scattered flock are collected, as “one fold under one Shepherd [Note: John 10:16].” There he feeds them in far richer pastures than they ever saw below, and “leads them from the streams, to the living fountains” of consolation and bliss. Incessantly does he give them brighter discoveries of all the Divine perfections as harmonizing, and as glorified, in their salvation; and incessantly does he refresh them with the sweetest tokens of his love, and the most abundant communications of his joy.]

Infer—
1.

How patient should we be in all our tribulations!

[Tribulation is but the way to our Father’s house: and can we repine at the difficulties of the way, if we only consider whither it is leading us? Besides, while every trial brings us nearer to our journey’s end, it leaves one trial less to be endured. “Be patient, then, and hope to the end.”

2. How earnest should we be to obtain an interest in Christ!

[Nothing but his blood can cleanse us from sin; nor can we ever be admitted to the marriage-supper without a wedding garment. Let us go then to the fountain; let us wash and be clean.]

3. How diligent should we be in seeking heaven!

[Will not the blessedness of heaven repay us? Will it not be time enough to rest when we get thither? Let us then press forward with all our might.]