Revelation 7:14

These are they which have come up through great tribulation.

It will be noticed that the Revision translates: "These are they which came out of the great tribulation." This specifies some particular tribulation, for the article occurs in the original. That tribulation is described in chapter 6:9-11. There it is seen that to each of the suffering and praying saints is given. white robe, the same robe now worn by the mighty multitude of singers. That tribulation was the awful persecution of the latter part of the third century, the determined attempt of imperial Rome to blot Christianity from the face of the earth. To those who stood firm, remained true, the white robes were given, and now in the glorious triumph that followed within the next fifty years they wear them and sing their songs of rejoicing.

They have washed their robes.

It is explained why their robes are so white. They have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. He has cleansed them from all sin. They are the saints who have been true in tribulation and have worked out the great triumph. Some have died as martyrs and all have been in peril of martyrdom; but now they are honored. The thought relates mainly to this martyr class who have purchased the great triumph.