October 20, 2021 -- Revelation 7:13-17 -- Kept by the Spirit for Jesus our Shepherd unto the glory of the Father
/Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:13-17 ESV
How can anyone survive the great tribulation that comes upon the people of God? Successively each generation of Christians face suffering and persecution and trials. What a Christian suffers in India is different than what a Christian suffers in Canada. Yet, all must suffer for the sake of the Name Jesus. The text before teaches us that the believers who overcome the world, the devil and the temptations of their own flesh are those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Sinners who recognize their sinfulness know their need for Jesus. He alone is our holiness. He is our victory in these times that sorely try men’s souls.
Those who have washed their robes then look to Jesus as their Shepherd. Verse 17 promises that Jesus will Shepherd His people through-out eternity. This is hardly wonderful and beautiful news to those who have rejected and hated Him through-out their lives on earth. Those who have submitted their lives to Him here on earth will rejoicing in His nearness in eternity. This passage teaches us to train our hearts and orient our lives towards Jesus Christ. If He is not right now, this very moment for us living water He will not be so in eternity. If we are not bringing our tears to Him right now, how then would we bring them in eternity? We would not think to do so.
Thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the Spirit of God, living in us, Who brings us to Jesus. In Christ we find even here and now, today, refreshing, healing streams, the waters of life. In Christ we find One Who looks to our tears and will not ignore our cries. It is the Spirit of God Who will keep you, no matter the storms and sufferings of this life, until the moment life ends and you are brought safely to the Shepherd of your soul. It is the Spirit of all Comfort, Who shows You it is Christ Himself, shepherding your soul now, praying for you before the Father. No wonder the saints before the throne of God serve Him day and night--when in eternity ones sees the fullness of the victory of Christ sealed into your heart and life by the Spirit, one will realize in a way only dimly perceived now, how great is our debt of thanksgiving and praise and awe and worship all which we would then long to offer to the Triune God.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
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