“For 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. “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for 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.” Revelation 7:15-17 NASB
Who are “they”?
“Reason” for what?
Why are they before the throne of God?
Why do they serve Him day and night?
What does it mean that He will spread His tabernacle over them?
How can they no longer have hunger or thirst?
Why does the Lamb need to shepherd them?
Care for them?
Give them water?
And God will wipe away their tears?
So much to comprehend…
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Then 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?” Revelation 7:9-14 NASB
The saints, God’s children, worship their God Who offers salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. They worship the LORD and the Lamb with joy and exaltation. They have so very much to be grateful for as do I. Worshiping with humility, in reverence, with praises to the glory, the wisdom, the power, the might, the honor of God…all wraps around the attributes and character of our God. With thanksgiving, I fall before Him as “they” do. Hallelujah!
He dwelt among us. This same word in John 1:14, “dwelt” is the same word in Greek, σκηνόω, skēnoō, that also is “will spread His tabernacle”, meaning “that they may dwell in safety and security under its cover and protection”. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon) I feel so very comforted knowing that God dwells in me, over me, around me, through me. So very blessed.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
The saints have been through tribulation, sorrow, pain, death, want, hunger, thirst, but nothing has separated them from the love of God. No, nothing!
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NASB
Refreshment and security are theirs (ours) in heaven. We shall have a tender Father and the Good Shepherd for always and forever. Hallelujah and Amen.
May I humble myself that my heart turns to You, my Creator, and be attuned to the beauty and perfection that You are, my Father. May I praise You with an heart that is growing to know You more and more each moment. May my praises be filled with joy and happiness as I look forward to this day of meeting You face-to-face. One day, LORD, I will be the perfected child You have told me about in Your Word. Amen.
Amen.
Filed under: Devotionals, God's Word, Pondering
