The last time, the phrase, “After these things” appeared was in Revelation 7:1. This phrase in Revelation 7:9 refers to the Lord setting apart 144,000 people from Israel’s twelve tribes for His service explained in Revelation 7:1-8. In Revelation 14:1-5, John saw these elect servants of the Lamb singing a new song that God gave to them. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They are firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, which means that their is more fruit to follow. There is no deceit found in their mouths, which means that they are truthful witnesses for Christ.
Through these 144,000 Messianic Jews, God brings a multitude of people from every nation, tribe, people and tongue before His throne to wave palm branches and to give glory to God who sits on His throne and to the Lamb. Praise the Lord!
In Leviticus 23:39-43, the Lord instituted a seven day feast for Israel to observe. It was called the “The Feast of Tabernacles.” At the beginning of these feast days, they took fruit from beautiful trees, branches from palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and rejoiced before the Lord their God. They made booths with the branches and dwelt in them for seven days. God instituted this feast to remind Israel that they dwelt in booths when He brought them out of Egypt.
In John 12:13, just a few short days before He would die on the cross and resurrect from the dead, Jesus entered into Jerusalem with a warm welcome from people who “took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!”
Thanks to the redemptive work of Jesus Messiah, a multitude of people from every nation have been rescued from bondage to sin, and brought into the Promised Land of eternal paradise.
In Revelation 7:9, Jesus revealed to John a great crowd of people standing before God’s throne and before the Lamb. They are in God’s presence. They are from every nation, tribe and language. They are clothed with white robes, symbolizing purity, holiness and righteousness. Who clothed them with these white robes? Jesus Messiah did when He died on the cross to replace their sins with His righteousness. They have palm branches in their hands, and they cry with loud voices, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Revelation 7:10-13: “All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: ‘Amen! Blessing, glory, and wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.’”
In Deuteronomy 32:3-4, Moses wrote these words in a song to the Lord, “Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock. His work is perfect. For all His ways are justice. A God of truth and without injustice. Righteous and upright is He.”
The angels, the elders and the living creatures in heaven ascribe blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might to our God. Praise the Lord!
John sees a great crowd. Can you imagine the volume of so many voices shouting together, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” The Lord saves multitudes of people from hell and brings them to heaven during the days of the great tribulation. Though Satan’s servants on earth did their best to thwart them from believing in Jesus Messiah, they believed in Him, and were saved from hell by Him.
Revelation 7:13-14: “Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’ And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ So, he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
So many saved souls coming forth from days of divine wrath on sin is a powerful testimony to the fact that during days of wrath on sin, God remembers to show mercy.
In Habakkuk 3:2, the prophet prayed, “O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known! In wrath remember mercy!” In Revelation 7:14, God answered Habakkuk’s prayer.
God spoke of these days hundreds of years earlier to His servant Daniel the prophet. In Daniel 12:1, the Lord said, “At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.”
They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Those saved in the great tribulation are saved just like the rest of us, namely by the blood of the Lamb. White by blood is an interesting phrase. We don’t think of things being made white by blood. But the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Isaiah 1:18: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”[1]
Revelation 7:15: “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 dwell among them.”
Psalm 16:11 says that in God’s presence “is fullness of joy. At His right hand are pleasures forevermore.” All love, peace and joy emanates from God. What a blessing for these whom the world mocked and hated! Now, they are in the soul soothing presence of God. They have entered into the joy of the Lord!
On earth, so-called “great” people had body guards, barriers, waiting lists and endless reasons why only certain people can see them face to face. But in heaven, the redeemed get to see, speak with, and personally be of service to God Almighty Creator and Sustainer of the universe day and night forever. He never leaves them.[2]
Revelation 7:16: “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore. The sun shall not strike them, nor any heat.”
The abundant food and drink of heaven contrasts with the famine on earth. The pleasant climate of heaven contrasts with the harsh climate on earth. God wipes away every tear from their eyes. Jesus shepherds them to fountains of living waters. Falling tears are replaced by fountains of joy.[3]
Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 49:10 for His followers: “They shall neither hunger nor thirst, neither heat nor sun shall strike them. For He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide them.”
Revelation 7:17: “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Ezekiel 34:23-24, “I will establish one shepherd over them, and He shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them. I, the Lord, have spoken.”
This passage confirms that Jesus Christ is the good shepherd that David wrote about in Psalm 23. He makes us to lie down in green pastures. He leads us beside the still waters. He restores our souls. His goodness and mercy followed us all the days of our lives. He graced us to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
In John 14:6, Jesus Christ declares that He is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus told a parable which describes how the Heavenly Father waits for His prodigal sons and daughters to return home to Him. When they do return, He runs toward them, embraces them, and throws a celebration for them.
Have you asked Jesus the Lamb of God to take away your sins and to be your good shepherd? If not, He is reaching out to you now through His precious promises that you should believe in Him, receive Him, and be saved by Him. Please don’t pass on the opportunity to be with the Lord, to dwell in His house forevermore.
[1] Sermon notes from Adrian Rogers
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
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