Provision for the Redeemed

KEY VERSE: “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.” —Revelation 7:17

SELECTED SCRIPTURES: Revelation, chapter 7

THE PREVIOUS LESSON presented a symbolic view of God sitting on his throne, surrounded by four living creatures and the twenty-four elders. No one could be found worthy to open the seals on scroll in his hand except the Lamb, “as it had been slain.”—Rev. 5:6

In other words our Lord Jesus, the Lamb, had earned the right to execute God’s marvelous divine plan of the ages by redemptive, sacrificial death, and was able to take the scroll and to open the seals. As the seals are opened, and the history of mankind proceeds in the Christian era, it is characterized by war, famine, plagues, and death. In the midst of these events we given a glimpse of the most important work that has been going on—namely, the selection of a people for God’s name.—Acts 15:14

In the opening of the fifth seal we see, pictorially represented, those who have completed their trial of faith and are waiting for God’s judgments to remove evil from earth. (Rev. 6:9-11) But because the selection of the complete number of this class has not yet occurred, there is a need to wait until the last faithful member dies.

The seventh chapter opens with the readiness for the climatic events of the Christian era, also known as the Gospel Age, namely, the loosing of the four winds of the earth. These winds are said to be held back by mighty angels until the selection of the people for God’s name is complete. We also learn from this account that there are 144,000 to be selected.—vss. 1-8

The standards to be met by those selected to live and reign with Christ are very high. They must be able to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil, as Jesus did. If faithful, they will be granted the privilege of sitting on his throne, even as Jesus was granted to sit down with his Father on his throne.—Rev. 3:21

What befalls those who have been called and chosen (Matt. 22:14), but who fail to meet the standard as overcomers? The account explains that these are not ‘on the throne’, but ‘before the throne’.

However, they have white robes, and palms in their hands—meaning that they are victorious. Before being declared successful, however, they will have undergone a cleansing by passing through great tribulation. This involves tests of loyalty and faithfulness to God, whom they will serve day and night.

As the church of 144,00 members receives a heavenly reward, so also this ‘great multitude’ receives a lesser heavenly reward. Yet God provides for them completely as we read, “He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.”—Rev. 7:15,16

“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.”—vs. 17

All the sorrows and trials encountered by them in this evil world will be over. It will be the time for blessing all the families of the earth.

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