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Revelation 7:13-17

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17. For 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 7:13-17 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Revelation 7:13

Theological / Devotional

One of the elders. See on ch. 4:4.

Answered. The elder puts into words the question that was doubtless already in John’s mind.

What are these? Rather, “Who are these?” The question may be raised as to which group, the 144,000 (v. 4) or the “great multitude” (v. 9), the elder here has in view. Two views regarding this are held: (1) That reference is to the 144,000. Those who hold this view advance the argument that John already knew the identity of the “great multitude,” for he had stated that it was from “all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.” Therefore they urge that in order for the question raised by the elder to be intelligible, he must have reference to the 144,000. (2) That reference is to the “great multitude.” Those who hold this view point out that beginning with v. 9 an entirely new scene of the vision opens, and that reference back to a previous scene would hardly be expected unless specific indication of it were made. They contend, further, that the “great multitude” has not been identified any more clearly than the 144,000. Finally, they call attention to the fact that the elder speaks specifically of those who “are arrayed in white robes”; in the context it is the “great multitude” that is described as “clothed with white robes” (v. 9). This view may be held either on the assumption that the “great multitude” comprehends all the redeemed, including the 144,000, or the redeemed exclusive of that group.

By SdaBc