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Revelation 7:14-17

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

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 7:14-17 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Revelation 7:14

Theological / Devotional

Great tribulation. Literally, “the great tribulation.” Those who hold that vs. 13–17 apply to the 144,000 (see on v. 13) understand the tribulation to be the time of trouble preceding the second advent of Christ mentioned in Dan. 12:1. Those who hold that vs. 13–17 refer to the great multitude apply the “great tribulation” more generally to the various periods of tribulation the saints have experienced down through the centuries, or, more specifically, to the tribulation portrayed by the symbols of Rev. 6 (cf. Matt. 24:21). Compare on Rev. 3:10.

Washed their robes. The reason for the purity of the robes is given. The saints are triumphant, not on their own account, but because of the victory won by Christ on Calvary (cf. on ch. 6:11). The close connection between righteousness and victory—both symbolized by white garments (cf. on ch. 3:4; cf. ch. 1:5)—is demonstrated here. The battle is against sin; righteousness is the victory; Christ’s righteousness has won the victory; and upon accepting His righteousness sinners become both righteous and victorious.

By SdaBc