Christians need to be heavenly minded to be able to worship God. A heavenly minded believer will:
1. Wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb.
2. Look forward to heaven.
3. Learn about worship from the angels.
[powerpress]
The Glory of Heaven
Revelation 7:13-17
There is an old American spiritual that goes like this, “Everyone talking about heaven aint going there.” That’s true, but the converse is also true – “Everyone going to heaven aint talking about it.” We’ve all been told that “to be too heavenly minded is to be no earthly good.” But the Bible seems to indicate the exact opposite.
“Heaven” is mentioned in the Bible 434 times. “Heavens” is found 179 times. “Heavenly places” is found 5 times. And this doesn’t include all the other terms in the Bible that describe heaven like Paradise, the New Jerusalem, Abraham’s bosom, the holy city, the tabernacle of God, and the Father’s house. The Bible speaks of heaven as our eternal home, our country, our reward, our treasure, our hope.
C. S. Lewis said, “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for this present world were just those who thought most of the next.” During his journey toward the celestial city, Christian is asked by a companion, “When do you find yourself in your most wholesome and most vigorous spiritual state?” Christian responds, “when I think of the place to which I am going.”
There are 3 phases in which the Christian will experience heaven:
- The Immediate Phase: upon regeneration, heaven comes to the believer. John the Baptist and Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” When we repent and believe the gospel we enter the kingdom of heaven, and we begin to experience the first installment of heaven. In the gospel of John we discover over and over that the Christian already has eternal life. It is not something he experiences only at death. It is something he begins to experience the moment he comes to know Jesus Christ. It is true that the Christian is someone who one day will go to heaven, but it is equally true that the Christian is someone to whom heaven has already come. Maybe instead of asking people, “when you die will you go to heaven?” but “has heaven come to you?” The truth is that no person will ever enter into heaven who has not had heaven enter into him.
- The Intermediate Phase: when we think of heaven, this is the phase we normally think of. This is what happens to the Christian when he dies. His body dies and goes back to the dust, and his spirit goes to be with the Lord in heaven. Paul said, “we prefer to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” But even then, the full and final experience of heaven has not been realized. Why? Because God’s purpose is to save you entirely, just as He created you, body and soul. It is not His intention that you will forever be a disembodied spirit.
- The Final and Eternal Phase: this phase includes the resurrection of the body, and the creation of the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells.
God gives John a vision of heaven in Revelation 7. I believe he does this in order to inspire us to persevere. The visions of Revelation would have been inspiring to the churches in the first century, many of whom faced martyrdom for their faith in Christ. I think a real vision of heaven will inspire us to persevere to the end as well. So, we are going to dwell this morning on heaven.
In Revelation 7 we have 2 visions. First there is an earthly vision of 12,000 people from 12 different tribes of Israel who have been sealed with the name of God on their foreheads. This shows us that they are protected from God’s wrath and are His very purchased possession. I believe they represent all of God’s redeemed people. There are 144,000 in number. 144,000 equals 12 x 12 x 1,000. 12 (OT), 12 (NT), 1,000 vast numbers. That’s why beginning in verse 9, this same group is shown in heaven. The same ones that are purchased and sealed on earth arrive safely in heaven. In verse 9, instead of there being 144,000, they are a great multitude which no one could count. Instead of being from 12 different Jewish tribes, they are from every nation, and tribes and peoples and tongues.
And what are they doing there? They are standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and holding palm branches. The white robes stand for their purity. The palm branches stand for their victory. And they cry out with a loud voice, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.” In other words, they declare passionately that their salvation is due to God alone. He is the giver of salvation. They contributed nothing to it. It came as a free and sovereign gift from God and the Lamb.
When the church worships God for His saving work on their behalf, this elicits a response from the angels who are standing around the throne. They fall on their faces before the throne and worship God. The praise includes 2 Amens, one at the beginning and one at the end forming bookends. What do they say? They ascribe 7 excellencies to God – Blessing, Glory, Wisdom, Thanksgiving, Honor, Power, Might. And they say that these things are His forever and ever!
Well, that brings us to the rest of this heavenly vision.
1. The Earthly Identity of the Great Multitude:
A. Questions of the Elder: Asks 2 questions, not because he doesn’t know the answer, but to arouse interest in John. He asks the questions, because he intends to supply the answer. 7:9. Who are they and where have they come from?
B. Answer: Where have they come from? Out of the great tribulation. Who are they? They are those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
C. They Came Out of the Great Tribulation: I know what you are thinking when read “the Great Tribulation”. You have been taught that the Great Tribulation is a 7-year period of time at the end of world history before the 2nd Coming of Christ in which God’s wrath is poured out. So, when read this, understand it to mean people who are saved during last 7 years of earth’s history. But not so fast. How does John speak of tribulation or the “great tribulation”? Lets let John interpret John.
Jn.16:33 “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Rev.1:9 “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
2:9,10,22 – the church in the first century was experiencing this great tribulation.
In fact, this is the only verse in the Bible in which “the great tribulation” occurs. So when does “the great tribulation” occur? I believe he is simply speaking of the time in which His servants suffer affliction and persecution in the world because of their faithfulness to Him. This is the time from the beginning of the world to the end. If we are correct that this great multitude pictures all of God’s people, then the “great tribulation” they come out of would be all of earth’s history.
D. They are Those who Have Washed Their Robes: Revelation 7:9 says this multitude is wearing white robes. How did these robes become white? 7:14 says this multitude washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. This points to the truth that all God’s true servants from the beginning to the end of world history have been saved the same way – by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. All the OT saints were saved on the basis of Christ’s finished work. All the NT saints were saved the same way.
Notice: they have washed their robes. This is something they do. Of course, it would require that they recognize their robes are filthy, and they do something about it. It points to faith in Christ. You will never be in heaven unless you wash your robe in the blood of Lamb. The way you do that is by trusting the blood of the Lamb to save you. This is the NT counterpart to the OT Jew putting the blood on the doorpost of his house on Passover. The Bible says “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Christ died to save sinners, but you and I must appropriate what Christ accomplished for you. We must call on the name of the Lord. We must believe. We must trust. We must repent. That’s how we wash our clothes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.
2. The Heavenly Privileges of the Great Multitude:
A. Notice “For this reason”. Why will some people be in heaven and not others? Why will you be in heaven? What is the basis for your eternal salvation? The blood of the Lamb was shed to pay for your sin, and you washed your clothes in His blood. You trusted the blood to wash away all your guilty stains.
B. They Are Always in the Immediate Presence of God: Notice carefully what we read about the saved in heaven. They are before the throne of God; they serve Him day and night in His temple; He will spread His tabernacle over them. The Throne, the Temple, the Tabernacle – all three of these speak about God’s immediate presence. He is the One sitting on the throne. He is the One worshiped in the Tabernacle and in the temple.
Revelation 21:22 “I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” God is the temple. That is to say, His immediate presence is everywhere. Can’t get away from it, and wouldn’t want to. We have no sin to make us ashamed in His presence.
This is the greatest privilege we will ever receive. The greatest privilege is not that we will live forever. Even the people in hell will live forever. That’s no great blessing. Our greatest privilege is that we get to enjoy God forever! The Westminster Catechism asks, “what is the chief end of man?” The answer is “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” The OT priests were not given any land inheritance. Why? Because the Lord was their inheritance! And the NT tells us that every Christian is a priest. And the Lord is our inheritance forever! There is nothing more precious than to be in the immediate presence of your Creator.
C. They will never again face the consequences of an earthly tribulation: There will be no more Hunger or Thirst or Scorching Heat. These were all things persecuted believers faced. If a father was imprisoned or executed there would be no one to provide for his family. If a father was expelled from the trade guilds because of his faith, his family went hungry. John, himself, probably faced the scorching heat when he was exiled to Patmos. All in this multitude have come out of great tribulation. Now they are in heaven. They will never face great tribulation again. They have entered into their rest.
D. The Lamb will be their Shepherd: This is Ps.23 fulfilled. What a paradox. The Lamb is a Shepherd!
Jn.10:11 – “I am the Good Shepherd; I lay down My life for the sheep.”
Where is the Lamb? He is in the center of the throne. Throughout the book of Revelation we are told repeatedly that there are two Beings that share this throne – God and the Lamb. That tells us very clearly that Jesus possesses full Deity. This Shepherd-Lamb is God. He is the God-Man. As their Shepherd, He will guide them to springs of the water of life. A shepherd daily leads his flock to sources of water that they might drink. It is no difference with this Shepherd. But He leads us to the springs of the water of life. This speaks of eternal life – the very life of God.
Revelation 22:1 “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Where does this river of the water of life come from? The throne of God and the Lamb. In other words, this water of life proceeds from God. This life is God’s life. That’s what eternal life is – the life of God. When we are united to Jesus Christ, we receive eternal life at that moment, because Christ’s eternal life is in us. And it is this life of God that we will enjoy forever. The curse will be removed, persecutions will be banished. The word “springs” points to perpetual fountains. The phrase “Water of life” points to blessings and enjoyments.
E. God Will Wipe Away Every Tear: We have shed plenty of tears in this life – all because of sin and its consequences. There is no reason for tears there, except for tears of joy. But all tears of sadness, grief, or pain are no more.
21:4 “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Since we can’t understand everything that heaven will have, John describes heaven by telling us what it won’t have (things we understand) like tears, death, mourning, crying, pain.
All of the pain, suffering, mourning and tears we have experienced in this life will be removed from the next. And we can’t even imagine the glories of the life to come! We will just have to wait to fully experience it then.
Conclusion:
1.) Wash your robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb! If you are not sure if you are going to heaven this is what you must do? If you have not done this you should have no confidence you are on your way to heaven. You should have no guarantee that you will enjoy His presence forever. You have no promise that He is your Shepherd and lead you to springs of the water of life. You have no assurance that every tear will be wiped from your eyes. Instead, you must face the unending torments of hell, in outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
How do you wash your robes? Recognize they are dirty and need to be washed. Do you truly understand that you are a sinner and are not fit to be welcomed into God’s presence? Do you know that your sin has separated you from God? Then come to Jesus and believe in Him as only One who can cleanse filthy soul. Receive Christ as God’s gift of salvation for you. Do it now. Do it today!
2.) Look forward to Heaven! The joys and delights we will experience there are unspeakable and unimaginable. The joys of this world can not compare with those! Sin has distorted and marred all our earthly enjoyments. But heaven will not be marred by sin! Instead of imperfect joys we will experience perfect joy and happiness there. My friends, live for heaven, not for earth. Live for eternity, not for the present. Live for God, not for this present world. Let your longing for heaven grow, so that it impacts your life now, and enables you to persevere through all the hardships and tribulations you face!
3.) Learn about Worship from the Angels. The saints are worshiping God for what He has done in verse 10 – He has accomplished and given salvation to His people. The angels are worshiping God for who He is. He is Blessed, Glorious, Wise, to be Thanked, Honorable, Powerful, and Mighty. He has always been all of these things, and He will be forever.
When we worship, let’s not only praise God for what He has done, but for He is. Consider the attributes of God. Meditate on His excellencies. What is His character like. Let those things well up with you and worship will be a very natural and fitting response.
*Many ideas and concepts from this message were gleaned from a sermon series on the book of Revelation from Art Azurdia.
______________________________
© The Bridge
Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by The Bridge.
Follow Us!