Commentary on Revelation, Lecture 6
LECTURE VI.
Vers. 14.
—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 bloud 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.
THat which we have now to speak of, is the Elders reply to Iohn, wherein he insisteth in the description of that excellent company; so that the words, continue the description of the former innumerable multitude, in these three, 1. What was the condition they were brought from, or what had been their former condition, These are they which came out of great tribulation. 2. By what means they had come from, or had gotten victory over, or freedom from that great tribulation, by washing their robes, and making them white in the bloud of the Lamb. 3. From the 15. vers. and forward, he insisteth in describing what their present and happy estate and condition was.
For the first, vers. 14. they are said to have come out of great tribulation. Tribulation is spoken of, Act. 14.21. in generall, as the way to Heaven and Glory. But this being spoken of as a great tribulation, in an eminent degree, and that company somewhat singularly differenced from others, by this, that they are come out of it, it would appear, that by it is meaned the tribulation under Antichrists persecution, and by that company, these that are brought through after his begun fall, and Chap. 15. are said to have gotten the victory over him: for, that difficultie under Antichrist, is the main one after Heathenish persecution, and that to which this former sealing relateth, as is said.
For the second, the mean of their through-bearing to this happy estate, is mentioned also, vers. 14. not their own innocency, they needed washing; nor their own sufferings or works, these made them not white; but it was the bloud of the Lamb, by taking themselves alanerly to his satisfaction, they attained this righteousnesse, and were made partakers of this blessed estate, by which also they are said to prevail, Chap. 12. That red bloud can make bloudy souls white, it is of such an excellent vertue. These folks, when the rest of the world were worshipping idols, and all that professed Christianity were following a self righteousnesse, and absolution by pennance, indulgences, &c. fled to Jesus Christ for refuge, and they, by this righteousnesse and satisfaction alone, are made white, pardoned of sin, and brought to this happy condition, and not by any thing in themselves; though they keeped themselves free from the corruption of the time, yet this effect is not attributed to that, but to their washing, &c.
For the third, Their present happy condition is enlarged in the last three Verses of the Chapter, and set down only as a consequent of their suffering, but flowing from their making use of the Lambs bloud as the cause thereof; Therefore, that is, not because they suffered such tribulation, but because they washed their robes, and made them white in Christs bloud.
Their happy condition is set out in these following circumstances, or steps, which shew what a happinesse they were brought unto, 1. In the place of enjoying their happinesse, before the Throne of God, and in His Temple, which is in His Church here begun, by fellowship in His Ordinances, and in Heaven compleatly, when they are presented before Gods Throne in Glory. 2. In their service and work, and the un-interruptednesse of it, they serve Him night and day, and have place among Angels that stand by, Zech 3. freed from selfishnesse and a body of death; and not doing this service by fits, but constantly, alluding (probably) to the Priests, which in their courses were admitted night and day to be in the Temple, Psal. 134.1. This is a speciall part of their happinesse, that enimity now in them, against the service of God, being taken away, that their delight therein is not marred: and this is brought in, 1. to shew their priviledge, that they did need no Priest, nor intervenient mean to help them. 2. To shew there was no intermission in their service, no whoring from God; but, as the Angels in Heaven, so do they the will of God chearfully and delightsomly. A third step of their happy condition, is in the end of vers. 15. and is set out by enjoying of Gods company, which is the object of that blessed condition, He that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them, that is, they shall not be at a distance with God, nor He at a distance with them; but He shall make Himself familiarly known to them, and there will be no intermission of their sense and joy. They shall not have communion with God by starts, but He shall constantly and fully manifest Himself as dwelling in one house with them, and they in His company for ever. This word …welling, is to sojourn in a tent, spoken of Christs being in the fl…sh, Ioh. 1.14 which may look to Gods making Himself manifest in Ordinances, till this tent be taken down; thus it agreeth to the Church-militant, wherein no such interruption of Gods presence shall be after that time, as had been before under Antichrist. The fourth step or part of their happy condition, is in vers. 16. wherein their happinesse is set out by their freedom from all crosses and natural defects and infirmities, and mens violence. There is neither hunger, nor thirst, nor scorching heat of the Sun, that is, no persecution, if figuratively taken, as Matth. 13. nor distemper of air, or weather, nor any thing hurtfull or noisome to the body, if properly taken. There was by the former phrase no sinfull defect, and now there is no sinlesse defect, which Christ was subject unto while He was here on earth, such as hunger or cold or weariness: there is nothing of that kind in Heaven, nothing to distemper their happiness or to impare their blessednesse; not, the least blast that floweth from their naturall infirmity within, nor from without by annoiance of the weather, as it is here on earth. The fifth is, a main step of their happinesse, and it is given as the great ground and reason of all the rest, and serveth to confirm it, vers. 17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne, stall lead them; it shall be so, and can be no otherwayes; for, the Lamb Jesus Christ Himself, who is God on the Throne, equal to the Father, His care over them will be such as will admit no want, but will furnish all good: and this is set out in these two, 1. He shall feed them; which comprehendeth all care over them and tendernesse to them in Him; and also taketh in all provision needfull for their well-being in providing for them, and feasting them, and over-seeing them, to keep them from any hurt, as a shepherd doth his flock, Psal. 23. He shall take them in His speciall guiding, without interveening of O…dinances or Ministers. 2. It is set out in the excellent pastures He shall feed them in, not at puddles or streams, nor every fountain, but living fountains of waters, which dry not up, able to quench all thirst, and to cool from all heat: called living fountains, 1. In opposition to all earthly consolations, which are but as standing and dead puddles or cisterns, or streams at best; but there are at His right hand fulnesse of joy, and pleasures for evermore, Psal. 16. fountains and living fountains. 2. To shew the diversity and abundance of consolation that is to be had and will be gotten in the presence of God, and of the Lamb in heaven. And, 3. living fountains, to shew the inexhaustiblnesse of them: it is closed with a word to confirm the former, God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, that is, God shall put an end to all their miserie, and there shall be neither sigh nor tear there, nor cause of tears, though they have never been in their life without tears on their cheeks; yet no sooner shall they enter in that blessed place, but Gods presence, and a glimpse of His favour shall so wipe them away, that none of them shall ever stick there any more, nor be seen there again. There are none among that happy company, that either actually weep, or shall have cause or occasion of weeping or sorrow for ever.
There are some of these excellent expressions applied by Isaiah to the Church, after its captivity, as may be seen, Isa. 49.10, &c. and 25.8. and 35.10. and 51.11, &c. whereby it may not be inconsistent with the scope, to look upon this description as pointing at the begun victory of these Saints here, but perfected in Heaven, as we shew you at the entry on this part of the Chapter; however, more literally, it agreeth to heaven: and therefore we shall draw our Observations most from that consideration of them, and only apply them to the Churches happy estate here, 1. As begun. 2. As comparative with former straits. 3. Because in it self excellent and eminent by these priviledges it enjoyed. Hence,
Observe 1. Gods people in difficult times, would be acquainting themselves with, and confirming themselves in the Faith of the happy estate of glory; for this end, it is so studiously proposed, much pains is taken to reveal and hold it forth: and the Lord stirreth up Iohn, and in him other Believers, to look upon it and to believe and comfort themselves from the happy estate they shall meet with when their suffering shall have an end, 1. To prevent their fainting, in as far as heaven maketh an end of all their difficulties. 2. To make them submissive, because that time is coming. 3. To make their life lively and comfortable by the knowledge and faith of it, and the frequent meditation on it. This maketh a chearfull, comfortable and submissive way of living under crosses and difficulties; this maketh Believers long for heaven, and to comfort themselves in their abiding empty handed for the time. 2. These are they that come out of great tribulation] Then tribulations, and great tribulations are the way to glory to them whom God loveth most: Jesus Christ Himself drank of the brook by the way, Psal. 110.7. and was made low before He was exalted, and His Members follow the Head in a conformity of suffering, Rom. 8.28. Acts 14.22. Suffering could not look so grim and terrible-like, if what were on the back of it were well looked to. Let none think the worse of Glory, or that the happinesse of Gods people is of lesse worth, because tribulations are in the way to it; neither let any prize an easie life in this world with Gods curse, This is far better with all the tribulations that accompany it. 3. They have washen their garments in the bloud of the Lamb, who came through tribulation] Observe, These that are most righteous, whether in active obedience, in keeping the Law and Commandments, or, in passive obedience, in yeelding their bodies to be burnt, they have need of Christs satisfaction to make them white: These Worthies keeped themselves free of the pollutions of the time, and shunned no suffering; and yet upon this account they appear not before God. Holinesse is good, but in our seeking to appear before God, we are to seek to be found in Christ, Phil 3.9. Or, take the Doctrine thus, No merit of ours can bring through neither temporal nor spiritual judgments. These were free of common guiltinesse, and shunned not, but endured all tribulations; yet, none of these are grounds of their through-bearing, but the washing of their garments in Christs bloud. 4. As the greatest tribulations have an outgate; and the greater the tribulation be, the greater and more glorious is the outgate; and the greater the fight be, the victory is the more remarkable, Therefore are all these singularily pointed at here. So the bloud of Christ is the best and only outgate from tribulations; fleeing to Christ for refuge, is the only best way to escape all tribulations temporall or spirituall: for, we suppose, this coming out of tribulation, looketh to temporall affliction as well as delivery from eternall wrath. And indeed if the misknowing of Jesus Christ by a people that hear the Gospel, be the great cause of their temporall ruine, trouble and overthrow. Luke 19.42, 43. O that thou had known, in this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. Therefore the dayes shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee; If the neglecting of Him, hasten judgement on the ungodly world, Then fleeing to Him, must be the best way to shun judgement, to take away the controversie, and to get an outgate from tribulations when they are lying on. And there is nothing that we would more take notice of in this time; there are none but they would know how to be rid of the trial and trouble that is lying on, This is the best way that can be taken. Jesus Christ taketh away the controversie, and maketh the sufferers white; we are conquerours; yea, more than conquerours through Christ who loved us, Rom. 8.35. 1. He strengthneth to stand and fight. 2. He hideth sin and removeth guilt, which is the rise of the controversie. 3. He giveth peace and a settled outgate; and outgates from tribulation any otherway, whether by outward means, as armies, friendship, &c. or inward, as in our own holinesse or satisfactions, are but the passing from one snare to another that is worse, and from one plague to a greater curse: and folks can never be said to come out of tribulation, while they lye under the wrath and curse of God. Micah 5.4. only this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land. 5. From the happy condition of Christs followers, Observe, That it is an excellent and unspeakable happinesse, an excellent condition, delightsome and lovely, that Believers are to look for in heaven, when the tribulation shall be over: it is not only an outgate, but an excellent outgate. We cannot speak of it to you, only, (beside what was said of it, vers. 9, 10.) take a short view of what is said of it here, 1. For its place, It is here before the Throne of God, beholding Him, to have a place among them that stood by in Gods Temple: this is the first step of their happinesse. 2. Their decoring, is, white robes and palms in their hands, as so many conquerours and triumphers. 3. Their company, God and Christ, Angels and Saints, meaned by the Elders. 4. Their work, is, to sing and praise chearfully. Again here further, it is set out in these properties. 1. It is a sinlesse happinesse; no back-drawing from God will be there, but a doing of His will with delight, and without interruption or wearinesse night and day, that is, continually; for, there is no night there; it is a part of their glory and the first step of it, to be quit of sin; there they will not he put to pray, Let thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, but there will be an actuall doing of it so. 2. That day is coming, when there will be no more crying out under a body of death; the body of death will not then rebell, there will not be one law against another, not an inward man or mind and flesh, but perfect holinesse, without a sinfull defect; no reluctancie, no sin nor misery. 3. To do this in His Temple, is, to signifie their dignity and eminency, and the dignity and eminency of their service; they need no Priest now to go in to the most Holy; all are there admitted thus to minister. 4. The great object of their eternal blessednesse, is, God; they enjoy Him fully, familiarly, and constantly, which is meaned by His dwelling with them; they are ever in his company, God and they in one house, and upon one Throne, and to have common society with Him▪ It is wonderfull, and the height of all. 5. There is no sinlesse defect there, nor any crosse either of infirmity or heat of persecution, no violence nor cry in these straits, no complaint of plundering or oppression, no sequestration, no quarterings there, no poverty, not a poor person among all that company, entry into heaven putteth a close to all these, none of them are admitted to follow a Believer further than the ports of the City; It must then certainly be good to be there. The Lamb His sweet companie, and the enjoyment of Him, compleateth all; we hold both Grace and Glory of Him, we have a speciall relation to Him, He is in our own nature there, God-man in one Person, the greatest glimpse of the God-head will probably be attained in Him, and all tears will be wiped way; whatever may comfort a Believer, will be given; and what disquiets a Believer, will be removed. There are three things that disquiet a Believer, that will not be in heaven. 1. Sinning and interrupting of Gods service, and neither …in nor tentation will be there, no devils nor corrupt nature, flesh and bloud enter not there. 2. The interruption of the sense of Gods favour, which is now but at starts, as He is pleased to let it out; but no interruption of favour there; as they serve Him day and night, so He dwelleth among them, the communion is constant. And, by the way, Obs. That an uninterrupted serving of God, and an uninterrupted communion with God and enjoying of Him go together. 3. Outward persecutions and wants, pinches and straits, none of these do follow the Saints into heaven; and, in opposition to all these, they enjoy God in a most excellent way, and the companie of the Lamb, and are feasted by living fountains of water; and if any thing be more delectable than another, they have it, and that in abundance, freshly flowing for ever.
Vse 1. Long in a holy and warrantable way to share and have experience of this happy condition, and labour to entertain clearnesse of right and interest in it. 2. Back your longings with endeavours to be at it. It is to be feared that many of us, when we shall yeeld our breath and soul, do find that we have looked on Heaven as a story. 3. Mortifie your members which are upon the earth: what are all Idols when they are laid in the ballance for-against this happinesse, in its highest degree with its soul-sweetning circumstances? What happinesse so desirable as this? or, to be compared with the enjoying of God, wherein there is perfect holinesse without sin, and compleat happinesse without stop or interruption? 4. Be comforting your selves from, and confirming your selves in the hope of this happinesse, all ye who are fled to Christ for refuge: suppose ye be under tribulation now, there is a time coming when ye will get out of it: and though a body of death trouble you, and wants, oppression, poverty, hunger, nakednesse, &c. keep you at under; yet, when ye come to Heaven, ye shall be troubled with none of these things; none are poor, but all are rich there; none are naked, but all are cloathed with white robes; none are hungry, but all feasted and well fed: and suppose ye have a heartlesse time here, yet then there is no fear, no sin, nor sorrow, nor cause, nor occasion of it.
The result of all this, is, to commend to you these two directions, 1. Seing all this happinesse cometh through washing in the Lambs bloud, Think much of Believing, make that knot sure, it is that upon which Heaven hangeth; loose that knot, and Heaven will fall by from you. This carnall security that is among the most part of you is not believing; search and try your condition, make sure your calling and election, and seek to know that it is sure and out of question. 2. Seing Heaven is such a happy life, and there is a resemblance of it here, aime at the beginning of it: and we will find something of it in these words, as they relate to the Church-militant, 1. By serving God, and by holinesse, ceasing from sin. They that serve God most uninterruptedly, are likest Heaven; count it your happinesse to be worshipping and serving God without intermission. The more spirituall, constant and immediate our service is, the more it is like Heaven; thus we enter in Gods rest, Heb. 4.10. when we cease from our own works and do His. 2. To be enjoying Gods company, though not in that immediate way as in Heaven, yet by Faith in Him, and by His Spirit in us, and by the having our conversation lift up to him, Col. 3.1, 2. This is the earnest and first fruits of Glory, much nearnesse and communion with God maketh us like Heaven; the likest thing to it in the world, is to dwell in Him and with Him. 3. To be in Christs Flock under His care and tutory, fed by Him; and led by Him, and feeding on Him, and yeelding our selves up to Him. 4. A contentednesse with our present condition and lot in the world, as He is pleased to carve it out to us, to learn in every estate to be content, Philip. 4. in the enjoying of God and Christs care of us. 5. Wainednesse of affection from carnall and worldly delights, not engageing in, nor thirsting after these. Paul opposeth a heavenly conversation to this, Phil. 3.19, 20. In a word, study to reach a further length in holinesse, and endeavour after a more full communion with God, and in all other things give him His will. There might be some more fore-taste of happinesse had in these things. Lord make us serious in seeking after them.