Revelation 7

5-8 In this list of Jacob’s twelve sons and their tribes there is something unusual: The name of Dan, one of Jacob’s sons, has been omitted (Genesis 35:23-26). In its place Manasseh, Jacob’s grandson (the son of Joseph), has been written (verse 6). Many Bible scholars believe that the tribe of Dan is omitted because from the beginning the descendants of Dan worshiped idols. Thus the name of Manasseh has been added to complete the twelve tribes.

9-10 The second of John’s visions described in this chapter was very different from the first vision. Instead of 144,000 servants of God, John next saw a multitude that was so great it could not be counted. They had come out of the great tribulation (verse 14); in other words, they had now arrived in heaven. The terrible judgments and catastrophes that had fallen on the earth were now finished. Thus John was now seeing a vision of heaven after the end of the world had taken place. All generations of believers in Christ were standing before the throne of the Lamb. They were clothed in the white robes of Christ’s righteousness. They were holding palm branches, which are a sign of joy and victory (John 12:13).

11-12 All the angels were also standing around the throne—ten thousand times ten thousand of them (Revelation 5:11). Just as they worshiped the Lamb in Revelation 5:12, so in this vision they worshiped Him in almost the same words.

13-14 One of the elders asked John, “You know, don’t you, where these wearing white robes have come from?” John answered, “You know; please tell me.” Therefore, the elder told John that they had come out of the great tribulation—that is, the great calamities and afflictions associated with the end of the world (Daniel 12:1-3). They were the ones out of every generation who had remained firm in their faith to the end (Mark 13:13; Acts 14:22). Their robes, having been washed in Christ’s blood, were now white²¹ with Christ’s righteousness; that is, Christ’s blood had washed their sins away (see Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7).

15 Because the multitude of believers were dressed in the white robes of Christ’s righteousness, they were allowed to stand before God’s throne. There they serve Him day and night²²—that is, continuously. They serve Him in his temple. Here God’s temple doesn’t mean a building; rather, it means God’s presence. Heaven is God’s “temple.” God will spread his tent over the believers; that is, He will protect and take care of them. Thus, in this vision, the promise written in the Old Testament that God will dwell in the midst of His people has now come to pass (Ezekiel 37:27; Zechariah 2:10).

16-17 In heaven, believers will neither hunger nor thirst (Isaiah 49:10). Jesus said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). “He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). The Lamb of God has become the shepherd of the sheep! (John 10:11). The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing … he leads me beside quiet waters (Psalm 23:1-2). He will lead them to springs of living water (see John 4:14; 7:37-38). And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Here John has shown us a vision of heaven, our eternal home. To live in heaven with God and Christ in this way is our reward. Is there anyone among us who is suffering pain or sorrow for Christ’s sake? Is anyone being persecuted because of Christ? If there is, let that person remember Jesus’ words: “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12).