An exposition of Revelation 7.
Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen
Nobody knows my sorrow
Nobody knows my trouble but Jesus
Glory Hallelujah!
Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down
Oh, yes, Lord
Sometimes I’m almost to the ground
Oh, yes, Lord
Although you see me going ‘long so
Oh, yes, Lord
I have my trials here below
Oh, yes, Lord
If you get there before I do
Oh, yes, Lord
Tell all-a my friends I coming to HEAVEN!
Oh, yes, Lord
“These in white robes: the great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb – who are they, and where did they come from? These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; that have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
They are all faithful servants of God who have come to heaven through the sufferings of this life. The African-American Spiritual expresses the reality of all God’s people. We all suffer sorrows, trouble, and trials. All God’s people have come out of the great tribulation. We may put a brave face on our troubles but we cannot hide from ourselves or Jesus the troubles we’ve seen. We may have been blessed with success in life and affluence. We may be comfortable and grateful for the opportunities life has given us. We may have been encouraged by relationships of loved ones: by husbands, wives, children, parents, or friends. But success, or wealth, or comfort, or the support of friends and family does not assure us of immunity from sorrow, sadness and troubles. You know your troubles. You know what saddens your heart. You know when you’re down to the ground. You know your trials. Jesus said, “In this life you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus knows our troubles, and he does something about them.
First, He protects us from the coming judgments he is about to describe, by his seal of approval: “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.” (Ezekiel 9:4) He holds back the winds of judgment so that the servants of God are not harmed (1-4).
Secondly, He reveals that we are recruited into the army of his people with all its glorious history: the patriarchs and prophets, our spiritual ancestors. We have been grafted in Israel’s heritage and drafted into service (5-8). We are part of the people of faith, the children of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Elijah, David, Isaiah and Jeremiah. Abraham is the father of all who believe (Rom.4:11). We are heirs of the promises given through the prophets to God’s people. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)
Thirdly, He reveals that we are part of a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people and language (9-12). This was the promise to Abraham: “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth.” “Look up to the heavens and count the stars…so shall your offspring be.” “I will make your descendants like the sand of the sea which cannot be counted.” (Genesis 13:16; 15:5; 32:12) This would come as a great surprise to the Christians of the first centuries, the first readers of this book. They were a despised minority in the Roman Empire. Yet, Jesus envisioned that the Gospel would be preached in all the world. What an encouragement it is to know that, despite your troubles, you are part of a such a large family of God. It also reminds us that Christianity is not confined to our ethnic group, our race, our language, our class. We are all one in Christ Jesus, whatever our background, or circumstances. We all suffer troubles and come to Jesus for salvation.
Fourthly, we are all washed in the blood of the lamb. (13,14) We are forgiven, cleansed, justified, reconciled at the foot of the Cross of Christ. That is why we can sing praises and thanksgivings. All our troubles are washed away by the love of God in Christ. We will be welcomed into his presence in heaven where we will enjoy all the pleasures of his kingdom. (15-17) Quoting Isaiah 49:10-15 we are promised that all our troubles will cease. We will no longer suffer from the calamities and hardships of life. He will guide us and lead us and wipe away our tears. There is an end to sorrow, and rest from pain, immediately upon death (Isaiah 57:1,2).
Vachel Lindsay’s poem General William Booth Enters Into Heaven depicts the glory of that day of souls saved through the work of the Salvation Army he founded.
Booth led boldly with his big bass drum –
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
The Saints smiled gravely and they said: ‘He’s come.’
(are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
Walking lepers followed, rank on rank,
Lurching bravos from the ditches dank
Drabs from the alleyways and drug fiends pale –
Minds still passion-ridden, soul-powers frail:-
Vermin-eaten saints with moldy breath,
Unwashed legions with the ways of Death-
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)………..
Jesus came from out the court-house door
Stretched his hands above the passing poor.
Booth saw not, but led his queer ones there
Round and round the mighty court-house square.
Then, in an instant all that blear review
Marched on spotless, clad in raiment new.
The lame were straightened, withered limbs uncurled
And blind eyes opened on a new sweet world.
Drabs and vixens in a flash made whole!
Gone were the weaselhead, the snout, the jowl!
Sages and sibyls now, and athletes clean,
Rulers of empires, and of forests green!
The hosts were sandalled, and their wings were fire!
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
But their noise made havoc with the angel-choir.
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)
Oh, shout Salvation! It was good to see
Kings and Princes by the Lamb set free.
The banjos rattled and the tambourines
Jing-jing-jingled in the hands of Queens.
And when Booth halted by the curb for prayer
He saw his Master through the flag-filled air.
Christ came gently with a robe and crown
For Booth the soldier, while the throng knelt down.
He saw King Jesus. They were face to face,
And he knelt a-weeping in that holy place.
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
(Excerpted from SOUL FOOD, vol.4, 268-271)
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