Who Are These People?

 

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:13-17 ESV).

 

Driving south on FM5 to our home is a lovely cemetery (pictured here). The Annetta Cemetery is listed on the Texas State Registry for Historical Places. Mary and I have often remarked that should we still be in this area when we die that this would be our preference for burial. The live oaks and “country” feel seem to fit us. Some have asked why we prefer burial to cremation. Well, I really don’t care either way; however, our sons have made it very clear that they want our remains to be some place. If they were to come for a “visit” later, the marker would be a good anchor point. However, make no mistake… we won’t be there. They do know that.

 

That’s the message of our reading today. Remember the context of our reading. John, the narrator of this story, had a blank and puzzled look on his face when he was asked: “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” It is easy to get lost in a crowd, especially “a great multitude that no one could count” (cf. Revelation 7:9). No wonder John responded by saying, “Sir, you know.”

 

The Spirit of God, who gave John this revelation, wants us to know who these people are. We do not know them all, but we know some of them very well. They are believers in Christ who have died and have gone before us to be in heaven with God. I have walked through cemeteries where the remains of loved ones are buried. The thoughts and memories that are evoked are pleasant though bittersweet. We grieve the deaths of our loved ones. We miss them. To comfort us, God gives us this picture of a multitude before his throne. And they are not lost in the crowd. God knows and cares for each one, and he continues to be their shepherd. He will forever be the Lamb in the midst of His people!