I will endeavor, in a few words, to indicate the place of this lesson in the grand prophetic panorama that began to unroll with the opening of the first of the Seven Seals: The fifth Seal is the Seal of persecution. It describes, chapter 6:9-11, a period of tribulation to the church. This was fulfilled in the reign of Diocletian, about the close of the third century, when an effort was made by the Roman emperor to "abolish the Christian name from the face of the earth." The sixth Seal described, chapter 6:12-17, portrays a mighty cataclysm, a period of political and social revolution, fulfilled in the overthrow of the old Pagan civilization and order, and the establishment of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire; a change as great as it would be now to extirpate Christianity and to establish paganism as the religion of the civilized world. This occurred in the first part of the fourth century. "After these things" John sees four angels holding back four stormy winds to prevent them from rushing upon the earth until the "servants of God were sealed." Chapter 7:1-3. It is as though four dark storm clouds, charged with fury, were about to rush upon a land, and then some mighty hand was reached forth to stay them in their career, and to hold them suspended in the heavens, until another work was done. These four angels represent four hurtful agencies which are to do a work of destruction. This impending ruin is arrested until some work of God is accomplished, which is described as the sealing of his servants-- Vision of the Ages. Without here entering into details, it is sufficient to state that this "sealing" describes a mighty triumph of the church, which took place after "the great tribulation" of the fifth seal, and the establishment of Christianity as the religion of the civilized world which was accomplished in the fourth century. Until this was done, the "four winds," four invasions which were to destroy the Roman Empire, the mistress of the world, after an existence of over 1,200 years, were held back. These invasions take place when the seventh Seal is opened, one as each trumpet blows the blast of battle. The first, resulting in the capture of Rome, for the first time for 800 years, occurred in A. D. 409; the second, in 422, again captured and pillaged the city; third, in which 800,000 fierce warriors scathed and blackened: all Gaul and Italy ended about 440; and the last, which trampled down the empire to rise no more, occurred in 476.

      9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, etc. First, after the four winds were held back, John saw 144,000 of the tribes of Israel sealed, a portrayal of the fact that a part of the Jews out of every tribe had professed the Christian faith. Then he saw a countless multitude of all nations, the mighty host of Gentiles now gathered into the family of the children of God, all standing before the throne and engaged in praise. These are the victorious saints, now [272] by the triumph of the Church (in the fourth century) countless in numbers. We note: 1. A countless multitude of saints; 2. They are of all nations; 3. They are clothed in white robes. White robes are not only a symbol of purity, but of victory; 4. They have palms in their hands. Palms belong to victors; 5. They sing a song of praise for their salvation. The whole picture evidently symbolizes a period of triumph in the Church; the period when after the long and bloody struggle with paganism it won the victory.

      10. Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, etc. They ascribe to God and the Lamb the glory of their salvation. It is a song of praise from the lips of the redeemed, such as is sung, in substance, every Lord's day in ten thousand congregations.

      11, 12. All the angels stood about the throne. Also the four living creatures, and the elders, all evidently being the same as those described in Chapter V. There the elders and four living creatures began the song of praise, the angels joined in the first chorus, and all creation sung the second. Here the redeemed sing the song, and the angels, elders and four living creatures join in the chorus. It is the same ascription of praise and glory to God.

      13. One of the elders saith unto me. One of these heavenly elders. One had spoken unto him in Chapter V concerning the sealed book. He now asks him concerning the countless multitude in white robes, not for information, but in order to give it.

      14. These are they which have come up through great tribulation. It will be noticed that the Revision translates: "These are they which came out of the great tribulation." This specifies some particular tribulation, for the article occurs in the original. That tribulation is described in chapter 6:9-11. There it is seen that to each of the suffering and praying saints is given a white robe, the same robe now worn by the mighty multitude of singers. That tribulation was the awful persecution of the latter part of the third century, the determined [273] attempt of imperial Rome to blot Christianity from the face of the earth. To those who stood firm, remained true, the white robes were given, and now in the glorious triumph that followed within the next fifty years they wear them and sing their songs of rejoicing. They have washed their robes. It is explained why their robes are so white. They have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. He has cleansed them from all sin. They are the saints who have been true in tribulation and have worked out the great triumph. Some have died as martyrs and all have been in peril of martyrdom; but now they are honored. The thought relates mainly to this martyr class who have purchased the great triumph.

      15. Therefore now they are before the throne of God. As the apostle looks into the future he beholds the destiny of all those sealed. They have a home in heaven, around the throne of God. There they serve, night and day, continually in his temple, so that the redeemed always know that they are in the Father's house.

      16, 17. They shall hunger no more. Their sorrows, trials, and tribulations, of body as well as mind, are over forever. They shall not hunger or thirst, because "the Lamb shall feed them" with the Bread of life, and "lead them to living fountains" of the waters of life. Nor shall they ever sorrow, because God shall "wipe all tears from their eyes." In other words, he will take away every cause that makes our mortal tears to flow, and fill our hearts with everlasting joy. The figure is a very tender one; of a loving Father wiping away and drying up the tears of his children. The reader should note the picture of heaven here presented. It is, 1. A place of praise from rejoicing souls; 2. The saints enjoy the immediate presence and care of God and the Lamb; 3. Tears never fall. Every cause of sorrow is removed forever. Suns do not scorch, and hunger and thirst are never felt; 4. The Lamb tenderly supplies the wants of the saints, and God dries up every source of tears; 5. The saints engage in unceasing service of God. They served him on the earth; now they serve him before the throne.

      1. Though God may permit his saints to suffer he never forgets them.

      2. "All things shall work for good to them that love God." Sometimes they may not see the good in the darkness that environs them, but it will finally be revealed and enjoyed. [274]

      3. Pure and lasting joy is generally born out of a baptism of suffering. Christ bore the cross before be received the crown. So must his disciples. Those who wore the white robes came up out of the great tribulation.

      4. Only those who have white robes can enter heaven. Nothing that is defiled by sin can ever enter there (Rev. 21:27). Only the blood of Christ can make our robes white by cleansing us from sin. If we would be cleansed we must come to him and obey him.

      5. You may have tears and sorrow here, but if you secure the white robes, the time cometh when every pang that rends the heart shall cease, and every tear that blinds the eye shall be wiped away forever. "Earth hath sorrow, sin and pain, and bitter tears," but when the trials of earth are ended these are left behind. In the heavenly home "God shall wipe away all tears from your eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."

[CLC01 271-275]