Washed White

Revelation 7:13-14 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
 
ONE of the 24 elders asked and then answered the question, “These in white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?” The elder is using the method of a teacher who asks a question to get a student and class focused on the lesson to be spoken. The elder had John’s attention. John was ready to listen to him, and I hope we are, too. The elder’s answer affirms that Jesus is, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) The uncountable multitude of Jesus’ church revealed in verses 4-12 are dressed in white robes of salvation. No longer will they face the tribulation of opposition, sin and temptation. Their lives marked with struggles for the Kingdom of God on earth are finished. Their lives in God’s heavenly Kingdom have begun. Their salvation and eternal life is made possible because of Jesus.
   I know to many that this seems elementary teaching; we’ve heard this many, many times. But even that repetition must be a reason to stop and consider afresh the Lord God’s extraordinary grace. Stop to consider God’s extraordinary sacrifice and magnificent gift of his great salvation. How joyful to know you are a child of the Living God.
   How miraculous it is that blood can wash a robe white! This is God’s new creation power: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ( John 11:25-26) And we know that in Christ we are a new creation. The old is gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17) Jesus is of the eternal God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2) He spoke into a formless void to create a beautiful earth and endless universe. The Father, Son and Spirit demonstrate throughout the Bible “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26b)
   Remember that Jesus has called John into Heaven to show him what must take place after this. (Revelation 4:1b) In God’s gracious plan, salvation must take place. The Bible is God’s redeeming story to cleanse our sins, so we will forever live in Heaven’s holy perfection. Believe this and be saved. Know this and trumpet the good news to all who will listen.
 
Prayer: In thanksgiving and joy, I am eager to wear the white robe you have prepared for me, Jesus. Amen.