The Redeemed in Heaven
Charles Hargreaves. Revelation 7:9-17 After this I beheld, and, see, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds… I. THE GREAT NUMBER OF THE REDEEMED. It is in the highest degree probable that the number of the redeemed will finally exceed the number of the lost. For consider — 1. The vast number of children that die. 2. The predictions of Scripture, that a time is coming when the whole earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. 3. Jesus Christ is represented as ultimately to be a conqueror. II. THE EXTENSIVE VARIETY OF THE REDEEMED. Every geographical barrier which now separates people from people will be swept away; every national antipathy will be extinguished, and every denominational peculiarity will be at an end. III. THE BEAUTIFUL APPEARANCE OF THE REDEEMED. The white robe is an emblem of the moral purity which characterises the redeemed in heaven. Faith in Christ is the grand and the only specific for moral purification. Its efficacy is the same for men of all generations and of all climes. IV. THE DELIGHTFUL SONG OF THE REDEEMED. The glories of God, as displayed in the works of His hand, will furnish the occasion of growing wonder and delight. Then, too, we believe that mysteries of Providence will be disclosed. And yet, glorious as will be the discoveries that God will afford of His works in creation, and of His ways in providence, it will still be "salvation" that will be the keynote of rejoicing to the Church triumphant. And who will be the objects of their praise? God and the Lamb. (Charles Hargreaves.) Parallel Verses KJV: After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; WEB: After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.