Hello Susan and Doves
Rev 7: 15
There are NEVER contradictions in scripture. We must look at and read, the scripture verses preceeding and sometimes the whole chapter as well as other books in scripture in order to fully understand A passage. This is where we apply the " study to show thyself approved " comes into use.
Shame on those who will explain this as a METAPHOR. That explaination is like putting a Band Aid on a mortal wound.
It is not sinful to be ignorant, but there is in laziness, or thinking more highly of ones self than one should. I try and eat a slice of humble pie every day. It is good for the soul, mind and spirit.
In Revelation an explaination of the scripture is given when apocaliptic language is used.
In this case we look back, and then read forward.
Lets start with verse (9)
After these things I looked, and behold , a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the " Lamb ", [ clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands], (10) And crying out with a loud voice, saying, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb !
This poses the question(s) , " Who are these standing before the throne ? " What is the time frame ? Why are they wearing white robes? and Why holding Palm branches? Why crying with a loud voice " Salvation belongs to our God [and] the Lamb" ? notice here they defferenciate between God AND the Lamb. The church know the Lamb and God as ONE.
(11) ALL the angels stood around the throne and the ELDERS and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen ! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever Amen".
This is a different song being sung than in verse 9 and 10. I ask you, who is this book revealing ?
ANSWER: none other than our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. The revealing of the Son by The Father to the world.
(13) Then one of the Elders answered, saying to me, " Who are these arrayed in White Robes, and where did they come from ?
( 14) And I said to him, " Sir , you know. "So he said to me, These are the ones who come out of great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. notice here: future tense " who come out of great tribulation." NOT who [came] out of great tribulation. (a past tense) it has not happened yet ! but will future. Rev 1:19 Write the things which you [have] seen, and the things which [are], and the things which WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER THIS.
(15) 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 dwell among them.
What TEMPLE ? The temple re-built by Christ Jesus during the 1000 yr reign. Not the tribulation temple. There is NO temple in heaven, only the throne of God. A temple is A HOUSE where men go to worship God. Heaven has No temple. Heaven [is] Gods' dwelling place. Therefore this speaks of the time frame of the 1000 yrs reign of Christ here on earth. Isn't Jesus God ?
Father , Son, Holy Spirit= God
THESE IN VERSE 15 DO NOT HAVE GLORIFIED BODIES. THEY HAVE NOT GONE WITH THE CHURCH IN REV 4:1 AT THE RAPTURE. THEY COME THROUGH GREAT TRIBULATION AND ARE SAVED OUT OF TRIBULATION AND WILL SERVE JESUS CHRIST [ DAY AND NIGHT ] UPON THE EARTH WHILE HE RULES AND REIGNS DURING THE 1000 YR REIGN OF CHRIST HERE UPON THE EARTH. THE DAY AND NIGHT WILL " ALLWAYS CONTINUE TO BE HERE UPON THE EARTH FOR EVER AND EVER. WE KNOW THIS IS THE CASE BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE IS NO NIGHT IN THE NEW JERUSALEM " THE HEAVENLY CITY " TO COME DOWN DURING THE ETERNAL PERFECT STATE, WHICH COMES AFTER THE 1000 YR REIGN OF CHRIST.
THESE WILL LIVE IN THE NEW JERUSALEM, AND SERVE JESUS THE LAMB FOREVER AND EVER, AS WILL WE THE CHURCH/ RAPTURED SAINTS.
THE THRONE OF THE LAMB/GOD IS IN JERUSALEM AND HE WILL RULE AND REIGN FROM THERE FOR THE 1000 YRS. IN 'HIS TEMPLE.
THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE ! THESE in verse 15, ARE GUESTS, NOT PART OF THE BRIDE. WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE THE BRIDE HAS ALREADY BEEN REMOVED BACK IN REV 4:1. IN THIS VERSE 7:15 WE ALSO KNOW THE TIME FRAME BECAUSE IT IS AFTER THE 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL HAVE BEEN SEALED. WE ALSO KNOW THE TIME FRAME BECAUSE THE " GREAT TRIBULATION BEGINS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK. THE LAST 3 1/2 YRS.
ALSO NOTICE IN VERSE (10)
THEY SAY " OUR GOD [AND] THE LAMB. THIS IDENTIFIES THEM AS JEW AND GENTILE.
There are THREE members of the human family.
1. Gentiles
2. Jews
3.ChristiansAfter the Rapture, there will be no more christians, only sheep and goat nations, and the Jews= gentiles and Jews
There were no Jews until Abraham. There were no Christians until Jesus Resurrection. There have ALWAYS been Gentiles from the beginning of creation. Adam was Gentile. Men were counted righteous because they BELIEVED GOD, until Jesus death burial and resurrection, then the new creation/christian. We are a New creation, a New Man in Christ Jesus. We are promised to be LIKE Him.
The very ONE thing Lucifer has said from the beginning; "I will be LIKE the Most High" but he never will ! He hates US because he knows in Christ ,we are given the very thing he has always worked to gain," TO BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH, but NEVER will be.
Praise God !
We serve a Awesome God.
I leave you with Acts 17:11
This verse tells you to not take my word for it, but search the scriptures daily to see if these things are so.
Blessings to you
KML