Articles
Before The Throne Of God
Before the Throne of God — what a thought. How awesome would that be? Can you dare to dream? Is it possible? For me? For you? For sinners?
Heaven will be a rest from all the trials, tribulation, pain and persecutions of this life (Rev. 7:9-14). John’s readers knew a great deal about tribulation. They were being savagely persecuted for their faith. God delivered them from danger and graciously rescued them from peril. What an encouragement it would be to them to know that those in heaven are saved to suffer and sorrow no more. Though we have not suffered what they did, we believe this message of hope. That same message has encouraged all Christians ever since John wrote it. Troubles and trials are the lot of Christians in a world who has, on the whole, rejected Christ (Jn.16:33). When we are before His throne, we will have finally and forever freed ourselves of all tribulation.
Second, why are they before the throne? Because they have been cleansed. They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb. People before the throne of God have the divine salvation.
In the Bible, sin is considered dirt. We can’t cleanse ourselves — God must cleanse us. If sin is understood in terms of dirt and uncleanness, salvation is understood in terms of being washed and made clean. How does that happen? The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin 1Jn. 1:7).
These people are also here because of how they are clothed. They are clothed in white robes. Whoever submits and trusts in the Lord can say, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels” (Isa. 61:10).
Yes, these people are standing before the throne because of Calvary. Their robes have been washed in the Lamb’s shed blood on Calvary’s brow. Heaven’s song of praise will ever be, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.”
“There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel’s veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains.” (William Cowper)
Rickie
