536
The Great Controversy 1888
name. Now they behold the work of redemption accomplished, and
they unite their voices in the song of praise.
Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it were
mingled with fire,—so resplendent is it with the glory of God,—are
gathered the company that have “gotten the victory over the beast,
and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his
name.” [
Revelation 15:2
.] With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, “having
the harps of God,” they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand
[649]
that were redeemed from among men; and there is heard, as the sound
of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder, “the voice of
harpers harping with their harps.” [
Revelation 14:1-5
;
15:3
;
7:14-17
]
And they sing “a new song” before the throne, a song which no man
can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the
song of Moses and the Lamb,—a song of deliverance. None but the
hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song
of their experience,—an experience such as no other company have
ever had. “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he
goeth.” These, having been translated from the earth, from among
the living, are counted as “the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb.”
“These are they which came out of great tribulation;” [
Revelation 14:1-
5
;
15:3
;
Revelation 7:14-17
.] they have passed through the time of
trouble such as never was since there was a nation; they have endured
the anguish of the time of Jacob’s trouble; they have stood without
an intercessor through the final outpouring of God’s judgments. But
they have been delivered, for they have “washed their robes, and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb.” “In their mouth was found no
guile; for they are without fault” before God. “Therefore are they
before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.” [
Revelation
14:1-5
;
15:3
;
Revelation 7:14-17
.] They have seen the earth wasted
with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with
great heat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and
thirst. But “they shall hunger no more; neither thirst any more; neither
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb which is in the
midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living
fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
[
Revelation 14:1-5
;
15:3
;
7:14-17
.]