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Joy Evermore, December 30
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.
Revelation 7:9
.
All classes, all nations and kindreds and people and tongues will stand
before the throne of God and the Lamb with their spotless robes and
jeweled crowns. Said the angel, These are they that have come up through
great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white, while
the lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, the self-indulgent and
disobedient, have lost both worlds. They have neither the things of this
life nor the immortal life.
That triumphant throng, with songs of victory and with crowns and
harps, have trodden in the fiery furnace of earthly affliction when it was
heated and intensely hot. From destitution, from hunger and torture, they
come, from deep self-denial and bitter disappointments. Look upon them
now as conquerors, no longer poor, no longer in sorrow, in affliction and
hatred of all men for Christ’s sake. Behold their heavenly garments, white
and shining, richer than any kingly robe. Look by faith upon their jeweled
crowns; never did such a diadem deck the brow of any earthly monarch.
Listen to their voices as they sing loud hosannas and as they wave
the palm branches of victory. Rich music fills heaven as their voices
sing forth these words: “Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain and
rose again forevermore. Salvation unto our God which sitteth upon the
throne, and unto the Lamb.” And the angelic host, angels and archangels,
covering cherub and glorious seraph, echo back the refrain of that joyous,
triumphant song saying, “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and
thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever
and ever” (
Revelation 7:12
).
Oh, in that day it will be discovered that the righteous were the wise
ones, while the sinful and disobedient were fools.... Shame and everlasting
contempt is their portion. Those who have been colaborers for Christ
will then be near the throne of God, girt with purity and the garments of
eternal righteousness.
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