The Old has Gone. The New has Come.

The Before the Throne passage at Revelation 7:13 parallels the New Creation story, with an emphasis on people. It comes right after a scene of a great multitude standing before the throne of God. One of the elders, in Heaven, asks John who are these people, and where did they come from?

Clothed in White

They’re clothed in white robes, like Jesus, the Son of Man whom we just read about. In Revelations, robes represent souls. Their souls are made new. White is a symbol of holiness. Their souls are made holy, like Christ. They are a new creation.

I believe they represent the place prepared for us in heaven, or perhaps, our souls which are already made new in heaven.

Through the Fire

The elder already knows the answer to the question, which he then reveals. These are those who came out of the great suffering, which is actually the word, “tribulation.” They have been reconciled to God through Christ. Their voice is like the voice of many waters.

It doesn’t say so here, but the truth is they have been brought, “through the fire.” Fire surrounds the middle of eternity. You can read about that in the book of Zechariah.

Washed their Robes

They’ve washed their robes (souls) and made them white through the blood of Christ. I think the word of Christ also represents the blood of Christ. If his word is within them (us), they (and we) are made new.

There’s a lengthier formula for how this works in Revelation 12:11. We overcome Satan by the blood of Christ, the word of our testimony, and because we don’t love our life when faced with death. Three things. That same formula would seem to hold here, as he has placed in us his word, which becomes our words.

Throne of God

Therefore they stand before the throne, as ambassadors for Christ. Now, I don’t recall seeing myself standing before the throne of God, in heaven. But, that is not his only throne.

The book of Revelation says, “The Kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of Christ.” His throne exists here as well.

There’s a great parallel in the resurrection scene, where the angel descends from heaven, rolls away the stone, and sits upon it: like a throne. On earth. That angel, by the way, shines like the sun (like Christ). And his clothing is as white as snow (like Christ).

Dwell Within Them

The next part of the Revelation passage mirrors the indwelling promise which we read earlier in the new creation. The one who sits on the throne, Christ, will “spread his tabernacle over them,” which words literally mean something, “take up residence in them.”

In him, we become the righteousness of God. Our souls are washed and made new.

You can also read about the indwelling a little bit later in the new creation (pt.3) passage, in which Paul says we are a temple of the living God. We’re the house, his spirit dwells within the house, within us. I’m not going to take you through every parallel, but you can take a look at it here if you like.

Not Lack

Having received grace, we will never be hungry or thirsty anymore. Nor will the sun beat down on us, nor any heat.

I don’t believe the revelation is speaking of earthly hunger and thirst, nor earthly heat. It’s speaking of spiritual hunger and thirst, and spiritual heat.

The point is we shall not lack. We shall not fall short in the time of judgment. Christ brings us through the fire.

Now is the Time

The passage ends with Christ, the lamb, standing in the middle of the throne, shepherding us. Today, as in right now.

The Son of Man passage I shared earlier began with Christ standing in the middle of the seven churches. It ends, here, in the same place it began, in the middle.

Fulfillment in Us

I love this passage because it shows the fulfillment of God’s promises to us, and in us. It’s not a far off promise. It’s a done deal.

It shows souls who are in heaven, which I believe are our souls. But, the revelation also seems to have a place here on earth, before the throne.

End of the World

I began saying that some (many) think the book of Revelation describes the end of the world. I said I no longer thought that to be the case. Now that I look at it more closely, I think it’s even more complex than I realized.

With Christ, the old is gone, passed away. The new has come, like a white robe. Jesus promises a new beginning, for us, right now.

So, in once sense, Revelations really does represent the end of one world, and the beginning of another. One that will last forever.