Holiness

The Revelation we just looked at asks about those clothed in white robes. The next passage in Revelation 7:12 explains who they are, those who stand “Before the Throne.”

The Lord’s prayer begins, “may your name be kept holy.” Together, the two passages reveal the meaning. Those clothed in the white robes are clothed in holiness.

This, to me, represents the certainty of God and his promises. It’s possible this Revelation scene has already been fulfilled, as our soul now stands before God in heaven. Or, it’s possible that God’s word is so utterly certain, we can consider it as already fulfilled, even before we see it.

Kingdom

The two parallels continue: Thy Kingdom “come.” These are those who “came out” of the great suffering.

I’ve always thought of the Kingdom of God as something which comes here. In this parallel, it’s shown as something which goes there. Those clothed in white have come out of the great suffering. They’ve become part of the Kingdom of Christ. God adds.

It suggests a kind of duality. Bring your Kingdom, here. Make us part of your Kingdom, there.

Washed

They’ve washed their robes and made them white. As I mentioned, I believe robes are a symbol for the soul. So, they have washed their soul and made them white — holy.

Previous parallels show it’s God’s will to forgive us, and to offer his spirit which Christ holds in his right hand. Forgiveness removes something distorted. And, replaces it with God’s spirit, which is and must be holy. On earth, and in heaven.

Temple

If robes represent souls, then this scene is describing souls which stand before the throne of God. They serve him, day and night, in his temple. A holy temple. As holy people.

2 Corinthians 6:16 says we are a “temple” of the living God. The petition to “give us today our daily bread” is asking Jesus to fill us with his Spirit. Perhaps if he lives within us, here, then our spirit also stands before him, there.

Indwelling

The prayer asks to “forgive us our debts.” It aligns to this promise: “He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.”

The original language for “spread his tabernacle” is a word which means to “live” or “take up residence.” To fill us with his Spirit, his holiness, his certainty.

In essence, it asks that our iniquity — our distortion — be replaced by his Spirit — his perfection, within us.

Delivered

For this reason, our souls will never be hungry or thirsty any more. They are made righteous by the Spirit of Christ. The prayer continues, “Deliver us from the evil one.”

The Revelation adds, “The sun won’t beat on them, nor any heat.” Remember why Christ’s feet glow like molten metal? Because he has walked through the gates of death and hades: heat.

Jesus delivers our soul from the evil one — the burning one. The Revelation shows its fulfillment, with 100% certainty. He brings us through the heat.

Middle

The parallel ends with an acknowledgment of Christ’s Kingdom, power and glory — forever. The throne is his. The holiness is his. He offers it to us, as a gift.

I believe Jesus, the Lamb, stands in the middle of a new Kingdom. From there, he “shepherds” us. More specifically, he shepherds our souls — our eternal selves.

To me, if Jesus has overcome death and hades, and his Spirit lives within us, then so does his victory. It is a done deal, because it’s already been fulfilled by his spirit.

I also suspect this process happens every day. Which is why we ask, “give us today” our daily bread.” And, those who stand before God serve him “day and night” in his temple. Each day we can undergo a process of removing the distorted, replacing it with a spirit of holiness. If we seek it.

Eternal Connection

The story of Christ the Shepherd does not end here, it begins again. Click the right arrow or the “Revelation Shepherd” link below.