Meditations on Rev 7:14-17 and Lam 3

14 And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat: 17 for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Revelation 7)

It is not my concern ngayon to analyze interpretive principles para sa apocalyptic literature kasama na 'yung iba ibang models of interpretation.

I just want to look at the acts of God here. The multitude in white bloodied robes we are told came from a tribulation experience. They came to Jesus and washed their clothes with Jesus' blood and the robes became white.

Devotional Thoughts: As this was read by the persecuted early church, they received a revelation of comfort and recuperation from Jesus Himself. It appears that God recuperates as an act of His love and blessing. Removing the scars and pain of past or fresh suffering is a ministry of God. This gives the warrant for me to believe that God is able to do this both in my present condition and future, afterlife state. This is gospel truth for me as I read this as a person who has a serious medical condition. I think I share the common aspiration of many in the early church to rescue me with the beautiful option "to live is Christ, to die is gain" (Phil 1:21). It must have given an increase in their faith to live lives worthy of Christ despite their circumstances to fulfill God's will for them here and hereafter. I'm sure they loved their families that is why to pray for rescue from God is their natural, God-given concern. At God's own bidding I surrender to His will. God's mercies never come to an end.

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From verse 15 describes the result of God's washing their blood-stained clothes: the fulfillment of eschatological promise said in magnificent terms.

Devotional Thoughts: How much I long for that day when the pain and agony of suffering caused by sin will be replaced by gloriously beholding and serving God on His throne. I pray that this action by my loving God does not only occur eschatologically though I long for it as the greatest of all endeavors. I pray that God will grant me a piece of heaven and healing in my earthly sanctification so that my family and friends will see that You, O God, My Precious Christ love me.

My tears have been my waking sign in the dawn. "I rise before dawn and cry for help" (Psalm 119:147) because "I hope in your words" (ibid). I see darkness. You are to me "as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places" (Lamentations 3:10).

1 I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath; 2 he has driven and brought me into darkness without any light;  3 surely against me he turns his hand again and again the whole day long.  4 He has made my flesh and my skin waste away; he has broken my bones;
 5 he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation;  6 he has made me dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago.  7 He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has made my chains heavy;  8 though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer;  9 he has blocked my ways with blocks of stones; he has made my paths crooked.  10 He is a bear lying in wait for me, a lion in hiding;  11 he turned aside my steps and tore me to pieces; he has made me desolate;  12 he bent his bow and set me as a target for his arrow. 13 He drove into my kidneys the arrows of his quiver;  14 I have become the laughingstock of all peoples, the object of their taunts all day long.  15 He has filled me with bitterness; he has sated me with wormwood.  16 He has made my teeth grind on gravel, and made me cower in ashes;  17 my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is;  18 so I say, "My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD." (Lam 3:1-18 ESV)

Your gift of faith is my instrument to respond to your promises, for out of the mingling of threats and promises I know about You, O Lord Merciful One -- You have an overriding purpose of mercy and grace.

19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. 20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. 21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3)

Amidst the mingling of threats and promises in Isaiah 7-9 emerges Your overriding purpose of grace in 9:6 --

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I hope in Your Words Lord. Cleanse my blood stained robe of righteousness. Help me.