463. Tuesday after Twenty-seventh Sunday after Trinity.
Let the words of hope, O God,
gladden and strengthen our hearts. Amen.
Revelation 7, 13-17. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 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. 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.
❦
Tribulation first, and then glory! Peter wanted to remain on the mount. “Lord, it is good to be here; let us make here three tabernacles.” No, Peter; it is too soon; you must yet a while suffer tribulation; the path to eternal glory leads by way of Cedron and Calvary.
The aged Jacob sighed: “I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.” Naomi lost both husband and sons; David was given tears to drink; and Jeremiah sang lamentations to move a stone. But behold them now before the throne of God, clothed with their white robes, and palms in their hands! There Moses is no longer troubled by the stubbornness of the people; there Job does not lose his riches, his children, his health, and his honor; there the eyes of Peter are not moist with tears; there Paul is rid of his thorn in the flesh; there Nehemiah is no longer a pitiful sight to see by reason of sadness on account of the city of God. Here on earth all believers have their afflictions, and are to be prepared to bear the cross after the Savior every day. But in the world to come they all are forever delivered from all evil; for there sin has disappeared, and with it sorrow and suffering and death; “there is fulness of joy; at the right hand of God are pleasures for evermore.” It could not be more beautifully expressed in human language, than it is in the words employed by the angel in our text: “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.” The Lamb himself, the Lamb, who now has dominion over all things, and who now owns our heart; he shall care for us, and spread the tent over us. O how safe and how full of bliss shall be our habitation! And he shall lead us unto the living fountains of waters, where we shall drink without hindrance of the living streams of love; and the eternal God shall himself be our abundant comfort for all our tears on earth. Who, then, would not cheerfully suffer, and thank God for it? Fight the good fight for the crown; and the Lord shall give you a most glorious reward. Do not forget, however, that the blest in heaven are they who have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Ponder this, and follow Jesus!
Lord, thou knowest how lukewarm I am, alas; and thou knowest how many obstacles bar my way. Stir me up, and strengthen me; and help me to renounce and cast from me everything which may endanger my salvation. Reveal to me even now so much of the glory to come, that I may rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and continue instant in prayer. Make me faithful, and guide me to the goal. Amen.*
What are these in bright array,
This innumerable throng,
Round the altar night and day
Hymning one triumphant song?
“Worthy is the Lamb, once slain,
Blessing, honor, glory, power,
Wisdom, riches to obtain,
New dominion every hour.”
These through fiery trials trod;
These from great affliction came;
Now, before the throne of God,
Sealed with his almighty name,
Clad in raiment pure and white,
Victor-palms in every hand,
Through their great Redeemer’s might,
More than conquerors they stand.
[Common Service Book 246; listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.