Jesus still bore the bloody marks of sacrifice on his body and when took the scroll, he received the accolades and the worship of the living creatures, the twenty-four elders, the angels, and every creature on earth, for it was now recognized that he was worthy to receive blessing, honor, glory and power (5:11-13). 

Jesus began to open the seals and one after another, terrible calamities were unleashed on the earth and its inhabitants. There was terrible warfare with fighting all over the earth.  There was widespread famine when the third seal was opened and the prices of even the most basic foodstuffs went sky-high. 

Then came ‘Death, with Hell following after him’. A fourth part of the earth fell victim to hunger, death, or attacks by wild animals. 

Then with the opening of the fifth seal we were shown the souls of the believers who were slain for the testimony of Jesus Christ. John heard these souls complaining to God, that God was taking longer than they liked to avenge their blood on those that lived on the earth.

They were comforted and told that everything would be wrapped up soon.  Then we were told that Jesus opened the sixth seal and a great earthquake occurred and the heavens were shaken. John tells us: “The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. And the stars of heaven fell upon the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”

(Rev. 6:12-14). This so frightened the mighty and the powerful on earth, that they scurried away from their luxurious palaces and hid themselves in the dens and in the mountains. They begged the mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of the Father, and the wrath of the Lamb. 

They finally understood the reality of God’s wrath and their own predicament and so posed the question:

“For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” This was a deep question and the chapter we study offers the answers. 

Given the nature of the judgments just wreaked on the earth, the awesome manifestation of God's wrath and the revelation that many believers had been killed and their souls were in heaven awaiting God’s vengeance on their murderers, this was quite an important question.  

This chapter shows us something of the nature of God. Apparently God is always merciful and though he is bringing judgment he always gives men an opportunity to accept his salvation.  So after this desperate question we see judgment withheld and its path interrupted. 

We are also shown that even when the earth is in a state of extreme corruption, God always has an earthly remnant. 

The ‘powerful angels’ who carry out the bidding of God and have power to control things on earth, are ready to obey the command of God to stay their hand without question; until he has performed his tasks of mercy. 

We are shown the power of angels and their participation in bringing comfort to the people of God. We also see the continued worship of the Father and the Lamb, while they bring the earth under subjection. 

In the midst of judgment, the Lamb still finds time to lead those that gave their lives for him into the path of happiness, wiping away all tears from their eyes. 

John also teaches us several other important things about human beings, for it is to be noted that while the Apostle John is in Heaven, his mind still does not grasp the truths that he has seen and it is the elders that graciously interpret for him the deep truths behind what is happening.  So we know that angels are there to comfort and to help us, for they too are always working in the battle to bring the kingdom of God on earth. 

Of course, believers will be faced with temptation to sin and the suffering of pain, but we also learn that the believers can overcome, and great rewards await them when they triumph and they have the satisfaction of being in a great, triumphant company.  

This of course is placed there to fortify us, for we are shown that fervent belief in God will bring secret strength.  The Saints are thus exhorted to endure tribulation.  They can and will overcome given the fact that they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.  We will look at this issue of the importance of the blood of the Lamb. 

Of significant interest in this lesson is the fact that Israel continues to have a central place in the program of God.  Everything centers around Israel and it is noteworthy that the Scriptures record the history of the world only as it relates to Israel.   

Jesus reminded us that salvation is of the Jews. The Apostle Paul has also showed us that though God has dealt with Israel in different ways in the past and recognizes their present condition of unbelief, God will one day restore Israel to prominence among the nations of the earth. 

So in this lull between the judgments which bring such calamity to the earth, during this time of tremendous bloodbath, God selects a group of Jews and informs the mighty angels that are holding in their hands tremendous power to devastate the earth, that he intends to protect the remnant of his people. 

So here we have God remembering his promise to his chosen people and He seals this particular group.  The Apostle also makes it clear that along with this group, he sees multitudes from all the tribes and nations who are been saved. 

There are of course many questions as to exactly who these sealed people are and many have tried to spiritualize this passage and also to lay claim to being the special sealed servants referred to in this passage.  We will look at the identity of those sealed and the nature of the seal.  Also of interest is the salvation of the great multitude and the particulars about this multitude, including their service and the satisfaction that they have when they overcome tribulation.

So we will come to the question, who is able to stand in the day of God's wrath?  How can we come under the care of the great ‘Shepherd of the sheep’?  What does the protecting care of the Lamb mean?  How can we describe the nature of the eternal blessings enjoyed by the redeemed multitude? Does God’s blood really cleanse?

THE TEXT

Verse 1.  The powerful and iniquitous men of the earth cry in their fright at the terrible wrath of God which they see coming.  John now opens up with “after these things”. 

It is very important to look at a brief summary of what went on in the previous chapter, so that we can understand what is now occurring.  The seals on the scroll were a time protective lock on the judgments that would be poured out on the earth.  Previous to chapter seven, six seals were opened and their terrible consequences were released on the earth.  Chapter six details what happened as each seal was released, but note that as each seal was undone, the judgments on the earth had gotten progressively worse.  When chapter seven starts and we expected that the seventh seal was about to be opened, we know that some unbelievable things were about to happen. Amazingly there was a lull and this is what causes John to make a shift.  The major focus in the next few verses was to set apart some special children of God, before more judgments fell on the earth. 

John saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth. The phrase ‘the four corners of the earth’ is known to be an ancient term which has been carried over into use in modern times.  It is equivalent to many phrases or terms like “the four points of the compass”. 

The Apostles’ main reason for using this phrase is so that we understand that he will encompass the entire earth in his future exposition.  Readers would understand that all of what is happening is not going to be occurring in an isolated region.  The wrath of God will be unleashed on the entire earth, due to the fact that it is completely pervaded by sin and God must act everywhere, because He is a holy and impartial. 

The ‘four angels’ are responsible for a particular task.  The waves that they hold in check are to affect the earth.  In Scriptures like Hosea 13: 15, Exodus 14: 21, or Exodus 10: 19, we see reference to the destructive effects of the “winds” that God sends to disobedient men. 

These angels were assigned the task of preventing, if even for the moment, these winds from devastating the earth.  God had before in the Bible used winds as a manifestation of His power, to accomplish a physical task.  In either case, the judgment of God was being executed, but He now tasked the angels with the job of preventing the winds from harming the earth, the sea, and the trees, until another important task had been accomplished. 

The reference to the earth, sea and trees is important, for several of the trumpet judgments which will occur after the next seal, will affect the earth, the trees, grass and the sea. 

Others believe that these are symbols, land or the earth being a symbol for Israel, given that Israel is a nation with stability, structure and a foundation and so it can be called “land”.  This word is sometimes used as a symbol for Israel in the Old Testament. 

This sea is used in some places in the Bible to describe the Gentile nations who are unstable in their conduct, just as the sea rolls and moves about. 

But be that as it may, the winds will affect everything in the earth, and everyone would be smitten and harmed.  The point is that this lull and restraint will be temporary.

Verse 2.  When God acts in the Bible to execute some kind of judgment on the earth usually it is indicated that it comes from the east, as in Exodus 14: 21 and Hosea 13: 15.  There are many other references of angels coming from the east or some other action from God coming from the east.  In this case this pattern is used again. 

An angel sent from God, who apparently is superior in authority to the other four angels, has the seal of the Living God.  His particular task is clearly different from that of the other powerful angels and he obviously knows what their tasks are.  He cries with the loud voice of authority and urgency when addressing the other angels. 

In ancient days, and to a certain extent today, a seal was an instrument used (in the past it was generally a signet ring) when certain types of business transactions occurred.  It was used to show identification and ownership and therefore was often used as a mark of protection or security.

Verse 3.  The angels restraining the destructive winds from moving over the earth were told to keep the winds in that holding position.  This new angel declared that the servants of God would be sealed, an imprint placed on their forehead. 

This seal upon his chosen people, called ‘servants of our God’, would clearly separate them from the rest of the world when the four angels released the winds and the remaining seals were opened.  Clearly releasing the winds would hurt the earth, the seas and the trees. 

The text leaves open the question as to whether or not when the first few seals were opened, the children of God were affected by the punishment meted out to the earth.  This could have been a time for testing for them, the burning away of the impurities which would leave only that which was pure. 

The term “servants of God” describe people who are spirit-filled individuals.  They are people who serve God with great willingness and give themselves up for the benefit of others.  They are servants of the people and will not seek power for themselves but are always willing to help.  These people are literally bond-servants and will not consider themselves elevated and exalted.  In this same spirit, Paul describes himself and others as the “under-rowers” in the slave galleys, the lowest kind of job, for those people were considered expendable. 

The sealing on the forehead suggest that this mark was something that distinguished them and would be plainly visible, for this seal was in a prominent place.  It could be however that the distinguishing feature was the kind of life that they lived, which would be contrary to those of the servants of ‘the Beast’ and who would have his ‘mark’ of blasphemy on their foreheads. 

We are not told specifically what this mark was, even though many believe that it was the possession of the Holy Spirit, for he is described as the ‘seal of God’. 

It is interesting to note that when people are ‘sealed’ by God, He has in mind a specific and unique purpose for them.  In this case the people who are sealed would have a specific purpose given to them, even though the specific purpose of the seal and the service connected to it, is not directly and exactly described. 

This is not the first time a protective seal is given to the righteous.  Ezekiel nine describes that something similar was done for the righteous before Jerusalem was judged.  In that case the translation of what ’seal’ meant is clear, as one writer says;

“The seal is the Hebrew letter tau (“t,” as in the shape of a small cross).

At that time the divine messenger went throughout the apostate Jerusalem and put a mark upon the foreheads of those who hated the faithless idolatry of the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  Those that were marked were faithful and true servants of God.  They were definitely not like the false servants who had professed to worship God but who had abandoned him.  God had intended to slaughter these rebellious inhabitants of Jerusalem and so those marked by him would be spared.

 We are told that the “mark” in the Phoenician script looked like a cross, It was later adopted by early Jewish Christians as a symbol of their faith in Jesus. 

What is undeniable is that the sealing by God is both a comfort and a challenge, for we are assured by the sealing that we belong to God, while at the same time being challenged to shun evil, depart from iniquity (2 Timothy 2:19) and not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God.

In this case the sealing gave physical and spiritual protection.

Verse 4-8.  John heard the number of those sealed and we are told exactly who they were.  There were one hundred and forty-four thousand people sealed from all the tribes of Israel and the text emphasizes that only Israel is in view.  Some have tried to prove that these people were the church, but this flies in the face of the plain words of Scripture, which in this case is abundantly clear. 

Some claim that they are this elect group, but one cult ran into difficulties when their group grew beyond one hundred and forty-four thousand.  So they came up with a brilliant idea of starting a second category of one hundred and forty-four thousand, which they called the ‘earthly band’ as contrasted with the previous one hundred and forty-four thousand which they called the ‘heavenly band’.  You would only belong to this heavenly band if you believed their doctrines in the early days of the cult, or strangely, were one of their present top leaders.  But now that they number over two hundred and eighty-eight thousand, they have created a third band called the “servant band”, so if you joined them today as an ordinary member without ascending to the top of the organization, that's the band that you are going to be in. 

Such is the twisting of Scripture to meet the programs of men and to justify their foolishness. Incidentally, there are other groups that try to tell you that their group is the only elect group of God and if you do not belong to their denomination you are lost.  This of course is utter and plain nonsense. 

Many Gentile scholars will say that the one hundred and forty-four thousand are the church, but they are contradicting some of their other doctrines about prophecy and the alleged “Rapture” without realizing it, for if this is so, it would mean that the church exists during the Great Tribulation but will survive it because of the sealing.

In any case the plain meaning of Scripture is that ethnically these people are Jews.  The tribe of Dan is not listed and some think this is so because they believe that Dan is the tribe from which the Antichrist would come.  To support this idea they use Daniel 11:37 and Jeremiah 8: 16.  It is clear that Dan introduced idolatry into the nation of Israel according to Genesis 49: 17 and Judges 18: 30, but this explanation as to why the tribe of Dan is not listed is really speculation.   

Note that the tribe of Dan is the first tribe listed in the Ezekiel 48 millennial roll-call of the tribes. 

Hosea 4:17 tells us that the tribe of Ephraim was also associated with great idolatry.  In this case they are not mentioned directly but the listing includes the tribe of Joseph (this could by the process of elimination only be Ephraim), since the tribe of Manasseh, the other son of Joseph is listed.  In an unusual twist the tribe of Levi is listed, though this priestly tribe did not have an inheritance among the twelve tribes. 

John does not tell us why he arranges the tribes in this way but remember that there is no normative list of the tribes of Israel in the Old Testament.  There are about twenty different orders and lists of the tribes of Israel and only in Numbers 2:7 and 10:14-29 is the same list repeated.  So John's rather unique list was obviously designed for a purpose about which we can only speculate. 

The tribal affiliations of the persons sealed from these tribes are clearly stated.  They are said to be celibate in Revelation 14: 4 and have special integrity and faithfulness.  They appear to be the beginning of the harvest of Israel referred to in Romans 11.

Clearly God has not put away his people permanently and here they are referred to specially as being people of integrity are celibate, dedicated to God and are triumphant through the ‘Great Tribulation’.

Verse 9.  In contrast to the small group of dedicated Jewish believers, John now tells us about a great multitude from different nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, who are standing before the throne of God and who have kept their faith in Jesus Christ during the ‘Great Tribulation’. 

John sees this awesome crowd “after these things” and he is clearly amazed that God would save so many people; for their numbers are beyond human comprehension.  This is an indefinite number of the redeemed.  They stand before the throne of God, a place of privilege and honour, as redeemed persons. 

They are “clothed in white robes”, symbolizing the righteousness of Christ given to them because of their faith in Him.  They are justified and therefore have access into the presence of God.  Divine sovereignty saved them and will now keep them through all eternity. 

Some believe that this great multitude were people saved by the ministry of the one hundred and forty-four thousand Jews during the Great Tribulation.  But since they invariably teach that the Holy Spirit had already been taken out of the earth, it is inconceivable that the one hundred and forty-four thousand would be converted without the Spirit and in addition be spirit-filled and in addition be able to convert this great multitude without the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Such power these people would give to men!  But in truth men have no such power. 

The Scripture is silent here and there is no reason why believing Jews or Gentiles who resist the Antichrist philosophy would not be witnessing to people through these difficult times and that God would not call many to him. 

In fact, the behaviour of these Saints of God through this difficult time would attract many who would certainly understand that the teaching of the Antichrist and the false prophet was really nonsense.  But of course it would have to be the power of God that would bring them out of that state of sin, given the great deception that would be prevalent.

Verse 10.  The great multitude is exuberant in praising God the Father for their salvation and they certainly praise the Lamb for his saving them by his blood. 

They are happy and wave palm branches, since according to ancient tradition and practice, these are elements of festive joy to be used in worship. This is an emblem of great victory.  One famous preacher, Spurgeon states:

“The palm, the ensign of triumph, indicates most certainly a conflict and conquest.  As on earth, palm would not be given if not won, we may conclude that the Lord would not have distributed the prize unless there had been a preceding warfare and victory…. From the very fact that the glorified carry palms, we may infer that they did not come from beds of sloth, or gardens of pleasure, or palaces of peace, but that they endured hardness, and were men trained for war.” 

They do not take their salvation for granted, for they know that it is God and his Lamb that saved them.  Spontaneously, they cry with joy and loud jubilation.

Verses 11-12.  Of course when the truth is proclaimed about God, those in the family of God will react. It is by this that we know the people of God.  When the word of God is proclaimed it must do something to the hearts of men.  They must react, for they love the Father and the Son and they love everything that comes from the Father and his Son. 

Those who do not love the Father will not like to hear his words and will ignore his commandments.  “If” we love God we will keep his commandments.  We will love to hear his voice.  We will love to read his words, love to study them and love to meditate on them.  That is why David in Psalm 1 tells us:

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But is the light is in the law the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night…. The ungodly are not so; but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” 

So the angels in heaven around the throne, the elders and the four living creatures, immediately react when the great multitude jubilantly proclaim, “Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” 

They fall down before the throne and prostrate themselves in worshipping God, adding their truly, truly, or Amen, let it be so.  These angels seem to love every opportunity to praise God, worship him and prostrate themselves before him.  They seize on every opportunity to show their love for God.  Just give them the slightest reason, and they will pour out their praises to God. 

The angelic hosts are compelled by their nature to join their voices in praising God with all the other beings around the throne. 

The angelic hosts look at these innumerable people who were once enemies of God, who fought against God, who hated him, but by the amazing grace, mercy, power, and wisdom of God, now are his children.  They now learn a little bit more about the nature of salvation and the nature of their God. 

They consider their God more amazing than ever to have done such a thing.  Who would have dreamed that any being would be so forgiving, so condescending to reach down to beings such as these humans!

So the angels rejoiced over the salvation of these vast multitudes sinners.  God, their God, did not simply save just a few, but many, many trillions.  He was so overwhelmingly kind.

Verse 13.   At this stage John was talking with one of the elders.  John stood before a multitude of those in white robes giving praise to God.  This elder knew that it is important for John to realize who these people were and where they had come from.  The person asked him a question in order to start a conversation, to elicit a response to see John’s level of knowledge about the situation.  John deferred to the elder, for he knew that these elders knew the mind of God certainly much better than he did.  His mind needed directing and there was no better one to helping than those around the throne of God. 

We should realize from this that sometimes we look at the situation around us and interpret it in a certain way, simply because we are so accustomed to looking at things from the way of the world.  But those whose minds are preoccupied with the things of Heaven have a different outlook and so they were able to help John. 

So we learn that partakers of flesh and blood are quite limited.  No wonder then that the disciples when they were with Jesus could hardly understand him at times, for he had the mind of Heaven, while they had the mind of earth. 

This should impress on us that we have to cultivate the mind of Christ, realizing that his mind is far different from our mind.  We have to be careful to guard our hearts and strongly resist the temptation to follow the world, in even the slightest respect.   

This is the most important question asked by the elder, “Who are these, and where do they come from?”. These are they who came out of terrible spiritual warfare and who had conquered.  They had suffered many agonies and much tribulation.  They had been tried in the fire, they had suffered much grief, lost many loved ones and sacrificed to take care of those who they had loved. 

Many had seen them struggle, they had little food to eat, no ability to wear expensive clothes and owned no transportation.  Many had looked at them and figured that maybe God was punishing them for something that they did, or that their parents did. They were bearing the ‘Cross of Christ’ and had often suffered the sinking of the heart and the fears of the soul. 

They would inherit the kingdom but only through much tribulation.  God did not shield them from temptation, for He was confident that though they were tempted to sin they would not suffer to give way to evil.  If they did sin they would be grieved and would cry to him for forgiveness.  They had often lamented at their weaknesses but had learned to lean on the graciousness of God.  

So these were they, sons and daughters of grief, holy people who many times suffered through much unkind remarks, slander and bad treatment, seeing many others who did not love God as they did live more prosperous and peaceful lives, but yet they had rejoiced in the salvation of God.  They had been often wounded and bemoaned their life, been under continued heaviness. One writer describes:

“They were fortified by a secret strength which they found at the throne of God in prayer, a patience which the Holy Ghost wrought in them, and which he is equally ready to work in us.

But, perhaps, it may be thought that some that those holy men were now waved the palm-branch were spared some of the keener and more refined tribulations; to which I reply, it certainly was not so.

David especially appears to have compassed the whole round of affliction.  He could say, “all thy waves and thy billows have gone over me” (Ps 42:7).

Verse 14.   When the elder asked John if he knew who those people were, the elder knew.  He was one of those who had been watching men.  Men are always being watched by angels. 

 John was clearly of a sound mind as he was able to deduce that this individual had knowledge of the situation. He was not afraid to show that he did not possess the appropriate knowledge about what was transpiring.  As a dutiful Christian, it is our responsibility to be humble and to inquire of those who are more knowledgeable than us about instruction.  This is the only way that we can truly take the steps God has designed for us, to become spiritually mature and useful to His will.  Having the wisdom to know that you are ignorant, is one thing.  The next step is to overcome that situation by asking questions of those more knowledgeable then ourselves.  Two questions were asked of the elder who clearly possessed a wealth of knowledge about this situation, being one of the twenty-four elders.  

The elder told John that the army of white robes were those who came out of the great tribulation.  They came from every tribe, tongue and nation.  When at war, it is the army of God against the armies of the devil.  There will be casualties on both sides, but victory will always be in God’s hands.  The majority of individuals who were said to be martyrs should provide us with great joy, to see that people are standing up for God.  They are committed to God and are rewarded for their efforts.  If that same choice comes to us, we can rejoice in that fact that we are counted worthy to suffer with Christ.  We know that we have victory in Christ and part of our reward rest with our brethren that John sees before him.   

The other part of the verse says that they had washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Everyone is saved by the blood of the Lamb.  There are no exceptions and no exclusions.   The bible makes it clear that the only way to be cleansed is to be washed in the blood of the Lamb.  

In sacrifices, using blood of goats and lambs, will only make their clothing more ‘stained’.  Jesus’ blood makes it white as wool, it can cleanse us so that we are whiter than snow.  Since sin pervades every aspect of a person being, normal sacrifices of goats and sheep cannot satisfy God, nor can living a just life (which is impossible without God anyway).   

The action of Jesus’ blood is so incredibly powerful that though it is crimson red blood, it changes anything it comes in contact with and makes the garment whiter than snow.  The imaginary is clear and powerful.  The process is thorough, supernaturally transforming and intensive (Isaiah 1:18, Ps. 51:7).    

They were all born in iniquity, conceived in sin, but now every one of the multitudes would sing on the top of their voice in praise to God.  They might have been murderers, thieves, adulterers and people of the worst kind, but had relied on the atonement for salvation.  They had brought no merit, no ability, nothing of personal value to the blood to offer it in exchange, but they had been washed and were made white in the blood of the Lamb.

Verse 15.   The elder tells John that the multitudes are overjoyed and enthused to give praise unto the Most High for their salvation. They are in the immediate presence of God.  They can experience immediately the joy of their labours. They knew what affliction they had been exposed too.  They understood that there may be a price to pay for their faith and they had paid it.  

Now their task on Earth was done, now they could rejoice.  They lived in a relationship with Jesus, through the shedding of the blood of Jesus.  The Holy Spirit and God the Father had taught them and guided them to this moment.  Now day and night they will be in His presence, and He will be in theirs.  They would experience what David desired for as he expressed it in Psalm 27:4

“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” 

All of the redeemed wished to be with God and these our brethren have been given the opportunity to be in God’s presence.  They are happy in their employment, for they serve God continually and that without weakness, drowsiness, or weariness.  They are set apart to give praise to God.

Verse 16.   The last two verses deal with promises of blessings after protection has been given.  Still in reference to the people before John and even to us, we are assured that the redeemed will know the loving care and nurture of their Lord and Saviour.  They will be under His protection; not that anything can now harm them.  

The verse indicates that God will provide for our every need.  Such limitations that plagued our bodies, hunger, pain, weariness will no longer affect us. The ‘elements’, or environment will no longer be a concern to us, for it will no longer affect the saints. Every need and desire to sustain and allow one to thrive, will be under the care and control of God. 

Verse 17.   …in the midst of the throne,  this would be a position of power and authority.  We can clearly see that Jesus was placed in a position to care for our needs and also to protect us.  From the throne there is a source of unending resources, enough to protect and nurture us for eternity.  Living waters will be provided for us.  Food and drink, all the elements to support us is provided for in this verse, so that all that is left is to eliminate the memories of all those who did not make it.   

There will be family members and other loved ones who we wished had accepted God’s offer.  To enjoy the situation more completely and so that we are focused on what we have strived so hard for, God helps us ease the emotional pain that we would no doubt be feeling.  It also might be, that we do not sorrow for those not with us.  

When we are with God and see how holy He is, we might be ashamed of the fact that we did not serve God even harder than we did.  We ‘stressed’ Him or in other words grieved the Spirit by our disobedience.  For reasons like this and more, God must wipe the tears from our eyes, so that we may be able to rejoice in the fact that we are with Him.  There will be much more to learn about God, more than our hearts or minds can imagine. This is how best to send eternity; learning, rejoicing and praising our Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.   

One writer has an interesting view and he states:

“Many wonder, “How can there be no sorrow in heaven if we have relatives or loved ones who perish in hell?  Won't we be sorry for them?”  Spurgeon answers well:

“Now, how is this?  If you will tell me, I shall be glad, for I cannot tell you.  I do not believe that there will be one fraction less of amiability, and love, and sympathy -I believe there will be more-but that they will be in some way so refined and purified, that while compassion for suffering is there, detestation of sin shall be there to balance it, and a state of complete equilibrium shall be attained.  Perfect acquiescence in the divine will is probably the secret of it; but it is not my business to guess; I do not know what handkerchief the Lord will use, but I know that he will wipe all tears away from their faces, and these tears among them.”

CONCLUSION

One day all the redeemed will be under the visible and personal care of their Shepherd and will see his face directly.  The terrible days of judgment will be seen as in every respect the well-deserved punishment for sin. 

Those that suffered and died for the sake of Christ will be before the throne of God as victors over death. They will be in delightful service, incredible worship and magnificent company. 

The redeemed will be in the direct presence of God when they die. 

The will be no vestige of the negative effects of sin, the believers total environment will be one of eternal and tremendous joy in the presence of God. 

Sometimes we pray that God will take away the pain from someone who is ill or suffering.  We also pray that death would be prevented.

Maybe we often pray very short-sighted prayers for if we do believe and trust that suffering or death is a means of entry into heaven with God, why do we so resist it taking place?  We sometimes think that it is better for those who are suffering to be with us rather than to be with God. These are difficult questions undoubtedly.