In this scene the vision is carried forward to the close of the long period of tribulation and persecution to the church of God, when all her enemies are finally overthrown; and here are the glorious results, the harvest gathered:  a great multitude whom no man can number, gathered out of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands, the symbols of their victory.  The scene is laid in heaven, and refers undoubtedly to the end of time when the heavenly world will be opened up to all the faithful who have suffered for Christ amid the trials and the oppositions through which his church is called to pass in this present world.  We are expressly informed by one of the elders who these are in white robes and whence they came, so there can be no question respecting them.  This is the glorious company of the redeemed of all ages who “came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore they are 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.”  What a contrast with the scenes of earth, when oppressed by famine, and cold, and nakedness, and peril, and sword, they were killed all the day long!  But their sufferings are over; “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.”

This redeemed company is represented as uniting in a song of praise and thanksgiving to God for bringing them through their long period of trial, “saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb”; while heaven resounds with universal praise as the angels and all the redeemed host take up the chorus and swell the mighty anthem “saying, Amen; blessing, and glory, and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might be unto our God forever and ever.  Amen.”

It is clear that, in this chapter and the one preceding, we have two grand parallel and comprehensive histories—­in one, the process of corruption in the so-called church and the final judgments that overtook these cruel persecutors of the Lord’s people; in the other, the setting apart and sealing of God’s servants, their preservation from the contaminations of an apostate church, and the final glorious triumph of all who endure unto the end.

This vision has often been applied in a figurative manner to the spiritual reign of God’s people on earth before the end of time—­that they are overcomers through the blood of Christ, that God dwells with them in his church, that their spiritual needs are all supplied so they hunger and thirst no more—­but a careful study of the plan of the prophecy will show that its real signification