Revelation 7:1-17
This chapter is a parenthesis between the sixth and seventh seals. Before proceeding further with His ways of judgment, God sets aside and seals those who belong to Him. The first group (vv. 4-8) is made up of Jews from the different tribes. They constitute the faithful remnant whose feelings are revealed to us in the Psalms. The second group is made up of a multitude from many nations who will have believed the Gospel of the Kingdom (v. 9 . . .). In showing us these faithful people now, it is as though God were saying to us: these punishments are not for them; I will protect them through the trial. In the same way, on the night of the Passover, the Israelites were set apart and protected from the judgment of the destroying angel by the blood of the lamb (Exodus 12:13). It is in that blood which these believers from "the great tribulation" will have washed themselves and made their robes white (v. 14). Their salvation is assured in the same way as our own: the precious blood of Christ. Then, the same Lamb who purifies them will feed them, protect them and quench their thirst in the living fountains of waters (Isaiah 49:10). God Himself will wipe away their tears. What promises! They are given in advance to comfort them in the face of such unprecedented distress!