We’ll join the everlasting song,
and crown Him Lord of all!
. . . I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:9-10)
John saw a large crowd of people from every class, every race, and every language. They were noisy, standing in the presence of God, the very definition of love, the One who resides on the Throne in all power, majesty, and dominion. As John looked around, he saw Jesus the Lamb of God, the One who suffered and died to expiate the sins of men. The people in this crowd were wearing long, white garments, traditionally worn by upper class society on festive occasions. Lustrous white robes washed in the blood of the Lamb, white to signify innocence and purity of soul. The robes, intricately crafted with designs based on the person’s earthly life. Holding palm branches in their hands, reminiscent of the pilgrimage Feast of Tabernacles, Israel’s “Thanksgiving.” Historically, the Children of Israel left their homes to dwell in temporary shelters commemorating their deliverance from Egypt and their protection, provision, and care by the hand of God during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The days of tilling and working the soil behind them, the harvest has come, and God is residing in the midst of His people (Rev. 7:15). They no longer see in a mirror dimly, but now face-to-face, crying out in jubilation, exulting and singing praises to Christ, fully knowing and reaping the salvation of their soul.
The day will come when we enter eternity, we will be in the very presence of our Lord, joining with this boisterous crowd of people. While on earth, we labor tilling, sowing, watering, and weeding as we tend the “garden” God has given us. When we become burdened with the cares of this life, let us remember that earth is but our temporary home. Let us hold fast to God’s promise that we will be in the presence of God Almighty, we will join the sacred throng and fall at His feet, we will harvest what we have sown in our earthly wanderings.
What does your “garden” look like? Will it be a glad, festive day when you reap what has been sown? In Jesus you have forgiveness by His death, you have purity by His life. Won’t you settle within your heart that you will wash your robe in the blood of Jesus, yield to His will in the difficulties you encounter today. “Blessed are those who wash their robes (do His commandments), that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city (Rev. 22:14). “We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all!”