This last week our church finished our annual Christmas pageantry, 5 performances in all. The first half is modern, upbeat and flashy. The set was a radio station, WLUV, playing the "Christmas hits" and asking what "listeners" loved about Christmas. An emphasis was placed on the hubbub and frustration that many associate with Christmas time--not really what people are looking for. The second half becomes an abbreviated "Passion", telling the life of Christ. The stage undergoes transformation into ancient times and the choir re-enter wearing traditional "Bible garb." After the crucifixion and resurrection, while the lights are still low, each choir member slowly rises to his or her feet and drop the head-wrappings and accoutrements and the entire stage is bathed in bright white, signifying the glorious transformation of the saints just under the feet of the resurrected and glorified Christ.
I've spent some time reflecting on Revelation 7:9-17.
God causes the saint to stand while elders and angels and living beasts fall at His feet. Someone once said, “A station on the feet in front of the throne in Heaven is the effect of being often on the knees before the throne on earth.”
Fighting off the depression of our present condition, where we live casting off the sins that so easily beset us, battling those entanglements of the flesh, we look forward to the day we can stand because of what He has done for us through the blood of the Lamb.
God’s praise is the declaration of only that which He does for us, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Notice the clothing of the saints: changed because of the blood of the Lamb.
Notice the cleanliness of the saints: white because of the blood of the Lamb.
Notice the courtyard of the saints: they are found at the throne of the Lamb.
Notice the conduct of the saints: they are in the service of the Lamb.
Notice the camp of the saints: they are in the country of the Lamb.
Notice the contentment of the saints: they are satisfied in the provision of the Lamb.
Change your robes now. One does not get clean robes when he gets to heaven. Put off the old and put on the new in Christ Jesus now. Put off the rags of self-righteousness and put on the white robes of His righteousness. Horatius Bonar in a message to Sabbath School children in 1840 preached, “You are not to suppose that you will get them after you get to heaven. No, you must get them here before you go to heaven. It is here you must be washed, it is here that your robes must be made white in the blood of the Lamb. It must be done now!”
[i]Cleanse your heart now. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
[ii] This has nothing to do with being reformed. This has nothing to do with recovery. There are no leaves to turn over here. This has everything to do with being born again, of being washed in the blood of the Lamb!
Count your presence at His altar now. Gather at his throne in the praise of His salvation, and avoid at all costs being called to His throne at the judgment. The blood of the Lamb is provided for your salvation now. Do not be counted absent on the day of celebration!
Conduct yourself as the instrument of His glory now. What can I render to God for all He has done for me? What can we do for a God who is Lord over everything? Nothing else but to serve Him, but used by Him to the praise of His glory in loving obedience. Those cleansed by the blood of the Lamb represent Him.
Consider yourself a citizen of heaven now. Live on this earth as a stranger, an alien. True residence is under His tent. Those cleansed by the blood of the Lamb are citizens of heaven, dwelling where He dwells. Enjoy the presence of God without fear.
Content yourself in God now. Living in the joy of the Lord may bring tears of sadness for those who fail to repent and trust Him as Lord and Savior. There will come a day when He will wipe these tears away. Instead a day will come when tears of joy will flow, when God is celebrated by those saints who can only sing, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
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[i] Bonar, Horatius. “The White Robes.”
[ii]New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jas 4:8.
