One of the elders In this great multitude of creatures addressed John asking him "Who are these, robed in white? Where did they come from?"
John turned the question back to the questioner, "You're the one who knows."
The elder responded, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation ordeal."
They didn't escape ordeal--which would be my first choice, but they did get through it.
Using 6:9-11, white robes are given to those who are slaughtered on earth for the word of God. Thus, we read this to be a description of martyrs who are victorious in heaven who, like Jesus, have given up their lives on earth.
John's words are intended to reassure people undergoing persecution on earth. How helpful are they to those of us who really don't suffer much because of our allegiance to the Lord? What is the message for us?
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