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Again redemption from sin is not in question. Now "the washing of the robes", a
symbolical statement, is parallel with "overcoming", a literal statement. Daniel refers to
the effect of this trying time in chapters 10: and 11:, "and some of them of understanding
shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end"
(11: 35), "many shall be purified, and made white, and tried" (12: 10). Zechariah is more
specific. "I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is
refined, and will try them as gold is tried" (13: 9). Malachi also refers to a similar effect
of "that day", "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons
of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering
in righteousness" (3: 3). Coming to the book of Revelation itself:--
"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, and
they shall walk with Me IN WHITE, for they are WORTHY; he that overcometh, the
same be clothed in WHITE RAIMENT" (3: 4, 5).
The great multitude therefore are "overcomers"
"I saw the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God. . . . and WHITE
ROBES were given unto every one of them (6: 9-11).
"The marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready, and to her
was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is
the righteous (award) of saints" (19: 7, 8).
Here are some who are pronounced "worthy", some who "make themselves ready".
There is no mingling of grace and works, for it is purely a question of overcoming, not of
salvation, that is in view all the time. Those who overcame, the preserved of the great
tribulation, are said, in a figure, to have "washed their robes by the blood of the Lamb".
It was because of His blood they overcame, and to them is given the victor's reward.
God deals with the redeemed nation in companies. The great bulk are destined to rule on
the earth, some by reason of faithfulness will be rewarded with a heavenly ministry, some
will be numbered among a company called the Bride, which is chiefly connected with the
New Jerusalem. What those had endured who had come out of the great tribulation is
indicated in verses 15 and 17, hunger and thirst (for the Beast will control the supply of
food); great heat through exposure and lack of home and covering; tears, for their
sorrows were indeed great.
With these closing verses we break through the thick darkness of that day, and see the
peace and rest of that which lies beyond for scattered Israel, and for blinded Gentiles; and
nothing short of this can satisfy. Praise God! darkness may endure for a night, but joy
cometh in the morning.