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"What are these which are arrayed in white robes? . . . . . These are they which came
out of great tribulation (lit. the great tribulation) . . . . . They shall hunger no more,
neither thirst any more . . . . ."
It has always been the lot of those who would be faithful, to "suffer for righteousness
sake". This is true of all dispensations during which evil triumphs. The time of the Great
Tribulation will however be exceptional, a time of suffering the like of which has not
been known before and of which it will be true to say, "Except those days should be
shortened, there should no flesh be saved" (Matt. 24: 22). See how this period is
described in Scripture:
"Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's
trouble; but he shall be saved out of it" (Jer. 30: 7).
"There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to
that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be
found written in the book" (Dan. 12: 1).
"Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to
this time, no, nor ever shall be . . . . . for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened"
(Matt. 24: 21, 22).
During this period, the Lord's Prayer with its epiousion bread, reminiscent of the
wilderness experience of a past generation, will find its place. What a comfort it will be
for those who pray this petition to know the truth of the Lord's words in Matt. 6: 8,
"Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him".
Forgive us . . . . . as we also have forgiven.
Before considering the meaning of the next petition in any depth, observe that
forgiveness is, in this context, conditional. Many expositors have sought to get round this
and to bring the petition in line with the present experience of forgiveness as taught in
Eph. 4: 32:
"forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
But it is evident that Matt. 6: and Eph. 4: are on different ground and this is
emphasized by the Lord's explanation of the petition:
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses" (Matt. 6: 14, 15).
Matt. 18: 21-35 ought also to be considered in this respect, but especially verses 34
and 35:
"And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all
that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from
your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses."
These passages may present tremendous problems, but at least they should be
recognized rather than to deal deceitfully with the Word of God by reading thoughts into
them contrary to their whole tenor. This part of the prayer alone ought to have made the