The rows are continually being filled. Look, new people keep coming. They are coming out of the great tribulation., redeemed from head to toe. They have overcome the tribulation, made it through the tribulation. They have overcome everything that is putting pressure on people to keep them away from God; every pressure that is being applied to make the life of Christians miserable — the pressure of sin, sickness, and struggles. But from underneath this pressure they get a beautiful glimpse of God. Everyone who experiences pressure on earth gets a glimpse of a different reality here.

To meet God in a pure fashion, it is necessary to wash your clothes. Forgiveness of sins is needed, to be washed in the blood of Christ. Only Christ washes completely clean. Everyone who has ever pleaded on the blood of the Lamb is being clothed in white. And they receive the joy to appear before God’s throne. He receives the greatest honour, as the most beautiful object of our adoration.

But the highest honour for his people is to be in the presence of God, and to cherish his presence. To be allowed in the light of his glorious radiance — that is a great privilege.

In the tabernacle, in the holiest place, only Moses was allowed to come near. And the high priest could come only once a year, when blood had flowed on the Great Day of Atonement.

Here, all of them may now appear prominently in the throne room, as VIPs — Very Important Priests — day and night, serving God continuously, as ministers of the godly crown.

The King will spread out his tent over them. He will live with them in a glorious dwelling place.

God will let them taste his nearness. He will provide a protective shield over their heads.

The temporary destination of heaven for those who have died in Christ is here displayed. And the description  echoes the language from the exodus: redeemed, and on their way to the promised land, on the way to the definitive final destination, where God will live with his people.

In the middle of the throne, the Lamb sparkles — God’s companion, our Immanuel. God’s Son has given Himself completely for his people. He has all power to care for his children. They are His. He has purchased them. And He gives them what is most precious: water, living water, full of life’s power and vitality.

With his own hands He wipes the tears from their eyes. New sadness is not possible; old sadness is wiped away from memory. All this is the result of his glorious presence in the shelter of his tent, secured forever!