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(J.R. Miller, "The Glory of the Commonplace")
"What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?"
"These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Revelation 7:13-14
In John's vision the noble saints, shining in white garments and bearing the symbols of battle and victory, had come, not out of ease and soft circumstances; not out of experiences of luxury, from cosy homes, from favored spots and congenial conditions. Rather they had won their nobleness . . .
in hard circumstances,
in fierce struggles,
in sharp temptations,
in bitter sorrows,
in keen sufferings.
Some of us grow impatient of our difficulties and hardships. We brood over them, and come to think that we have not been fairly dealt with by God. Some of us resent our trials, and think that God has not been kind or just with us.
A young man told of his hard trials and losses, his sore bereavements and sorrows, his severe disappointments and struggles, and of the wrongs and injustices he had suffered from those who ought to have been his friends. But all that had seemed so hard, meant an opportunity for this young man to grow into manly strength and heroic Christ-like character.
Those who have the battles and the trials, and overcome in them, shall wear white robes and carry palm branches. They shall be among the victors at the last. Nothing noble is attained easily. The crowns of life, can only be won on the fields of struggle!
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Revelation 2:10
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." Revelation 21:7
~ ~ ~ ~ ~(J.R. Miller, "The Glory of the Commonplace")
"What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?"
"These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Revelation 7:13-14
In John's vision the noble saints, shining in white garments and bearing the symbols of battle and victory, had come, not out of ease and soft circumstances; not out of experiences of luxury, from cosy homes, from favored spots and congenial conditions. Rather they had won their nobleness . . .
in hard circumstances,
in fierce struggles,
in sharp temptations,
in bitter sorrows,
in keen sufferings.
Some of us grow impatient of our difficulties and hardships. We brood over them, and come to think that we have not been fairly dealt with by God. Some of us resent our trials, and think that God has not been kind or just with us.
A young man told of his hard trials and losses, his sore bereavements and sorrows, his severe disappointments and struggles, and of the wrongs and injustices he had suffered from those who ought to have been his friends. But all that had seemed so hard, meant an opportunity for this young man to grow into manly strength and heroic Christ-like character.
Those who have the battles and the trials, and overcome in them, shall wear white robes and carry palm branches. They shall be among the victors at the last. Nothing noble is attained easily. The crowns of life, can only be won on the fields of struggle!
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Revelation 2:10
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." Revelation 21:7
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