September 12
The Glorious Object and Office
The Christian's Daily Treasury"For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."—Revelation 7:17.
WE have here a glorious object, and a glorious office; let us look at each of them.
A GLORIOUS OBJECT. "The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne." This is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, who is emphatically called "the Lamb of God." He was typified by the lambs that were offered under the Jewish dispensation; thus his atonement was set forth. Look at his exalted station, "in the midst of the throne." This bespeaks his Divinity, he is equal with God; his authority, he is on a throne, exalted as a Prince; his pre-eminence, he is in the midst of the throne, as the grand object of attraction; drawing every eye, filling every heart, employing every tongue.
A GLORIOUS OFFICE. It is threefold. What shall Jesus do for his people above?
He shall feed them. He does so now—but how? He gives his word, his promise, his grace, his providence, yea himself. Here he leads them in the green pastures of divine ordinances, and beside the still waters of the sanctuary; but in heaven he shall regale them with the fruits of paradise, and the streams of the crystal river.
He shall lead them. The blessings of grace, as well as the provisions of glory, are often compared to water, streams, rivers, and fountains. Here we have a very expressive description, "Living fountains of waters." This is descriptive of the pure, reviving, and filling nature of the enjoyments of heaven. Jesus is our Leader both in the vale of tears, and on the mount of joy.
He shall comfort them. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." The present state is one of sorrow and tears, but it shall not be so in heaven. The tears of repentance shall be wiped away, for there shall be no more sin; the tears of grief shall be wiped away, for there shall be no more sorrow; the tears of bereavement shall be wiped away, for there shall be no more separation. Is Jesus in the midst of the throne in glory? Then he should be in the midst of my heart, reigning supreme over its powers and passions.