Who are the "they" that have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb? Canonical Context of the Phrase The wording appears twice in Revelation. First, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). Second, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14). Both occurrences stand in climactic worship scenes that frame the destiny of all redeemed humanity. Immediate Literary Setting: The Vision of the Great Multitude (Re 7:9-17) John sees “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue” (7:9). They bear palm branches (victory) and cry, “Salvation to our God … and to the Lamb!” (7:10). One of the elders explains their identity in v. 14—the key verse. Their robes (Greek stolai) are white, signifying purity. The means of cleansing is paradoxical: blood, normally a staining agent, here whitens—an allusion to Isaiah 1:18. The ones thus cleansed now “serve Him day and night in His temple” (7:15), a priestly vocation allotted to the entire company. Old Testament Background to Blood-Cleansed Garments 1. Priestly ordination: garments are sprinkled with sacrificial blood (Exodus 29:21). 2. Isaiah’s invitation: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). 3. Zechariah’s vision: the filthy garments of Joshua replaced with “festal robes” (Zechariah 3:3-5). 4. Passover type: the Israelites under blood-covered doorposts (Exodus 12:13). Collectively these texts anticipate a once-for-all cleansing fulfilled in the Lamb of God (John 1:29). Eschatological Placement: Tribulation Saints and the Universal Church Two complementary perspectives arise: • Particular: In the context of the sixth-seal interlude, the group specifically includes martyrs and converts of the final global distress (“great tribulation,” cf. Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21). Many exegetes note the contrast with the sealed 144,000 Israelites (Revelation 7:1-8), suggesting Gentile believers harvested during that period. • Universal: The traits—white robes, palm branches, priestly service—belong to every redeemed person (cf. Revelation 1:5-6; 5:9-10). The same washing is required for access to the New Jerusalem (22:14), which lies after the millennium/eternal state. Patristic writers (e.g., Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. 5.34.1) already read the multitude as “the church gathered from all nations.” Thus, tribulation believers are the final installment of the one people of God. Theological Implications of “Washed Robes” 1. Justification: Legal acquittal by Christ’s imputed righteousness (Romans 5:9). 2. Regeneration: Inner renewal by the Spirit (Titus 3:5). 3. Sanctification: Ongoing purification (1 John 1:7). 4. Adoption and Priestly Access: “They serve… and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them” (Revelation 7:15). 5. Eschatological Inheritance: “They will see His face” (22:4) and “the Lamb will shepherd them” (7:17), fulfilling Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34 typology. Historical and Doctrinal Witness • 2nd-century baptismal liturgies (e.g., Apostolic Tradition 21) spoke of white garments as a sign of forensic cleansing. • Catacomb frescoes depict the faithful holding palms—identifying martyrs with the Revelation 7 multitude and attesting to an early consensus. • The Nicene Creed’s “one baptism for the remission of sins” echoes the robe-washing motif. Practical and Pastoral Applications 1. Assurance: Salvation is secure because it rests on Christ’s blood, not human merit (Hebrews 10:19-22). 2. Evangelism: The continual “coming” highlights mission urgency—“the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’” (Revelation 22:17). 3. Perseverance: Tribulation, however intense, cannot annul the Lamb’s victory; believers overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (12:11). 4. Worship: The passage models doxology that joins angelic hosts (7:11-12), inviting earthly congregations to pre-echo heavenly praise. Summary “They” are the worldwide company of redeemed men and women—encompassing but not limited to tribulation believers—who, by repentant faith, have appropriated the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Their white robes signify justification, sanctification, and victorious perseverance. Having been washed, they enjoy priestly access, everlasting protection, and the ultimate blessing of seeing God’s face and sharing in the tree of life. |
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