The Different Ranks in Resurrection - Part B

We shall note the characteristics of the innumerable company, as contrasted with the twenty-four elders and four living creatures. They are alike, in that they have come from all corners of the earth and have all been born again. "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb" - Revelation 7:9,10.

In Revelation 7:11 we see a group of angels and the twenty-four elders and the four living ones around the throne worshiping the Lord, when this innumerable company appears. In Revelation 7:13 one of the twenty-four elders questions John as to the identity of this vast multitude which had just then appeared in Heaven. Of course, John did not know, and asked the elder to tell him. Here is his answer: "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" - Amplified New Testament. There follows a description of this group and their activities in Heaven.

Let us note seven prominent points of difference between this great company and the smaller group with which we have already become acquainted. The First Fact to face is that the former group are already seen in Heaven before this group is seen there. In Revelation four, five, and six, we find no trace of the innumerable company at all. The first group is present when Christ is set upon His own throne to rule for one thousand years. This group is seen now, as having just arrived.

The Second Fact is a very important one, and that is: The first group, figured by the Philadelphia Church, is KEPT OUT of the Great Tribulation. This was a special promise to them. This was a reward for their faithfulness to Christ throughout their lives. Read again, Revelation 3:10. God is faithful to honor His Word. We can depend on Him to fulfill every promise that He gives to us. As we read again the words of the elder concerning the innumerable company, he says, "These are they which CAME OUT of great tribulation ..." The Tribulation Period begins when Christ takes His throne. Judgment begins to fall upon the inhabitants of the world, as is witnessed in Revelation six. When Christ is on His throne, all other world rulers will be usurpers. The inhabitants of the world will, for the most part, be in rebellion to God and the Gospel. Thus it is from this terrible condition, though in its beginning, that the great multitude comes. They will be taken from the earth during the first half of the seven years of tribulation.

The Third Fact is the different positions of the two groups. The former group is seen in and around the throne in Revelation four and five, and the elders are seen sitting upon thrones of their own. We also read in 5:6, "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain ..." They are in very close proximity with the Lamb. This latter group is seen in 7:9,15 as standing around the throne. It is not said that they sit upon thrones, nor that the Lamb is in their midst.

The Fourth Fact is the type of worship each brings. The former group is always seen as falling down before the Lamb. They are on their faces, prostrated in adoration before the Lamb. They SING His praises, and tell of redemption. This latter group is pictured as standing before the throne and crying with a loud voice, SAYING, "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." They do not even sing their praises. They have a good message but shallow as compared with the other group. They only know that the Lord has saved them.

The Fifth Fact is what they possess. The first group have crowns upon their heads, which they later cast at Christ's feet. They have won the right to wear victors' crowns; but they also acknowledge that their victory has come because of Christ. This second group have palms in their hands. Some of the Jews took palm branches and laid them in Christ's path while He rode into Jerusalem. This was a salute to a monarch or a prominent personage. Thus, this group owns Him as a King, and they look upon themselves as His subjects. This is wonderful, but hardly a close place.

The Sixth Fact is their occupation. The former group declares that the Lord had made them "kings and priests: and we shall reign ..." This we can see throughout this book of Revelation. They do reign with Christ, and are very active in everything that takes place. Not only do they fulfill His wishes, but they know what He is going to do. They have spheres of rulership which have been given to them by the Lord. In 7:15 we read of this second group: "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and SERVE Him day and night in His temple ..." They are servants of God and are content in that place. Now, it is wonderful to be a servant of the Lord, and we are all supposed to take that place while we are upon the earth. But, can't you see, that the former group occupies a place more prominent than that of a servant? There are many types of servants in a king- dom. There are those who do menial tasks, and then there are those who sit in the council chambers with the king. This latter group is never seen worshiping the Lord, other than what we have already noted - Rev. 7:9-17.

The Seventh Fact is their prominence. The former group is seen throughout the book of Revelation. They are active, right to the end of this record. They are prominently pictured with the Lamb and His purposes. The latter group is seen in this seventh chapter, and not again until chapter nineteen and then only in an obscure way. "And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great." They are faithful in service, but are never leaders either in worship or in rulership.

In Revelation 7:16,17 we have a hint of the kind of life the members of this innumerable company had while upon the earth. These are wonderful promises, but they are the kind that we are to lay hold upon before we reach Heaven. Notice - "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 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." There is the thought here that, while on earth, they were hungry and thirsty. There is no excuse for any child of God to go hungry or thirsty now. This does not refer to natural food, I am sure, but to spiritual refreshment and nourishment. We are to feed upon Christ now, feast on the good things contained in the Scriptures. We are to eat and grow up into Christ in all things now. We are to learn about God and His purposes now. We are to grow spiritually now. We are to eat the "strong meat" of the Word now; and, if we have grown out of spiritual babyhood, we can.