Revelation of John 7:15

Therefore--because they are so washed white; for without it they could never have entered God's holy heaven; Rev 22:14, "Blessed are those who wash their robes (the oldest manuscripts reading), that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city"; Rev 21:27; Eph 5:26-27. before--Greek, "in the presence of." Mat 5:8; Co1 13:12, "face to face." throne . . . temple--These are connected because we can approach the heavenly King only through priestly mediation; therefore, Christ is at once King and Priest on His throne. day and night--that is, perpetually; as those approved of as priests by the Sanhedrim were clothed in white, and kept by turns a perpetual watch in the temple at Jerusalem; compare as to the singers, Ch1 9:33, "day and night"; Psa 134:1. Strictly "there is no night" in the heavenly sanctuary (Rev 22:5). in his temple--in what is the heavenly analogue to His temple on earth, for strictly there is "no temple therein" (Rev 21:22), "God and the Lamb are the temple" filling the whole, so that there is no distinction of sacred and secular places; the city is the temple, and the temple the city. Compare Rev 4:8, "the four living creatures rest not day and night, saying, Holy," &c. shall dwell among them--rather (Greek, "scenosei ep' autous"), "shall be the tabernacle over them" (compare Rev 21:3; Lev 26:11, especially Isa 4:5-6; Isa 8:14; Isa 25:4; Eze 37:27). His dwelling among them is to be understood as a secondary truth, besides what is expressed, namely, His being their covert. When once He tabernacled among us as the Word made flesh, He was in great lowliness; then He shall be in great glory.

The things contained in this chapter came in after the opening of the six seals, which foretold great calamities in the world; and before the sound of the seven trumpets, which gave notice of great corruptions arising in the church: between these comes in this comfortable chapter, which secures the graces and comforts of the people of God in times of common calamity. We have, I. An account of the restraint laid upon the winds (Rev 7:1-3). II. The sealing of the servants of God (Rev 7:4-8). III. The songs of angels and saints on this occasion (Rev 7:9-12). IV. A description of the honour and happiness of those who had faithfully served Christ, and suffered for him (Rev 7:13, etc.).

7:15 serve him day and night: Service to God is the continual duty of Christians. • God’s Temple symbolizes his presence (also 11:19; cp. 21:22).