Tribulation Leads To Joy/The Rewards Of Faithfulness
Preaching
Life Everlasting
The Essential Book of Funeral Resources
Object:
Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes -- who are they, and where did they come from?"
I answered, "Sir, you know."
And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Here is a marvelous picture of the life to come for all those who experienced tribulation because their faith was at odds with the world. This text would be well used at the funeral of one who lived the Christian life in such a way as to have stirred up the opposition of the worldly both inside and outside the church. Faithful living causes people to misunderstand us. In 1 Corinthians 1:22, Paul writes, "Jews seek signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to the Greeks." Jesus said, "Beware when everyone speaks well of you." Jesus was crucified by those who didn't understand him. Paul and nearly all the first disciples were martyred for their faith. But though their faithfulness in this life might have caused conflict with the world and might have led to isolation, deprivation, and persecution, the reward is great. Jesus Christ endured such suffering, "for the joy that was set before him." For the faithful there is joy as well. They will never hunger, or thirst, or suffer the scorching heat of the day; they will stand in the presence of God; they will be led to springs of living water that will be refreshment; there will be no more sorrow.
I answered, "Sir, you know."
And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Here is a marvelous picture of the life to come for all those who experienced tribulation because their faith was at odds with the world. This text would be well used at the funeral of one who lived the Christian life in such a way as to have stirred up the opposition of the worldly both inside and outside the church. Faithful living causes people to misunderstand us. In 1 Corinthians 1:22, Paul writes, "Jews seek signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to the Greeks." Jesus said, "Beware when everyone speaks well of you." Jesus was crucified by those who didn't understand him. Paul and nearly all the first disciples were martyred for their faith. But though their faithfulness in this life might have caused conflict with the world and might have led to isolation, deprivation, and persecution, the reward is great. Jesus Christ endured such suffering, "for the joy that was set before him." For the faithful there is joy as well. They will never hunger, or thirst, or suffer the scorching heat of the day; they will stand in the presence of God; they will be led to springs of living water that will be refreshment; there will be no more sorrow.
