Revelation 7:9

St. John having had in the former verses. visionary view of the church militant, under the denomination of sealed ones, in these verses. prospect is given him of the church triumphant in heaven;. most magnificent description of which we have here before us.

Where note, 1. The triumphant church above is described by its multitude: A numberless number which no man can number; according to the promise made to Christ, of bringing many sons unto glory.

2. They are described by their variety; some out of every nation, tribe, people, and language, according to that of our Saviour, They shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac,. Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 8:11.

3. They are described by their posture, they stand before the throne, and before the Lamb, as servants attending upon their Lord,. most happy station, and as such accounted by them; not that they stand perpetually gazing upon God, and doing nothing else, but they express their love unto him, by attending upon him, to execute his commands.

4. They are described by their habit: They are clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; white garments import their dignity, their purity, their joy.

The saints' dignity in heaven is great, they are kings and priests unto God; their purity great, being purified as he is pure; their joy great, being entered into the joy of their Lord, this joy being too great to enter into them.

Note farther, How these glorified saints do ascribe all their glory, happiness, and salvation, to Christ, and nothing to themselves, Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. Sancti quasi sanguine tincti, say some; "Many of these saints were martyrs, that shed their blood for Christ."

But mark, Their garments were made white, not in their own blood, but in the blood of the Lamb.

Again, They are described with palms in their hands, as well as clothed in white. Now this denotes their victory, and the rewards of their victory. Palms were amongst the Roman ensigns of their victory. All the saints enter heaven with palms in their hands, having conquered sin, Satan, and the world, and the whole host of spiritual enemies.

Observe next, How the holy angels in heaven do join with these saints and martyrs in worshipping God, and adoring the Lamb, And all the angels stood round about the throne, and fell on their faces and worshipped God, Revelation 7:11, concurring with the church in their congratulations, adding their Amen to what the palm-bearers had said, and much more of their own, ascribing blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, unto him for ever and ever.

Where note, how the triumphant church is made up of an innumerable company of angels, as well as saints: Hebrews 12 besides the spirits of just men made perfect, makes mention of an innumerable company of angels, as part of the church of the first-born. ( Angeli opadtn Sancti Anadiain debent Christo, Mediatori, says one.)

And St. Paul, That in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. Ephesians 1:10

Whence it appears, that though angels sinned not, yet Christ gathered them and us into one society, and is an head both to them and us.