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," 7:13-17. These had complied with the condition to the
promise: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;
and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will
confess his name before the Father and before his holy angels," 3:5.
"These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were
redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb,"
14:4.

"Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb,"
19:9. Truly are they blessed; for "they shall hunger no more, neither
thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat," 7:16.
They attain the promised blessing: "Blessed and holy is he that hath part
in the first resurrection," 20:6. "And God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed
away," 21:4. So entranced was the apocalyptic seer at these symbols of the
glorified redeemed, that he fell at his feet to worship the angel who
showed him these things. But his fellow servant shrank back from the
reception of homage, and pointed to God as the only object of adoration.

The union of the saints to Christ in the clouds of heaven being
symbolized, they receive the gracious welcome: "Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world," Matt. 25:34. But first it is necessary to redeem the "purchased
possession" (Eph. 1:14), to reconquer the revolted province, which, since
the fall, has been subject to "the god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4), the
"prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2), to rescue it from the
dominion of the usurper, and deliver it from its present mis-rule "up to
God the Father" (1 Cor. 15:24), who will bestow it on One who is worthy to
wear its crown. For when Daniel saw that "the judgment was set and the
books were opened," he also "saw in the night visions, and, behold, one
like the Son of man came in the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient
of days, and they brought him near before him; and there was given him
dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations and
languages, should serve him