Singer-songwriter Caroline Cobb based these lyrics on the book of Revelation: “I see a city coming down / Like a bride in whitest gown, / Purely dressed / I see the pilgrims coming home / All creation finds shalom; / The promised rest...Behold, behold / God makes His home with us / He’ll take His throne, forever glorious! / The curse will be undone / O come, Lord Jesus, come.”

One day, we will all wear the garments of the Lamb! As we continue on our pilgrimage through this fallen world, we long “to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,” a metaphor for our glorified bodies (2 Cor. 5:1–5; see 1 Cor. 15:35–44).

Revelation 7 describes that blessed day with waves of praise. The first wave (vv. 9–10) features “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language...wearing white robes” and holding palm branches (alluding to the Triumphal Entry, see John 12:12–16). Led by those martyred during the Tribulation (vv. 13–14), these are all believers, including us. Our white robes, washed in the blood of the Lamb, symbolize salvation, purity, and righteousness. We rejoice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (v. 10).

The second wave of worship expands to include angels, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures (vv. 11–12). They respond with a sevenfold “Amen” to the multitude’s doxology of praise.

The martyrs and the entire multitude of believers will enjoy God’s presence for eternity (vv. 15–17). We’ll serve Him and be sheltered by Him. Our suffering will be at an end—God will comfort us and dry our tears (see Isa. 25:8). We’ll be shepherded by the Lamb Himself and led to “springs of living water,” that is, to eternal life.

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