Revelation 7:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Verses 13-14a. The one who appeared moves the blessed man, by his questions, to inquire into what he has seen. But he, prudently acknowledging his ignorance, receives instruction from the one who appeared.

The question of one of the elders to the Evangelist, Who are these from the nations, clothed in white garments? does not mean that he was ignorant. Rather, it means that he was urging him to know all that concerned them. Therefore he says: These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation. For the righteous had many battles, and by no means few, under the rule of the antichrist.

That is, these are the people who, despite the sinful bonds that have bound them and prevent them from coming to Him, our Savior, with perfect repentance, despise all the strength of those sinful fetters. They force themselves to break their bonds. Such people appear before the face of God made whiter than snow by His grace. "Come," says the Lord, "though your sins be like scarlet, I will make them white as snow" (Isa 1:18). Thus the holy seer of mysteries, John the Theologian, once saw such people in white garments, that is, garments of justification. They had palms in their hands as a sign of victory, and they sang to God the wondrous song, Alleluia. No one could imitate the beauty of their singing.

The Blood of Christ, who through the Holy Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, will cleanse our conscience from dead works, so that we may serve the living and true God (Heb 9:14). These servants of the Lord bore labors on earth for Christ. They endured afflictions for the truth: exile, prisons, hunger, cold, tortures, and various torments. They walked the path of salvation and receive this salvation. They were reviled, persecuted, and slandered in every way for the name of Jesus. But now they rejoice and are glad, and great is their reward in the heavens. They washed their garments from every falsehood and clothed themselves in their holy works. Cleansed by repentance, they entered, by the mercy of God, into the flock of Christ. Now they stand before the eyes of God, innocent and pleasing to their Creator, through the power of the most precious Blood of the Lamb of God.

All His elect followed the Lord along the path of temporal sufferings into blessed eternity. It is impossible for us to remain in fleshly pleasures and at the same time remain in a spiritual state. Therefore the Lord continually gives His beloved His Cup. Through it He preserves in them deadness to the world and the capacity to live the life of the Spirit. St. Isaac the Syrian said: "A man for whom God has special care is known by the sorrows continually sent to him" (Homily 35). What fruit do temporal sorrows bear for eternity? When Heaven was shown to the holy Apostle John, one of the heavenly inhabitants questioned him.