Revelation 7 15

Revelation 7:15 kjv

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

Revelation 7:15 nkjv

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 dwell among them.

Revelation 7:15 niv

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 shelter them with his presence.

Revelation 7:15 esv

"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 shelter them with his presence.

Revelation 7:15 nlt

"That is why they stand in front of God's throne
and serve him day and night in his Temple.
And he who sits on the throne
will give them shelter.

Revelation 7 verses

Heading 2: MeaningThis verse describes the exalted state of the great multitude who have endured tribulation. It conveys their privileged position directly before God's throne, signifying constant and unhindered access to the divine presence. Their perpetual activity is consecrated worship and priestly service to God in His heavenly temple, an unending adoration. Furthermore, the verse promises God's intimate, protective, and continuous presence "sheltering them," signifying an eternal and secure relationship where He personally covers them with His presence.

Heading 2: Cross References

Heading 2: Context

This verse is situated within Revelation chapter 7, which follows a description of the six seals revealing judgment and introduces a pivotal interlude before the seventh seal. Chapter 7 first presents the sealing of the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, signifying God's protection for His elect from within Israel during tribulation. Immediately after, an unnumbered, international "great multitude" appears before the throne and the Lamb, clad in white robes and holding palm branches, declaring salvation through God and the Lamb. An elder then explains that this multitude are those who "have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev 7:14). Revelation 7:15, therefore, is the direct answer to "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" It describes their ultimate, blessed state as a reward for their perseverance and faith: direct service and eternal dwelling with God in His presence. Historically, this vision would have provided profound comfort and hope to the early Christian communities facing intense persecution, assuring them that their suffering was not in vain and that a glorious, secure eternity awaited those who remained faithful to God amidst tribulation.

Heading 2: Word analysis

• Therefore (διὰ τοῦτο, dia touto): This adverbial phrase establishes a clear consequence or logical connection. It signifies that because they have emerged from the great tribulation and their robes are cleansed by the Lamb's blood (as stated in Rev 7:14), they are now privileged to be in this glorious state. It links their past ordeal and purification to their eternal blessedness.
• are they before the throne of God (ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου τοῦ Θεοῦ, enōpion tou thronou tou Theou):
  • "Before the throne" signifies immediate proximity and access. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, standing before a king's throne implied high honor, favored status, or direct access to power and authority. For the saved multitude, it means an unparalleled intimacy with God.
  • "Of God" specifies the absolute sovereignty and ultimate divine majesty they are approaching. This position indicates the highest possible privilege and honor, surpassing earthly dignities and human-constructed temples.
• and serve him (καὶ λατρεύουσιν αὐτῷ, kai latreuousin autō):
  • Latreuousin (from latreuō) is a strong verb referring to religious service, worship, or adoration, often associated with the duties of priests in a temple. It's not merely general service but a dedicated, cultic, and reverent act of worship. This signifies a universal priesthood of believers in glory, fulfilling an unending ministry of praise and devotion.
• day and night (ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτός, hēmeras kai nyktos): This phrase emphasizes the ceaseless, continuous, and unending nature of their worship. Unlike earthly worship or priestly duties which were time-bound and interrupted, their heavenly service knows no cessation. It implies perfection and lack of fatigue, in stark contrast to earthly limitations.
• in his temple (ἐν τῷ ναῷ αὐτοῦ, en tō naō autou):
  • Naō (ναῷ) refers to the innermost sanctuary of a temple, the Holy of Holies, the place of God's immediate presence. In the heavenly context, it is not a physical building (Rev 21:22 explicitly states there is no physical temple in the New Jerusalem because God and the Lamb are its temple), but the very sphere of God's immediate, holy presence. Being "in His temple" means they are enveloped within God's most intimate, sacred dwelling place.
• and he that sitteth on the throne (ὁ καθήμενος ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου, ho kathēmenos epi tou thronou): This refers explicitly to God Almighty, emphasizing His supreme authority, sovereign reign, and steadfast presence.
• shall dwell among them / will shelter them with his presence (σκηνώσει ἐπ' αὐτούς, skēnōsei ep' autous):
  • The Greek verb skēnoō (σκηνόω) means "to pitch a tent," "to tabernacle," "to dwell in a tent." This term is immensely significant. It recalls the wilderness Tabernacle where God symbolically "dwelt" among Israel (Ex 25:8; Lev 26:11-12), symbolizing His protective and intimate presence.
  • It strongly echoes John 1:14, where it is said that the Word (Jesus Christ) "tabernacled among us," indicating God's physical presence among humanity.
  • Here, in Revelation, it points to the eschatological fulfillment of God's ultimate desire to eternally dwell with His people.
  • The phrase "upon them" (ep' autous) suggests an overshadowing, a protective canopy, a personal enveloping presence, signifying security, comfort, and the deepest communion. God Himself becomes their ultimate shelter, removing all fear and pain (as further elaborated in Rev 7:16-17). This directly refutes any contemporary belief that God is distant or that human suffering is perpetual, offering profound assurance of divine presence and protection.

Heading 2: Commentary

Revelation 7:15 serves as a climax to the interlude in Revelation 7, articulating the sublime destiny of those redeemed through Christ, who have persevered through the world's trials. The verse unveils a fourfold blessing: a privileged position ("before the throne of God"), a ceaseless activity ("serve him day and night"), an ultimate location ("in his temple," meaning His very presence), and the assurance of intimate, divine protection and companionship ("he... shall dwell among them").

This state represents the ultimate fulfillment of covenant promises where God dwells with His people, a theme running from the Tabernacle in the wilderness, through prophetic visions, to the incarnation of Christ, and finally culminating in the new heavens and new earth. The perpetual service signifies an eternity of worship that is joyful, fulfilling, and uninterrupted by the weariness or limitations of earthly existence. It reflects a shift from humanly mediated worship to direct, unhindered access and adoration of the Creator. God's act of "tabernacling over them" profoundly expresses His active and personal engagement, providing an everlasting refuge, shelter, and companionship that brings to an end all forms of suffering and sorrow previously faced by the multitude. This is the promised Sabbath rest, a perfect and eternal communion between God and His beloved people, purchased by the Lamb's blood.

Heading 2: Bonus section

• Priestly Privilege: The description of serving God "in his temple" evokes the Levitical priesthood. For the great multitude (from every nation), this signifies the fulfillment of the promise that all believers are a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9). Their white robes (Rev 7:9) further connect them to purity and a priestly identity, emphasizing their access to God's holiness.
• Reversal of Suffering: This verse, when read in conjunction with Rev 7:16-17, paints a picture of ultimate reversal. Those who faced tribulation, hunger, thirst, and scorching heat on earth are now protected, refreshed, and sheltered by God's own presence, a complete transformation of their prior state of suffering into one of perfect comfort and security.
• Eschatological Hope: For Christians, particularly those experiencing persecution or severe trials, this verse provides a powerful image of future glory. It asserts that current suffering is temporal and leads to an eternal state of unimaginable intimacy and peace with God, thereby strengthening faith and endurance.