In John's vision, given to him by the Lord Jesus Christ, the suffering church is seen around the throne in heaven, worshipping Father God and the Lamb of God. They are described as those who, "… have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:14) Their suffering is over, their courageous stand is vindicated, their enemies cannot touch them. They have been called home to be with their Saviour and their worship overflows as they join with all the heavenly angels in their adoration of their Saviour God (Revelation 5:11-14).

Their place in heaven is not earned by their good works, pious rituals or even their suffering. They are with the Lord having believed in Him, and trusted Him despite opposition; but primarily because they have 'washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb' (1 Peter 1:18-21). What does that mean? The blood of Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). But to be made clean for God's presence people must take their sin-stained souls to Christ – admitting their rebellion and asking for forgiveness (1 John 1:9). In applying His blood to themselves, they have trusted in Jesus for time and eternity. They submitted to His Lordship during their lives and He honours them after death.

These believers are active in worship, safe in God's presence. The sufferings they endured have gone: unrelenting hunger, thirst and burning heat (Isaiah 4:5-6). Their homelessness is resolved, their poverty is filled with good things, their helplessness is no longer a vulnerability for God Himself protects them. The worst the world can do is insignificant compared to the glory they experience (Romans 8:18). They are no longer wanderers and aliens in the world (1 Peter 2:11), but have been brought close to God through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:12-13). The Lord is their Shepherd; He refreshes them (Psalm 23:1-2); and He removes every tear from their eyes. They do not look back in sorrow but forward in joy (Isaiah 61:3).

What a comfort this must have been to John, who was exiled on the prison island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9), and to the churches to whom this series of visions was read (Revelation 1:4-6). The Lord Jesus gave the visions not to satisfy curiosity about the future, but to reassure and encourage the church that despite the worst the world can do to God's people, Jesus still has the last word and they are safe in Him for ever. One day, what seems brutally normal now will be 'the old order of things' (Revelation 21:4). As the hymn by Esther Kerr Rusthoi says, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ; one glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase, so bravely run the race till we see Christ." That is today's challenge for every believer. Hebrews 12:1-3 says it all.