Revelation 7:17

the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne
Not only the Father dwells among them (Rev. Rev. 7:15+), they will also be in intimate association with the Son who Himself is in the midst of the throne. Because of their faithful witness amidst chaos and intense persecution, they now enjoy the benefits which many others will not experience until the eternal state (Rev. Rev. 21:3+; Rev. 22:3+).

will shepherd them
In place of the worthless shepherd who feeds himself on the sheep (Zec. Zec. 11:15-17), they will be led by the True Shepherd out of Judah who was stricken on their behalf (Mtt. Mat. 2:6; Mat. 26:31; Mark Mark 6:34; Mark 14:27; John John 10:2-16). God, who scattered the sheep of Israel, will one day gather them again (Isa. Isa. 40:11; Jer. Jer. 31:10; Eze. Eze. 34:11-31; Mic. Mic. 5:4; Mtt. Mat. 2:6).

living fountains of waters
He leads them to the still waters which restore the soul (Ps. Ps. 23:1-2). This is the living water which the same Shepherd promised the Samaritan woman (John John 4:10-11) and which believers in the church age experience through the indwelling Holy Spirit (John John 7:38-39).¹ This water is available freely to all who thirst (Rev. Rev. 21:6+). It is the river of life which will ultimately be found flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb, watering the tree of life (Rev. Rev. 22:1-2+). In the Millennial Kingdom, a fountain of living water will flow from Jerusalem and revive all that it touches (Eze. Eze. 47:12; Zec. Zec. 14:8).

wipe away every tear
Many of the tears they had shed were due to their experience of death—both of loved ones and themselves. But God has swallowed up death forever and promised to wipe away every tear (Isa. Isa. 25:8). In their joy, their sorrow and sighing will flee away (Isa. Isa. 35:10; Isa. 51:11). Even in the Millennial Kingdom, great joy will be experienced (Isa. Isa. 65:19). Ultimately, in the eternal state, there will be no more pain and the former things (e.g., sin and the curse) shall pass away and all cause for tears will be gone (Rev. Rev. 21:4+).

Converts during the tribulation will have to face fierce and bestial persecution at the hands of their fellow-men, and also have to endure the natural tribulations which God will unleash on all mankind as a consequence of the sins of the human race. Yes, it will be possible to be saved during the tribulation, but it is infinitely better and imminently sensible to accept Jesus Christ as one’s Savior now, before the tribulation. [emphasis added]²

---

Notes

¹ He Who is the Living Water thirsted in dying (John John 19:28): Mat. 4:3), ended it by thirsting (John John 19:28). He who was the Rock whence Israel in the desert was refreshed (1Cor. 1Cor. 10:4), and He who turned the water into wine (John John 2:1-25), now thirsts.”—Graham W. Scroggie, A Guide to the Gospels (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1995, 1948), 587.

² Monty S. Mills, Revelations: An Exegetical Study of the Revelation to John (Dallas, TX: 3E Ministries, 1987), Rev. 7:17.