Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 163:650 (Apr 2006)
Article: The Function of the Tribulation Saints
Author: Richard Shalom Yates

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The Function of the Tribulation Saints

Richard Shalom Yates

Richard Shalom Yates is Assistant Professor of English Bible, Capital Bible Seminary, Lanham, Maryland.

This is the second article in a four-part series “Studies on the Tribulation Saints.”

In Revelation 7:9–10 John wrote that he saw a great multitude praising God for their deliverance.1 An elder informed John that these saints were coming out from the Great Tribulation (vv. 13–14). John was also told that every one of these Tribulation saints would be delivered, not only from sin but also from worshiping the Antichrist (12:11; 13:8–10; 14:11–12; 15:2; 20:4). Bible students debate whether the perseverance of these Tribulation saints is unique and whether they will be indwelt by the Holy Spirit like today’s church-age saints. Examination of the New Testament indicates that (a) their deliverance from sin is similar, (b) their function as overcomers could be different, and (c) the indwelling ministry of the Spirit could be the same for Tribulation saints and church-age saints.

Deliverance from Sin

Washed and Whitened Robes

John saw these saints clothed in white robes that had been washed by the Lamb’s blood (7:14).2 Since literal blood cannot wash robes

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clean, the phrase is figurative. The figure of the Lamb particularly related to Christ’s sacrificial work on behalf of man’s sin (5:9).3 The Old Testament used a similar metaphor of forgiveness of sins (Ps. 51:7; Isa. 1:18; 64:6; Zech. 3:3–5). According to the New Testament, applying Christ’s blood by faith is necessary for cleansing people from sin (Heb. 9:14; 1 John 1:7). Thus white clothes symbolized the Tribulation saints’ complete forgiveness from sin.

Obviously these saints ...