The White Robe

After documenting the faith of integrity keepers of ancient times, the apostle Paul said:"And yet all these, although they had witness borne to them through their faith, did not get the fulfillment of the promise, as God foresaw something better for us, in order that they might not be made perfect apart from us." (Hebrews 11:39, 40) What is that "something better" that Paul and other anointed Christians anticipate? John sees it here in vision: "And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the number was filled also of their fellow slaves and their brothers who were about to be killed as they also had been." (Revelation 6:11) Their receiving "a white robe " has to do with their resurrection to be immortal spirit creatures. No longer do they lie as slaughtered souls underneath the altar, but they are raised to be part of the group of 24 elders that worship before the heavenly throne of God. There, they themselves have been given thrones, showing that they have entered into royal privileges. And they are "dressed in white outer garments,"signifying that they have been adjudged righteous, worthy of an honored place before Jehovah in that heavenly court. this is also in fulfillment of Jesus' promise to faithful anointed Christians in the congregation in Sardis: "He that conquers will thus be arrayed in white outer garments."-Revelation 3:5; 4:4; 1 Peter 1:4.

All the evidence indicates that this heavenly resurrection began in 1918, after Jesus' enthronement in 1914 and his riding forth to start his kingly conquest by cleansing the heavens of Satan and his demons. Yet, those resurrected anointed ones are told that they must "rest a little while longer, until the number. . . also of their fellow slaves" is filled. Those of the John class still on earth must prove their integrity under trial and persecution, and some of these may yet be killed. Finally, though all the righteous blood shed by Babylon the Great and her political paramours will be avenged. In the meantime, resurrected ones are doubtless busy with heavenly duties. they rest, not by relaxing in blissful inactivity, but in that they patiently await the day of Jehovah's vengeance. (Isaiah 34:8; Romans 12:19) Their rest will end when they witness the destruction of false religion and, as "called and chosen and faithful ones, they accompany the Lord Jesus Christ in executing judgment on all other parts of Satan's wicked seed here on earth. -Revelation 2:26, 27; 17z;14; Romans 16:20.

Next time: 'Those Who Are Dead Rise First'