NO MORE TEARS
REV. 7:13-17
Thesis: for all of us to understand that tears are for those on earth, not for those who will inherit Heaven
Introduction:
1. The Elder here asks John these questions not to learn but to teach
2. The answer returned by the apostle,
a. in which he tactfully acknowledges his own ignorance,
b. and sues to this elder for information: “Thou knowest.”
c. Those who would gain knowledge must not be ashamed to own their ignorance, nor to not desire instruction from any that are able to give it.
3. [14] we see these faithful had endured “great tribulation” and were rewarded.
4. We too, will endure great tribulation.
5. Thru Jesus Christ our robes will be white as snow, but not before they are stained;
a. With the sins of mankind
b. With the tears of a passionate life
6. Today we will come to an understanding of what these tears are
a. And whom they are for.
7. This marvelous word-picture from the Apostle John closes with a beautiful expression:
a. “God shall wipe away all Tears”
8. These are not the tears of all men, but the tears of God’s children
9. With their tears the robes of faith are marred, and the pages of history are stained
10. What are the “tears” we speak of?
a. Who are they for?
b. In addition, for what purpose are they shed?
11. There are six types of tears spoken of in the Bible,
a. Let us dwell deep in God’s Word and see what type we will shed.
Body: “The robes of faith are wrinkled, and the pages of history stained with:
1. The tears of “pity”
a. Compassionate people weeping for the fearful doom of hardened sinners
b. Luke 19:41-42 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,
saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!
But now they are hidden from your eyes. (NKJ)
c. Jesus wept bitterly night and day that Jerusalem would come to believe
d. He held dear to his heart his bothers and sisters, as we do today
e. But as the day approaches we too will leave behind those we love
i. Those we desire to hear the word of God, but through the deceitfulness of sin will not hear,
ii. These we will leave behind, and with them our tears of pity.
2. The tears of “Sympathy”
a. Tenderhearted friends who share sorrow
b. those who weep with the ones who weep.
c. John 11:35 “Jesus wept”
i. Jesus wept not for the loss of Lazarus
1. But for the pain shared by his family and friends
2. Thomas said [14] “Let us go that we may die with him”
3. The pain of loss is a huge obstacle to overcome; but in heaven, there will be no such feeling.
ii. We must weep with those who have suffered loss while we are here on earth, for there will be no one suffering from sympathy in heaven.
3. The tears of “Bereavement”
a. A David weeping for his son Absalom (2 Sam. 18:33)
i. There will come a time when we will wait at the gate for our children
ii. However, it will be to no avail; for they will have been slain by the sword of unbelief.
b. Or A Rachael weeping for her children because they are not ( Matt 2:16-18)
i. They would not be comforted, because they are not, that is, they are not in the land of the living,
1. [Lost to drugs, alcohol, pleasures of the world]
ii. We lose many children today to the heavy hand of Satan.
iii. Just as Herod slew these innocents, Satan lies in wait for your children
c. Cry your tears of bereavement today, mothers and fathers, for they will not be tolerated in Heaven
4. The Tears of “Penitent Souls”
a. These are the tears wept over sad mistakes made in life.
b. These are the price paid for indecision and reluctance on the part of the sinner
c. These tears a re wept for a life of sin, and its sorrowful state
d. [LK 7:36-38]
i. Even through this woman, a sinner, knew how she would be treated in this house; she came and served the Lord
ii. She was victim of ridicule and indignation, but she wiped the Lord’s feet with her tears and begged forgiveness.
iii. She gave all she had and then gave her soul
e. [LK 22:54-61]
i. Peter faced even a more difficult challenge
ii. How to overcome his fear and “wait upon the Lord”
1. Different kinds of waiting on the Lord
2. This kind required a denial of the truth
3. The other kind required a denial of ambition and pride
f. Cry these tears over you soul this day; and the Lord shall say unto you:
i. “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” LK 7:50
5. The “Tears of Anxiety”
a. Earnest Christian Workers who are deeply concerned with
i. The moral state of those around them’
ii. The spiritual state of friends and family, and those they work with
b. Paul said, “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” Acts 20:31
c. We should all cry these tears for those we want to come to an understanding on true Christianity
d. The tears of anxiety are fueled by the fear of loss
6. The “Tears of Sacrifice”
a. Tears of God’s children that are shed through personal loss
b. Suffering that the Gospel may be spread
c. Suffering that the church may go forward
d. Suffering that the Gospel may go where it has never been heard
e. These tears will be well rewarded in Heaven, and in the presence of God
i. Ps 126:5,6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
f. Acts 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
Conclusion:
1. We all must carry tears with us through this life:
a. Tears of happiness and joy; sorrow and strife.
2. But there will come a time when we must put away these tears
3. The Bible says,
a. The father shall, with a tender hand, wipe away every tear from our eyes”
4. He shall wipe away these tears, but only from the eyes of HIS children.
5. These tears are shed;
a. For those facing the snare of damnation
b. For those who have family and friends that have tried to show them the way
c. For lost family members~children and parents that harden their hearts
d. For lost souls~souls destined for eternal separation from their Father
6. Those that will know no tears are forever beyond the each of harm
a. And all sadness is taken away>
b. Rev 7:13-17
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 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.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
