_THE CITIZENS OF THE HOME-LAND_
REVELATION vii. 9-17.
The citizen of "the home-land" wears white robes. His habits are perfectly
clean. And the purity which he wears is a Divine gift and not a human
accomplishment. It cannot be attained by self-sacrifice; it is ours
through the sacrifice of our Lord. "They have washed their robes and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb."
And every citizen of the home-land bears a palm in his hand. It is the
emblem of conquest and sovereignty. By the grace of Christ they have been
lifted above self and sin, and the devil, and death, and "made to sit with
Him" on His throne. The palm is the heavenly symbol that all their
spiritual enemies are under their feet.
And every citizen of the home-land takes part in the new song. The
home-folk are therefore one in purity, one in self-conquest, and one in
praise. "Salvation unto our God which sitteth upon the throne!" In that
melody of thankfulness their union is deepened and enriched.
And we, too, can begin now to wear the white robe! And even now can we
carry the palm! And even now we can join in the song of ceaseless praise.