The fact of the matter is that I am less sure now of how the “end times” play out than I was 30 or 40 years ago. Then, I had it nailed and was ready to spot, identify, and check-off the “signs of the time.” Now I find myself just as sure as I was then of His imminent return, but less sure of exactly how that’s gonna happen. So, when I read Revelation these days I do so — for the most part — trying to keep the big picture in mind. While I try to ask the “literal or symbolic” question as I come to the text, I tend to settle on what’s “for sure” after that time of great tribulation. One of those for sures? No more tears.

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

“Therefore they are before the throne of God,
       and serve Him day and night in His temple;
       and He who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
       the sun shall not strike them,
       nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
       and He will guide them to springs of living water,
       and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

(Revelation 7:13-17 ESV)

Good will wipe away every tear from their eyes . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Whether the great tribulation is a literal 7-year period or the church age, whether the great multitude (Rev. 7:9) is different than, or the same as the 144,000 (Rev. 7:4-8), what I do know is that their robes have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb, and that at some point — whether it’s in heaven or in a Millennial kingdom on earth — they are before the throne of God and that the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd. And while the Son guides them to living water, the Father, as Isaiah prophesied (Isa. 25:8), wipes away every tear.

Count on it! For them. For us too.

No more tears. Hmm . . . Imagine that.

No more tears. Wiped away. Removed. Erased. Blotted out. Obliterated.

No more tears because mourning becomes a thing of the past. No more tears as pain, suffering, and the sorrow of separation are forever resolved. No more tears because the final victory over death is won. No more tears “for the former things have passed way” (Rev. 21:4).

While I may not be sure of the all the details and dynamics of what leads up to the former things passing away, I am sure of this, God will wipe away every tear.

No more tears.

Can’t wait.

Oh, the grace — coming soon — to be anticipated! Oh, the glory — here and now — given to the God whose promises are sure.