Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Revelation 7:14. It’s a really rich and symbolic passage, so we’ll go through it step-by-step. Here's what it means, explained simply: “And I said unto him…” : This is a formal introduction – God is speaking to someone specific. “He” refers to Jesus Christ (the Son of God). “…Sir, thou knowest.” : This is a question, and the "Sir" emphasizes that it’s he who understands. It's a way of saying, "You understand this." “And he said to me…” : This continues the conversation, and we now hear God’s response. “…These are they which came out of great tribulation…” : This is the key part. “Great Tribulation” refers to a period of intense suffering and upheaval in history – think of times like the Jewish exile or periods of extreme hardship. "These" refers to people who have gone through that suffering. “…and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” : This is where it gets really symbolic. Let’s unpack this: “Washed their robes…” : Robs were often used for ceremonial clothing – think of a priest's or minister’s robe. They were stained with the blood of sacrifices, symbolizing purity and holiness. “Made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” : This is where the imagery becomes powerful. The “blood of the Lamb” is a very specific concept from Revelation – it represents Christ’s sacrifice and atonement for sins. It's like saying: "They have been cleansed by His sacrifice, made clean." The act of washing with blood signifies purification and forgiveness. Putting it all together: This verse describes a group of people (the “these”) who have endured immense suffering – perhaps the end of the world as we know it – and are now being purified and renewed through Christ's sacrifice. They’ve been cleansed, made white in a way that represents forgiveness and spiritual perfection. What does this mean for us today? It speaks to the idea that everyone who has experienced significant hardship and suffering in their lives can be reconciled with God through Jesus Christ. It's a message of hope – even though we may feel lost or burdened, there is a way to be cleansed and made new by God’s grace. Important Note: This is a complex passage that’s often interpreted symbolically. It’s not meant to be taken literally about our individual struggles, but rather as a reminder of the ultimate triumph of God over evil and suffering. --- Would you like me to: Explain any part in more detail? Discuss what this verse might symbolize in different contexts (like the end times)? Give you a few examples of how people interpret this passage today?