Therefore are they before the throne of God. That is, because they have been washed, and have their robes made white, they are before the throne (cf. Ephesians 5:25-27, "Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it,… that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle," etc.
). And serve him day and night in his temple. As described in Revelation 4:8, Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:8-14; Revelation 7:12; Revelation 11:15, etc. Temple ( ναός) is here, as in Revelation 3:12, the "dwelling place, the shrine, of God, i.
e. heaven. Thus are the redeemed made "pillars" in his temple (Revelation 3:12). And he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them; shall spread his tabernacle over them (Revised Version). The same verb that occurs in John 1:14; Revelation 12:12; Revelation 13:6; Revelation 21:3.
The allusion (not an uncommon one with St. John) is to the Shechinah which overshadowed the mercy seat. God's presence among them, co-dwelling with them, is the happiness of his people (of. John 17:24, "Father, I will that they also be with me," etc.
; 1 John 3:2, "We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is ").