REVELATION 7:16-17 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
To set this up, this section talks about a multitude from the Great Tribulation. Starting in verse 14, notes from the NSB* (para). This vast multitude has come out of the great tribulation, referring to "the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world". (3:10). In view of the great loss of life during this time, martyrdom is most likely the means of their escape. Tribulation was already being experienced by the church in John's day see 2:10; Acts 14:22), however the great tribulation, predicted in Dan 12:1, will be of an intensity "such has not been seen since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matt 24:21). The great multitude will serve the Lamb day and night. The 144,000 are later described as "the ones who follow the lamb wherever He goes" (14:4).
Psalms 121:16 The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.
Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Daniel 12:1 “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.
Matthew 24:21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Revelation 14:4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
Sun Shall Not Strike Them; Strike here has the idea of "falling" in judgement upon persons, as of the sun's heat, Revelation 7:16, RV, "strike," AV, "light;" of a mist and darkness, Acts 13:11 (some mss. have epipipto);. The Greek word used here is actually "fall" πίπτω pipto. Vine's (def B-1f), Strong's G4098.
Moving to verse 17.
NSB* notes. Shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters recalls Ps. 23. The Lord who is Shepherd in Ps. 23:1 is equated here with the Lamb. Both King David and the great multitude (v. 9) will "dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Ps. 23:6), with Christ as their pastor. The "living" waters explain why there is no thirst (see v. 16). The water of life is freely available to all who will come to Christ by faith (22:17). God will wipe away every tear means that there will be no more crying, sorrow or pain in the presence of the Lord.
Shepherd; to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, supervisor). The KJV uses the word "feed", but the Greek word means "shepherd" ποιμαίνω poimainō. Strong's G4165.
Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Fountains; a spring or fountain, is used "metaphorically of "eternal life and the future blessings accruing from it," The Greek word is πηγή pege. Vine's (def e), Strong's G4077.
Takeaway: These verses are talking about the multitude from the great tribulation, however, we can be assured that there will be no crying, no suffering, or pain in the presence of our Father in heaven when we are with Him in eternity. It's mind-blowing to think of this when it seems like we are surrounded by these things daily. We can also take comfort in the Holy Spirit and rest in our Savior right now as we walk with Him to have victory in Him.
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