Rev 7:15 | RWP | e4.org | Therefore ( δια τουτο ). Because of the washing described in verse . They serve him ( λατρευουσιν αυτω ). Dative case with λατρευω (present active indicative, old verb, originally to serve for hire λατρον , then service in general, then religious service to God, , then in particular ritual worship of the priests, ). All the redeemed are priests ( , ) in the heavenly temple ( ) as here. But this service is that of spiritual worship, not of external rites ( ; ). Day and night ( ημερας κα νυκτος ). Genitive of time, "by day and night," as in of the praise of the four living creatures. Shall spread his tabernacle over them ( σκηνωσε επ' αυτους ). Future (change of tense from present in λατρευουσιν ) active of σκηνοω , old verb from σκηνος (tent, tabernacle), used in of the earthly life of Christ, elsewhere in N.T. only in Rev. ( ; ; ; ). In ; of those who dwell in tents, here of God spreading his tent "over" ( επ' αυτους ) the redeemed in heaven, in of God tabernacling "with" ( μετ' αυτων ) the redeemed, in both instances a picture of sacred fellowship, and "the further idea of God's Presence as a protection from all fear of evil" (Swete) like the overshadowing of Israel by the Shekinah and a possible allusion also to the tents ( σκηνα ) of the feast of tabernacles and to the tent of meeting where God met Moses ( ).

‏ Revelation of John 7:15

Therefore ( δια τουτο ). Because of the washing described in verse 14.

They serve him ( λατρευουσιν αυτω ). Dative case with λατρευω (present active indicative, old verb, originally to serve for hire λατρον, then service in general, then religious service to God, Mt 4:10, then in particular ritual worship of the priests, Heb 8:5). All the redeemed are priests (Re 16:5, 10) in the heavenly temple (6:9) as here. But this service is that of spiritual worship, not of external rites (Ro 12:1; Php 3:3).

Day and night ( ημερας κα νυκτος ). Genitive of time, "by day and night," as in 4:8 of the praise of the four living creatures.

Shall spread his tabernacle over them ( σκηνωσε επ' αυτους ). Future (change of tense from present in λατρευουσιν ) active of σκηνοω, old verb from σκηνος (tent, tabernacle), used in Joh 1:14 of the earthly life of Christ, elsewhere in N.T. only in Rev. (7:14; 12:12; 13:6; 21:3). In 12:12; 13:6 of those who dwell in tents, here of God spreading his tent "over" ( επ' αυτους ) the redeemed in heaven, in 21:3 of God tabernacling "with" ( μετ' αυτων ) the redeemed, in both instances a picture of sacred fellowship, and "the further idea of God's Presence as a protection from all fear of evil" (Swete) like the overshadowing of Israel by the Shekinah and a possible allusion also to the tents ( σκηνα ) of the feast of tabernacles and to the tent of meeting where God met Moses (Ex 33:7-11).