‘That is why they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his Temple, and he who sits on the throne will tabernacle over them. They will hunger no more, nor thirst any more, nor will the sun strike them, or any heat. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'
This description would seem to confirm that we have here the resurrected people of God, for it is describing the same as happens at the end in the new heaven and the new earth (Revelation 21:3-4). They are ‘before the throne of God', that is are welcomed into His presence. ‘They serve Him day and night in His Temple', for they are a royal priesthood, showing forth His excellencies (1 Peter 2:9), offering worship, praise and thanksgiving to Him (Hebrews 13:15). But now there will be no dividing curtain for they will see the fullness of His glory.
He ‘will tabernacle over them'. The verb is skeno-o (as in John 1:14) and has in mind the divine Shekinah (sekinah), a post Biblical concept which referred to the radiance, glory and presence of God which dwelt among His people. It is the symbol of the divine Presence. It is mirrored in the use of the verb sakan (‘to dwell') in His sanctuary and among His people (Exodus 25:8; Exodus 29:45-46; 1 Kings 6:13 etc. See also Ezekiel 37:27). So they will live in the glory of the divine Presence.
‘They will hunger no more, nor thirst any more, nor will the sun light on them (‘strike' is a suggested amendment but has no manuscript backing. However, the meaning is the same) or any heat.' These were the common problems of mankind in hot places; lack of essential foods, thirst, the burning sun, excessive heat. When the weary exiles began their journey back through the hot wildernesses with short provisions and insufficient water, God made a similar promise to them - ‘they shall not hunger or thirst, nor will the heat or sun smite them, for he has mercy on them and will lead them, he will guide them by springs of water' - and that is the promise on which this passage is based (Isaiah 49:10). So it has especially in mind those who travel through desert regions, a picture of the Christian journey, for Christians are seen as aliens and pilgrims on the earth (1 Peter 2:11 compare Hebrews 11:9-10). Now, however, their wanderings, with all their attendant problems, are over.
‘For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd and will guide them to fountains of waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.' Previously the Lion became a Lamb (Revelation 5:5), now the Lamb becomes a Shepherd. Such are the wonders of God's ways. Thus our Shepherd is the One in the midst of the throne, the King Himself.
John elsewhere refers to Jesus as the shepherd who gave His life for the sheep in John 10:11, so the connection with the slain Lamb is appropriate. The work of the Good Shepherd in John 10 is now satisfactorily completed, and still as the Good Shepherd He will satisfy them with the water of life from abundant fountains (compare e.g. Psalms 23:2; Isaiah 41:18; Isaiah 49:10). Not only so but God will also be there to wipe away the tears from every eye. Our tribulation will not have been in vain. This thought is taken from Isaiah 25:8, where death is swallowed up for ever. It is repeated in Revelation 21:4.