Revelation 7:9-17
“After this” (v. 9). Immediately preceding verse 9, John witnessed the sealing of 144,000 servants of God. The 144,000 were sealed during a pause between the sixth and seventh seal judgments. Following the breaking of the sixth seal, John saw four angels, positioned at the four corners of the earth. These angels were instructed to hold back their judgments until after the 144,000 servants of God were sealed.
Consider — Could not the sealing of God’s servants be accomplished in a twinkling of an eye as will be the changing of the bodies of all living saints (see I Cor. 15:52) at the time of the taking up? The wait for the sealing of the 144,000 is a delay in God’s judgments. The reason for the temporary halt may be an act of grace allowing all upon the earth a chance to repent. Refusal to turn to God will result in suffering the torments to follow.
During the pause in judgments, John saw a multitude too great to number. John was not looking at the 144,000; they were numbered. John looked upon a multitude consisting of men from all nations and kindreds and people and tongues. The identity of the multitude is fully revealed in verse 14.
In verse 9, we are informed that the multitude was clothed in white robes and had palm branches in their hands. White robes are robes of righteousness and can only be provided by God. The Lord counts belief for righteousness (Gen. 15:6). The reason for the palm branches is not stated. The only previous New Testament reference to palm branches is linked to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem prior to His death, burial and resurrection (Jn. 12:13). On that occasion, Jesus was hailed as the promised king of the lineage of David. The palms in the scene before is suggests that the multitude awaits the arrival of the promised son of David (see II Sam. 7:13-16).
In verse 10, the multitude cried out, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” The praise of the multitude is the proclamation of salvation. This same proclamation of salvation is found in Psalm 118. This psalm describes the triumphal entry of the king in terms of humiliation and glory. This praise of salvation is directed to God and to the Lamb. Psalm 118:27 reads, “. . . bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.” The only sacrifice which was bound to an altar of sacrifice was the Lamb who was nailed to the cross. The multitude knew the Lamb who was slain and was worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing (Rev. 5:12).
One of the elders asked John the identity of them in white robes (v. 13) and then provided the answer to him. God made the identity of the great multitude known to John and God also wants us to know. The multitude is they which came out of great tribulation. The multitude most certainly is not the church at Philadelphia (see Rev. 3:10); the church at Philadelphia left in the twinkling of an eye before the first seal had been broken. The multitude was left behind. Again, note the white robes of the multitude. After the opening of the fifth seal, white robes were given to all who were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held (Rev. 6:9-11). Those given white robes following the opening of the fifth seal were informed that they would be joined by fellow servants who would be killed as they had been killed (Rev. 6:11). It would appear that the great multitude which was too great to number is only a portion of all who shall perish as martyrs during the seven-year tribulation.
In verse 14, one of the elders informed John how the multitude’s robes were made white. The multitude made their robes white by washing them in the blood of the Lamb. The sacrifice of Christ Jesus (the blood of the Lamb) is purifying. The blood of the Lamb is sufficient for all times — it has made robes white in the past, makes robes white in the present and shall make robes white in the future. There is no substitute. Believers are sanctified by the sacrifice of the Lamb who was without blemish.
This particular scene is after the breaking of the sixth seal but prior to the breaking of the seventh seal.
“Therefore are they before the throne . . .” (v. 15). The presence of being before the throne of God and serving Him is dependent upon being purified by the blood of the Lamb. The blood of the Lamb made the robes of the elders as white as snow. It, likewise, purifies all who shall perish as martyrs during the seventieth week (Dan. 9:24-27).
The closing verses of chapter 7 reveal that the multitude which comes out of the great tribulation shall hunger no more, thirst no more, or suffer discomfort. The Lamb shall feed them and lead them. Is this not the same promise which is given to all who have cried out to Jesus, believing? “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (Jn. 6:35).
The great multitude shall hunger no more, thirst no more, suffer in the heat of the sun no more, and they shall be fed by the Lamb and they shall cry no more. The late entries into the kingdom of heaven shall receive the same as the church which has been with Christ Jesus from the first hour. That which John was shown was taught by Jesus in the parable of the hired laborers in Matthew 20. The late comers shall receive the same as those who have labored long. All receive the gift of life through Christ Jesus.
Praise God! His eternal comfort waits for all who believe and ever shall believe.
