A Great Multitude - Revelation 7:9-10

We see in Revelation 6 a look into heaven and hear the cries of "the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained." [1]  Then we got a glimpse of the 144,00 on earth, sealed with God's protection.  Now we get a glimpse of greater magnitude:

 “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9, NIV)

This great multitude were exclaiming: “And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”” (Revelation 7:10, NIV)

I think we see a progression and a different image of the Church:  We see Christians who are martyred before God's throne experiencing His response: “Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.” (Revelation 6:11, NIV).   This issue of the "full number" calls upon the image of 144,000 in 7:4.  Now we see the saints in heaven,  the same group as "vv. 1–8  . . . with their suffering in vv. 1–8 turned to joy and reward in vv. 9–17. [2]

"The phrase ὄχλος πολύς, ὃν ἀριθμῆσαι αὐτὸν οὐδεὶς ἐδύνατο (“a great multitude, which no one was able to number”) evokes the promise to Abraham and Jacob that God would multiply their descendants, “who will not be numbered for multitude” (ἣ οὐκ ἀριθμηθήσεται ὑπὸ τοῦ πλήθους; cf. the LXX of Gen. 32:13[12]; 16:10 above all, as well as the LXX of Gen. 13:16; 15:5; 22:17; 26:4; Hos. 2:1[1:10]; Jub. 13:20; 14:4–5; Heb. 11:12)." [3]

These people were "from every nation, tribe, people and language,standing before the throne. "When this phrase is used in reference to people other than the people of God, it is representative of the whole empire or the world’s population (as in Dan 4:1)." [4]

"Their first praise is for full salvation. Salvation from sin. Salvation from all sorrow and sadness. Salvation from the trials that they endured. Such salvation is wholly God’s; they cannot take credit for it. God Almighty on his throne, by his sovereign grace, and Jesus the Lamb by his redemptive work have provided full salvation." [5]

Father, the anticipation of terror and martyrdom must have evoked great fear in your Church. But to witness that You are in control and that victory and vindication were guaranteed must have brought much comfort.  The response of praise to Your salvation would be the most natural response. Salvation is all of You. Not one of Your redeemed can take credit for anything of our redemption.  All praise. All glory.   All honour goes to You. 

 

 

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1. The New International Version. 2011 (Re 6:9). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
2. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2474). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
3. Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary (426). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.
4. Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 7:9). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
5. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (128–129). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.