After the opening of the sixth seal, which announces the coming of the wrath of “him who is seated on the throne” and the “wrath of the Lamb”, John sees four angels standing at the “four corners of the earth” (7:1). These angels hold back the wind from blowing “on earth or sea or against any tree” (7:1). Before they are allowed to “harm the earth or the sea or the trees” (7:3), another angel calls loudly to them, telling them to wait (7:3). They are to delay until “the servants of our God” have been “sealed” on their foreheads (7:3).
John learns that 144,000 from “every tribe of the sons of Israel” (7:4) will receive God’s seal, a mark indicating ownership and protection (see Rev 9:5; Eph 1:13-14). Groups of twelve thousand come from various tribes of the nation of Israel, with Joseph allotted 24,000 (for Manasseh and Joseph) and Dan completely omitted.
Next, John looks and sees “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (7:9). All those in this great crowd are “clothed in white robes” and carry “palm branches in their hands” (7:9). Together they loudly proclaim, “salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (7:10). As they shout their worship, the angels, elders, and four living creatures add their praise, falling on their faces and saying “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen!” (7:12).
One of the twenty-four elders addresses John with two questions: “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” (7:13). John admits he doesn’t know but senses the elder does (“Sir, you know”—7:14). He is told this great multitude from all nations are “the ones coming out of the great tribulation” (7:14). While they differ in ethnic background, they have something important in common: “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (7:14).
The elder speaking with John explains how these believers now have the privilege of coming “before the throne of God” to “serve him day and night in his temple” (7:15). As they serve, they will be sheltered by the presence of God (7:15). Though they experienced hardship on earth, “they shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore” (7:16; Isa 49:10). No longer will the sun’s heat scorch them. Instead, the Lamb will be their “shepherd”, leading them to “springs of living water” (7:17). The earthly sorrows that brought tears will be wiped away by the Lord God (7:17). They have arrived safely home.
What is Revealed about Jesus?
Jesus will have followers from the tribes of Israel during the great tribulation. Before the opening of the seventh seal (8:1),144,000 Jews from “every tribe of the sons of Israel” are “sealed” with the “seal of the living God” (7:2-4). Those that are sealed are designated as “servants of our God” (7:3). While some claim this group of “Jews” symbolically represents the entire church, the straightforward reading of the text (backed by Old Testament promises to preserve national Israel; see Jer 31:35-36) leads me to see them as Jews who become redeemed followers of the Lamb during the great tribulation (see Rev 14:1-5). They form the “first fruits” of the great turning to Jesus that will occur in the great tribulation (see Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:25-26). After the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Rom 11:25; Rev 7:14), God fulfills His promises to redeem “all Israel” (Rom 11:25).
Jesus will shepherd those from every nation who are rescued out of the great tribulation.
In addition to the 144,000 Jews on the earth, John sees “a great multitude that no one could number” before “the throne and before the Lamb” in heaven (7:9). John learns this multitude of people “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (7:9) have come “out of the great tribulation” (7:14). They join in the worship of heaven as they praise God for His “salvation” made possible through “the blood of the Lamb” (7:10, 14). Now that they are safely home in heaven, these believers are shepherded by the Lord Jesus: “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water” (7:17).
This great throng in heaven represents either those who come to faith during the great tribulation or the believers rescued at the start of the great tribulation. I believe the sequence of events in the book of Revelation favours the view that these Christians are rescued at the start of the great tribulation, before the Lamb pours out His wrath in judgment.
The opening of the sixth seal brought us to the moment when the wrath of God begins to be poured out on a rebellious world (6:16-17). Since believers are not destined to experience the wrath of God (see 1 Thess 5:9), the Lord rescues (raptures) His people before pouring out His wrath. This view aligns with the promise made to the church in Philadelphia (and by extension to all the churches—3:13): “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10). This view also harmonizes with Jesus’ words in Matthew 24: after cosmic signs appear in heaven (the sun and moon darkened, stars falling from the heavens—Matt 24:29; Rev 6:12-13), Jesus will “send out his angels” to “gather his elect from the four winds” (Matt 24:29-31; 7:1). While believers will endure the wrath of man (the first five seals), they will be rescued from experiencing the wrath of God (the Trumpet and Bowl judgments). An additional reason to view this great multitude as those rescued from the earth before the great tribulation judgments is the statement in Revelation 9:20-21 that the human response to God’s judgment is further hardening rather than repentance. There does not appear to be a great turning to God once His wrath is poured out.
How Can We Keep the Words of this Prophecy?
We must make sure we have washed our robes white in the blood of the Lamb. The multitude John sees in heaven from “every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” has “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (7:9, 14). Each one has individually had their sins forgiven through faith in the atoning, redeeming death of Jesus on the cross. To be included in this great heavenly company, we must personally put our faith in Jesus’ sacrificial death so our sins can be washed away. This is how we come to the Father through Jesus (John 14:6: “No one comes to the Father except through Me”). If you have never done this, I urge you to do so today. Place your faith and trust in Jesus to save you now and forever.
We must follow the Lamb now to be among those who follow Him forever. The multitude “before the throne of God” in heaven is shepherded by the Lamb; He “will guide them to springs of living water” (7:17). The ones who follow Him in heaven will have learned to follow Jesus on earth. As Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:17-28). Following Jesus now—by hearing and heeding His words—indicates we will be among the multi-national flock He shepherds in heaven.
We should praise God now for our salvation to get ready for praising Him in heaven. Those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb from every nation join their voices in heaven to praise God for their salvation: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb” (7:10). Since this will be the theme of our praise in heaven, we should tune our hearts now by praising God for the great gift of salvation.
We can endure tears on earth knowing God will wipe them away in heaven. Those who follow the Lamb on earth can expect trials and tears (7:16). Jesus promised as much when he said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). While we can expect tribulation on earth, we can also anticipate being rescued from the great tribulation that will come upon the earth at the finale of history (7:15). As I understand the flow of the book of Revelation, believers get pulled out of the great tribulation before the Lamb pours out his wrath (6:16-17). In heaven, the tears we’ve shed on earth will be wiped away by our great and gracious God (7:17; 21:4). Anticipating this eternal comfort helps strengthen us during trying times on earth.
Reflection Questions:
- Are you sure you have washed your robe white (had your sins forgiven) by placing your trust in Jesus as the One who died to save you? If not, why not do so now?
- How can this glorious vision of our future in heaven help you follow Jesus and overcome challenges on earth?