Revelation 7:9 Commentary and Bible Study

Where is this great multitude? It is in heaven before the throne of God, and before the Lamb. They are those who have been saved from the world and now enjoy the reward of God. They are free to engage unhindered in the occupation which most fills their souls with joy – worshipping the Lord their God. They are beyond the reach of harm, and they have triumphed over all the power of the enemy. They are connected with the one hundred and forty-four thousand, for unless that is so, this vision does not show the outcome of the sealing. This great multitude in heaven has resulted from God’s sealing and preservation of his saints. God’s plans and purposes are always successful. Why then are they here called a multitude which no man can number when before they were said to be a precise number of people? Because the vision needs to make clear that the smaller number was only symbolic. What great confidence we can have in God’s seal! We are as good as standing in heaven now, for nothing can prevent us finally arriving there.Abraham was promised that his seed would be a multitude which no one could number. ‘And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered’ (Genesis 13:16). ‘In blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore’ (Genesis 22:17). Right from the beginning this promise to Abraham included the gathering in of the Gentiles: ‘And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed’ (Genesis 26:4). The number is not infinite but it is so great no man would attempt the task of counting them. Yet the number is known to God and each one of them is a jewel to him. This multitude stands before the throne of God. The verse also tells us as a separate fact that they stand before the Lamb. He will receive worship as one who is equal with the Father. They are clothed with white robes which alone qualifies them to be in that place and to offer worthy praise to God.‘Who shall be able to stand?’ – stand in the presence of God, accepted by him? It is the redeemed people of God. They are clothed with white robes’ – symbolising their justified state having had the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. They come with palm branches. Israel was to use palm branches during the feast of tabernacles as a token of their rejoicing before the Lord (Leviticus 23:40). Appropriately palm branches were used to strew the way before the Lord Jesus Christ on his entry into Jerusalem as King of his people. They have palms of peace and reconciliation in their hands.