After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Read it in contextThe Sealing of the 144,000 and the Great Multitude
Start reading at Revelation 7:1 (Revelation 7:1 to Revelation 7:17).
The entire chapter describes two distinct groups of God's people in the end times: the sealed 144,000 from Israel and the great multitude from all nations.
7:1And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
7:2And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
7:3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
7:4And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
7:5Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
7:6Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7:7Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
7:8Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
7:9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
7:10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
7:11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
7:12Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
7:13And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
7:14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
7:15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
7:16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
7:17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? John is the named writer. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle, although that further identification has been debated. Biblical references: Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Revelation 6:1–11:19): John witnesses seals and trumpets and receives instructions within the vision. Heavenly beings, martyrs, Israel's tribes, a multitude, and earth's inhabitants appear in successive scenes. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Seven churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The message also calls on everyone with an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Biblical references: Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:7. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main event is a vision of a countless multitude from every nation, kindred, people, and tongue standing before God's throne and the Lamb, worshipping God and the Lamb for salvation, having come out of great tribulation.
What is God revealing? God is revealing that His salvation extends to a vast, innumerable multitude from all parts of the earth, who will worship Him and the Lamb in white robes, having been redeemed through the Lamb's blood.
What is the literary style? The literary style of the book of Revelation is prophecy and apocalyptic.
When
When was it written? The book of Revelation was written approximately A.D. 95.
When does the event take place? The events described are prophetic visions occurring around A.D. 95, depicting future events. The specific event of the great multitude is described as happening after the sealing of the 144,000, and they are identified as those who came out of great tribulation.
Where
Where did it happen? The vision takes place before the throne of God and before the Lamb.
Where was the author located? The author, John, was located on the Isle of Patmos when he received these visions.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Sealing of the 144,000 and the Great Multitude (Revelation 7:1 to Revelation 7:17).
Start reading at Revelation 7:1. The entire chapter describes two distinct groups of God's people in the end times: the sealed 144,000 from Israel and the great multitude from all nations.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This passage follows the sealing of the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, showing that God's salvation is not limited to Israel but includes a vast multitude from all nations. It provides a vision of hope and worship after the judgments described in previous chapters and before further judgments. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? The multitude stands 'before the Lamb' and cries 'Salvation to our God... and unto the Lamb.' Their white robes are made clean 'in the blood of the Lamb,' and the Lamb 'shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters.' This shows the Lamb (Jesus Christ) as the source of salvation, purification, sustenance, and guidance for the redeemed. stated in the text
How do I apply it today? Believers today can find assurance that God's plan of salvation encompasses people from every nation, and that those who endure tribulation and trust in the Lamb's sacrifice will ultimately stand before God's throne in worship, receiving eternal comfort and sustenance. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Revelation 7
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe pause in the judgments introduces the sealing of God's servants and the numbered tribes before the vision turns to the great multitude.
Connection to the wholeThe unnumbered multitude from all nations praises God and the Lamb, and the explanation of their condition joins tribulation with cleansing and final comfort.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Revelation
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe individual messages apply Christ's knowledge and authority to the churches' actual conditions, joining promises with rebukes and commands.
Connection to the wholeThe opening of the seals includes scenes of suffering, judgment, and preservation, leading to the seventh seal and the preparation for trumpets.
Connection to the wholeTrumpet judgments are interwoven with John's renewed commission and the witnesses, culminating in the seventh trumpet's proclamation.
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly preparation and seven vials develop the judgment sequence while retaining warnings and examples of refused repentance.
Connection to the wholeThe explanation and fall of Babylon lead to heavenly praise, the marriage announcement, and the defeat of the beast and its allies.
Connection to the wholeThe holy city and the removal of the curse bring the visions to their close, followed by commands, invitations, warnings, and the promise of Jesus' coming.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.