The Two Great Multitudes
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: With the first six chapters of Revelation as our backdrop, we are now presented a key, two-part vision. At first a remnant out of Israel is identified on earth—“144,000” in all—sealed as the “servants of our God.” Then, in great contrast, a second victorious and innumerable congregation appears in Heaven. Having left the tribulation of the earth behind, these are the multitude of “white-robbed” worshipers “from every nation, tribe, people and language.” Secure in God’s presence and nurtured by His love, before His throne they worship and serve before Him “day and night.”
So critical to a proper understanding of God’s appointment with Israel and the martyrs is the fact that both of these groups are viewed in their destiny before the breaking of the seventh seal and the opening of the Scroll of Redemption, which is revealed in Chapter 8. Before God releases His wrath-filled judgment in the earth—we, by the mercies of God, encounter with John both the victorious plan of God and the unending love of God.
God’s destiny for two great end-times multitudes of people remind us that He is eternally merciful, wise, and in control.
The 144,000 Sealed Servants (7:1-8)
The 144,000 Sealed Servants (7:1-8)
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.
That these angels were “standing at the four corners of the earth” is figurative language for the four points of the compass
Four angels were told to withhold judgment on the earth until the servants of … God were sealed (v. 3). The seal on their foreheads symbolizes protection and ownership and God’s intention to protect the [Walvoord, J. F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 949). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books]
possibly the same four in Revelation 9:14,15
And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea,
saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”
As with the seals placed on the Scroll of Redemption in Chapters 5 and 6, ancient seals gave assurance of ownership and authenticity. As God’s seal placed upon His servants, this divine mark now speaks of His personal care and protection, i.e., from His own wrath. Placed “on the forehead,” the seal (by metaphor) will also conspicuously speak of the nobility of God’s favor
(App)Today, the Christian is sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13–14). This sealing happens the instant the sinner trusts Christ, and it assures the believer of eternal life and an inheritance in heaven. The sealing angel commands the angels of the winds to hold back their judgment until His servants have been sealed and thus protected from the judgment to come. For a parallel scene, see Ezek. 9
And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.
We should note that he does not say that all of Israel or even all of one tribe is sealed. Rather, this is a remnant out of “all the tribes of Israel.”
144,000 are true Jews who will be alive on earth at this time
They will probably be won to Christ through the ministries of Moses and Elijah, the two witnesses who will preach during the first three and one-half years of the Tribulation (see 11:1–12).
what is not credible is the idea that “Israel,” here, is to be spiritualized into representing the Church at large.
This first group is numbered and limited while the second “no one could count.”
This first is “from all the tribes of Israel” while the second is “from every nation, tribe, people and language.
this first remains for a time on the earth while the second is already “standing before the throne and before the Lamb
Finally, the first is purposefully “sealed” for protection and service while the second, of whom no sealing is mentioned, have finished their earthly service.
Conspicuously missing from this list are the tribes of Dan and Ephraim.
Dan’s rejection of inheritance and idolatry
Dan never fully took possession of their inheritance (Joshua 19:40-48) - In apathy and in fear of the Philistines to their south, Dan forsook God’s blessing, choosing rather to conquer the secluded and peaceful agricultural city of Laish (later “Dan”) in the northernmost part of Israel
The sons of Dan set up for themselves the graven image; and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land.
Ephriaim - it is strongly possible that the name “Joseph” is used representatively of Ephraim the younger brother
[App.] Church, pray for Israel because God is about to visit her again! The plan to restore her to the physical land has been fulfilled, but the reality of her spiritual resurrection still lies ahead! As the prophets of old foretold, “a time of trouble for Jacob'' is coming and “how awful that day will be!” (Jeremiah 30:7). In that day, “all the nations of the earth [will be] gathered against her” (Zechariah 12:3) and outwardly all will seem lost. But, God will keep His appointment! “The Lord will […] cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire” (Isaiah 4:4). In the end, when the dust of Last Day's judgment has settled, a great nation, revived and holy, will rise from the ashes! The appointment will be kept,
The Countless Worshipers (7:9-17)
The Countless Worshipers (7:9-17)
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;
“After these things”
John’s attention was now drawn away from the earth to a further heavenly vision.
with this glorious sight—and for the first time seen in Heaven—we are introduced to the ultimate fulfillment of grace, a great multitude, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
great multitude - immeasureable-
every nation - tribe - peoples - tongues
Here is the reward of Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross, the theme of Heaven’s eternal praise, “and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” (5:
These Gentiles are the fruit of the labors of the 144,000, and they come from every nation under heaven.
Same group as previously mentioned in Revelation 6:9
When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained;
I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
It seems evident that these “who have come out of the Great Tribulation” have been martyred and were then safe in heaven.
and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Now, it is important to the identity of this “great multitude” that John sees that “they were wearing white robes.” We know that “white robes” in the book of Revelation is symbolic of righteousness.
Which is confirmed again in Chapter 19, verse 8 when Christ’s bride is seen wearing “fine linen, bright and clean,” which John explains “stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.”
Much greater than the appearance of “the great multitude” was their activity before the throne of God,
With the “loud voice” of passionate praise and thanksgiving, the redeemed express their worship.
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”
I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
In answer to the question, “and where did they come from,” the elder explains further, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation.” Here, we must take a careful look. To begin, the word “come,” is grammatically what is called a present participle, indicating a continuous “coming out of.” Just as we saw in the great promise of 3:10, the words “out of” literally mean “out from.”
The word “tribulation” (thlipsis), which we saw earlier, speaks of “pressure” or a “pressing in upon”;
“For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.
- the special privilege of being before God’s throne and serving Him day and night in His temple
“will shelter [literally, ‘spread his tent over’] them with his presence. In this promise of protection and communion is the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan of redemption
“They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat;
- were protected by God Himself and never again would they experience hunger … thirst, or scorching heat
They were under the special nurturing care of the Lamb
He leads His sheep “to springs of living water,” a vivid picture of eternal life in Christ.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 7:13–17
all their tears would be wiped away.
I believe a day is coming soon like no other day in world history. As Jesus said, it will be an otherwise normal day of “eating and drinking, marrying…” (Matthew 24:38).
While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.
(App.) I believe a day is coming soon like no other day in world history. As Jesus said, it will be an otherwise normal day of “eating and drinking, marrying…” (Matthew 24:38).Paul added that in that day—“While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety’ destruction will come on them suddenly” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Suddenly and unexpectedly, countless tens of millions from across the face of this planet will be gone. Though I can’t wrap my mind around it, my heart is ready!
Because Jesus promised to “keep you [us] from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world,” Paul was able to proclaim, “we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
I believe in the imminent, any-moment return of Christ for His Church. I believe that before He comes back with us, He’s coming back for us! By the grace and mercy and holiness of God, before the seventh seal is broken, before the Scroll of Redemption and its judgments are poured out, those who are ready will stand in glory before His throne.
“Be ready,” was the constant message of Jesus. I’m waiting, are you? Not for wrath, Jesus already took my wrath. I’m looking and longing, are you? I’m ready, are you? “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.”