REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 7.9

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

Chapter Seven

A Parenthetical Chapter:

Judgment Suspended

 

 

(Verse 9)

After this I (John) 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.

 

After this I (John) beheld

…After what? After these things (Meta tauta, Greek) – After the 144,000 (twelve thousand from each selected tribe of Israel) were sealed on their foreheads (cf. Revelation 7:3 and 14:1), then the next vision of John begins.

 

I (John) beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man (no one) could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.

A Great Multitude

On display is a vast unimaginable uncountable throng from all nations that have turned to Christ during Tribulation, also included are the fruit of the two witnesses (cf. Revelation 14).

 

The Lord's initial command to His eleven disciples was:

Mark 16:15 - And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

As a result of the Gospel being perpetuated up to this point, an all-inclusive great multitude is gathered. Included:

a.  All nations – Every nation, referring to elected Gentiles

b.  All kindreds – Kindred tribe or clan of redeemed Hebrews

c.  All people – Denoting one's people or populace, specifically, those who are in bondage

d.  All tongues – Languages

This phrase shows a panoramic global view of the fulfillment of Jesus' commission post-rapture.

 

[The multitudes] stood before the Throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.

Multitudes are seen by John standing before the Throne of God and the Lamb in great reverence, giving praises and thanksgiving for having the privilege of serving.

 

Three things are noticeable regarding this heavenly gathering:

1.  They are standing before the Throne

a.  Standing signifies one's position, acceptance, and honor as God's servant (cf. Revelation 7:15)

 

2.  They are wearing white robes

a.  White robes symbolize victory and salvation

b.  The Greek word for the robe is the word stole, meaning a long-fitted garment

c.  Reflecting the idea of their clothing being washed and pure white in the blood of the Lamb, i.e., clothed in the righteousness of Christ

d.  All saints who have come out of the Tribulation, and as of yet, have not received their resurrected bodies

 

3.  They are waving palm branches in their hands

a.  Palm branches are symbolic of celebration, joy, rejoicing, deliverance, and triumph

b.  Palm branches were used at the Feast of Tabernacles, A seven-day required celebration of thanksgiving on the fifteenth day of the seventh month (Tishri, according to the Hebrew calendar), i.e., from Sabbath to Sabbath

 

The Feast of Tabernacles: Background

The Feast of Tabernacles is sometimes known as:

A. The Feast of Ingathering

B. Sukkoth

C. The Feast of Booths

D. Rosh Hashanah

 

It is a happy celebratory Thanksgiving feast unto God. It acknowledges the fall harvest and God's provision for them – Truly a time of rejoicing:

1.  In commemoration of Israel's dwelling in booths or tabernacles and preservation during her forty-year sojourn in the literal wilderness:

Leviticus 23:40-43 - And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:

That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

2.  In commemoration of Israel's return from the seventy-year Babylonian exile:

Nehemiah 8:17 - And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua (Joshua) the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.

 

Just as the original typical feast, God wanted the Israelites to commemorate her long wilderness sojourn. Today, during the seventh full moon of the year, devout Jews build little shelters outside their houses and worship in them for seven days. In Jerusalem, a municipal shelter is provided in a western area near the Jaffa Gate for the whole of the city. 

Zechariah 14:16 - And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left [the survivors] of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

 

3.   Ingathered fall harvest of fruits or grains

Prophetically, souls martyred for Christ during Tribulation are referenced in this portion of the heavenly ceremony. Israel's ingathering will be a renewal. He provides shelter for them among the evil nations which shall be delivered redeemed and rejoicing.

 

4. The Revelation 7:9 passage is also antitypical to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem:

John 12:13 – [The large crowd] Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

 

5.   The Feast of Tabernacles is the seventh and final festival on the Jewish calendar. The feast is also representative of the Lord's shelter for them in Jerusalem during the Kingdom Age and will be an important part of Kingdom worship.

 

6.  During this final feast in Heaven, Christ will rule and reign in power:

Zechariah 14:16-17 - And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.

 

However, it is conditional:

a.  To those who are invited will freely receive His grace and mercy with rivers of free-flowing living water:

John 7:38-39 - He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

 

b.  To those that do not trust the Lord for their sustenance, He will withhold rain from their provision, thus living in perpetual turmoil.

 

 

(Verse 10)

 

And cried [they cry out] with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

 

So Great Salvation

During this vision, John not only recognizes but hears the great palm-bearing multitude loudly crying out to God (present tense) most vividly and dramatically. Their proclamation of Salvation to our God…and unto the Lamb emphasizes the fact that they have finally arrived in God's presence is of utmost importance.

 

In the Old Testament economy, the cry has always been "Save us now" (the word Hosanna). It is especially noted in Psalm 118 where the themes are thanksgiving to God and reliance on Him, rather than human strength. It also suggests Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and that one day God will display His salvation - The central cry:

Psalm 118:25-26 - Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD…Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed You out of the house of the LORD.

 

During Jesus' ministry on earth, the same connection occurs between salvation and the cry. Hosanna (Save us now), was repeated by the multitudes at the so-called Triumphal Entry at His First Coming.

Matthew 21:9 - And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

 

As Jesus lamented over the city of Jerusalem, He prophesied (speaking of the passage in this study):

Matthew 23:39 - For I say unto you, ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.

 

Matthew 24:13 - But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

 

Salvation has always been the same – Faith in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Those who have endured to the end are seen in Revelation 7:9-10 praising God and the Lord for their salvation as the fulfillment of His prophecy. However, we are encouraged to share the Good News of Salvation with others so that they might be delivered from the wrath to come.

Scripture verifies:

1 Timothy 2:3-4 – For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

Hebrews 2:3 - How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him.

 

 

(Verse 11)

 

And 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.

 

Before the Throne of God, all are standing triumphantly and concentrically.

1. No longer are they under the Throne praying for divine vengeance (cf. Revelation 6:9-11) but, beyond all counting or reckoning, the multitudes of martyred souls (possibly interpreted as the Sea of Glass) are praising God!

 

2.  Next, inwardly are all the angels who inhabit Heaven (mentioned in the Gospel and earlier in Revelation):

Luke 15:10 – I (Jesus) say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

 

Revelation 5:11 - And I (John) beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts (Living creatures) and the [Twenty-four] elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.

 

In a prone position worshipping on their faces:

3.  In the inner ring - The twenty-four elders

4.  Nearest the Throne - Four living creatures.

 

Question:

Why are they there?

Answer:

They are proclaiming the great salvation (deliverance) of Jesus Christ - Because He is worthy!!! (Hallelujah).

 

 

(Verse 12)

 

Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Doxology

The proclamation that loudly resounds is a seven-fold doxology, implying completeness in totality to all the ages of ages. This praise will continue throughout eternity. Not a member of the redeemed remains silent, for their struggles and trials are over.

 

The Sevenfold Ascription of Praise

1.  Blessing to God – For goodness in creation and redemption

 

2.  Glory to God – Never forgetting His majesty as King of Kings and Lord of Lords

 

 

3.  Wisdom to God – He is the source of knowledge

 

4.  Thanksgiving to God – As the constant provider of grace Psalm 103:2 - Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

 

 

5.   Honour to God  – In worship - For all we have is His

 

6. Power to God – His unending power - Through His love and redemption, the Kingdom will come

 

 

7.  Strength to God – All our strength is gained through Him Psalm 71:16 - I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   Identify the great multitude.

2.   Why are they wearing white robes?

3.   What is the significance of waving palms?

4.   Why is the Feast of Tabernacles celebrated?

5.   What is the meaning of salvation?

6.   What is the function of the elders and beasts?

7.   What are some aspects of praising God?

 

 

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