Revelation 7:9 describes 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, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
This passage comes in the midst of Revelation’s descriptions of the end times. John sees four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth (Revelation 7:1). Another angel ascends from the east with the seal of the living God, and calls out to the four angels not to harm the earth until the servants of God have been sealed on their foreheads (Revelation 7:2-3). 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel are sealed (Revelation 7:4-8).
After this, John sees an innumerable multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They are wearing white robes and holding palm branches, and they cry out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10). The angels, elders and four living creatures then fall down and worship God along with the multitude (Revelation 7:11-12).
One of the elders explains to John that these people are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple, and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence (Revelation 7:13-15). They shall neither hunger nor thirst anymore, for the Lamb will be their shepherd and will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Revelation 7:16-17).
So who exactly are these multitudes from all nations, tribes, peoples and languages? There are several key aspects to note:
They Come Out of the Great Tribulation
The elder specifies that they are coming out of the great tribulation (Revelation 7:14). The multitudes seem to be people who have endured the horrors of the end times judgments described earlier in Revelation. They have persevered through this tribulation and have come out as victors and conquerors.
They Are Redeemed By the Blood of the Lamb
These multitudes have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). This points to those who have been cleansed from their sins by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. They have been redeemed and forgiven by placing their faith in Christ’s shed blood.
They Are From Every Nation, Tribe, People and Language
The multitude contains people from every ethnicity and language group on earth. Unlike the 144,000 sealed from the tribes of Israel, this group is far more diverse and universal in scope. People from across the world are included.
They Worship God and the Lamb
This multitude is seen praising God and giving glory to him and to the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Their words of praise in Revelation 7:10 point to hearts of worship toward their Creator and Redeemer.
They Serve God Continually
These multitudes are described as serving God “day and night in his temple” (Revelation 7:15). Their hearts are devoted fully to honoring and glorifying God with their lives. There is a relationship of communion and service between them and God.
They Experience God’s Presence and Care
God shelters them with his presence, wipes every tear from their eyes, leads them to springs of living water, and ensures they will not hunger or thirst anymore (Revelation 7:15-17). They are the recipients of God’s comfort, provision and nearness.
In summary, this great multitude represents the diverse, multi-ethnic community of God’s people from across the world who endure suffering faithfully, who are redeemed by Christ’s blood, who worship God wholeheartedly, and who experience God’s presence and care eternally. While the 144,000 represent Jewish believers (Revelation 7:4-8), this innumerable multitude represents the fullness of the Gentile nations worshiping God alongside his chosen Jewish remnant (Romans 11:25-27).
The picture is one of believers from all tongues, tribes and nations united together in worship of the one true God and the Lamb. It portrays the global church glorifying God together in eternity. The multitudes bear witness to the salvation available to all who trust in Jesus. Though they suffer greatly in the tribulation period on earth, they are rewarded with God’s presence in eternity, experiencing comfort, provision and relationship with their Creator and Redeemer forever.
Additional Key Passages
There are a few other key passages that provide more details about the identity of this great multitude:
Revelation 5:9-10
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
This passage in Revelation 5, just before the seal judgments begin, provides a sneak preview of the multi-ethnic multitudes who have been redeemed by Christ’s blood out of every tribe, language, people and nation. They are promised an eternal kingdom and priesthood.
Revelation 11:15-18
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying,
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”
The seventh trumpet ushers in the consummation of God’s kingdom victory. The elders worship God for beginning his reign and judging the dead. The prophets, saints and those who fear God’s name, both small and great, will be rewarded at this time. This likely includes the multitudes of Revelation 7 who have been victorious through enduring faith.
Revelation 19:1-8
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,
“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying,
“Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
The multitudes praise God for his righteous judgment over the great prostitution of Babylon. They rejoice that God’s kingdom has fully come. The fine linen they wear likely represents their righteous deeds and faithful endurance through suffering. They are prepared to join the marriage supper of the Lamb as Christ’s pure Bride.
Revelation 21:1-4
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
As the new creation arrives, God’s dwelling is with his people eternally. The Lamb’s victorious Bride is adorned and ready. God wipes away every tear, reversing the effects of the fall. The multitudes of Revelation 7 who came out of the tribulation now experience the fullness of redemption and restoration as God dwells with them forever.
In conclusion, the multitude of Revelation 7 represents the multi-ethnic and international community of faithful believers redeemed by Christ from across history. Their faithful endurance is rewarded with God’s presence, comfort and kingdom reign in eternity. This vision provides hope for believers from all nations, tribes, peoples and languages who persevere through suffering and trial.