After this. As Revelation 1:19 . beheld. As Revelation 7:1 (saw). lo. App-133 . multitude. These are converts during the great tribulation. no man = no one. Greek. oudeis. kindreds. As Revelation 7:4 (tribes). people = peoples. stood = were standing. palms. Greek. phoinix. Only here and John 12:13 . Compare the "great hosanna" of the Jews on the last day of "Tabernacles". read more
After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands;After these things ... See under Revelation 7:1. The logic of the first vision of this chapter (Revelation 7:1-8) coming first is inherent in the fact that two different states of Christians are in view: (1) their state on earth suffering persecutions and... read more
9. no man—Greek, "no one." of all nations—Greek, "OUT OF every nation." The human race is "one nation" by origin, but afterwards separated itself into tribes, peoples, and tongues; hence, the one singular stands first, followed by the three plurals. kindreds—Greek, "tribes." people—Greek, "peoples." The "first-fruits unto the Lamb," the 144,000 (Revelation 14:1-4) of Israel, are followed by a copious harvest of all nations, an election out of the Gentiles, as the 144,000 are an election out of... read more
John next saw another vision (cf. Revelation 7:1; Revelation 4:1). This vision seems to reveal things happening in heaven at the same time as what John saw happening on earth in Revelation 7:1-8.John saw an innumerable multitude of people in heaven before God’s throne. They came from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue on earth-Gentiles and Jews (cf. Revelation 5:9; Revelation 11:9; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 14:6; Revelation 17:15; Genesis 17:4-6; Genesis 35:11; Genesis 48:19). They stood... read more
2. The salvation of the great multitude 7:9-17There are a number of significant contrasts between the 144,000 and this great multitude that argue for two different groups even though some scholars have considered the two groups as one viewed from different perspectives. [Note: E.g., Beale, p. 424.] The number of the first group is not only smaller but definite whereas the number of the second group is larger and indefinite. People from the 12 tribes of Israel make up the first group, but people... read more
The RedeemedTwo visions interposed between the sixth and seventh seals. There are similar episodes between the sixth and seventh trumpets and bowls.1-3. Four angels are holding in check the four winds of God’s judgments (Revelation 7:1), and are ordered not to release them until God’s servants are sealed, i.e. marked as His: cp. Ezekiel 9:4; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Timothy 2:19; (Revelation 7:2.). These four winds may be the horsemen of Revelation 6:1. The meaning is, that Christians... read more
(9) After this I beheld . . .—Better, After these things I saw, and behold! a great multitude which no one was able to number, out of every nation, and (all) tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches in their hands. “A great multitude:” We have just had the picture of the sealing of a multitude which could be numbered: now we have the picture of a countless throng. Who are these? Are they the same as the one... read more
The Saints of God (for All Saints' Day) Revelation 7:9 These are the saints of God. They have been men and women like ourselves. They were diverse in character, they had come from all nations, they were equally diverse in experience, they had had helps, but they had had trials and difficulties. Many of them had their faults, but they are the saints of God. They are one in this, that their testimony is to the triumph of the Lamb. I. All Saints' Festival. All of us have an interest in All... read more
CHAPTER V.CONSOLATORY VISIONS.Revelation 7:1-17.SIX of the seven Seals have been opened by the "Lamb," who is likewise the "Lion of the tribe of Judah." They have dealt, in brief but pregnant sentences, with the whole history of the Church and of the world throughout the Christian age. No details of history have indeed been spoken of, no particular wars, or famines, or pestilences, or slaughters, or preservations of the saints. Everything has been described in the most general terms. We have... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 7:1-17
Interval before the seventh seal (7:1-17)God gives John two additional visions before he reveals the vision of the final seal. He wants to reassure his people that he does not forget them during the difficult days when an ungodly world is preparing itself for judgment. God does not allow the winds of judgment to blow across the earth without thought for his people’s security. He knows those who are his and marks them out for his special protection (7:1-3; cf. Ezekiel 9:4-6). The repetition of... read more