March 18, 2022
And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed . . . After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes . . . Revelation 7:4,9
John the Revelator heard the number, 144,000, as God’s sealed people. But a short time later he looked and beheld a great multitude which no one could number! A superficial reading might make it seem that John heard and saw two different groups of people. But a more careful reading strongly suggests that what John sees later is actually an explanation of what he heard earlier. The idea is conveyed that these refer to the same group: the redeemed of God! In verse 4, they are living on the earth, in this fallen world. They need the protection of divine sealing as they enter into trouble and tribulation. They overcome the world, making them children of Israel. Remember this name means “overcomer with God.” The Lord knows that His bride, the church, is in a precarious position among His enemies in the world. He reminds her of His regard for her safety. In verse 9, they have passed through the time of severe testing. They are in glory! We are given a “before and after” scenario: the Kingdom of God became visible after they “saw” it by faith. The same group; two different perspectives.
We who are living in the midst of trials (the “before”) can look ahead in confidence and hope (to the “after”): He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (vv.15b-17).
The above wording is reminiscent of the suffering of God’s children on the way to the Promised Land. We are also here given a glimpse of that which lies ahead, beyond suffering …
The number 144,000 points toward the symbolic number for leadership: twelve. Good leadership always multiplies. The picture we are given in Revelation 7 illustrates multiplication. We would be bolstered to step forward in a leadership role if we will only grasp, by faith, that God Himself is the great multiplier! The number used here also denotes organized military units. In this world, God’s people must be equipped to wage war against the wicked. As we avail ourselves for His cause, conquests are made; not by killing but by winning hearts! In God’s economy, a single win also means one less enemy: up by two! Recall that the pure gospel message is symbolized by the rider on the white horse who went out conquering and to conquer. Notice that he carries no arrows, made obvious by the mention of a bow (see Revelation 6:2). In this verse is a microcosm “before & after”: He who sat on it had a bow [already]; and a crown was given to him [later].
The “after” scene in glory has no hint of military units. Just a joyful throng before God’s throne. They are standing! This is an answer to the closing question asked by the wicked at the end of chapter six: “…who is able to stand?”
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10