Revelation 7:9-17

Revelation 7:9-17

[9] After  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;  [10] And  cried  with a loud  voice,  saying,  Salvation  God  which  sitteth  upon  the throne,  and  unto the Lamb.  [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,  [12] Saying,  Amen:  Blessing,  and  glory,  and  wisdom,  and  thanksgiving,  and  honour,  and  power,  and  might,  God  for  ever  Amen.  [13] And  one  of  the elders  answered,  saying  What  these  which  are arrayed in  white  robes?  and  whence  came they?  [14] And  I said  unto him,  Sir,  thou  knowest.  And  he said  These  which came  out of  great  tribulation,  and  have washed  their  robes,  and  them  white  in  the blood  of the Lamb.  [15] Therefore  before  the throne  of God,  and  serve  him  day  and  night  in  his  temple:  and  he that sitteth  on  the throne  shall dwell  among  them.  [16] They shall hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  any more;  neither  the sun  light  on  them,  nor  any  heat.  [17] For  the Lamb  which  is in the midst  of the throne  shall feed  them,  and  shall lead  them  unto  fountains  of waters:  and  God  shall wipe away  all  tears  their  eyes. 

What does Revelation 7:9-17 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

There are a number of significant contrasts between the144 ,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. [1] 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 the12tribes of Israel make up the first group, but people from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue compose the second. God prepares the first group for imminent peril on the earth, but the second group is victorious, secure, and at rest in heaven.
"This group, like the144 ,000 , is unhurt by the effects of God"s wrath, but for a different reason. They have at this point been removed from the earthly scene of the wrath and have no need of protective sealing. Someone might ask, "Are the144 ,000 the only ones who have maintained their composure under the first six seals?" This vision responds to such a question negatively. A vast throng has turned to God during this period and have now passed into His immediate presence through death [2]." [3]
This pericope describes events transpiring in heaven.
"Without doubt it is one of the most exalted portrayals of the heavenly state to be found anywhere in Scripture." [4]