Revelation 7:9-12

Strauss-' Comments
SECTION 22

Text Revelation 7:9-12

9 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; 10 and they cry with a great voice saying, Salvation unto our God who sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels were standing round about the throne, and about the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell before the throne on their faces and worshipped God, 12 saying,

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

Initial Questions Revelation 7:9-12

1.

Are there only Jews present in this next scene after the sealing of the Israelites - Revelation 7:9?

2.

What does the waving of palms signify - Revelation 7:9? (See Triumphal entry of Christ - Matthew 21:1 ff.)

3.

Does Revelation 7:11 clearly state that only God is worthy to be worshipped? (Not angels, nor Mary, nor any one else.)

Triumph of the Innumerable Multitudes

Chp Revelation 7:9-17

Revelation 7:9

I take this picture to be of the Church triumphant in heaven. They have prevailed over persecution, and death because of the blood of the Lamb. The Elders gave this explanation of the vision in Revelation 7:13-17, in imagery, taken from many Old Testament sources (Isaiah 49:10; Isaiah 25:8; Ezekiel 34:23). Immediately after this comes the opening of the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1). People from every nation (ethnous - used in contrast to Israel) and tribes, and peoples, and tongues standing before the throne, and before the Lamb having been clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. These palm branches were strictly Jewish imagery from the Feast of Tabernacles. They were signs of victory. Note the use of palm branches in Jesus-' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. The situation was in divine hands, therefore, not hopeless!

Revelation 7:10

And they cry with a loud voice saying: Salvation to our God sitting on the throne and to the Lamb. The multitude praised the Father and the Lamb for saving them. Christ is here called saviour; this is another clear affirmation of the deity of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:11

The high eschalon of heaven assembles around the throne and worshipped God.

Revelation 7:12

These high praises flow out of the heart of those closest to the one sitting on the throne. The imagery would be well known to John's readers, as the symbolism of oriental kings.

Review Questions for Seventh Chapter

See Revelation 7:13-17.