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Time after Pentecost · All Saints' Day · Year C

Revelation 7:(2-8) 9-17

The Great Multitude in White Robes

The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (Ghent Altarpiece), Jan van Eyck
The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (Ghent Altarpiece), Jan van Eyck, 1432St Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent · public domain

Overview & Insights

“A great multitude that no one could count… standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9)

The Revelation 7 interlude features a single vision showing the situation of the people of God, but from two different perspectives. First, in 7:1–8 we see God’s people sealed or protected and prepared for spiritual battle. Second, in 7:9–17 we see God’s people celebrating in heaven following their victorious endurance through the great tribulation. Eugene Boring sums it up this way: “As 7:1–8 presents the church militant on earth, sealed and drawn up in battle formation before the coming struggle, 7:9–17 presents the church after the battle, triumphant in heaven.”1As chapter 7 comes to a close, we anticipate a climactic scene with the opening of the seventh seal. The drama intensifies all right, but in an unexpected way. Outline b. Celebrating the salvation of God’s people (7:9–17) i. The great multitude worships God and the Lamb (7:9–10) ii. The company of angels worships God and the Lamb (7:11–12) iii.

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Who is the great multitude?

John sees a countless crowd from every nation, in white robes washed in the blood of the Lamb, who have come out of the great tribulation; God will shelter them and wipe every tear away (Revelation 7:9–17), the communion of saints.

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