Revelation 7:9 kjv

After this I beheld, 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;

Revelation 7:9 nkjv

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,

Revelation 7:9 niv

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Revelation 7:9 esv

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Revelation 7:9 nlt

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.

Revelation 7 verses

Revelation 7 9 Meaning

(h2)Revelation 7:9 describes a post-tribulation scene in heaven where John sees a vast, innumerable multitude gathered from every corner of the earth. These individuals, distinct from the sealed 144,000, stand in the presence of God's throne and the Lamb. Their white robes signify their purity, righteousness, and salvation through Christ, while the palm branches they hold celebrate their victory and praise to God, embodying the universal triumph of God's redeemed people. This vision contrasts the specific earthly remnant with the glorified, countless global Church.

Revelation 7 9 Context

(h2)Revelation 7:9 functions as a pivotal interlude within the vision of the seven seals. The preceding verses (Rev 7:1-8) detail the sealing of 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, who are preserved for a specific purpose on earth during a period of divine judgment. This specific, numbered group is identified with their origin, possibly serving as a testament to God's continued faithfulness to Israel even amidst tribulation. Immediately following this, verse 9 presents a dramatic shift to a heavenly scene. It introduces a massive, innumerable throng from all nations, standing before the throne, suggesting the broader scope of God's redemptive plan beyond national Israel. This serves to reassure the original audience, who were facing persecution under Roman rule and concerns about their standing, that God's salvation extends globally and that their ultimate hope is in an unshakeable, glorified, multi-ethnic assembly in God's presence. It highlights the vastness and diversity of the saved, contrasting human limitations with divine power.

Revelation 7 9 Word analysis

(h2)

• "After this" (Gk. meta tauta): Indicates a temporal and logical progression in John's vision, connecting this scene to the previous interlude of the 144,000 being sealed, signifying a new aspect of the saved community is being revealed.
• "I beheld" (Gk. eidon): John's personal observational verb, highlighting that this is a direct, supernatural revelation, emphasizing the reliability and directness of his prophetic vision.
• "and, lo," (Gk. kai idou): An emphatic interjection (meaning "and behold"), drawing immediate attention to something startling, extraordinary, and significant about to be described.
• "a great multitude" (Gk. ochlon polun): Signifies an immense crowd, emphasizing size. The term ochlos implies a general populace or common people, contrasting with an organized military unit like the 144,000, underscoring its diverse, organic composition.
• "which no man could number" (Gk. hon arithmein auton oudeis edynato): Expresses an unfathomable, incomprehensible quantity, directly fulfilling Old Testament promises of God's people becoming as innumerable as the stars or sand (Gen 15:5). This signifies the expansive reach of God's salvation, far beyond human capacity to quantify.
• "of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" (Gk. ek pantos ethnous kai phylōn kai laōn kai glōssōn): This is a comprehensive, four-fold phrase (ethnoi-tribes, phyle-peoples/clans, laoi-tongues, glōssai-languages) commonly used in Revelation to signify the global, universal scope of redeemed humanity. It emphasizes that salvation transcends all geographical, ethnic, linguistic, and political boundaries.
• "stood before the throne" (Gk. hestōtes enōpion tou thronou): Signifies direct, immediate access to God's divine presence and authority. It portrays them as actively present, poised in worship and service, enjoying intimate communion.
• "and before the Lamb" (Gk. kai enōpion tou arniou): Emphasizes that their access to God is made possible only through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain (Rev 5:6), reinforcing His central role in their salvation and worship.
• "clothed with white robes" (Gk. peribeblēmenoi stolās leukas): A potent symbol of purity, righteousness, holiness, and victory. The "white" (leukos) color often denotes divine light, glory, or sinlessness in the Bible, signifying their purification and being made righteous through Christ's blood (Rev 7:14) and their overcoming status (Rev 3:5).
• "and palms in their hands" (Gk. kai phoinikes en tais chersin autōn): Palms (phoinikes) symbolize victory, triumph, joy, and celebration. They evoke the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a harvest festival of joy and thanksgiving for God's provision and deliverance, suggesting the complete realization of salvation and dwelling with God. It also echoes Christ's triumphal entry (Jn 12:13).
• "stood before the throne, and before the Lamb": This grouping signifies direct, authorized access and a posture of reverence and worship in the immediate presence of both the Sovereign God and His atoning Son, highlighting both the glory of God and the mediatorial work of Christ.
• "of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues": This collection of four terms highlights the expansive and inclusive nature of the saved community. It counters any exclusive or nationalistic interpretations of God's covenant, revealing that the Church in heaven is truly international and inter-tribal, unified in Christ regardless of earthly distinctions.
• "clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands": This pairing illustrates the dual nature of their glorification: the internal state of righteousness (white robes) and the external demonstration of their triumph and joy (palms), indicating their victorious end and joyous celebration in the heavenly realm.

Revelation 7 9 Bonus section

(h2)The placement of Revelation 7:9 directly after the sealing of the 144,000 often leads to scholarly discussion regarding the relationship between these two groups. While some interpret them as entirely distinct (Israel vs. Gentile Church), a common understanding suggests that the 144,000 represents the totality of God's faithful people on earth during the Tribulation (a symbolic number for completeness), while the "great multitude" is the same group, or the full company of all the redeemed from all ages and all nations, now seen in their glorified heavenly state, reflecting the eschatological harvest of humanity. This perspective emphasizes unity rather than division, demonstrating God's faithfulness to both His covenant promises and His global redemption plan. The universal fourfold description (nations, tribes, peoples, tongues) consistently in Revelation (e.g., Rev 5:9; 11:9; 13:7; 14:6) powerfully portrays God's reach and the diverse composition of His kingdom, countering any claims of exclusivity based on ethnicity or national origin.

Revelation 7 9 Commentary

(h2)Revelation 7:9 presents a magnificent vision of the church triumphant, composed of a countless multitude redeemed from every nation, tribe, people, and language. This global assembly stands in direct worship before God's throne and the Lamb, a testament to the universal scope and power of God's salvation achieved through Christ. Their white robes signify not only the purity and righteousness given to them through the Lamb's blood but also their spiritual victory over the trials and tribulations of earth. The palm branches in their hands denote a celebration of triumph and joy, often linking to the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, symbolizing their full redemption and the experience of God dwelling among them. This vision offers profound encouragement to believers facing persecution, reminding them of the ultimate, glorious, and inclusive culmination of God's redemptive plan.