Who are the multitude of Revelation Chapter Seven? They are not part of the 144,000 sealed from the tribes of Israel, yet they play a crucial role in the prophetic vision. Their identity reveals a powerful truth about God’s redemptive plan—a plan that includes believers from all over the world who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and now serve before His throne.
Revelation 7:9 After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
The Calling Of The Gentiles
According to the verse, the multitude comes from every nation, tribe, and tongue, which clearly shows that they originate from the Gentile nations. Rather than remaining outside the covenant, they actively worship God who sits on the throne and the Lamb—Jesus Christ—demonstrating their genuine faith and devotion. This reveals that they are not only believers in God but also followers of Christ, fully united in their worship of both the Father and the Son.
As the apostle Paul teaches in Romans 11, God has grafted these Gentile believers into the olive tree of Israel, meaning they now share in the spiritual blessings and covenant promises originally given to Israel.
Romans 11:17 “Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root…”
In other words, this great multitude represents us—Christians from all over the world—who have received mercy, believed in the gospel, and now stand in the presence of God as redeemed members of His people, Israel. Through Christ, we are no longer outsiders but part of the household of faith, joined together with the saints in the worship of the one true God.
Hosea 1:10 “Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.”
The Two Witnesses
Moreover, the multitude will represent the House of Israel and join with the saints of Judah to become the “two witnesses” mentioned in prophecy. This means that the two witnesses are made up of two groups: Judah, referring to the “saints”, and Israel, which includes the multitude of believers from Gentile nations who have been grafted in through faith in Jesus Christ. Together, these two groups form the complete people of God—true Israel.
The multitude, though originally from many different nations and backgrounds, now takes on the identity of Israel because they have been brought into God’s family. As a result, when the time comes for the two witnesses to rise and testify, both Judah and the multitude—now called Israel—will stand united in purpose, proclaiming God’s truth and demonstrating His power and kingdom to the world.
The Cleansing Of The Robes
Revelation 7:13 Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?” 14“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The verse clearly implies that the multitude will go through the great tribulation period described in the Bible. This period will not be easy, but it will serve a divine purpose in preparing and refining God’s people. During this time, the Christian multitude—who represents the house of Israel and serves as one of the two witnesses—will actively wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb, which symbolizes their spiritual cleansing and faithfulness to Christ.
The 144,000 Chosen Elect and The Multitude
Furthermore, as the multitude ministers to the 144,000 elect saints and believes the message they carry about the kingdom of God, their faith and actions will be credited to them as righteousness. This righteousness will cleanse their robes and make them white, symbolizing their spiritual purification.
However, the 144,000 elect saints are currently like spiritual “sleepers”—chosen by God but not yet fully awakened. They are destined to receive the light, but that awakening will come as the multitude continues to serve, support, and believe in them. Through this faithful support, God will awaken these elect ones, filling them with the light of life and preparing them for their divine assignment. Once awakened, the 144,000 will ascend Mount Zion and step into their roles as kings and priests in God’s kingdom. In this way, both the multitude and the elect will step into their prophetic destinies—each group playing a crucial part in God’s redemptive plan. Together, through their unity and obedience, they will help bring to completion the fulfillment of God’s purposes in the end times.
Conclusion
In these last days, the great multitude—believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue—has a vital and prophetic role in God’s redemptive plan. Though they come from the Gentile nations, they have been grafted into the olive tree of Israel through faith in Jesus Christ, becoming part of God’s covenant people. Far from being passive observers, this multitude actively participates in the work of the kingdom by ministering to and supporting the 144,000 elect saints. Their faith, service, and obedience are credited to them as righteousness, symbolically cleansing their robes in the blood of the Lamb and making them white.
As they continue to stand with the elect and believe the message of the kingdom of God, they fulfill their calling as spiritual Israel, walking in unity with Judah to become one of the two witnesses. Through this partnership, God awakens the 144,000—those who were once spiritual sleepers—and raises them up as kings and priests on Mount Zion. Together, the multitude and the elect carry out their prophetic destinies, working hand in hand to reveal God’s glory in the end times. This united testimony not only advances God’s kingdom on Earth but also prepares His people for the return of the King — the Lord Jesus Christ.
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