Counting the Crowd

John saw a “great multitude which no one could number.” While it’s tempting here to focus on counting the great multitude, this passage contains hints that point back to the Feast of Tabernacles, a celebration in the Old Testament of how God led His people through the wilderness, preserved them during the judgments that fell upon Egypt, and eventually brought them to the Promised Land.

The scene is also reminiscent of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when people waved palm branches in honor of the Messiah whom they thought was going to set up an earthly throne. Today’s passage is the true fulfillment of this feast; it is at this time that the Messiah is now rightfully receiving His eternal throne to live and reign among His people.

It’s notable that this great multitude is made up of “all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues.” That immediately tells us something about who these people are—all of the redeemed, not just a select group. While the 144,000 are made up of the redeemed who are alive when Jesus comes, this innumerable multitude is comprised of all the saved who are standing before God’s throne and clothed with white robes. Nobody makes it to heaven without the white robe of Jesus’ righteousness. That’s the only way any human can stand before the throne of heaven.

Imagine standing with these saved people singing with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” It is music that bursts from the heart and from a great appreciation for the gift of eternal life. Such salvation “belongs” to God and the Lamb because only the Father and Son can give this precious gift.

Will you be numbered as a part of this special crowd of singers?

Heavenly Father, I choose to receive Jesus Christ as my Savior. I repent of my sins and gladly receive His righteousness so that I may someday stand and sing before Your throne.

For Further Study: Leviticus 23:40; Zechariah 3:4; Hebrews 11:12, 13

Key Bible Texts

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 KJV)