“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, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen‘”
7:9
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,
The “great multitude” that no one could number was people from all nations. God did not seal these people as He did the 144,000 Israelites. A worldwide harvest of people will come to Christ in the Tribulation. This encompasses not only Gentiles but also Jews beyond the 144,000 listed in the first eight verses.
Clothed in white robes means that these saints in heaven received forensic or judicial righteousness before God by the death of Christ. They have no righteousness in themselves. They only have righteousness from the death of Jesus for their sins.
Palm branches were symbols of joy by those watching a triumphal procession. They celebrated the victory that is in Christ.
7:10
and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
The group gathered around the throne cried out with loud jubilation.
“Salvation belongs to our God” means God is the source or origin of our salvation. Salvation belongs to God, not us. It is God’s work. We cannot take credit for salvation. People give testimonies today that make it appear that they are wonderful people for the change made in their lives. They make an issue out of their smoking or drinking. Not one ounce of credit goes to us. All glory should go to Jesus and His death on the cross.
The throne here is the same throne of chapters four and five. This is a place of preference because they stand in the presence of God. The cause of praise to God is the work of God in salvation. It was God who provided the Lamb who would die for our sins.
7:11
All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
Several groups stationed themselves on their faces before God. This is an act of humility and worship. When people step into the presence of an absolutely holy God, they see their sin in the clearest light possible.
Even angels who did not sin fall on their faces before God. Their finiteness in comparison to God’s infiniteness overwhelmed them with awe.
7:12
saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen”
These groups manifest the essence of God. Because of His glorious person, we must worship Him with a sense of awe.
They confirm their ascription of praise with an “Amen.” “Yes, God’s attributes and actions must be praised.” The primary concern of those in heaven is that they recognize, acknowledge, and praise the glory of God. “Amen” means “I believe it.” They say in effect — “I believe that we made it to heaven, not by what we did, but by what Jesus did. It was not by my own works but by His work.” Thanksgiving is both a recognition and acknowledgment of God’s work.
Principle:
Our major role in heaven is acknowledging the glory of God.
Application:
Are you getting in tune for an eternity of praise to God? This will be our main role throughout eternity.
