From Revelation 7.9 where we see a heavenly scene where they are standing before the Lamb clothed in white robes. This great multitude may be the bridesmaids from Psalm 45.14. They seem to serve before the throne but not in the throne where the Lamb & God and the 144K are. The 144K are in the throne and appear to be the most consecrated followers of Christ. The number may be literal as it is contrasted with the great multitude that no man can number, but on the other hand there is in Revelation a 200 million man army that is probably symbolic so the 144K could be symbolic.
In Rev 7.16 it says "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto fountains of waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." So they still need to be fed and led to spiritual maturity even though this is a heavenly scene.
In Rev 7.14 it is disclosed that the great multitude "came out of the great tribulation." Now my view of Revelation is that it is actually a revelation of the gospel age and possibly the tribulation occurs throughout the gospel age. When have Christians not had tribulation?
Toward the end of Revelation in 19.6 we see that great multitude again after the defeat of Babylon and at the Wedding of the Lamb acting as bridemaids.
19.6 "There i heard what sounded like the shouts of a great multitude, or the roaring of the deep, or mighty peals of thunder, as they cried Alleluia the Lord is King, our God, the Almighty reigns."
Be back soon.
"a great multitude which no man could number"
Re: "a great multitude which no man could number"
In Rev 7.1 "And after this i saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth that the wind should not blow on the earth , nor on the sea, nor on any tree."
So here the angels on orders from God hold off the inevitable judgment that will happen at some future date. For what reason?
In Rev 7.3 "Saying , hurt not the earth neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."
So until the servants of our God have apparently come through the tribulation the four winds (judgment) will be held in check. Maybe this is the fullness of the gentiles that Paul referred to in Rom 11?
So here the angels on orders from God hold off the inevitable judgment that will happen at some future date. For what reason?
In Rev 7.3 "Saying , hurt not the earth neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."
So until the servants of our God have apparently come through the tribulation the four winds (judgment) will be held in check. Maybe this is the fullness of the gentiles that Paul referred to in Rom 11?
Re: "a great multitude which no man could number"
If Historicism is true it is indeed a revelation in that it unveils the gospel age from a spiritual viewpoint. It also would be a work in progress unfolding before our eyes and
accepting this proposition many historicists think we are close to Armageddon but not quite there yet.
This is where we may be , Rev 16.12-14
"Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and it's water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And i saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons performing signs which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."
But what does it mean?
accepting this proposition many historicists think we are close to Armageddon but not quite there yet.
This is where we may be , Rev 16.12-14
"Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and it's water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And i saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons performing signs which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."
But what does it mean?
Re: "a great multitude which no man could number"
This is where we may be , Rev 16.12-14
"Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and it's water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And i saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons performing signs which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."
But what does it mean?
The following interpretation is from the website sickleoftruth.com I'm summarizing it but you can check it out for the full description.
The Euphrates protects Babylon (western culture) and the water drying up leaves the west defenseless against the threat from the Kings of the East which mostly is Islam but also includes Hinduism,Buddhism, perhaps China and other eastern influences. Persia which crossed the Euphrates to attack Babylon is now Iran and an Islamic nation. In a few decades Europe will be a muslim continent if current birthrates and immigration rates continue. Socialism has initiated the European culture to change into secularism and materialism and forget about God and Islam is slowly but steadily filling the vacuum. Additionally America is moving in the same direction but at a much slower pace, but the process is in motion.
We then have a Dragon which may represent government , we have a beast which if the same one from Chap 13 may be the Papacy and lastly a false prophet.
My own thought about the false prophet is that it may be Mohammed , if Islam is indeed among the Kings of the east.
"Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and it's water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And i saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons performing signs which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."
But what does it mean?
The following interpretation is from the website sickleoftruth.com I'm summarizing it but you can check it out for the full description.
The Euphrates protects Babylon (western culture) and the water drying up leaves the west defenseless against the threat from the Kings of the East which mostly is Islam but also includes Hinduism,Buddhism, perhaps China and other eastern influences. Persia which crossed the Euphrates to attack Babylon is now Iran and an Islamic nation. In a few decades Europe will be a muslim continent if current birthrates and immigration rates continue. Socialism has initiated the European culture to change into secularism and materialism and forget about God and Islam is slowly but steadily filling the vacuum. Additionally America is moving in the same direction but at a much slower pace, but the process is in motion.
We then have a Dragon which may represent government , we have a beast which if the same one from Chap 13 may be the Papacy and lastly a false prophet.
My own thought about the false prophet is that it may be Mohammed , if Islam is indeed among the Kings of the east.