Revelation 7

“After this, I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”  Revelation 7:9-10 (HCSB)

Some believe that the Church has replaced Israel in the heart of God. They would go as far as to say the Church “is” Israel, and those whom Scripture once considered “Israel” are now just numbered among the multitude of unbelievers.  

Don’t be fooled by this argument. God’s Old Testament promises to Israel are listed as “forever” so often in the Bible that they are too numerous to mention. In the passage preceding the Scripture above, John testifies to having seen 144,000 “sons of Israel” with God’s seal on their foreheads.

Making a distinction between Gentile believers and those believers from Israel who will be saved, John also observes an innumerable “vast multitude” of believers “from every nation, tribe, people, and language.” This is excellent news because it tells us that God is not exclusively Jewish or Gentile. His promise of salvation is for ALL who believe by faith in Messiah Jesus. Still, God makes a purposeful distinction (between Jewish and Gentile believers) in Scripture.

Contrary to the teachings of certain “Christian-themed” cults, John does not give an exhaustive accounting of all the people who will be in Heaven. The 144,000 are a specific number of Jewish evangelists sealed for the service of God. John immediately observes the result of their evangelism when a vast number of believers appear. These new believers are “the ones coming out of the Great Tribulation.” (Revelation 7:14)

Perhaps you are suffering a difficult season of life, a tribulation, as it were. I hope you find comfort in knowing that Jesus understands your situation. He cares about you and extends His grace & mercy (in this season) to all who will accept it. In short, The Revelation is not just a detailed account of God’s Rejection of unbelievers but also the story of His acceptance of ALL who would believe by faith.  

“The One seated on the throne will shelter them: They will no longer hunger; they will no longer thirst; the sun will no longer strike them, nor will any heat.”  Revelation 7:15b-16 (HCSB) (See also how Revelation 7:14-17 matches up with Psalm 23 and Mark 6:30-44)