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[Miz]

Hi Jim, Revelation 7 talks about a great multitude and in verse 14 says “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation". I've read commentaries stating different things as to who the multitude is. I was wondering your thoughts on who the multitude is that stands through the tribulation times. Thanks!

[jimwalton]

Great question. This multitude is Christians who had been martyred during this Tribulation.

For those Christians who believe that the rapture happens before the Great Tribulation (pre-trib), this multitude would reflect those who had become born again because of the rapture, the testimony of the two witnesses (Rev. 11), and through general evangelism. If this is the case, it shows that the Holy Spirit never stops working to bring people to Jesus. If the Tribulation period is a literal 7 years (which is uncertain), these would have been killed shortly after conversation.

For those Christians who believe that the rapture happens at the end of the Great Tribulation (post-trib), these would be Christian martyrs from around the globe who were persecuted and martyred not only at the hands of the general population and governmental leaders, but also as victims of the first beast, the antichrist. If the Tribulation is not a literal 7 years ("7" often being a symbolic number), it reflects those martyred from a longer time period than the first 3.5 yrs of the Tribulation period.

In either case, it reflects a great persecution and martyrdom of Christians at the hands of hostile powers.

You probably know that some scholars and theologians consider this to be speaking only of the Roman Empire, and the vast and vicious persecutions under Emperor Domitian in the early 90s. While it may be referring to that immediately, I think it also pertains to the End Times when opponents of Christianity will ramp up their persecution, fueled by governmental allowances and also the mandate of the antichrist (Rev. 13.7; Dan. 7.21, 25).

"In the blood of the Lamb" at the end of the verse is a reference to Christ's atoning death on the cross that becomes the sacrifice of these martyrs as they follow Christ in His suffering (Phil. 3.10; 1 Pet. 4.13). His sacrifice becomes their sacrifice. As they persecuted Jesus, so also they persecute his followers (John 15.20). His blood leads to their blood. We become like him in his death (Phil. 3.10 again).