Revelation 7:9
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
Permalink Verse page
Interpretation

Scripture invites a great multitude that is traced in meals and meetings. Revelation 7:9: notice "before" and "after". Keep great multitude in promises we keep—keep zeal yoked to love. Through apocalyptic vision, Symbolic visions portray God’s ultimate victory and faithful endurance amidst suffering.

Context

In Revelation (Apocalyptic), an interlude opens between the seals: a multinational crowd in worship (Revelation 7:9). The scene answers persecution with liturgy—wide as the nations, loud as victory.

Authorship & Historical Background

Long‑standing tradition credits Revelation to John. Introductions to Revelation often note: John of Patmos (not the Gospel author, per many scholars).. Scholars commonly date Revelation AD 95. Revelation appears framed for Seven churches of Asia Minor.. This verse leans into apocalyptic vision. Jewish‑Christian apocalyptic; heavy OT allusions. Apocalyptic symbolism speaks pastorally under imperial pressure.

More details
Traditional:John
Modern scholarship:John of Patmos (not the Gospel author, per many scholars).
Date:AD 95
Audience:Seven churches of Asia Minor.
  • Jewish‑Christian apocalyptic; heavy OT allusions.
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
The Greek text is preserved in thousands of manuscripts. Early papyri (P46, P66, P75) from the 2nd-3rd centuries, along with major uncials like Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (4th century), provide strong textual witness. Minor variants exist but do not change the overall sense.
Sources & witness notes
SinaiticusVaticanusP46