After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” v1-3

4 Angels- 4 Corners of the Earth meaning the entire world

And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:31

We begin with this scene, the angels who were given permission to open the seals of judgement, have now been given orders to cease. The good news here is we can see, that many people have become saved through the tribulation! God is going to “seal the bond-servants on their foreheads” , meaning they will be sealed with the Holy Spirit and granted eternal life

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation– having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13

And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed. v4-8

The 144,000 mentioned here is a very highly debated topic among Christians. Its very clear from the text that these men are all Jewish from the 12 tribes of Israel. These are Jews who have accepted Christ during the Tribulation period

Many groups like to claim that they are the 144,000 the Jehovah Witnesses, The Mormons, even Islam has claimed this right. But the Bible makes it clear these are the 12 tribes of Israel. Make no mistake about it, God is not finished with the Jewish people or Israel

Notice all of these men are sealed by the Holy Spirit also

And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Genesis 12:3

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!” v9-10

So while the 144K are saved Jews, the Great Multitude are obviously Gentiles, (all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues) And notice the location (standing before the throne) which is Heaven

Another interesting note is the parallels between this event and Palm Sunday, the great crowd, waving Palm Branches to Jesus (Lamb) shouting Salvation (Hosanna)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus Galatians 3:28

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.” v11-12

Everyone is around the throne (angels, four living creatures, elders) worshipping God! Heaven is an eternal worship service!

And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. v13-14

The answer is confirmed on who is the “Great Multitude”, “they are the one who come out of the great tribulation and accepted Jesus Christ”.  Why would God allow a great tribulation? Because many people will come to Christ and gain eternal life through it!

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28

Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” v15-17

The Lamb, Jesus Christ, will be our Shepherd and give us the Living Water, where we will thirst no more! Again notice the continual worship of God, they served him day and night! Heaven is more than just about eternal life, its about being in the presence of your Creator, your Heavenly Father, your Lord and God, your Redeemer, do you want to be in his presence?

Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6