The Great Multitude

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INTRODUCTION: 

Our objective in this study is to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the 144,000 and the Great Multitude (GM) and other saints from the beginning of time.

PRAYER THOUGHT: COL 127-8

          In every age there is a new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation. The old truths are all essential; new truth is not independent of the old, but an unfolding of it. It is only as the old truths are understood that we can comprehend the new. When Christ desired to open to His disciples the truth of His resurrection, He began "at Moses and all the prophets"  and "expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27. But it is the light which shines in the fresh unfolding of truth that glorifies the old. He who rejects or neglects the new does not really possess the old. For him it loses its vital power and becomes but a lifeless form.  {COL 127.4}

There are those who profess to believe and to teach the truths of the Old Testament, while they reject the New. But in refusing to receive the teachings of Christ, they show that they do not believe that which patriarchs and prophets have spoken. "Had ye believed Moses," Christ said, "ye would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me." John 5:46. Hence there is no real power in their teaching of even the Old Testament.  {COL 128.1}

Read and Review: Rev. 7:1-9

Will the 144,000 taste death? No!

The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses' did when he came down from Mount Sinai.  {EW 14.1}

Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it were mingled with fire,--so resplendent is it with the glory of God,--are gathered the company that have "gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name." With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, "having the harps of God," they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men; and there is heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder, "the voice of harpers harping with their harps." And they sing "a new song" before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb--a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience--an experience such as no other company have ever had. "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as "the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb." Revelation 15:2-3; 14:1-5. "These are they which came out of great tribulation;" they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God's judgments. But they have been delivered, for they have "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." "In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault" before God. "Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them." They have seen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having power to scorch men with great heat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and thirst. But "they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation 7:14-17.{GC 648.3}

Elijah was a type of the saints who will be living on the earth at the time of the second advent of Christ and who will be "changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump," without tasting of death. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. It was as a representative of those who shall be thus translated that Elijah, near the close of Christ's earthly ministry, was permitted to stand with Moses by the side of the Saviour on the mount of transfiguration. In these glorified ones, the disciples saw in miniature a representation of the kingdom of the redeemed. They beheld Jesus clothed with the light of heaven; they heard the "voice out of the cloud" (Luke 9:35), acknowledging Him as the Son of God; they saw Moses, representing those who will be raised from the dead at the time of the second advent; and there also stood Elijah, representing those who at the close of earth's history will be changed from mortal to immortal and be translated to heaven without seeing death. {PK 227.2}

Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ's victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earth at Christ's second coming, and who will be "changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" when "this mortal must put on immortality," and "this corruptible must put on incorruption." 1 Cor. 15:51-53. Jesus was clothed with the light of heaven, as He will appear when He shall come "the second time without sin unto salvation." For He will come "in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Heb. 9:28; Mark 8:38. The Saviour's promise to the disciples was now fulfilled. Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature,--Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones.  {DA 421.4}

The Type:

Elijah was an Israelites (1 Kings 17:1)

He wore a long mantle (2 Kings 2:8, 14)

Antitype:

144,000 are from modern Israel (Rev. 7:4)

They also wear long mantles  (EW 16, 18; Jer. 31:15; Mat. 2:15-17)

We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought the crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet. Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the city. Jesus raised His mighty, glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate, swung it back on its glittering hinges, and said to us, "You have washed your robes in My blood, stood stiffly for My truth, enter in." We all marched in and felt that we had a perfect right in the city.  {EW 16.2}

As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on their garments. Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly, to the top of the mountains and pluck the never-fading flowers. There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place: the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs--these made the place all over glorious. And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, "Only the 144,000 enter this place," and we shouted, "Alleluia."  {EW 18.2}

Similar or Not? Are they the same? 

144,000

ØJohn heard the number 144,000 – v. 4

ØThey came from all tribes of Israel – v. 4

ØThey will be sealed before the blowing of the wind – vs. 1-3

ØThey had been delineated into tribes of the children of Israel.

ØIn scripture the 144,000 appear under this designation twice – Rev. 7 and Rev. 14

Great Multitude

ØAfter hearing the number and delineating 144,000 John saw the great multitude, no man could number – v. 9

ØThey came from all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues – v.9

ØThey experience this great tribulation (during the blowing of the wind). Noted: “After”  vs. 1-8

ØThey were not from the tribe of Israel.

ØNot mentioned in Rev. 14 - GM

144,000 the Greek word for number

—ἀριθμός

—arithmos

—ar-ith-mos'

—From G142; a number (as reckoned up): - number.

Great Multitude - the Greek word 

—πολύς, πολλός

—polus  polos

—pol-oos'

—Including the forms from the alternate “pollos”; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverb largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely: - abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft (-en [-times]), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare G4118, G4119.

—ὄχλος

—ochlos

—okh'-los

—From a derivative of G2192 (meaning a vehicle); a throng (as borne along); by implication the rabble; by extension a class of people; figuratively a riot: - company, multitude, number (of people), people, press.

From the comparison above,  They are not the same group. They represent a distinct group of people in the last days who will not taste death.

The 144,000 are the first fruits of the living. Rev. 20:5-6, 14

A first necessitates a second (e.g. resurrections, death)

The 144,000 are called the first fruit of the living.

The first fruits of the dead represented Christ and those who arose with Him at His resurrection (1Cor. 15:20; Mt. 27:52-3)

What about the Great Multitudes, are they the dead of all ages? No!

Read the Great Controversy 665

Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith. And beyond is the "great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." Revelation 7:9. Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the race and reached the prize. The palm branch in their hands is a symbol of their triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of Christ which now is theirs.  {GC 665.2}

 According to The Great Controversy, page 665, there are four main groups of the redeemed in heaven.

This passage is significant because it reveals the order of the saints in heaven. Here is the exact quote:

📜 "Outside the city, on the sea of glass, the feet of the redeemed stand. Jesus, in His heavenly crown, surrounds them. Around the throne stand the redeemed in four groups, each with a distinct sign showing where they were saved from." (The Great Controversy, p. 665)

Are There Other SOP Passages That Support This?

Aside from GC 665, there are several other passages in the Spirit of Prophecy that support the idea that there are different groups in heaven:

1. The 144,000 as a Distinct Group

📜 "The 144,000 stood on the sea of glass... These are the redeemed from the earth, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb." (Early Writings, p. 16-17)

📜 "The 144,000 have a unique privilege—they are the ‘first fruits’ and have a special experience that no other group has." (The Great Controversy, p. 649)

👉 Explanation:

• The 144,000 is a distinct group who never experienced death and stand close to Christ.

• They are the first fruits unto God and have a special position in heaven.

2. The Group of Martyrs

📜 "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God..." (Revelation 6:9)

📜 "They were slain for their faith... They were given white robes as a sign of their victory." (Early Writings, p. 18)

👉 Explanation:

• There is a special group of martyrs who died for their faith.

• They receive a special reward and position in heaven.

3. The Group of Ordinary Believers

📜 "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." (Revelation 7:9)

📜 "The great multitude represents the redeemed from different ages who were saved through faith in Christ." (The Great Controversy, p. 665)

👉 Explanation:

• This includes the saved from different ages and nations.

• They form the general group of the redeemed.

4. The Group of Those Translated to Heaven Before the Second Coming

📜 "Moses, raised from the dead, was a testimony of the first resurrection. Elijah, who did not see death, was a type of those who will be translated to heaven without seeing death." (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 478)

📜 "Enoch, Moses, and Elijah are examples of those who will be saved in different ways—some will be translated at Christ’s return, while others will be resurrected from the dead." (The Great Controversy, p. 614)

👉 Explanation:

• Enoch, Moses, and Elijah represent a special group in heaven.

• Enoch and Elijah symbolize those who will not experience death.

• Moses represents those who will be resurrected at the last day.

Conclusion

Aside from GC 665, many other passages in SOP confirm that there are different groups of the redeemed in heaven:

1️⃣ 144,000 – Those who never experienced death, having a special privilege.
2️⃣ Martyrs – Those who died for Christ, given a special reward.
3️⃣ The Great Multitude – All other redeemed from different ages.
4️⃣ Those Translated to Heaven – Examples include Enoch, Elijah, and Moses.

📖 Revelation 22:12 – "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

It shows the four groups in heaven. 

The third group are martyrs whereas the fourth group are the Great Multitudes, so they cannot be the dead from all ages.

Further proof: Type and Antitype

Rev. 7:10-14 – the great multitude go through the great tribulation (Dan. 12:1)

Rev. 14 – they survive the fourth plaque of Rev. 16:8-9

Read GC 648-9 on the previous page

Optional: more proof – Rev. 7:11 Probation still open since the four beasts and 24 elders remain in the sanctuary, judgment is still in progress, and the plagues have not yet fallen (Rev. 15:1-3, 7-8) The great multitudes are sealed and represented as standing before the throne (Rev. 7:9).

I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and admired His lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had, but I could not behold it, for said He, "If you should once behold the glory of His person, you would cease to exist." Before the throne I saw the Advent people--the church and the world. I saw two companies, one bowed down before the throne, deeply interested, while the other stood uninterested and careless. Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Jesus; then He would look to His Father, and appear to be pleading with Him. A light would come from the Father to the Son and from the Son to the praying company. Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from the Father to the Son, and from the Son it waved over the people before the throne. But few would receive this great light. Many came out from under it and immediately resisted it; others were careless and did not cherish the light, and it moved off from them. Some cherished it, and went and bowed down with the little praying company. This company all received the light and rejoiced in it, and their countenances shone with its glory.  {EW 54.2}

On page 55, I stated that a cloud of glorious light covered the Father and that His person could not be seen. I also stated that I saw the Father rise from the throne. The Father was enshrouded with a body of light and glory, so that His person could not be seen; yet I knew that it was the Father and that from His person emanated this light and glory. When I saw this body of light and glory rise from the throne, I knew it was because the Father moved, therefore said, I saw the Father rise. The glory, or excellency, of His form I never saw; no one could behold it and live; yet the body of light and glory that enshrouded His person could be seen.  {EW 92.1}

By faith Enoch "was translated that he should not see death; . . . for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Hebrews 11:5. In the midst of a world by its iniquity doomed to destruction, Enoch lived a life of such close communion with God that he was not permitted to fall under the power of death. The godly character of this prophet represents the state of holiness which must be attained by those who shall be "redeemed from the earth" (Revelation 14:3) at the time of Christ's second advent. Then, as in the world before the Flood, iniquity will prevail. Following the promptings of their corrupt hearts and the teachings of a deceptive philosophy, men will rebel against the authority of Heaven. But like Enoch, God's people will seek for purity of heart and conformity to His will, until they shall reflect the likeness of Christ. Like Enoch, they will warn the world of the Lord's second coming and of the judgments to be visited upon transgression, and by their holy conversation and example they will condemn the sins of the ungodly. As Enoch was translated to heaven before the destruction of the world by water, so the living righteous will be translated from the earth before its destruction by fire. Says the apostle: "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump." "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God;" "the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." "The dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. {PP 88.3}

The Type:

Enoch was not an Israelite, he lived before Jacob.

He bore a palm in his hand.

Then I was taken to a world which had seven moons. There I saw good old Enoch, who had been translated. On his right arm he bore a glorious palm, and on each leaf was written "Victory." Around his head was a dazzling white wreath, and leaves on the wreath, and in the middle of each leaf was written "Purity," and around the wreath were stones of various colors, that shone brighter than the stars, and cast a reflection upon the letters and magnified them. On the back part of his head was a bow that confined the wreath, and upon the bow was written "Holiness." Above the wreath was a lovely crown that shone brighter than the sun. I asked him if this was the place he was taken to from the earth. He said, "It is not; the city is my home, and I have come to visit this place." He moved about the place as if perfectly at home. I begged of my attending angel to let me remain in that place. I could not bear the thought of coming back to this dark world again. Then the angel said, "You must go back, and if you are faithful, you, with the 144,000, shall have the privilege of visiting all the worlds and viewing the handiwork of God."  {EW 39.3}

Antitype:

Rev. 7:9 – The Great Multitude come from all nations, kindred, tongues and peoples. Mt. 23:27; Mat. 10:5-8; Lk 24:47; Acts 1:8

They have palms in their hands

So we see that there are two classes of living saints. There are also two classes of dead saints.

Moses is a type of those who come out in the general resurrection of the righteous. Read PK 227 on the previous pages.

Abel is a type of the martyrs. Read GC 665.2 on the same previous pages.

In great distress I awoke. I went to sleep again, and I seemed to be in a large gathering. One of authority was addressing the company, before whom was spread out a map of the world. He said that the map pictured God's vineyard, which must be cultivated. As light from heaven shone upon anyone, that one was to reflect the light to others. Lights were to be kindled in many places, and from these lights still other lights were to be kindled.  {9T 28.2}

     The words were repeated: "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden underfoot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16.  {9T 28.3}

I saw jets of light shining from cities and villages, and from the high places and the low places of the earth. God's word was obeyed, and as a result there were memorials for Him in every city and village. His truth was proclaimed throughout the world.  {9T 28.4}

     Then this map was removed and another put in its place. On it light was shining from a few places only. The rest of the world was in darkness, with only a glimmer of light here and there. Our Instructor said: "This darkness is the result of men's following their own course. They have cherished hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil. They have made questioning and faultfinding and accusing the chief business of their  lives. Their hearts are not right with God. They have hidden their light under a bushel."  {9T 29.1} Rom. 9:28

It shows a gathering from every city and villages around the world. They must be the Great Multitude out of Babylon.

Isa. 66:15-20 – Those that escape go to complete the gospel and gather their brethren from all nations.

Conclusion: 

God will seal a remnant from the SDA church (144,000) that will be used as consecrated servants of God to proclaim the last message of mercy to the world by calling His people (Great Multitude) out of Babylon. When Jesus returns there will be millions gathered awaiting translation.