Revelation 7
v.4
Then I heard from the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
In 5:9, the Lamb is said to have purchased with His blood, “men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” In 14:3-4, the 144,000 are said to have been purchased “from the earth” and purchased “from among men.” The almost identical language suggests that the two are the same group—the church of all ages. This would explain why, immediately after the vision of the sealing, John sees a great multitude of people from every nation and tribe and people and tongue (7:9)… But why speak of a specific number? In 21:13-14, the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles together form the foundational structure of the new Jerusalem. Multiplying twelve by twelve equals one hundred and forty-four, representing the entire people of God through the ages. Multiplying that figure by one thousand reinforces the notion of completeness… It is clear that one of the names written on Gentile Christians, in addition to those of God and Christ, is “the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem” (3:12). Since the name of the “new Jerusalem” is equated with Christ’s “new name” in Rev. 3:12, it is likely that Christians can be identified with the “new Jerusalem,” since they are identified with Christ; they are thus the true Israel. In the same way, Isa. 49:3, in relation to Isa 53:10 and Gal. 3:16, affirms the Messiah as the true Israel. Jesus as the messianic “seed” of Israel (Gal 3:16) represents all believers, so that they are also part of the Israelite “seed” of Israel (Gal. 3:29). However, this name is not written on those “who say that they are Jews, and are not” true Jews (Rev. 3:9), since they reject Christ. The name of the “new Jerusalem” applied to the church of Philadelphia is closely linked conceptually to the 144,000 from every tribe of the sons of Israel. Christians are thus here portrayed as the true Israel, as also in 1:6, 5:10 (applying Exodus 19:6); 5:9 (applying Dan. 7:18, 22); 2:17 and 3:12 (applying Isa. 62:2 and 65:15); 3:9 (applying Isa. 49:23 and 60:14); and in the picture of the new Jerusalem in chs. 21-22 (applying Ezekiel 40-48). In fact, a series of prophecies about Israel’s restoration is cited as fulfilled in those who believe “from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues” in 7:9, 15-17. this is consistent with the identification elsewhere in the NT of the church (composed of Jews and Gentiles) as fulfilling predictions of Israel’s restoration (so Rom. 9:24-26; 10:12-13; 2 Cor. 5:17; 6:2, 16-18) and being called true “Jews” (Rom. 2:28-29), “Israel” (Rom. 9:6; Gal. 6:15-16), true “circumcision” (Phil. 3:13), “the twelve tribes” (cf. Jas. 1:1), or dispersed Israelites (1 Pet. 1:1; 2:9). In fact, including Gentiles as part of true end-time Israel was prophesied in the OT (see Psalm 87; Isa. 19:18-25, especially v.18; 56:1-8; Ezek. 47:21-23; Zech. 2:11; 9:7). more on page 150 and 151
v.9
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
v.14
I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”
v.15
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 spread his tent over them.
v.16
Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
v.17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Tribulation produces tears. Like a tenderhearted, devoted mother, God will wipe each tear from their eyes with the eternal consolations of glory itself. Never again will they cry out because of pain and suffering.