Tribulation Saints, Part 2 (Revelation 7:13–17)

Focus Keywords: Great Tribulation Revival, Countless Multitude, End Times Prophecy, Gentile Salvation, God’s Eternal Provision, Revelation 7, John MacArthur

This rewrite summarizes John MacArthur’s message, “Tribulation Saints, Part 2 (Revelation 7:13–17),” which focuses on the astonishing vision of a “great multitude which no one could count”. This multitude represents a massive, international revival of believers who are saved during the darkest period of human history—the Great Tribulation—and who receive eternal provision, protection, and unparalleled access to God’s presence in heaven.

I. The Coming World Revival: An Unrivaled Harvest

The sources declare that the greatest movement of God’s saving power is yet to come. This future event, which could be called an international awakening or harvest of souls, will surpass all previous revivals in human history, including the Day of Pentecost, the apostolic explosion of the gospel, and the Great Awakening.

Historically, the redeemed have been identified as the “little flock,” while the unregenerate have been many. However, the hour is coming when the saved will become a “large flock, a great and immense flock”.

God’s Nature and Timing

This massive revival is guaranteed because God is a saving God and desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. God is patient, “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”.

This massive movement of salvation will occur at the most unexpected time: the worst of times in human history. This period, known as the seven-year Tribulation, or even the Great Tribulation, will feature:

• Satan’s full fury and accelerated demonic power.
• Unrestrained human evil, as the Holy Spirit releases His restraining influence.
• Antichrist’s terrorizing dictatorship and murderous reign.
• Unleashed divine wrath, including wars, famines, earthquakes, plagues, and a disintegrating and collapsing universe.

In the midst of this time of unparalleled terror and judgment, God will save millions of people from both Israel and the nations of the world.

The Evangelistic Force

The evangelizing force during this time is complex and multifaceted:

• 144,000 Sealed Jews: These twelve thousand individuals from every tribe of Israel will be redeemed, sealed by God, and protected from harm. They will preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and be instrumental in the conversion of Israel and the massive Gentile multitude.
• Two Witnesses: Described in Revelation 11, these powerful preachers will perform supernatural deeds, die before the world, and rise again from the dead.
• Heavenly Angel: An angel will fly through the heavens, preaching the everlasting gospel.
• Personal Witness: Believers who come to faith through these agencies will, in turn, spread the gospel.

The extensive preaching of the gospel during the Tribulation will lead people to repent, driven partially by the terrorizing judgments of the first six seals, which will force people to “take a good hard look at reality”.

II. The Identity and Origin of the Multitude

John the Apostle sees a vision of this converted group in heaven, standing before the throne.

Description and Scale

This group is described as a “great multitude which no one could count”. This crowd is indefinite and universal in origin, coming from “every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues”.

Emblems of Triumph

This great throng is “clothed in white robes and palm branches were in their hands”.

• White Robes: These symbolize righteousness, purity, and also victory, celebration, and exaltation. The robes identify them with the martyred saints seen under the altar in Chapter 6.
• Palm Branches: These signify joyous celebration, triumph, and deliverance, as used in ancient festivals. The palm branches celebrate their deliverance from the world, Satan, Antichrist, death, and hell.

Origination: Coming Out of Great Tribulation

An elder asks John about the identity of these white-robed individuals, not for the elder’s own information (as he, a glorified believer, already knows), but to ensure John and subsequent readers grasp the revelation.

The elder confirms: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation”.

• Prolonged Process: The phrase “who come out” (Erchomenoi) is a present, continuous, durative participle, meaning “the ones who are coming out.” This indicates a prolonged process of accumulation, not a single, instantaneous event like the Rapture. This group keeps accumulating as people keep dying.
• Washing in the Blood: They “have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”. This is a paradoxical truth: blood, which normally stains, cleanses every stain. The blood of Jesus Christ, called “precious blood,” is the divine detergent that removes all sin, securing their redemption.
• Escaping Judgment: These individuals missed the Rapture, were Christ-rejecters, and may not have even heard the gospel before the Tribulation. They were saved during the seven-year period—especially the last half—and escape the terrors by dying. The world’s assumption that the fury of judgment produces no repentance is refuted by the existence of this multitude.