Vs. 4-8.—­The number sealed was “a hundred forty and four thousand;” of “each tribe twelve thousand.”  These numbers are not to be taken literally, but comparatively, as contradistinguished from another company, (v. 9.) Neither do we suppose, with many expositors, that Jews by nation are here exclusively intended.  At the time referred to, in the fifth century, the “middle wall of partition” had been long removed.  (Eph. ii. 14.) Jews and Gentiles were “all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. iii. 28.) There is no ground to suppose that exactly the same number would be sealed of every tribe.  Besides, all the original tribes are not named.  Dan is not among them, and Judah is first in order in Reuben’s place.  The gates of the heavenly Jerusalem are inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, (ch. xxii. 12.) In a word, this sealed company is composed of Jews and Gentiles, representing the whole number of true believers, who were enabled by grace to hold fast their profession in trying times, and who experienced more special protection in perilous times. (Ezek. ix. 4-6.)

9.  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;

10.  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

11.  And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12.  Saying, Amen:  Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.  Amen.

Vs. 9-12.—­The “great multitude, which no man could number,” are evidently distinguished from the number sealed.  They are collected from all the nations known at that time.  They “stood before the throne and before the Lamb,” as accepted worshippers; ascribing “salvation,” not to their own merit, but to the free grace of God the Father, and the oblation and intercession of the Lamb.  They are now in a triumphant state, as indicated by the “palms in their hands,” the usual emblems of victory.  “White robes” bespeak their justification.  “All the angels” in heaven, signify their hearty assent to the praises of the redeemed by saying, “Amen.”  Then in an attitude of profoundest reverence, they celebrate the praises of God in strains proper, though not peculiar to themselves.  As in ch. v. 11, the angels in this place are disposed and arranged in the outer circle of all the intelligent worshippers.  Redeemed sinners stand nearest to the throne, in virtue of their union to Christ, while holy angels, without envy, contemplate, with rapturous emotions, the displays of the “manifold wisdom of God” in his dealings with the church. (Eph. iii. 10.) Thus we may learn to do the will of God on earth, as it is done by the angels in heaven.