John was allowed to see the end of time and how God would judge the world. One of the important scenes is the moment at which people from every nation, from every people group, are around the throne. Here is what it says:
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 before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
Revelation 7:9-10
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
It says that there is a great multitude that no one could count. The number of people in this crowd was immense. They were all standing before the throne of God and before the Lamb. They are celebrating the Father and the Son, pictured as the Lamb in this case.
These were the people that, as noted back in chapter 5, were purchased for God by the Lamb with his blood. They were made clean from their sins, so this is why they are wearing white robes as the white signifies cleanliness, purity from sin as a result of the work of Christ, his sacrifice for them.
But I want to focus on what they are holding. They are holding palm branches. Palm branches signify victory in battle. As the kings and emperors would return home from war along with their armies, the people would line the streets and wave palm branches to welcome them, hailing their victories, and ultimate triumph in battle. These victories would mean defeat for their enemies, an expansion of the kingdom or empire, and peace for the people. All of these would be considered good things for the people.
In this case, as they hold palms in their hands, the people cry out for the victory that God has achieved.
God has defeated the enemy – he has defeated Satan and evil.
The Lamb has purchased for God people from every nation, tribe, people, and language. It is an incredible expansion for the Kingdom of God.
And now there will be peace for the people within the Kingdom of God. There will be no more struggle with sin. There will be no more fight against the Evil One, Satan. We will live under the protection of Christ as our true Shepherd.
And so the people cry out for God’s ultimate victory. They say that Salvation belongs to our God, and to the Lamb! Amen. Hosanna. Come Lord Jesus!