The Lord's Prayer
Great Multitudes
Pray like this: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand,
Let your Kingdom come.
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand,
Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
and of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
Give us today our daily bread.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
They cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?” I told him, “My lord, you know.”
Thy Kingdom Come: Great Multitudes
- June 22, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
Thy Kingdom Come: Great Multitudes
- June 22, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
Holy Dwelling
This revelation begins with three names. (They are the last of a list of twelve names of the tribes of Israel being sealed in Revelation 7).
Every name in the bible has a meaning. Point at the name, and you can see it. Zebulun means “to dwell with” or “wished for habitation.”
It matches the Lord’s prayer, which begins, “Our Father, in heaven.” The great multitudes scene we are about to see in this revelation begins in this place — in heaven. This is the “wished for habitation.”
Increase
The next name is “Joseph.” It means, “may God add” or “increasing.” The prayer asks, “Thy Kingdom come.” Together, these two passages describe souls added to the Kingdom of God.
Right Hand
“Benjamin” means “Son of the Right Hand,” a clear reference to Christ. The prayer continues, “Thy will be done, both on earth and in heaven.”
Connect the two, and here’s what it reveals: God’s will is to forgive us, and offer his spirit, which Christ holds in his right hand.
White Robes
Now the scene gets interesting. We see a great multitude, which no man could count. They stand before the throne, and before Christ, clothed in white robes. They have palm branches in their hands.
The Lord’s prayer asks, “give us today our daily bread.”
The parallel shows two things given. First, a white robe, which I believe symbolizes a soul made holy. Second, palm branches, which I believe is the right to the tree of life (eternal life). The great multitudes have both.
It suggests those who ask to be part of the Kingdom, are given part of the Kingdom.
Forgiven
They cry out, “Salvation.” Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. The salvation is the forgiveness which Christ offers.
Delivered
“Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” All the angels stand around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. They fall and worship Christ, and declare his power forever.”
These angels have been delivered from the evil one. They stand before Christ, around his throne. I believe Jesus brought them through the gates of death and hades. This is the power and glory of Christ.
Eternal Kingdom
An elder in heaven answers. He asks, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and where did they come from.” John, the writer of Revelation says, “My lord, you know.”
The next passage in Revelation answers the question: Who are these people? Where did they come from? The parallel here gives a hint. They are the Kingdom, Power and Glory of Christ.
They dwell with Christ, in heaven. He dwells within them, on earth. We are the great multitude. He has made us to be a kingdom.
Wrap Around
This is where the design of the bible ends, wraps around, and begins again.
We’ll continue to compare the Lord’s prayer, but we’ll pick up where this Revelation passage ends and look at what comes next. Click the right arrow or the “Before the Throne” link below.
To explore these passages directly, click this button:
