1 Why Innumerable?
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In light of what Mr. Armstrong explained, it should by now be clear that the number of people within the Great Multitude is almost certainly gigantic. Mr. Armstrong suggested perhaps hundreds of thousands at least. In all likelihood, and considering the power of the final Work of God, the number may well be much bigger than this. There is a reason I say this.
On a side note, no matter its size, no matter how big the multitude might be, there is no number that cannot be counted by the mathematical systems of men. Men are able to count the now estimated 30 billion trillion stars in the universe, as well as numbers much, much larger. Thus, the only reason that the Great Multitude would beinnumerable is because it is a number not yet established—a number that will only be known once it can be determined how many people around the world have chosen to repent as a result of what they have witnessed and experienced.
Every person possesses free moral agency. Each human being must decide what he will do when cataclysmic prophesied events about which he has been forewarned actually come to pass.
Contents
“Came Out of Tribulation”
Revelation 7:10-12 are not difficult to understand. But Revelation 7:13 and 14 offer the biggest clue to when the Great Multitude appear: “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Obviously, this conversation involves a vision wherein John, on Earth, is talking with 1 of the 24 elders, in heaven. However, the verse plainly reveals that these people have repented—and that they “came out of great tribulation,” exactly as do the Remnant—as well as that they come at the same time. (Yet, they are not described as having been “sealed,” as were the 144,000, meaning they do not yet have God’s Spirit. Also, there is not yet mention of when they will be saved.)
The next several verses offer the biggest clue to how the process of conversion fits the multitude. As you read the final three verses of the prophecy, five times referencing “shall,” it becomes evident the multitude complete their conversion at Christ’s Return. (“The 144,000” sermons carefully explain this.) Now notice: “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sits on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters [the Holy Spirit—John 7:37-39]: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (John 7:15-17).
It is evident from the future tense used throughout that the Great Multitude are only fully converted upon Christ’s Return, some time after which they “will be taken by Christ into the kingdom of God,” as Mr. Armstrong explained.
Now begins examination of a fascinating parallel.
When Israel Left Egypt
Recall that I said we would see the principle of duality in application several more times. This is the second time, and is again in the context of Israel coming out of Egypt.
Exodus 12 ALL tells the story of Israel’s departure from Egyptian slavery and of the first Passover, to be instituted annually from that point. Exodus 12:37describes how the “children of Israel journeyed” from Egypt with “about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.” When wives, and the size of families at that time are included, the six hundred thousand number likely grows to several million.
The size of the escaping Israelite nation of that time becomes significant in a way that most have not recognized. This number was so large—this event so enormous, and with many powerful miracles surrounding God’s intervention on behalf of His people—that the local inhabitants of Egypt saw what God was doing and wanted to follow their escaping “employees” to wherever God was leading.
The First “Great Multitude”
Many more than those of Israel chose to depart when Pharaoh gave permission to leave. Here is what the Exodus account records about the number of Gentiles, or what the Old Testament often refers to as “strangers,” who departed with Israel: “And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle” (Exodus 12:38).
This is a fascinating statement, and carries within it a dramatic duality foretold to play out again in regard to the future Israelite Remnant’s coming escape from the “Egypt” that, in this age, has become all the nations of the world. (Of course, we just learned that some of the Remnant are actually enslaved in literal Egypt once again.)
The Hebrew words translated “mixed multitude” offer a vital clue in regard to this very exciting prophecy of what lies ahead for people of all nations. The word mixed comes from the Hebrew ereb, which has this definition: “mongrel, race, mixture, mingled people.” The word multitude is rab in the Hebrew, and means, “abundant, great, many, plenteous, populous.” Think of the modern term Arab.
The picture here is that peoples of every kind—a diverse, mongrelized mixture or mingling of humanity, probably in at least some cases peoples who were also slaves in bondage beside their Israelite counterparts—came in large numbers. In other words, the size of the multitude was great,plenteous,populous or abundant in number. In fact, Exodus 12:38 could just as correctly have stated that a “Great Multitude” came with Israel from Egypt!
Now remember again that I Corinthians 10:1 and 11 tell us that Israel’s original exodus was an “ensample” or “type” for us today. Of course, this would have no meaning if we could not know that God has specifically foretold a second, future, and much, MUCH greater exodus than happened 3,500 years ago.
Now we ask: Did God foretell, possibly in some kind of coded form, the appearance of the Revelation 7 ALL Great Multitude in an Old Testament passage, one that is linked to Israel’s coming exodus from captivity? Can we find further corroboration of this co-mingled “escape” event beyond the parallel of the original Exodus account?
The answer to the first question is that God did, and to the second is we can!
Powerful Prophecy
We have seen that Isaiah recorded more than any other prophet about the circumstances surrounding the escaping Israelite Remnant. It is not surprising that his prophecy introduces the subject of “strangers” (Gentiles or foreigners) who come with Israel.
An extensive passage in chapter 56 reveals what God has known all along would occur. The chapter opens with God describing the arrival of salvation and the revealing of His righteousness to all mankind. We will momentarily learn the time setting of this prophecy. Isaiah 56:2 introduces the Sabbath’s connection to righteousness. Immediately, and in this context, God invites all Gentiles to be included in what is now to be a plan for all nations.
First read carefully Isaiah 56:3-7 leading up to how the “stranger” can also have access to the true God:
“Neither let the son of the stranger, that has joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD has utterly separated me from His people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus says the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep My sabbaths, and choose the things that please Me, and take hold of My covenant; even unto them will I give in Mine house and within My walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants, every one [Gentiles, too] that keeps the sabbath from polluting it, and takes hold of My covenant; even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine altar; for Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.”
The context of the stranger being able to know and serve the true God is at this point brought in. Notice the context of how and where this happens. Now read carefully the next verse: “The Lord GOD which gathers theOUTCASTS OF ISRAEL says, Yet will I gather others to Him, beside those that are gathered unto Him” (Isaiah 56:8 ). It is evident that the “others” gathered here (the King James translators added this word because the phrase following it commands it) appear at the same time when God gathers Israel. No other conclusion can be drawn.
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