The 144,000 (v4-8) are the church militant (the church here on earth), whereas the great multitude (v9-17) are the Church Triumphant (the church in heaven). The great multitude, not able to be numbered by man, are before the throne, they are accepted by God (v9). The white robes speak of their righteousness and the palm branches speaks of how they are victorious.

Their praise testifies to how they’re saved (v10), it is all of God and the Lamb. The praise of the great multitude inspires the worship of heaven (v11-12).

The worship is interrupted by a question about the identity of the multitude (v13). The multitude are those who have come out of the great suffering

And have been washed through the blood of the Lamb (v14). The only way to glory is through Christ and the cleansing power of the cross.

Salvation in blood the message of the whole Bible. The writer to the Hebrews says “without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9v22).

Are you clinging to the cross as your only hope?