Revelation 7:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

These are those of whom David says: I will count them, and they shall be multiplied more than the sand (Ps 138:18). They suffered martyrdom for Christ from every tribe and people, and in the last times they are to receive sufferings courageously. Some of them have already whitened their garments, and others will whiten them by their blood shed for Christ. Now they have in their hands, as a sign of victory, the branches of useful, upright, and pure palms of the heart. They triumph and rejoice around the throne of divine rest. As grateful servants, they ascribe their victory over the demons to the one Giver.

And they cried out: Salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb. They confessed that salvation was with them, since they had been saved from the destruction of the world by being sealed as servants of God. When they gave thanks, the ranks serving in heaven, together with the elders, answered Amen and approved what had been said. Then the divine angels offer their own praise to God, glorifying Him with a sevenfold honor. As was explained above, this signifies the unending angelic praise, for seven is the number of perfection.

With a great voice, great zeal, and unceasing supplication they confess that the Father and the Son reign on the throne, that is, in the Church, and that the Holy Spirit reigns together with Them equally. For the order of the words here is this: our God and the Lamb sit on the throne of salvation.

In the Gospel something similar is written: “that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (Jn 17:3). This is the same as saying: that they may know that You and Jesus Christ whom You have sent are the One True God.

For by one throne is signified the authority of one nature. By the separate name of the Lamb is signified the distinction of the Father and the Son. Likewise, when the one Holy Spirit is named, the Father and the Son must also be understood.

That is, these are the people who, despite the sinful bonds that have bound them and prevent them from coming to Him, our Savior, with perfect repentance, despise all the strength of these sinful fetters and force themselves to break their bonds. Such people appear before the face of God made whiter than snow by His grace.

“Come,” says the Lord, “and though your sins be like scarlet, I will make them white as snow” (Isa 1:18). Thus the holy seer of mysteries, John the Theologian, once saw such people in white garments, that is, the garments of justification, and with palms in their hands as a sign of victory. They sang to God the wondrous song Alleluia. No one could imitate the beauty of their singing.

In the vision of the one hundred forty-four thousand sealed, the ideal for every Christian was indicated. In the vision of the multitude of the saved, consolation is given to all who endure life's sorrows without murmuring and with thanksgiving to God for all things.

The standing of the Lord's elect signifies their firmness, constancy, and unshakenness. The white garments signify the grace of sanctification received in the Mystery of Baptism or through repentance. They also signify the purity and innocence preserved by them through true faith and holiness of life, in which they continually abided, following the example of the Lamb whom they always behold before their eyes.

The palm branches in their hands are the sign of victory, won by them through the power of Christ over their enemies, the spirits of evil, and over their own passions.