The great multitude
Also in Русский · Українська
Also known as The great crowd · Great company · The great company · Great multitude of Revelation 7 · Great crowd of other sheep · The second company · The Jehonadab class · Jonadabs · The palm-bearing multitude
The great multitude of Revelation 7:9-17 was understood by 1880 under Russell as a secondary heavenly class of spirit-begotten Christians, distinct from the Little Flock and represented by the antitypical Levites, the bride's virgin companions, and the scapegoat. Rutherford-era publications from 1920 through 1933 continued this understanding, associating the class especially with consecrated Christians held captive in religious systems. In 1935 the identification was reversed: the great multitude was declared to be an earthly class of people of goodwill, not spirit-begotten, identified with the other sheep and expected to survive Armageddon. The earthly interpretation was maintained under Knorr from 1942, Franz from 1977, and the Governing Body period from 1992. Subsequent explanations clarified its relationship with the 144,000, its worship in God's spiritual temple, its righteous standing before God, and its hope of everlasting life in Paradise. In 1995 the timing of the judgment in the related sheep-and-goats parable was reinterpreted as future, without changing the great multitude's earthly identity.
- Rev. 7:9-17
- Rev. 14:1-5
- John 10:16
- Matt. 25:31-46
- Ps. 45:14-15
- Lev. 16:20-22
- Ezek. 9:4
- Zech. 8:23
Rutherford
Joseph F. Rutherford · 1917–1942
-
The previous heavenly identification was rejected. The great multitude was now identified with people of goodwill who dedicate themselves to Jehovah, join the anointed remnant, and form an earthly class of other sheep. They are not spirit-begotten, are distinct from the 144,000, and hope to survive Armageddon and live on earth.
9 quotes
This being so, the "great multitude" are not in the covenant for the kingdom, and therefore could not be the Gentile members of the body of Christ nor of the same class; nor are they spirit-begotten.
The Watchtower, August 1, 1935 Such does not seem consistent with our God’s righteous law. We have looked in vain for the great multitude as a multitude to come out of the religious systems. 7 Is there any Scriptural evidence that the spirit- begotten ones are now in the denominational church systems? The answer seems clearly to be in the negative. To become a son of God one must first repent and be converted and be acknowledged by Jehovah as his Son.
The Watchtower, August 15, 1935 The description of the great multitude given at Revelation seven exactly corresponds to that of the companions of the bride class, described in Psalm 45.
The Watchtower, October 15, 1935 The great multitude are “of all nations”, and therefore not in heaven, but on the earth, and are before Christ Jesus for judgment.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1935 Those that today go to make up that “great multitude”, not being of Christ’s “little flock”, are at other places in the Scriptures designated as his “other sheep”, ‘men of good will,’ the class foreshadowed by Jonadab the son of Rechab.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1935 Both the little flock, the anointed company, and the great multitude must now be diligent in the study of God’s Word and in bearing testimony of the truth to others as they have opportunity. Jehovah’s witnesses, the little flock, and the Jonadab or “great multitude” company must walk together and work harmoniously together. It is the duty of the anointed to render aid and comfort and encouragement to the Jonadab class.
The Watchtower, February 15, 1936 This is further proof that the “other sheep”, who make up the great multitude, must participate in the work of bearing testimony concerning the kingdom before others of the world, that the latter may flee to the place of safety, where they may be fed by the Greater-than-Joseph.
The Watchtower, March 15, 1937 It was in 1935 that the Lord revealed to his people the identification of the class thus marked, and disclosing them, that such constituted the great multitude.
The Watchtower, April 1, 1938 Those persons of good-will who shall form part of the “great multitude” of Armageddon survivors are now quickly coming forth ere the wintertime of Armageddon sets in on the world, and they will, in increasing numbers, take part with the remnant members in this united Testimony.
The Watchtower, December 1, 1941
Governing Body
1992–
-
The Court of the Gentiles was rejected as the great crowd’s spiritual location. Their worship was placed inside the spiritual temple’s earthly outer courtyard, corresponding to Solomon’s temple, while remaining distinct from the priestly inner courtyard.
1 quote
It is reasonable to say that the great crowd worships Jehovah in one of the earthly courtyards of his great spiritual temple, specifically the one that corresponds with the outer courtyard of Solomon’s temple.
The Watchtower, May 1, 2002, pp. 30–31, Questions From Readers -
People might join Jehovah’s worshippers after Babylon the Great’s destruction. This broadened the possible timing for joining earthly survivors, without guaranteeing individual survival.
1 quote
Might some who see these events have a change of heart?
The Watchtower, May 2024, pp. 8–13, What Do We Know About Jehovah’s Future Judgments?, pars. 11–15
Thank you!
Your suggestion has been sent. New topics are added as they are researched.