Dr. Bullinger in his Apocalypse refers back to Lev. 23: 39-43. In that chapter we

have the whole of Israel's history epitomized in the feasts. Commencing with the birth of

the nation at the passover we follow its course through Pentecost, Harvest, Trumpets,

Atonement, and lastly the feast of the Tabernacles. This is also connected with the

ingathering of the fruit, and it is at this point that the palm branches are mentioned. Israel

were to dwell in booths or tabernacles for the seven days of the feast. When the true feast

of Tabernacles is celebrated it is written, "and He that sitteth on the throne shall

TABERNACLE among them" (Rev. 7: 17). The reason for the feast of Tabernacles is

given in Lev. 23: 43:--

The feast of Tabernacles is connected with the "year of release" (Deut. 15: 1;

31: 10). By comparing Rev. 7:, 14:, and Lev. 23: together, we arrive at the

following. The 144,000 sealed ones are the "FIRST FRUITS UNTO GOD". The great

multitude constitute the HARVEST that follows. When we come to study 14:, we shall

have further details given us as to the character of the 144,000, and why some tribes are

omitted from the number. The church in Philadelphia had the promise, "Because thou

didst keep the word of My patience, I also will keep thee out of the hour of temptation".

The promise says nothing about keeping out of the "great tribulation".--it speaks of an

hour of temptation, and a temptation which comes upon all the world to try those that

dwell on the earth. This will include the worship of the image, the reception of his name

or number, and will involve these earth-dwellers in unclean ceremonies. From all this the

overcomers will be kept, and so we read their undefiled character in 14: 4.

The first-fruit is followed by a glorious harvest. If the 144,000 are sustained during

the temptation, the great multitude are enabled to endure the great tribulation. The great

multitude come out of "the tribulation, the great one". This we learn from the question

that is put by one of the elders, the answer being, "these are they which came out of great

tribulation".  This great tribulation  is the subject of more than one prophecy.

Matt. 24: 15-22 links it with Daniel's abomination of desolation which is distinctly

connected with a fearful outbreak against Israel. Dan. 12: 1 says:--

It will be remembered that only those whose names were "written in the book"

withstood the pressure which was brought to bear upon them to make them worship the

beast and receive his mark. Jer. 30: 7 says:--