The two elements of the vision in Rev 7 are part of a pattern of opposite things in pairs which John first "hears" and then "sees" - in each case what John hears and sees are opposite but the same thing. See appendix below.
In the case of the Rev 7 we have the following opposites:
- 144,000 vs an uncountable multitude
- Jews only vs those from all nations
Thus, John "hears" one thing, turns to see the opposite. The identity of this multitude is actually given in Rev 7:14 -
These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
It is significant that this multitude of the saved consists of people from all nations and that the great tribulation will not be confined to one place but will be universal.
APPENDIX - Revelation's Antithesis Passages
The following pairs of passages speak of the same thing using symbols that are the opposite of each other. In each case, John hears one thing and sees something apparently different.
Rev 1:10 Voice like a trumpetWhat John HEARS | Rev 1:12 7 lampstands and one “like the Son of man”What John SEES |
---|---|
Rev 1:10 Voice like a trumpet | Rev 1:12 7 lampstands and one “like the Son of man” |
Rev 5:4 Lion of the tribe of Judah, Root of David | Rev 5:5 Lamb looking as if it had been slain standing in center of throne |
Rev 6:1, 3, 5, 7 Voice of living creature | Rev 6:2, 4, 5, 8 Horses of various colors |
Rev 7:4 - 8 144,000 sealed saints from 12 tribes of Israel | Rev 7:9 - 10 An innumerable multitude from all nations |
Rev 17:1 Prostitute sits on many waters | Rev 17:3 Scarlet woman rides on the beast |
In each case what John hears and sees are opposite but the same thing.