7:9–12 The second group of believers, who also receive the salvation of God, should be distinguished from the first in two critical ways. In the interlude’s first scene of the 144,000, John addresses a particular concern of his readers about the status of martyred believers (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13–18). In his subsequent vision of a great multitude, John shifts his pastoral concern to the situation of the unbelieving world, which seeks to know how to survive the eschatological wrath of God. In responding to their question, “Who can stand?” (6:17), he describes the qualifications of those standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. Second, there is a distinction in timing. The sealing of the remnant of Christian martyrs takes place during a pause in “the great tribulation,” presumably to…