1. God's chosen people (1-10)

None can withstand the day of the Lamb's wrath (6:17) -- to be poured out by four angels. Before that a fifth angel put a seal on the heads of the servants of God - his chosen people on earth, an enduring remnant. Then John looked to the throne, and saw a multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language. They wore white robes and waved palm branches. Their song at the throne is clear: Salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb. All God's chosen people, past, present and future, are saved only by God's grace.

2. The Lamb will be their shepherd (11-17)

The song of the multitude sparked worship in heaven. An elder explained to John that the multitude are those who came out from the sufferings on earth, washed in the blood of the Lamb. They kept their gospel faith to the end by God's grace, and now they serve God forever, under the loving tender care of Shepherd Jesus.