How do we know that "standing before the throne" does not mean that the great crowd is in heaven. There is much clear evidence on this point. For example, the Greek word here translated "before" (e-no'pi-on) literally means "in [the] sight [of]" and is used several times of humans on earth who are "before" or "in the sight of" Jehovah. (1 Timoth5:21; 2 Timothy 2:4; Romans 14:22; Galatians 1:20.) On one occasion when the Israelites were in the wilderness, Moses said Aaron: "Say to the entire assembly of the sons of Israel, 'Come near before Jehovah, because he has heard y0ur murmurings.' " (Exodus 16:9) The Israelites did not have to be transported to heaven in order to stand before Jehovah on that occasion. (Compare Leviticus 24:8) Rather, right there in the wilderness they stood in Jehovah's view, and his attention was on them.
Next time: Chapter Twenty/A Multitudinous Great Crowd - In Heaven or on Earth? - Continue
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