^7:9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

After this I looked,

"After this" probably are the six seals and the 144,000 Jews being sealed.

and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count,

The focus has changed from earth back to heaven because the THRONE and LAMB are here. The great multitude are "victorious believers" from the Great Tribulation (verse 14) perhaps.

from

• every nation,
• tribe, (Jewish?)
• people (Gentiles?) and
• language, (mixed? Genesis 11:1-9),

The expression "great multitude" is indicated in

• Revelation 5:9; 28 sing of redemption for all.
• Revelation 11:9; all see the two Witnesses dead.
• Revelation 13:7; all come under the beast's authority
• Revelation 14:6; angelic message to all -- the Judge has come.
• Revelation 17:15; made equivalent to "the waters" where the harlot sits.

John is given a glimpse of the fulfillment of Jesus words, Matthew 24:14. All the world hears it before the end comes; the Great Commission is completed (Acts 1:7-8).

STANDING before

• the THRONE (fullness of God) and before
• the LAMB (the redemption price)

CLOTHED in white robes (special reward) and palm branches were in their hands;

"Standing before" vs. "fallen down before" ... denotes a victory which is confirmed by the palm branches in their hands. These are ones who truly were victorious over the beast, antichrist, and martyrdom, and followed Christ even to death. They can hold their heads high in VICTORY!

This is a celebration like the Feast of Tabernacles, Leviticus 23:39-41. It is a joyful time (in heaven) especially after the 6 seals were opened (on earth). What the 'great multitude' must have endured (on earth) to get here (in heaven)! Truly, "O DEATH, where is your victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)