What do the palms symbolize? (Revelation 7:9)

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Revelation 7:9 - King James

 

 

⚪ The palm is especially the symbol of martyrdom

And palms In their hands.—"The palm is especially the symbol of martyrdom. The palm of martyrdom has become in the language of the Church, a classical and sacramental expression. In the diptychs, the acts of the martyrs, and the martyrologies, we read, 'He has received the palm of martyrdom'—he has been crowned with the palm of the martyrs." (McC.) Many of the martyrs of the Dark Ages were undoubtedly of the Great Company. Source : 🇺🇸 1917 - Studies in the Scriptures, Vol 7, The finished mystery, page 138 + Cover

 

⚫ The palm branches could not denote martyrdom

Rev. 7 [...] The palm branches could not denote martyrdom, because those who make up this great crowd fail to respond to the invitation to become the zealous witnesses for the Lord. [...] But when the time comes for them to take their stand for Satan or for God they stand on the side of Jehovah, [...] The palm branches in their hands therefore denote that now the time has come when they do acknowledge and hail Christ as Jehovah's King and the rightful Ruler of the world; as it was when Jesus was in the flesh, "much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took brunches of palm trees, awl went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." (John 12:12, 13) The palm branches are therefore a symbol of their joining themselves as the servants to the Lord's organization. Source : 🇺🇸 1930 - Light, vol 1, page 92, page 93 + Cover