A while ago I sent an e-mail to Jason BeDuhn, that the Society is quite fond of. They like to quote him in publications. So when I started researching the Great Crowd and the accuracy of the earthly hope doctrine I thought I might write him and ask him what the exact meaning of "before the throne" (Revelation 7:9) and "temple" (7:15) is. Now his opinion certainly won't end all discussion, but it may be food for thought for Witnesses if they are confronted with the opinion of an expert that publications have quoted before, in a favorable and respectful manner.
Yesterday I received a reply and this is it:
"Dear Mr. Xxxxxx.
Thank you for your message, and please forgive my long delay in responding. I have only recently returned from a sabbatical.
Regarding Rev. 7:9, the word enwpion [w = omega] means face to face with someone, or immediately in front of something. While it is true that etymologically it is related to the idea of "in sight," it is not used with this specific meaning, but always in the sense of "right in front of"
In 7.15, the term is naos, which indeed means the inner chamber or sanctuary, the main "dwelling" of the deity, not the outer courtyard.
This appears to be another case (I'm familiar with a few more) where a forced distinction made in JW theology between a small group in heaven and a multitude on earth has biased the translation and interpretation of passages in Revelation.
I hope these answers help.
best wishes,
Jason BeDuhn Professor of Religious Studies Northern Arizona University"
