Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language. Revelation 7:9
As the daughter of two loving and hard-working parents from Central and South America, I’m grateful they had the courage to be the first in their families to immigrate to the United States for better opportunities. They met as young adults in New York City, married, had my sister and me, and went on to run their respective businesses.
As a native New Yorker, I’ve grown up embracing my Hispanic heritage and have been fascinated with people of diverse backgrounds. For instance, I once shared my story of faith at an evening service at a multicultural church that meets in a former Broadway theater. Speaking to a multicultural group about God’s love is only a glimpse of what heaven will be like when we see people from different nations come together as the body of Christ.
In Revelation, the apostle John gives us this amazing picture of heaven: “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” (Revelation 7:9). God our Savior will receive the “praise and glory” and so much more He’s worthy of “for ever and ever” (v. 12).
Now we have just a glimpse of what heaven will be like. But one day, we who believe in Jesus will be united with Him and with people from different countries, cultures, and languages. Since God loves the nations, let’s also love our global family in Christ.
How can you love the nations? How can you celebrate others and their cultures?
Dear God, please help me to love others well.
INSIGHT
In Revelation 7:9-12, in the final book of the Bible and at the end of the story of God’s work in redeeming the world, we get a kind of reversal of one of humanity’s greatest acts of rebellion. In Genesis 11, a unified humanity gathered together to build a “tower that reaches to the heavens,” so they could “make a name for [themselves]” (v. 4). The consequence of that unified rebellion was division—separation into the various languages and peoples and tribes and nations.
But through Jesus and the unity He brings through His own sacrifice, God has begun rebuilding humanity. The gospel spreads to fill the ends of the earth. And ultimately, a new kind of people will cry out with one single voice: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:10). People will be unified in praise to God rather than rebellion.
Discover more about the end times with this entry-level course on Revelation.