ONE RACE, MANY NATIONS

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…. Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. —Revelations 7:9, 13-14

People are people regardless of what country they come from, whatever the color of their sin, whatever social or economic background. I have been to a few countries in my life-time: Canada, Iceland, Demark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, England, Netherlands, Eleuthera in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, New Zealand, Australia, India, Ethiopia, Kenya. We are not a planet of races, but we are one human race made up of many nations (Acts 17:26).

According to the passage above there will be people from “every nation, tribe, people and language in heaven. This is a fulfillment of the great commission in Matthew 28:19-20 and the faithful commitment to being witnesses in all the world (Acts 1:8). The church will complete the mission of getting the gospel out to the whole world and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).

Now, according to the verses above these dressed in white robes are believers who came to glory from the great tribulation. We are told “they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” and that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17). We are told that there are those in Revelation 6:9-11 who were killed “because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.” They desired the Lord to avenge them and to “each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.” There will be a certain number of believers that will be martyred for their faith before the end comes. Then the Lord will avenge them.

What a joy it will be when we who are “from every nation, tribe, people and language” will be in heaven together. The conflicts between people of color, people of various religious, social or economic backgrounds will no longer exist. We will finally be a people living forever in perfect peace! This is what Jesus made possible when He came to earth to die on the cross. This is what is ahead for every person who has truly trusted the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only by trusting in His finished work at the cross that we can be there. No amount of good works will get us there. Trying to be “good” will not get us there. Only through trusting Jesus’ death for our sin debt payment, turning from sin and following Him will get us to heaven. Those who do trust Him will have an eternity to live with Jesus, and all who love him, without conflict—- yes, perfect peace forever! Isn’t that what you want?

Dear Father, thank You for Who You are and for Your love for us which is seen in sending Jesus to lay down His life for us that we could be saved from our sin, saved to a relationship with You through Him and be with You in glory one day. I am grateful