“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 in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9-10)
Concerned about racial harmony and justice? These days many people talk about achieving racial harmony, equality, and justice. Many attempt to achieve it by peaceful protests, or venting their anger with tirades and/or violence. Others think racial peace can be attained by governmental regulations and laws or by education and virtue shaming. But such methods fail for they are all tainted by sin and idolatry. Without the gospel of faith in Jesus, none of these things can work.
Here in our reading from the book of Revelation we see that harmony and peace among human beings is achieved in the heavenly Kingdom. Here John records a most glorious sight: a vast uncountable number of people, the redeemed from every tribe, people, language, and nation. These are the Saints, united in Christ by faith. They all have faithfully suffered and endured through the great tribulation and received their reward: eternal joy in heaven free from sin, pain, fear, and death in the presence of Jesus, the lamb who was slain.
Such a glorious image makes should make us long for our heavenly home. Yet it should also make us long to make the church look like that heavenly assembly now, one made up of people from every ethnicity, race, and language. This is the Lord’s solution to racial disharmony and prejudice, one which He now is implementing in and through His church on earth. A church which seeks to increase its attendance and membership by focusing on attracting those individuals and groups most akin to those already in its congregation, those of the same or similar socio-economic level, race, or ethnicity makes a mockery of John’s glorious vision. Churches should welcome people of all the different nationalities, races, and ethnicities. Our Church ought to reflect the heavenly kingdom: a communion of people from every race, language, and ethnicity all united by a common faith in Christ.