As I’ve been reading through the Revelation of Jesus Christ that was recorded by the apostle John, I’ve noticed that a recurring them is worship. Time and time again, we see angels, angelic beings, creatures, and people caught up in the worship. In chapter one, John worships Jesus. In chapters two through three, Jesus encourages the churches that are faithfully in their worship and warns those who are not. In chapters four and five we see the beings of heaven declaring worship to Him who sits on the throne. In chapter six we begin to see the judgments for those who refuse to worship God. In chapter seven, 144,000 of Israel are mentioned (assuming they are the same group as in chapter fourteen, where they are singing a “new song” to God).
Then it happens. As quick as ever, we read in Rev. 7:9-10 that “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” were “standing before the throne and before the Lamb… crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!””
The ultimate purpose of racial reconciliation is worship. One day, sooner than later, an innumerable group of people from different races and cultures and languages will declare that salvation belongs to the Lord.
The Kingdom of God is far more diverse than we often see… and often more diverse than we want.
Luke is a pastor-theologian living in northern California, serving as a co-lead pastor with his life, Dawn, at the Red Bluff Vineyard. Father of five amazing kids, when Luke isn’t hanging with his family, reading or writing theology, he moonlights as a fly fishing guide for Confluence Outfitters. He blogs regularly at LukeGeraty.com and regularly contributes to his YouTube channel.
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