After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.” vs. 9
Revelation 7:9-12
As John’s vision continued a new scene appeared before his eyes. Again there was a great multitude standing before the Lamb, all robed in white and with palm branches in their hands. What’s striking about this crowd of saints is their diversity; they’re from every nation, all tribes and peoples and languages! Whatever might be said about the Seer, it’s obvious that he doesn’t have a narrow view of the Church. All are included! That’s a perspective that has regularly been lost in the course of the centuries.
Too often leaders have had a parochial notion of the faith, and have been quick to exclude anyone who was different. There are even some who are confusing white nationalism with the Church of Jesus Christ, and there’s nothing that can be further from the truth. In fact, it’s a travesty to even intimate that Jesus differentiates among the people of God, and has good news only for a select few. Even now we are a part of a great company of saints who are walking in the Way and living in the Word of the Lord. And all these people, multi-national and multi-colored, will live through death and into new life, and be one with the waiting Lamb.
Thought for the Day: How would the Church react to a non-white pope?
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