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
While certainly not to be taken literally, John’s vision, as seen through heaven’s open door, provides an expansive glimpse at the never-ending resurrected life that is ours in Christ. Here there are no great divisions, no racial or sexual preferences, no nationalistic bickering–only a vast multitude of persons in white robes, all having been cleansed in the Blood of the Lamb, and all singing praises to the one God. And even if John’s images seem strange to us, we can only rejoice in the destiny he imagines. By contrast our news media are determined to amplify our fears by stoking discord and hatred–sadly, we are being encouraged in our racial and societal prejudices. Daily we’re told that enemies are on the prowl and looking for ways to destroy our way of life. And it’s true that people are on the move. Forced from their homes by poverty and violence, they search in vain for those who would offer freedom and security. How absurd it is that supposedly civilized people living on this beautiful planet are hell-bent on developing and using even more powerful weapons of death and destruction! People of faith will pray daily that John’s vision of unity and joy could become the reality we experience now. Thy Kingdom come, O Lord, and let it be soon!
Thought for the Day: What difference can I make?
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