The Diversity Of Heaven
In Revelation 7, John sees a vision of the family of God in heaven – a vision marked by the diversity and difference of ethnicities, cultures and nationalities worshiping as one. Not only is this picture of heaven a hopeful encouragement for our future, it’s a calling and challenge for our present. In a world where our differences are often demonized, we’ve been called to a supernatural unity in Christ.
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. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9-10 NIV
Our eternity will be filled with diversity and difference.
Culture: our normal way of living (art, music, food).
Ethnicity: common ancestry and roots of identity.
Race: appearance-based means of assessing and valuing others.
(taken from Dr. Korie Edwards)
Racism is prejudice plus power.
– Jemar Tisby, How To Fight Racism
Worldly power always demands uniformity.
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:2-3 NIV
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Acts 1:6 NIV
Worldly power enforces uniformity through the lie of scarcity.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 NIV
When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? …we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
Acts 2:6-8, 11b NIV
“Human beings do not simply bear God’s image individually but collectively as well. Each people group with their various languages, dress, foods, clothing, and customs reveal a finite facet of God’s infinite diversity… No single people group can adequately reflect the glory of God. Rather we need the diversity present in the multiplicity of nations and tribes to paint a more complete portrait of God’s splendor.”
Jemar Tisby, How To Fight Racism
Oneness does not require sameness in the kingdom of God.
“The beautiful vision of “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages… is—or should be—at the heart of the church’s self-understanding. This is what God is up to in the world…. If Christians around the globe truly understood themselves as part of this international community, and fully embraced that membership as their primary source of identity, mission, and allegiance, it is doubtful that so many Christians could maintain their deep-seated national allegiances, or their suspicions of foreigners.”
Michael Gorman, Reading Revelation Responsibly
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 NIV
A lot of what we understand about our differences developed in our childhood. How did you grow up processing the differences between you and others in the world around you? Did you encounter or learn any prejudice or racism? Talk a little about your experience.