READING: Revelation 6-10
“After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9
I’ve been privileged to travel and meet people from all around the world. I’ve grown to love others as people created in the image of God. More than anything, I want them to know Jesus as I know Him—as the Savior who loved me enough to die for me. The Bible assures us of a day when a multitude from the nations will indeed gather around God’s throne, and this picture makes my heart leap with excitement: “After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:9-10).
Here’s what I think of when I read this verse:
- One of my friends from Southeast Asia will turn to Christ and be among that number
- A friend from Africa will have rejected his false gods and instead followed Christ – and he will be in that crowd
- A European friend who was once an atheist will be have been converted, and he will be there, too
- Another friend from East Asia will have risked his life to follow Jesus – and he will be there robed in white
- A friend in my gym who today is not a believer will turn to Christ in repentance and faith – and he will be my brother in that number.
I could go on and on. This picture of the throng around the throne of God is a picture of the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, it’s one of the reasons I do what I do: God chooses to use us as His instruments to draw the nations to Himself.
ACTION STEPS:
- Praise God for the promise of this picture of the nations.
- Ask God how you might be best used as a witness to the nations. Be open to going wherever He demands.
PRAYER: “Lord, use me to draw the nations to You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Revelation 11-13
