As we focus our #HeartsTowardsHeaven this month, we pause this week to reflect on the people of heaven — Believers from every nation.
My heart has been heavy this week. Yours may be, too. From the Taliban in Afghanistan to the earthquake in Haiti that has taken nearly 2,000 lives, the suffering of which we have caught glimpses in recent days is immense. You may have seen a particularly moving phrase that has been circulating this week, attributed to an email sent by a Christian in Afghanistan. He wrote, “most of us expect to meet Jesus face to face in the next two weeks.”
When I came across those words this week, I saw in a new light the vision of heaven that John describes in the seventh chapter of Revelation.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
(Revelation 7:9-10)
It struck me afresh that heaven is populated with martyrs of the faith, including those of our present day. I imagine the courage with which the persecuted church is walking out their faith, and how that must ring out as resounding worship in heaven. “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
One ministry leader shared this week that 22 of their 20 underground church leaders remain trapped in Afghanistan. Our Christian brothers and sisters passing from this present life into eternity, be it from age or illness, natural disaster or violence, join together in worship in a new and profound freedom and peace in the presence of the risen Christ.
John’s vision of Heaven continues:
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
(Revelation 7:13-17)
He who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
Amen.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe every tear away from their eyes.
Amen.
Lord, shepherd your people.
Shepherd those who are facing terror. Shepherd those who are grieving. Shepherd those facing the unknown. Shepherd those battling illness, hunger, or shame.
Wipe the tears from their eyes.
Comfort those who are alone.
Comfort those who are the comforters.
Give them courage, and give them your profound peace.
May we look forward with hope and anticipation to the glory of joining your saints from every nation in worship:
“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Amen
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These voices from 50 nations were joined one year ago. Though the first images here recall the isolation of initial pandemic “lockdown,” the musical collage of voices and faces across the globe well portray our unity and hope as Christians, an apt foretaste of heaven.
[…] then took a look at how heaven is filled with Believers from every nation. As the Revelation of John tells us, our brothers and sisters who have suffered and died, including […]