Diversity in Heaven

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. - Revelation 7:9

One of the great things about the book of Revelation is the vision of who is in heaven. It’s all of us - all the diversity that we’ve come to love here, well we get to see it there. And when the author is writing these things down, it’s as if they are listening in to the languages being spoken and appreciating all the nuances of cultural dress between different tribes. Out language, culture, and ethnic identity are fully honored in heaven.

Later on, right at the very end of the book (and of the Bible) there’s this great phrase that re-emphasizes the value of cultural difference yet again:
The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. - Revelation 21:26

All the goodness of each people group - each ‘ethne’ in the Greek - shows up when Jesus renews all things and sets all to right. Our culture is not erased, not assimilated, not white-washed. Our culture matters. It’s heavenly!

So let’s be praying today for the kingdom of heaven to come on earth as it is there - in all it’s goodness and glory, right here!