The liveliest church service I ever attended occurred in the West African nation of Ivory Coast. Clapping, singing, and dancing all erupted at various times, including from the old white dude visiting that Sunday. Thanks to the graciousness of wonderful hosts, I never felt odd or out of place. I felt welcomed as a fellow follower of Jesus.

That morning with those joyful disciples leapt to mind when I read about the gigantic worship service described in Revelation 7:

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 cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.

Every nation, tribe, people and language refers to every ethnos, or people group, in the world. Which means that worshippers of Jesus will be found not just among nations, but among every distinct body of language and culture around the globe. We’re not there yet, as far as missiologists tell us, but every day the gospel spreads. Soon, this vision will be realized.

The heavenly gathering won’t be somber or sad. Rather, I picture it as joyous, raucous, and unlike any gathering you or I have ever attended.

I don’t want to miss it.

Revelation 7 in week forty-nine of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Eva Blue