Lovewell: A Theology - Day 16

Revelation 7:9-10
9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

This is one of my favorite texts. Not only does it paint a phenomenal picture of what heaven will look like, it also shows us how diverse heaven will be. There are a few things that we can surmise from these texts:

1. There will be a great number of people in heaven! This translation says a “vast crowd” and that is awesome. While crowds can be a bit unruly and frustrating at times, it is good to know we will not be alone when we are there. Have you ever been to Disneyland on a really crowded day? It is amazing how many people they stuff into that 51 acres! (Yes, that is how small it really is, crazy to think about). 
2. The diversity in heaven will be incredible. If you think all those in heaven will look, sound, and act like you, you have got it wrong. Every nation and tribe and people will be represented in those days. That is so incredible! I love the fact that our churches are all actually very diverse places, where people are welcomed and told that they belong. It is one of the best things about Crosswalk Churches. For me, it seems to show us a little bit of what heaven is going to be like! 
3. This gospel, this expression of love must make its way to relevancy in every tribe and tongue and nation and people. That means, we are not bound by one culture or one creed or one language. Truly, the gospel is something that is to be spread everywhere, and can be because of how relevant it is to the people of this earth.
   
   

Now, not everything looks or smells or feels the same in every church or for every culture. Truly, there is a multiplicity of ways that we worship. Not everyone is comfortable with every form of worship out there.


I have been to churches where I am deeply uncomfortable with the cultural expression of worship that was being expressed, and I am sure there are some that have come to Crosswalk and feel the same way. The style of worship, the culture of the church, the music, the layout, the greeters, all of these things are less important than the focus of the worship, and that should be Jesus. However, those styles and forms are what makes the message of Jesus relevant in our time and space and place and in theirs as well.

What this all means is that we have an obligation to be open to many different ways of how the gospel is expressed into the world. The important thing is that it is expressed and annunciated to those who have ears to hear!

1. Who do you think heaven will be filled with? 
2. How will you handle all the diversity that will be there? 
3. Is it okay that different cultures and generations express the gospel differently? 
4. How can you express the gospel in a way that makes it relevant to those around you and within your influence?