Our Future Unity

Our perspective on the present must be shaped by the future. Commenting on divisions within the evangelical family, Iain Murray rightly reminds us not to understand our struggles solely in terms of the present and the temporal. ‘At every point in Christian life and labour it is the certainty of what is future which is to govern the present.’ The Book of Revelation is therefore of defining significance. It lifts the curtain, giving us a glimpse of the united heavenly multitudes. We find three significant encouragements in the song of heaven in Revelation 7:9-12.

a. The vision is of God’s family

John’s vision included representatives from every part of the globe. He piles up the expressions – nation, tribe, people, language – to show that the redeemed aren’t from a restricted group, but from all over the world (Revelation 7:9). It’s a universal family, and John states that it is innumerable, reminding us of the promise made to Abraham when God took him outside of his tent and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars – if indeed you can count them. Then he said to him, “so shall your offspring be”.’ … ‘I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore’ (Gen 15:5; 22:17).

John sees all of Abraham’s true offspring, all of the servants of God from throughout the centuries and from every part of the globe, stretching out as far as his eyes could see - a great multitude streaming in every direction, but each standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. And it’s happening. We are seeing a greater advance in the church’s mission than in any previous century. The vision is daily becoming a reality, and therefore neither the tribalism of our culture nor the fractures within our churches should be allowed to extinguish in our hearts the wonderful vision of God’s global family, united in worship around the throne. That vision represents the fulfilment of God’s gospel promises in the Old Testament, and is the ultimate expression of the one new humanity achieved through the cross.

b. The reason is God’s gospel

There is no question that the great multitude in heaven is diverse, but God’s gospel, expressed in the saving work of Christ, transcends all cultural, linguistic and racial boundaries, and we find God’s family united through Christ’s work. We know this because of what they wear, what they hold and what they shout.

‘They were wearing white robes’ (7:9). At its simplest this is symbolic of their right relationship with God. The blood of Christ had cleansed them from sin (7:14), and now they are standing before God, justified, clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

Second, ‘they were holding palm branches in their hands’, a symbol of victory and rejoicing. Palm branches were often associated with the Feast of Tabernacles - the joyful holiday at the end of the season, when everyone gave thanks for the successful harvest. The feast pointed to the harvest in the end time, just as Isaiah had prophesied: God would gather his own from all nations, swallow up death for ever, and wipe away tears from all faces (Isa 25:8). The celebration in heaven, with people from all nations redeemed by the one Lord Jesus Christ, is the great ingathering of God’s harvest. Heaven is a celebration of Jesus’ triumph.

And third, there is what they shout: ‘And they cried out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb”.’ (7:10) John had earlier seen that the Lion of the tribe of Judah who comes in triumph is the Lamb who had been slain. Now John sees ever-widening concentric circles breaking into praise, until all creation joins in the song.

The reason for this unified family is God’s gospel, and the heavenly choir from different nations and languages has no confusion of tongues. Babel is a thing of the past, and the rejoicing is heard as a single voice. God has not obliterated the diversity, but has gathered them into one unified assembly.

c. The focus is God’s glory

‘All the angels were standing round the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God saying, ‘Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever, Amen!’ (7:11,12).

The focus of heaven when the harvest is finally gathered in will be the glory of God. Heaven is God’s family, saved by God’s gospel, celebrating God’s glory. The story does not end in the dustbowls of infinity, but in the everlasting declaration of the glory of God.