Standing Together
Our world has an eclectic array of hair and skin, eyes and smiles. People have freckles and beards, birthmarks and dimples. They have long hair, short hair, straight hair, curly hair, and no hair.
All of them have individual backgrounds and life experiences.
All of them have unique voices, personalities, and fingerprints.
All of them have made in the image of God.
And one day, every Christian throughout history will stand together before God.
“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 were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'"
Revelation 7:9-10 NIV
This passage in Revelation is talking about a group of people from all backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life gathering together to worship God. The ability to worship Him in this unified way is only possible because while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus bridged the gap between us and God by becoming the perfect substitutionary sacrifice for our brokenness.
Jesus’ power is the only power that can unify humanity. And because Jesus’ great power is at work within the global Church, we can intentionally await His return by sharing His love, joy, hope, and peace with everyone around us. Because our hope, strength, and future is in Jesus, we can cry out with Christians everywhere— “salvation belongs to our God … and to the Lamb!”
So today, let’s worship God with every breath we take by staying focused on Jesus, and living in unity with other Christians as we await Jesus’ return.
Holding the Door Open
In 2 Peter 3:9, Peter writes to encourage his friends…
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."
Peter is reminding them that the world in its present state won’t last forever. We look forward to the day when the new heavens and new earth will arrive and all evil, suffering, and death will pass away.
But our time holds a special characteristic: it’s a chance for people to repent and find salvation.
Jesus, in His kindness, is holding the door open—giving time for more people to turn away from destructive living and come to Him.
This is our golden opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. Through His followers, He is actively extending His offer of new, eternal life to the world.
And those who respond to that invitation will find the peace of God’s presence. They’ll have access to joy that can’t be taken away by ...