Populating Heaven

Kim Yoon-young is reunited with her family members
on her arrival at a hospital in Seoul.

Scripture

"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 in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." (Revelation 7:9)

Observation

John's vision of a multitude of ethnicity before the throne of God must have been colourful. Although, they were all wearing white robes signifying their purity by the blood of Jesus, there must have been a rainbow of colours represented in the people. From every language, worshiping with all their hearts - what a symphony that must have been!

And in that crowd will be the Afghans, the Koreans, the Iraqis, the Pakistanis, the Singaporeans - every nation, every tribe, every languauge. This is God's final plan. And through the ages, he is using every situation and circumstance to populate heaven, so that we will all be with him - forever! That was the purpose of the Cross!

Application

My take home this morning is one of fervent expectation - to be among the multitudes giving God honour! I'm not worried about how crowded it might be or the waving palm branches of others stinging my face. To be among the colourful nationals, created to shout with our native tongues - Glory to God and to know that through it all, no matter what had happened in my life or in my world, God has finally triumphant!

All the 19 South Koreans held hostage by the Taliban have been released.

A story from Time Magazine asks what resolving this crisis really cost South Korea. Will this crisis result in the kidnapping of other South Koreans in an attempt to force South Korea out of Iraq? Did South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun's mishandling of the crisis force him into negotiations? Did South Korea pay a ransom (US$20 million?) in addition to pulling out its troops and Christian aid workers from Afghanistan?

Tactically, this is good news for the hostages, for their families, and for South Korea. It is a prayer answered for the hostages. Strategically, this may prove to be a disaster of monumental proportions, endangering South Koreans in Iraq but foreigners of any nationality in both Iraq and Afghanistan. But spiritually, God is still on the throne. And He is still in control. And He isn't finish yet. Surely, He is up to something!

For one thing, the missionary fervour of the South Korean church has not been quenched. Pastor Cho Yonggi said this in his church on Sunday:

Again, my prayer is that something like this doesn’t discourage people all around the world - regardless of their religious views- to pursue a desire to DO GOOD and help fellow humanity. It is my prayer that this doesn’t discourage Christian missionaries around the world to pursue their convictions in both communicating and demonstrating the gospel and grace of Christ.

Why so? Because God is populating heaven and He does it through His Church despite the obstacles and the hindrances.

Prayer

Dear Lord, when I am home in heaven I will understand all that is happening in the world today fully. But right now, thank you Lord for clarifying for me what I must know - that You are doing all things with a purpose of populating heaven. Count me in, Lord!